Southern Africa Territory Official Minute Title: Guidelines for Acceptance as a Candidate Date: 01/02/2014 Keywords: Application process, Candidates, College for Officer Training, forms, Territorial Candidates Council, Divisional Candidates Board, Divisional Commander, Divisional Youth Officer, Candidate development programme, Supervising Officer. General information Description: These guidelines will be applied in the presentation of cases to the Territorial Candidates Council when reviewing and considering all new Candidate applications for recommendation. Purpose: To ensure that all Candidates applications have been managed efficiently and effectively. Applicability: This minute applies to all prospective Candidates throughout the Southern Africa Territory. Compliance Policy A. Candidate Application Process A1. Applications

A1.1 All applicants must have reached their (18th) birthday prior to their entering the CFOT. A1.2 All applicants should have a minimum of 15 years’ service available to The Salvation Army following their training at The College for Officer Training. Therefore, the applicant should not be older than 50 years of age at the time of commissioning. A1.3 All Candidates must have obtained a matriculation certificate or its equivalent, particularly in the case of non-national Candidates. A minimum of at least one year’s work experience or college studies is recommended. A1.4 All non-national applicants must have obtained permanent residency status, where applicable, prior to entering the CFOT. A1.5 Applicants must have been enrolled as a soldier for at least a one year period prior to submitting an application as a potential Candidate. A1.6 Applicants must have held a leadership or assistant leadership position in the Corps for at least a one year period prior to submitting an application as a potential Candidate. A1.7 Applicants must undergo a number of tests and assessments on a Divisional and Territorial level prior to being recommended to enter the College for Officer Training.

 

A1.8 Applicants must complete and submit, to their Divisional Youth Officer, all mandatory application forms and required documents (specified in the Candidate Application Process) prior to their interview with their respective Divisional Candidates Board. A1.9 All applicants must undergo an interview process with their respective Divisional Candidates Board prior to their case advancing to the Territorial Candidates Council. A1.10 All applicants Health matters are to be treated with the utmost confidentiality and care. Therefore, all health assessment forms are to be completed, placed in a sealed envelope and forwarded directly to the Territorial Candidates Secretary. Each of the Health assessments will then be discussed and reviewed by the Territorial Candidates Secretary and the Territorial Medical Ministries Secretary. A1.11 Applicants, recommended by the Divisional Candidates Board, must submit the required foundational SALT enrolment form to the Extension training Officer immediately following their recommendation to proceed, by the Divisional Candidates Board. A1.12 Once recommended to proceed by the Divisional Candidates Board, the applicant must commence studying the foundational SALT course specified in the Candidate Application Process. This course must be completed, submitted and marked prior to attending the Candidates assessment conference.

A2. Local Officer appraisal forms

A2.1 Every new application to be processed must be accompanied by at least three Local Officer Appraisal forms which have been signed by the Corps Officer, or Divisional Youth Officer in the absence of a Corps Officer. A2.2 It is of the utmost importance that the Local Officer Appraisal forms are completed or populated as honestly as possible when evaluating or reflecting on the applicant’s character and spiritual maturity.

B. Divisional Candidates Board

B1.1 The Divisional Candidate Board must assess and ensure the readiness of each applicant, according to the competencies listed in the Candidates Application process. B1.2 A full quorum of Divisional Candidate Board members (as specified in the Candidates application process) must be present when interviewing applicants. B1.3 Each member of the Divisional Candidates Board must complete their own interview form during the interview process with an applicant. B1.4 Should an applicant need any assistance before their case proceeds to the Territorial Candidates Council, whether that be practically, financially or spiritually, the Deferral Programme (as specified in the Candidates Application Process) should be applied at the local/divisional level.

 

C. Candidate Development Programme?? C1. Acceptance

C1.1 The Candidate development Programme will run for the period of 1 year. Therefore, only Candidates with greater life and ministry experience, and fewer development issues or challenges, will be recommended to serve on the Candidate Development Programme. C1.2 All Candidates, on the Candidates Development Programme, must have attended a Candidates Assessment conference and been recommended for training for the next intake of Cadets. C1.3 These Candidates must agree to give up all other occupations and accept total involvement in the studies or the unit/Corps to which they may be appointed. C1.4 Candidates will be appointed to serve under the direction of a Supervising Officer, who will be appointed by the Territorial Commander, following recommendation by the Territorial Candidates Council. C1.5 Candidates will be required to sign an undertaking prior to acceptance into the programme.

C2. Conditions of Service

C2.1 Candidates receive allowances according to the official territorial scale. Where the Candidate is appointed to a social institution or is resident at such an institution, one third of the allowance will be paid back as Board and Lodging. In the case of the Candidate residing in a furnished quarters provided by the appointment, the Candidate will be able to retain two thirds of the allowance. C2.2 Candidates wear soldiers trimmings, and when recommended will be permitted to wear the Candidates acceptance star. C2.3 Candidates are required to wear official uniform when carrying out their duties. C2.4 The service of a Working Candidate ends prior to entry into the CFOT, and appropriate uniform will then be required according to the requirements of the CFOT. C2.5 Should a Candidate's service or conduct be deemed unsatisfactory, disciplinary action will need to be carried out.

Links: Insert links to other related TSA SAF minutes Procedure Insert list of associated procedures Forms Insert links to forms relating to this minute References Insert list of reference material Review Insert review date and person responsible

 

Issued by CHIEF SECRETARY