One Foot Forward
Becoming a SCIO
The Epiphany Group has been leaning into and responding to the winds of change for 25 years now and continues to do so.
Over the last year the Leadership Team has been exploring options for the most appropriate structure that would allow us to operate according to principles of accountability and transparency in line with our values; take best advantage of any income streams or tax benefits that will help us operate sustainably and restrict the liabilities of those members of the group who manage our organisation.
Last year a sub-group consulted with multiple sources on possible future organisational structures for the Epiphany Group and following two discernment days with the membership earlier this year it was agreed that we would apply to be a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO).
The Leadership Team have now employed the services of Brian Miller, a consultant, who has been helping us to write a constitution that will enable us to continue to serve our mission in the world.
We aim to share this constitution and a Vision statement with the membership in the coming months and invite questions and feedback through a Zoom session.
Once the feedback has been collated and any amendments made to our constitution, we will submit our application to Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) for consideration.
As we put one foot forward, we remain rooted and grounded in our relationship with God and continue to pray for the Spirit’s wisdom and guidance in our ongoing discernment. Hopefully we will find out by the end of this year whether ourapplication has been successful before we bow our heads and take the next step.
Hands that hold
In July 2025 the Leadership Team shared the first draft of the vision statement and constitution with the membership and after a very fruitful discussion, made some amendments with the help of Brian Miller.
We also asked our members to discern whether they felt willing to act as trustees for the Epiphany Group, to offer the wisdom of their experience and help us stay true to our purpose, mission and values.
To our delight, in the weeks that followed we received six nominations for trustees who agreed to generously offer their time and share their many gifts so that we can grow together and be a resilient organisation fit for God’s purpose.
Last month the Leadership Team met with our new trustees to pray and begin our creative collaboration together.
Our nominated trustees are:
Beth Dickson (Glasgow)
Liz O’Ryan (Haddington)
Simon Hughes (Fife)
Rachel Inglis (Kirkcudbright)
Lorna Sylvester (Inverness)
Duncan Hughes (Edinburgh)
The Leadership Team would like to express their gratitude to our new trustees as we now work together to submit our application to become a SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation) in the next few weeks. We hope to hear by early next year whether our application has been successful.
May our trustees be infused with the spirit of passion and creativity and may they have the wisdom to balance compassion and challenge.
(adapted from The One Who Holds Power) John O’Donohue).
Christ Has No Body
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
Teresa of Avila (1515–1582)
Frequently asked questions
Q. What is the difference between a charity and a SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
A. The Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation is a legal form unique to Scottish charities. SCIOs can enter into contracts, employ staff, incur debts, own property. It also provides a high degree of protection against liability.
Q. What kind of information is included in a charity constitution?
A. A constitution (governing document) is a legal document that sets out it’s charitable purposes (“;objects”;), powers, who runs it and who can be a member, meetings and appointments, rules on remuneration, investments and holding land, power to change the governing document and how to close the charity.
Q. What does being a member of a SCIO mean?
A. Members seek, in good faith, to ensure the SCIO acts in a manner which is consistent with its charitable purposes (“objects”), as set out in the constitution. They also have the power to appoint some trustees and take part in decisions which would involve changing the constitution that they had signed up to.
Q. What does a trustee do?
A. A trustee enables the organisation to meet its aims and performs the following functions:
Set and maintain the vision, mission and values of the organisation.
Develop direction, strategy and planning.
Delegate responsibilities to members to carry out everyday running of the organisation.
There is further, support and training available from Scottish Council Voluntary Organisations SCVO, other third sector organisations and OSCR which gives clear guidelines on the roles and responsibilities of trustees.
Organisations, other third sector organisations and OSCR which gives clear guidelines on the roles and responsibilities of trustees
Q. How many trustees do we need?
A. A minimum of three and there is no maximum (though the EG draft constitution will stipulate a maximum of 11).
Ideally, we would like to start with 5 trustees, if at all possible, so that there is some leeway should any trustee need to step down for whatever reason. Each one will be asked to serve for a fixed period of time (as is the case now on the LT)
Q. Can trustees be paid?
A. While trustees cannot be paid for their work as a trustee, they can be remunerated for activities which contribute to the charitable purposes of the organisation (e.g. as a tutor). The charity regulator OSCR stipulates that fewer than half of the trustees can be remunerated
Q. Where does the authority lie in the SCIO
A. In a SCIO, authority primarily resides with the charity trustees as they are responsible for the general management and control of the charity, however, the membership of the SCIO also holds significant control as they vote for some of the trustees.
Q. Can a constitution be changed?
A. Yes, a constitution can be changed. If a change was needed before the due date of the Annual General Meeting (which takes place approximately every 12- 18 months) it might require an Extraordinary General Meeting and a specified percentage of the membership would need to approve this.
Further information can be found at:
Office Scottish Charity Regulator OSCR
Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council EVOC
Scottish Council Voluntary Organisations SCVO