Recognition of Programs

1. The formation program forwards an application ( two hard copies and one electronic copy) to the AECSD Secretary together with an application fee of $550.00 (Inc. GST) made payable to Australian Ecumenical Council for Spiritual Direction. The application details how the formation program complies with the   Formation Guidelines: Recommendations to Foster, Support, and Recognise the Formation of Spiritual Directors in Australia (Revised June 2008). In  preparing an application, a formation program may wish to take note of and complete the Application Checklist that AECSD uses to review an application. A program's application may include a completed Application Checklist. 
2. Upon receipt of the application, the AECSD Secretary acknowledges the application and advises the applicant at which Council meeting AECSD will consider the application. The Secretary may ask for copies of supporting documentation if required.

1. AECSD reviews the application and appoints two representatives to visit the formation program. During the visit, the representatives discuss the application with the program's staff and sit in on selective sessions of the program to assess how it is delivered.

1. Following their visit to the formation program, the two representatives prepare a written report for the Council to consider.

1. The Council after discussing the report either
   1. recommends that the President forwards a Certificate of Recognition to the formation program and the Council member(s) who visited the program give oral and written feedback to the formation director about the Council’s observations of the program or
   2. proposes further ongoing consultation with the staff of the formation program to assist the program to comply with the Formation Guidelines or
   3. if the formation program is currently not eligible for recognition, continues to offer support in a mutually acceptable manner where appropriate