A New Constitution

The NSW Government recently made changes to the laws and regulations that govern the running of Incorporated Associations which includes the Illawarra Woodworkers Group.  The new laws came into effect from July 2010 and as a result of those changes we needed to draft and adopt a new Constitution based on the new rules and format.

NSW fair trading is encouraging all Incorporated Associations to formally adopt a new Constitution or revise their current Constitution to ensure it complies with the new regulations and as an added incentive have waived the registration fee until June 2011.

A new Constitution for the Illawarra Woodworkers Group has been drafted and has been discussed and approved for adoption by a special resolution of the group. There are a few changes that are significant from our previous Constitution as summarised below:

Clause 12: Right of appeal of disciplined member – the right of appeal has been defined and the process to be followed is detailed.

Clause 15: Election of committee members – requirements for nominations for election to the committee must be written, signed by two members and accepted by the person.

Clause 16: Secretary – the duties of the secretary are more clearly defined.

Clause 17: Treasurer – the duties of the treasurer are more clearly defined.

Clause 33: Proxy votes not permitted – voting by proxy at a general meeting is not allowed. The previous constitution allowed a member to vote with up to 5 proxy votes.

Clause 34: Postal Ballots – the new draft rules allow for postal voting, our previous constitution did not allow for postal votes and the new constitution does not allow postal voting.

Clause 37: Funds management -Has been amended to allow for petty cash sums and electronic banking in addition to a traditional cheque account for payments.

Clause 40: Common Seal – has been removed as it is no longer needed. 

The new constitution was formally adopted by a majority vote of approval of more than two thirds of group members present at a Special General meeting on 9th March 2011.

Both the current and proposed Constitution documents are available here for download and review:

 - IWG Constitution Proposed 2011 

W Perry, Public Officer