Amended: May 2003
Name
1. The name of the group shall be the "Wellington Macintosh Society Incorporated".
Objects
2. The objects of the group shall be:
(a) To exchange and disseminate information among the members
concerning the computer arts and sciences.
(b) To publish books, newsletters, magazines and periodicals for
the benefit and education of the members and general public.
(c) To conduct and sponsor seminars, lectures and courses relating
to the computer arts and sciences.
(d) To provide technical assistance to members of the group.
(e) To seek privileges and discounts for members.
Interpretation
3. In the interpretation of this constitution (unless the context requires a different construction):"Group" shall mean the Wellington Macintosh Society Incorporated;
“Committee” shall mean the Management Committee of the Group as specified in Clause 13 (b) hereof.
Words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa, words referring to one gender shall include all genders, and words importing persons shall include corporations.
Patron
4. A patron may be appointed at a general meeting, and shall hold office for a period of one calendar year.Membership
5. (a) Membership of the group shall be open to those who support
the group's objects and who pay the appropriate subscription as provided in
clause 8 hereof.
(b) There shall be the following categories of membership:
(i) Individual members;
(ii) Student members, being persons engaged in full time studies
either at school, or at a tertiary institution;
(iii) Family members, being families which include one or more
persons 18 years of age or over;
(iv) Corporate members, being companies, firms, clubs, societies,
and other
organisations, whether or not incorporated in law.
(v) Honorary members, being persons 18 years of age or over
nominated by any
member and approved by the management committee on an annual
basis.
(vi) Life Members Any member of not less than ten years membership
who has rendered outstanding services to the group may be elected
as a Life Member. Every proposal for a Life Membership shall first
be considered by the Committee and if approved by it, submitted to
a ballot at a General Meeting. A three fourths majority of those
members present and entitled to vote thereon shall be necessary to
effect such election. A Life Member shall not be liable for payment
of any annual subscription.
Application for membership
6. An applicant for membership shall apply to the management committee which may admit or refuse to admit any such applicant.
Cessation of membership
7. Persons or organisations shall cease to be members:
(a) on resignation in writing;
(b) on failing to pay the appropriate subscription within one month
of the due date in accordance with Clause 8 (d);
(c) if, in the opinion of the management committee, they are no
longer suitable for membership. Any member whose membership is terminated under
this sub clause shall have a right of appeal to a General Meeting
provided notice of such appeal is given to the Secretary in writing
within seven days of being advised of the reason/s for termination.
The Secretary shall forthwith call a special meeting in accordance
with Rule 11 (c) (i).
Subscriptions
8. (a) The annual subscriptions payable by the various categories
of members shall be those set by resolution of the annual general
meeting.
(b) No subscription shall be paid by an honorary life member or by
an honorary member for the financial year for which such membership
is approved.
(c) The Subscription year shall run for twelve calendar months from
the date of a members formal admission to the group under Rule
6.
(d) If the annual subscription of any member and any other moneys
owing to the Group shall remain unpaid after one month from due
date, the Member shall be deemed to be unfinancial and shall not
thereafter, unless the Committee shall otherwise determine in
special circumstances, be entitled to participate in any activities
of the group or exercise any other privileges of membership until
all such moneys shall have been paid.
Financial year
9. The financial year of the group shall commence on the 1st day of
January and conclude on the 31st day of December in each year.
Financial statements
10. Every year a financial statement shall be prepared in
accordance with appropriate accounting practice showing all the receipts and
expenditure of the group since the preceding year's financial
statement and a general statement of the funds and effects and
liabilities and assets of the group. Every such statement shall be
signed by the president and treasurer and laid before an annual
meeting.
General meetings
11. (a) There shall be an annual general meeting of the group to be
held not later than the 31st day of March in each year and the management
committee shall give members 7 clear days' notice of such meeting.
(b) The business of the annual general meeting shall include:
(i) The confirmation of the minutes of the previous annual general
meeting, and any matters arising.
(ii) The presentation and consideration of the annual report and
annual accounts of the group (which shall be forwarded to members with the
notice of the meeting), and any matters arising.
(iii) The election of the officers of the group and other members
of the management committee.
(c) (i) A special general meeting, at which only the business for
which the meeting is covened shall be dealt with, shall be held at
such time as the management committee may determine or within 21 days of receiving a
requisition for such meeting signed by 20 members or 50% of financial membership,
whichever is lesser, to discuss any particular matter that may arise during the
year.
(c) (ii) Members shall be given 7 clear days notice of general
meetings and of the business to be discussed.
Procedure at general meetings
12. (a) In order of precedence, the president, vice president or
another financial member of the group elected by the meeting shall
be the chairman of the general meetings.
(b) Ten financial members being entitled to exercise a vote
pursuant to clause 12(d) hereof shall constitute a quorum at any
general meeting.
(c) Except for the election of Life Members pursuant to Clause 5
(b) (iv) and constitutional amendments pursuant to clause 16
hereof, all resolutions proposed at general meetings shall be
decided by a simple majority of those members present and entitle
to vote pursuant to clause 12(d) hereof, and in the event of an
equality of votes the chairman of the meeting shall have a casting
vote.
(d) At general meetings financial members shall each have one vote
except two votes may be exercised on behalf of a financial family
or corporate member if two or more persons 18 years of age or over
representing such a member are present.
(e) Should a financial member be unable to attend a meeting for
which a previously tabled or circularised motion is to be
considered, they may cast their vote in writing, and prior to the
date of the said meeting.
Management committee and officers
13. (a) The Officers of the Club shall be the president; the vice president; the secretary; and the
treasurer;
(b) There shall be a Management Committee comprising the Officers
of the Club and five to eight other members being financial members
of the group elected at the annual general meeting to hold office
from the time of their election until the election of a management
committee at the next succeeding annual general meeting.
(c) Candidates for election to the management committee shall be
nominated and seconded by financial members present at the annual general
meeting. Candidates so nominated and seconded may be elected in
absentia provided they have formerly indicated in writing their
acceptance of nomination.
(d) Should any of the committee resign during their term of office
or fail to attend three consecutive committee meetings without
furnishing satisfactory reasons for such absence he or she shall
cease to be a member of the committee.
Powers, functions and procedures of the management committee
14. (a) The control of the affairs of the group shall be vested in
the management committee.
(b) The secretary shall keep minutes of all general meetings and
meetings of the management committee.
(c) The treasurer shall keep the accounts of the group, prepare
estimates of income and expenditure for the management committee
and obtain the committee's authorisation for expenditure generally or specifically.
(d) The management committee shall operate a bank account in the
group's name with signatories being any two of the president, vice
president, secretary or treasurer.
(e) The procedure for presiding over meetings of the management
committee and for the adoption of resolutions shall be as provided for general
meetings in clause 12(a) and (c) and five members of the committee
shall constitute a quorum.
(f) The management committee may appoint sub-committees or, from
time to time, ad hoc committees to deal with specific matters.
(g) (i) The management committee may appoint a financial member of
the group to fill any vacancy on the committee.
(ii) The management committee may co-opt up to three additional
financial members of the group to the committee.
(iii) Committee members appointed under clauses 14 (g) (i) and (ii)
shall have all the powers and responsibilities of elected members
and shall serve until the next annual general meeting.
Notice
15. Notices of all annual and special general meetings of the group
shall be deemed to be duly given if posted to the last known
registered office or address of each member not less than 7 days
prior to the date of the meeting.
Seal
16. The group shall provide a common seal which shall be in the
custody of the secretary. The seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except
in pursuance of a resolution of the management committee and/or the
group and in the presence of two members of the management
committee one of whom must be the president, vice president,
secretary or treasurer of the group
Constitutional amendments
17. (a) This constitution may be amended by a resolution to that
effect adopted at a general meeting provided that at least 7 clear days' notice of
any such resolution has been given to members.
(b) No changes to the dissolution rule (Rule 18) shall be made
without the approval of the Inland Revenue Department.(amended
28.4.98)
Dissolution
18. (a) The group may be dissolved by a resolution to that effect
adopted at a general meeting provided that at least 14 clear days'
notice of any such resolution has been given to members.
(b) Such general meeting shall determine the disposal of any
property of the group remaining after its debts and liabilities
have been discharged such property to be given or transferred to
some other non-profit body having objects similar to those of the
group, but not so as to benefit personally any member of the
group.
Borrowing power
19. The group may with the authority of a resolution of a special
general meeting borrow money for the purpose of the group and may
secure the repayment thereof on all or any of the assets of the
group specified in such resolution by way of mortgage or charge
thereon or otherwise howsoever or upon no security.
Miscellaneous
20. (a) Neither the group nor its officers or members shall be
liable for damage caused to members' property or equipment, whether
such damage is caused intentionally, negligently or in any other
way, nor any economic or consequential loss resulting
therefrom.
(b) The group shall not be liable for any damages arising out of
any accident happening to any member of the group during the use of any of the
group’s plant, apparatus, equipment, facilities or amenities,
or from the occupation of any buildings belonging to the group
whether financial or otherwise.
(c) Devices, arrangements of programs shown or described at group
meetings may embody patents or copyright. Information is furnished without
responsibility for its use and without prejudice to any such
rights.
(d) All reasonable precautions are taken by the group to ensure
that the advice and data given is reliable. However, the group can accept no
responsibility or liability for it.
(e) The copying of non public domain software by members at any
group meeting (or activity) is expressly prohibited.
(f) No member shall claim against the group for anything for which
the group by this constitution does not accept responsibility or
liability.
Disputes
21. If a dispute arises at any time in respect of a matter which is not provided for in these rules or any doubt exists as to the interpretation of these rules or any other matter shall arise pertaining to the group, its property or interests, the same shall be determined by the management committee whose decision shall be conclusive and binding on all members unless revoked at a general meeting held not later than the next following annual general meeting.