AMOA Qld Inc – Constitution
Code of Conduct
Objects of the Association
Powers
Classes of Members
Membership Fees
Admission and Rejection of Members
Termination of Membership
Appeal Against Termination of Membership
Register of Members
Membership of Management Committee
Resignation from Management Committee
Vacancies On Management Committee
Function of The Management Committee
Meetings of Management Committee
Sub Committees
Composition of Management Committee
Resolution of Management Committee
Annual General Or General Meetings
Date And Business of Annual General Meeting
Special Or Extraordinary General Meeting
Quorum
Notice of General Meeting
Conduct of General Meeting (Voting, Members Right To Vote, Secret Ballots)
By-laws
Alteration of Rules
Common Seal
Funds And Accounts
Documents
Financial Year
Distribution of Surplus Assets
Code of Conduct
1. All members shall conduct themselves in such a manner and carry on business under any names, styles or titles that shall, in the opinion of the Committee, avoid being prejudicial to the professional status of the industry or to the reputation of the Association.
2. All members shall carry on their business in a diligent, ethical, conscientious and fair manner with proper regard to the relationships between themselves, their location owners, users of their equipment, their staff and their suppliers.
3. All members shall ensure their equipment is clean and presentable, always operating correctly and complies with all applicable Health and Safety regulations.
4. All members shall comply with all relevant government legislation and regulations concerning the purchase, registration and operation of equipment and games including, but not limited to, laws relating to gaming, censorship, copyright and duties and taxes.
5. This article of the Code in no way seeks to discourage free trade or infringe Restrictive Trade Practices Legislation. However, all members should carefully consider the likely consequences to themselves before soliciting business from known clients of any other operator on other than costed factors which offer real competitive benefits. Members should realise that simply to ‘buy’ business, by paying an increased commission, or offering a gift, favour or gratuity in order to attract business away from another operator may not be in the interests of their own long term business viability, or in the interests of the industry as a whole.
6. All members should carry a minimum of $5,000,000 Public and Product Liability insurance.
7. All members should disclose their membership of the AMOAQ, together with their business name and contact number, on all equipment in operation.
8. All members should secure their interests through an AMOAQ-approved site contract.
9. All members who operate Family Entertainment Centres, and in particular, sites that are close to schools, should ensure that truancy and/or delinquency are firmly discouraged so that adverse publicity in this regard from parents/teachers and surrounding businesses does not lower the image of the industry to the disadvantage of all operators.
10. Members who operate Redemption Machines have an obligation to display Classification Stickers advising players of the difficulty level of the machine – whether it is suitable for ALL AGES: PARENTAL SUPERVISION REQUIRED: or NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 15 YEARS. These stickers will indicate that the NAMOA Operator has not just his own business in mind, but is showing Public Responsibility.
Objects of the Association
1. To promote and safeguard the interest of Amusement Machine Operators for the betterment and advancement of the Amusement Machine Operating Industry in Australia and elsewhere.
2. To encourage a high standard of quality and service to the public of Australia from members in fair competition.
3. To settle differences and support and the maintenance and growth of friendly discourse amongst members.
4. To devise ways and means of bettering the conditions and advancing the interest of the trade and in general, to do such other lawful acts as may be found necessary or desirable.
5. To take concerted action as one body in matters affecting all members and without limiting the application of this clause, to in particular, prepare statements of case in such matters as Statutory Regulations, Arbitration Court and Award Submissions, Taxation, Customs and Tariffs.
6. To make, alter, vary or revoke in whole or in part insofar as it may be lawful, rules, regulations, or by-laws for the observance of any matter or thing coming within the ambit of the objects of the Association.
7. To discourage and where appropriate to take concerted action to inhibit and/or expose dishonest and undesirable practices at any time they are found to exist within the Industry.
8. To impose and collect, from any member or members of the Association, subscription, funds, levies, or other monies for the purpose of carrying on or furthering the objects of the Association.
9. To co-operate with any organisation, company, person or persons in Australia or elsewhere if, in the opinion of the Association such co-operation will benefit the Association or assist in the fulfilment of the objects of the Association.
10. To join, co-operate, affiliate or merge with any other association or organisation in Australia or elsewhere if in the opinion of the Members such action would benefit the Association or assist in the fulfilment of the objects of the Association.
11. To secure to members all the advantages of unity of action to protect them in all matters affecting their interests and to do all or any of the things which may be considered as being for the betterment of the Industry.
Powers
3. The powers of the Association are:-
1. To take over the funds and other assets and the liabilities of the present unincorporated association known as the “Amusement Machine Operators’ Association of Australia”;
2. To subscribe to, become a member of and co-operate with any other association, club or organisation, whether incorporated or not, whose objects are altogether or in part similar to those of the Association but the Association shall not subscribe to or support with its funds any club, association or organisation which does not prohibit the distribution of its income and property among its members to an extent at least as great as that imposed on the Association under or by virtue of Rule 28 (10);
3. In furtherance of the objects of the Association to buy, sell and deal in all kinds of articles, commodities and provisions, both liquid and solid, for the members of the Association or persons frequenting the Association’s premises;
4. To purchase, take on lease or in exchange, hire and otherwise acquire any lands, buildings, easements or property, real and personal, and any rights or privileges which may be requisite for the purpose of, or capable of being conveniently used in connection with, any of the objects of the Association;
Provided that in case the Association shall take or hold any property which may be subject to any trusts the Association shall only deal with the same in such manner as is allowed by law having regard to such trusts;
5. To enter into any arrangements with any Government or Authority that are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objects and the exercise of the powers of the Association; to obtain from any such Government or Authority any rights, privileges and concessions which the Association may think it desirable to obtain, and to carry out, exercise and comply with any such arrangements, rights, privileges and concessions;
6. To appoint, employ, remove or suspend such managers, clerks, secretaries, servants, workmen and other persons as may be necessary or convenient for the purposes of the Association;
7. To remunerate any person or body corporate for services rendered, or to be rendered, and whether by way of brokerage or otherwise in placing or assisting to place or guaranteeing the placing of any unsecured notes, debentures, or other securities of the incorporated association, or in or about the incorporated association or promotion of the incorporated association or in the furtherance of its objects;
8. To construct, improve, maintain, develop, work, manage, carry out, alter or control any houses, buildings, grounds, works or conveniences which may seem calculated directly or indirectly to advance the Association’s interests, and to contribute to, subsidise or otherwise assist and take part in the construction, improvement, maintenance, development, working, management, carrying out, alteration or control thereof;
9. To invest and deal with the money of the Association not immediately required in such manner as may from time to time be thought fit;
10. To take, or otherwise acquire, and hold shares, debentures or other securities of any company or body corporate;
11. In furtherance of the objects of the Association to lend and advance money or give credit to any person or body corporate; to guarantee and give guarantees or indemnities for the payment of money or the performance of contracts or obligations by any person or body corporate, and otherwise to assist any person or body corporate;
12. To borrow or raise money either alone or jointly with any other person or legal entity in such manner as may be thought proper and whether upon fluctuating advance account or overdraft or otherwise to represent or secure any moneys and further advances borrowed or to be borrowed alone or with others as aforesaid by notes secured or unsecured, debentures or debenture stock perpetual or otherwise, or by mortgage, charge, lien or other security upon the whole or any part of the incorporated association’s property or assets present or future and to purchase, redeem or pay-off any such securities;
13. To draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute and issue promissory notes, bills of exchange, bills of lading and other negotiable or transferable instruments;
14. In furtherance of the objects of the Association to sell, improve, manage, develop, exchange, lease, dispose of, turn to account or otherwise deal with all or any part of the property and rights of the Association;
15. To take or hold mortgages, liens or charges, to secure payment of the purchase price, or any unpaid balance of the purchase price, of any part of the Association’s property of whatsoever kind sold by the Association, or any money due to the Association from purchasers and others;
16. To take any gift of property whether subject to any special trust or not, for any one or more of the objects of the Association but subject always to the proviso in sub-rule (4);
17. To take such steps by personal or written appeals, public meetings or otherwise, as may from time to time be deemed expedient for the purpose of procuring contributions to the funds of the Association; in the shape of donations, annual subscriptions or otherwise;
18. To print and publish any newspapers, periodicals, books or leaflets that the Association may think desirable for the promotions of its objects;
19. In furtherance of the objects of the Association to amalgamate with any one or more incorporated associations having objects altogether or in part similar to those of the Association and which shall prohibit the distribution of its or their income and property among its or their members to an extent at least as great as that imposed upon the Association under or by virtue of rule 28 (10);
20. In furtherance of the objects of the Association to purchase or otherwise acquire and undertake all or any part of the property, assets, liabilities and engagements of any one or more of the incorporated associations with which the Association is authorised to amalgamate;
21. In furtherance of the objects of the Association to transfer all or any part of the property, assets, liabilities and engagements of the Association to any one or more of the incorporated associations with which the Association is authorised to amalgamate;
22. To make donations for patriotic, charitable or community purposes;
23. To transact any lawful business in aid of the Commonwealth of Australia in the prosecution of any war in which the Commonwealth of Australia is engaged;
24. To do all such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objects and the exercise of the powers of the Association.
Classes of Members
4. 1. The membership of the Association shall consist of Ordinary Members, Associate Members and Honorary Life Members.
a) Ordinary Members:
An ordinary member may be an individual person, a company or corporation who is actively engaged in supplying and servicing Amusement Machines.
b) Associate Members:
An associate member may be an individual person, a company or corporation who is in any way associated with or interested in the Amusement Machine Industry and is prepared to assist in the fulfilment of the objects of the Association.
Except that an associate member may not hold office or vote on special resolutions such member may otherwise enjoy all of the privileges of membership including debate and voting on matters affecting the Association or Industry generally.
c) Honorary Life Members:
An Honorary Life Membership may be granted by the Association in a General Meeting to an individual person who is, or has been an ordinary member or to a person who is, or has been the nominated representative of a company or corporation that is an ordinary member of the Association who has made an outstanding contribution to the furtherance of the Association. An Honorary Life Member will be provided with an engraved plaque signifying the status and recognising the particular contribution. The Honorary Life Member who is an ordinary member will continue as an ordinary member with regard to responsibilities and rights and will continue to pay normal subscriptions. An Honorary Life Member who is no longer an ordinary member will not pay any subscriptions. A nomination for Honorary Life Membership may be submitted to the Management Committee in writing by an ordinary member and will be accompanied by a statement describing the nominee’s outstanding contribution and supported by the signatures of four other ordinary members. On receipt of a nomination for Honorary Life Membership the Management Committee will, providing there is no impediment through Clause 8 of these rules, notify the nomination for voting at the next General Meeting of the Association.
2. The number of Members in each class shall be unlimited.
5. 1. Every person who at the date of incorporation of the Association
was a member of the unincorporated association and who on or before the day of incorporation agrees in writing to become a member of the Association shall be admitted by the Management
Committee to the same class of membership of the Association as that member held in the unincorporated association, and shall not be required to pay any further subscription until the next due day for payment of that subscription.
2. Every applicant for any class of membership of the Association [other than the members of the unincorporated association referred to in sub rule (1)] shall be proposed by one member of the Association and seconded by another member. The application for membership shall be made in writing, signed by the applicant and their proposer and seconder and shall be in such form as the Management Committee from time to time prescribes.
Membership Fees
6. 1. The membership fees for each class of membership shall be such sum as the members shall from time to time at any general meeting so determine.
2. The membership fees for each class of membership shall be payable at such time and in such manner as the Management Committee shall from time to time determine.
Admission and Rejection of Members
7. 1. At the next meeting of the Management Committee after the receipt of any application and the fee applicable for any class of membership, such application shall be considered by the Management Committee, who shall thereupon determine upon the admission or rejection of the applicant.
2. Any applicant who receives a majority of the votes of the members of the Management Committee present at the meeting at which such application is being considered shall be accepted as a member to the class of membership applied for.
3. Upon the acceptance or rejection of an application for any class of membership the secretary shall forthwith give the applicant notice in writing of such acceptance or rejection.
4. he provisions of clause 7 (1) and (3) shall not apply in the case of an application for Honorary Life Membership. In any such application the Committee shall comply with the provisions of 4 (3).
Termination of Membership
8. 1. A member may resign from the Association at any time by giving notice in writing to the secretary. Such resignation shall take effect at the time such notice is received by the secretary unless a later date is specified in the notice when it shall take effect on that later date:
2. If a member :-
i) is convicted of an indictable offence; or
ii) fails to comply with any of the provisions of these Rules; or
iii) has membership fees in arrears for a period of two months or more; or
iv) conducts himself in a manner considered to be injurious or prejudicial to the character or interests of the Association;
the Management Committee shall consider whether his membership shall be terminated.
3. The member concerned shall be given a full and fair opportunity of presenting his case and if the Management Committee resolves to terminate his membership it shall instruct the secretary to advise the member in writing accordingly.
Appeal Against Termination of Membership
9. 1. A person whose application for membership has been rejected or whose membership has been terminated may within one month of receiving written notification thereof, lodge with the secretary written notice of his intention to appeal against the decision of the Management Committee.
2. Upon receipt of a notification of intention to appeal against rejection or termination of membership the secretary shall convene, within three months of the date of receipt by him of such notice, a general meeting to determine the appeal. At any such meeting the applicant shall be given the opportunity to fully present his case and the Management Committee or those members thereof who rejected the application for membership or terminated the membership subsequently shall likewise have the opportunity of presenting its or their case. The appeal shall be determined by vote of the members present at such meeting.
3. Where a person whose application is rejected, does not appeal against the decision of the Management Committee within the time prescribed by these Rules or so appeals but the appeal is unsuccessful, the secretary shall forthwith refund the amount of any fee paid.
Register of Members
10. 1. The Management Committee shall cause a Register to be kept in which shall be entered the names and residential addresses of all persons admitted to membership of the Association and the dates of their admission.
2. Particulars shall also be entered into the Register of deaths, resignations, terminations and reinstatements of membership and any further particulars as the Management Committee or the members at any general meeting may require from time to time.
3. The Register shall be open for inspection at all reasonable times by any member who previously applies to the secretary for such inspection.
Membership of Management Committee
11. 1. The Management Committee of the Association shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, all of whom shall be members of the Association, and such number of other members as the members of the Association at any general meeting may from time to time elect or appoint, but the members may elect no more than eight other members.
2. At the annual general meeting of the Association, all the members of the Management Committee for the time being shall retire from office, but shall be eligible upon nomination for re-election.
3. The election of officers and other members of the Management Committee shall take place in the following manner:
a) Any two members of the Association shall be at liberty to nominate any other member to serve as an officer or other member of the Management Committee;
b) The nomination, which shall be in writing and signed by the member and his proposer and seconder, shall be lodged with the secretary at least fourteen days before the annual general meeting at which the election is to take place;
c) A list of the candidates’ names in alphabetical order, with the proposers’ and seconders’ names, shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the office or usual place of meeting of the Association for at least seven days immediately preceding the annual general meeting;
d) Balloting lists shall be prepared (if necessary) containing the names of the candidates in alphabetical order, and each member present at the annual general meeting shall be entitled to vote for any number of such candidates not exceeding the number of vacancies;
e) Should, at the commencement of such meeting, there be an insufficient number of candidates nominated, nominations may be taken from the floor of the meeting.
Resignation from Management Committee
12. Any member of the Management Committee may resign from membership of the Management Committee at any time by giving notice in writing to the Secretary but such resignation shall take effect at the time such notice is received by the Secretary unless a later date is specified in the notice when it shall take effect on that later date or such member may be removed from office at a general meeting of the Association where that member shall be given the opportunity to fully present his case. The question of removal shall be determined by the vote of the members present at such a general meeting.
Vacancies On Management Committee
13. 1. The Management Committee shall have power at any time to appoint any member of the Association to fill any casual vacancy on the Management Committee until the next annual general meeting.
2. The continuing members of the Management Committee may act notwithstanding any casual vacancy in the Management Committee, but if and so long as their number is reduced below the number fixed by or pursuant to these Rules as the necessary quorum of the Management Committee, the continuing member or members may act for the purpose of increasing the number of members of the Management Committee to that number or of summoning a general meeting of the Association, but for no other purpose.
Function of The Management Committee
14. 1. Except as otherwise provided by these rules and subject to resolutions of the members of the Association carried at any general meeting the Management Committee:-
a) shall have the general control and management of the administration of the affairs, property and funds of the Association; and
b) shall have the authority to interpret the meaning of these Rules and any matter relating to the Association on which these Rules are silent.
2. The Management Committee may exercise all the powers of the Association:
a) to borrow or raise or secure the payment of money in such manner as the members of the Association may think fit and secure the same or the payment or performance of any debt, liability, contract, guarantee or other engagement incurred or to be entered into by the association in any way and in particular by the issue of debentures, perpetual or otherwise, charged upon all or any of the Association’s property, both present and future, and to purchase, redeem or pay off any such securities;
b) to borrow money from members at rate of interest not exceeding interest at the rate for the time being charged by bankers in Brisbane for overdrawn accounts on money lent, whether the term of the loan be short or long, and to mortgage or charge its property or any part thereof and to issue debentures and other securities, whether outright or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Association, and to provide and pay off any such securities; and
c) to invest in such manner as the members of the Association may from time to time determine.
Meetings of Management Committee
15. 1. The Management Committee shall meet at least once every calendar month to exercise its functions.
2. A special meeting of the Management Committee shall be convened by the Secretary on the requisition in writing signed by not less than one-third of the members of the Management Committee, which requisition shall clearly state the reasons why such special meeting is being convened and the nature of the business to be transacted thereat.
3. At every meeting of the Management Committee a simple majority of a number equal to the number of members elected and/or appointed to the Management Committee as at the close of the last general meeting of the members, shall constitute a quorum.
4. Subject as previously provided in this rule, the Management Committee may meet together and regulate its proceedings as it thinks fit; Provided that questions arising at any meeting of the Management Committee shall be decided by a majority of votes and, in the case of equality of votes, the question shall be deemed to be decided in the negative.
5. A member of the Management Committee shall not vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract with the Association in which he/she is interested, or any matter arising thereout, and if he/she does so vote, their vote shall not be counted.
6. Not less than fourteen days notice shall be given by the secretary to members of the Management Committee of any special meeting of the Management Committee. Such notice shall clearly state the nature of the business to be discussed thereat.
7. The President shall preside as Chair at every meeting of the Management Committee, or if there is no President, or if at any meeting he/she is not present within ten minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the Vice-President shall be Chair or if the Vice-President is not present at the meeting then the members may choose one of their number to be Chair of the meeting.
8. If within half an hour from the time appointed for the commencement of a Management Committee meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of members of the Management Committee, shall lapse. In any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place, or such other day and at such other time and place as the Management Committee may determine, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting, the meeting shall lapse.
Sub Committees
16. 1. The Management Committee may delegate any of its powers to a sub-committee consisting of such members of the Association as the Management Committee thinks fit. Any sub-committee so formed shall in the exercise of the powers so delegated conform to any regulations that may be imposed on it by the Management Committee.
2. A sub-committee may elect a Chair of its meetings. If no such Chair is elected, or if at any meeting the Chair is not present within ten minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the members present may choose one of their number to be Chair of the meeting.
3. A sub-committee may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper. Questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members present and, in the case of an equality of votes, the question shall be deemed to be decided in the negative.
Composition of Management Committee
17. All acts done by any meeting of the Management Committee or of a sub-committee or by any person acting as a member of the Management Committee shall, notwithstanding that it is afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any such member of the Management Committee or person acting as aforesaid, or that the members of the Management Committee or any of them were disqualified, be as valid as if every such person had been duly appointed and was qualified to be a member of the Management Committee.
Resolution of Management Committee
18. A resolution in writing signed by all the members of the Management Committee for the time being entitled to receive notice of a meeting of the Management Committee shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Management Committee duly convened and held. Any such resolution may consist of several documents in like form, each signed by one or more members of the Management Committee.
Annual General Or General Meetings
19. The first general meeting shall be held at such time, not being less than one month nor more than three months after the incorporation of the Association, and at such place as the Management Committee may determine.
Date And Business of Annual General Meeting
20. 1. The annual general meeting shall be held within three months of the close of the financial year.
2. The business to be transacted at every annual general meeting shall be:-
a) The receiving of the Management Committee’s report and the statement of Income and Expenditure, assets and liabilities and mortgages, charges and securities affecting the property of the Association for the preceding financial year;
b) The receiving of the auditor’s report upon the books and accounts for the preceding financial year;
c) the election of members of the Management Committee; and
d) the appointment of an auditor.
Special Or Extraordinary General Meeting
21. The secretary shall convene a special general meeting:-
a) when directed to do so by the Management Committee; or
b) On the requisition in writing signed by not less than one-third of the members presently on the Management Committee or not less than the number of ordinary members of the Association which equals double the number of members presently on the Management Committee plus one. Such requisition shall clearly state the reasons why such special general meeting is being convened and the nature of the business to be transacted thereat; or
c) on being given a notice in writing of an intention to appeal against the decision of the Management Committee to reject an application for membership or to terminate the membership of any person.
Quorum
22. 1. At any general meeting the number of members required to constitute a quorum shall be double the number of members presently on the Management Committee plus one.
2. No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of members is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. For the purposes of this rule “member” includes a person attending as a proxy or as representing a corporation which is a member.
3. If within half an hour from the time appointed for the commencement of a general meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of members of the Management Committee or the Association , shall lapse. In any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place, or to such other day and at such other time and place as the Management Committee may determine, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting, the members present shall be a quorum.
4. The Chair, may with the consent of any meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting), adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. When a meeting is adjourned for thirty days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting.
Save as aforesaid it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting.
Notice of General Meeting
23. 1. The secretary shall convene all general meetings of the Association by giving not less than 14 days notice of any such meeting to the members of the Association.
2. The manner by which such notice shall be given shall be determined by the Management Committee; Provided that notice of any meeting convened for the purpose of hearing and determining the appeal of a member against the rejection or termination of his membership by the Management Committee, shall be given in writing. Notice of a general meeting shall clearly state the nature of the business to be discussed thereat.
Conduct of General Meeting (Voting, Members Right To Vote, Secret Ballots)
24. Unless otherwise provided by these Rules, at every general meeting:-
1. The President shall preside as Chair, or if there is no President, or if he/she is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for the holding of the meeting or is unwilling to act, the Vice-President shall be the Chair or if the Vice-President is not present or is unwilling to act then the members present shall elect one of their number to be Chair of the meeting;
2. The Chair shall maintain order and conduct the meeting in a proper and orderly manner;
3. Every question, matter or resolution (other than special resolutions) shall be decided by the majority of votes of the members present; members present shall mean present by proxy or by attorney or other duly authorised representative;
4. Every member present shall be entitled to one vote and in the case of an equality of votes the Chair shall have a second or casting vote; Provided that no member shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting if his annual subscription is more than one month in arrears at the date of the meeting;
5. Voting shall be by show of hands or a division of members, unless not less than one-fifth of the members present demand a ballot, in which event there shall be a secret ballot. The Chair shall appoint two members to conduct the secret ballot in such manner as he/she shall determine and the result of the ballot as declared by the Chair shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the ballot was demanded;
6. A member may vote in person or by proxy or by attorney and on a show of hands every person present who is a member or a representative of a member shall have one vote and in a secret ballot every member present in person or by proxy or by attorney or other duly authorised representative shall have one vote;
7. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing, in the common or usual form under the hand of the appointor or of his/her attorney duly authorised in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under seal or under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorised. A proxy may but need not be a member of the Association. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a secret ballot;
8. Where a member desires to exercise his right to vote for or against, a resolution the instrument appointing a proxy shall be in the following form or as near thereto as circumstances permit:
I, of , being a member of the abovenamed Association, hereby appoint of or failing him, of , as my proxy to vote for me on my behalf at the (annual ) general meeting of the Association, to be held on the day of 20 , and at any adjournment thereof.
Signed this day of ….
Signature.
* in favour of
This form is to be used the resolution
* Against
* Strike out whichever is not desired
(Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy may vote as he/she thinks fit.)
9. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited with the Secretary prior to the commencement of any meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote; and
10. The Secretary shall cause full and accurate minutes of all questions, matters, resolutions and other proceedings of every Management Committee meeting and general meeting to be entered in a book to be open for inspection at all reasonable times by any financial member who previously applies to the Secretary for that inspection. For the purposes of ensuring the accuracy of the recording of such minutes; the minutes of every Management Committee meeting shall be signed by the Chair of that meeting or the Chair of the next succeeding Management Committee meeting verifying their accuracy. Similarly, the minutes of every general meeting shall be signed by the Chair of that meeting or the Chair of the next succeeding general meeting.
Provided that the minutes of any general meeting shall be signed by the Chair of that meeting or the Chair of the next succeeding general meeting or annual general meeting.
By-laws
25. The Management Committee may from time to time make, amend or repeal by-laws, not inconsistent with these Rules, for the internal management of the Association and any by-laws may be set aside by a general meeting of members.
Alteration of Rules
26. Subject to the provisions of the Associations Incorporation Act 1981-1988, these Rules may be amended, rescinded or added to from time to time by a special resolution carried at any general meeting; provided that no such amendment, rescission or addition shall be valid unless the same shall have been previously submitted to and approved by the Director General, Department of Justice, Brisbane.
Common Seal
27. The Management Committee shall provide for a Common Seal and for its safe custody. The Common Seal shall only be used by the authority of the Management Committee and every instrument to which the seal is affixed shall be signed by a member of the Management Committee and shall be countersigned by the Secretary or by a second member of the Management Committee or by some other person appointed by the Management Committee for the purpose.
Funds And Accounts
28. 1. The funds of the Association shall be deposited in the name of the Association in such Bank or Permanent Building Society as the Management Committee may from time to time direct.
2. Proper books and accounts shall be kept and maintained either in written or printed form in the English language showing correctly the financial affairs of the Association and the particulars usually shown in books of a like nature.
3. All moneys shall be deposited as soon as practicable after receipt thereof.
4. All amounts of twenty dollars or over shall be paid by cheque signed by two of the President, Secretary, Treasurer or other member authorised from time to time by the Management Committee.
5. Cheques shall be crossed “not negotiable” except those in payment of wages, allowances or petty cash recoupments which may be open.
6. The Management Committee shall determine the amount of petty cash which shall be kept on the imprest system.
7. All expenditure shall be approved or ratified at a Management Committee meeting.
8. As soon as practicable after the end of each financial year the Treasurer shall cause to be prepared a statement containing particulars of:-
a) the income and expenditure for the financial year just ended; and
b) the assets and liabilities and of all mortgages, charges and securities affecting the property of the Association at the close of that year.
9. All such statements shall be examined by the auditor who shall present his report upon such audit to the Secretary prior to the holding of the annual general meeting next following the financial year in respect of which such audit was made.
10. The income and property of the Association whencesoever derived shall be used and applied solely in promotion of its objects and in the exercise of its powers as set out herein and no portion thereof shall be distributed, paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise by way of profit to or amongst the members of the Association provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent the payment in good faith of interest to any such member in respect of moneys advanced by him/her to the Association or otherwise owing by the Association to him/her or of remuneration to any officers or servants of the Association or to any member of the Association or other person in return for any services actually rendered to the Association provided further that nothing herein contained shall be construed so as to prevent the payment or repayment to any member of out of pocket expenses, money lent, reasonable and proper charges for goods hired by the Association or reasonable and proper rent for premises demised or let to the Association.
Documents
29. The Management Committee shall provide for the safe custody of books, documents, instruments of title and securities of the Association.
Financial Year
30. The financial year of the Association shall close on 30th June in each year.
Distribution of Surplus Assets
31. If the Association shall be wound up in accordance with the provisions of the Associations Incorporation Act 1981-1988, and there remains, after satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Association, but shall be given or transferred to some other institution or institutions that have objects similar to the objects of the Association, and which shall prohibit the distribution of its or their income and property among its or their members to an extent at least as great as is imposed on the Association under or by virtue of rule 28 (10), such institution or institutions to be determined by the members of the Association.