- The name of the incorporated association shall be U3A Warwick Inc
(in these rules called “the association’)
OBJECT - The objects for which the association is established are –
(a) To provide programmes of learning activities, including recreational, academic, social and cultural pursuits which offer stimulation and development to people who are in the “third age” of their life.
(b) To create an organisation wherein co-operative investigation of a topic or area of mutual interest is a major focus of activities and experience and wherein expertise is freely shared.
(c) To operate the association in such ways that the learning is pursued without any reference to entry criteria, qualifications, assessment or awards and to create a climate free from discrimination according to colour, race, creed or sex.
(d) To realise the potentialities of older adults to follow new pursuits and to increase community awareness of the fact that older people retain the capacity to absorb and use new information and knowledge throughout their lives.
(e) To act with others to improve the status and position of the elderly in our community.
(f) To exchange ideas and resources with other Universities of the Third Age or similar bodies, both within Australia and overseas and to encourage the extension of similar organisations in other parts of Queensland or Australia.
(g) To do all such things as may be incidental to the attainment of the above objectives.
DEFINITIONS
U3A means “University of the Third Age”.
Third Age refers to the third stage of human life in the sense of it being that time when work and major family responsibilities have been completed and active retirement prevails.
POWERS - (1) The association has, in the exercise of its affairs, all the powers of an individual.
(2) The association may, for example –
(a) enter into contracts, and
(b) acquire, hold, deal with and dispose of property; and
(c)make charges for services and facilities it supplies; and
(d) do other things necessary or convenient to be done in carrying out its affairs.
(3) The association may also issue secured and unsecured notes, debentures and debenture stock for the association.
MEMBERSHIP AND CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP
Adults of any age may join U3A but the emphasis will be on the needs and interests of Third Age people.
Individual members shall be persons who have agreed to the above objectives and paid the annual (calendar year) membership fee. - (1) The membership of the association shall consist of:-
(a) Ordinary Members, and
(b) Honorary Life Members who shall be persons who have rendered some special or conspicuous service to the association. The Management Committee will have the sole right to nominate Honorary Life Members which shall be considered at a general meeting of the association. Election will be by a majority vote of those members present at such meeting and voting.
(2) The number of members in each class shall be unlimited. - Applicants for membership must pay the prescribed annual subscription and supply details of name, address and telephone number to the secretary and/or treasurer.
MEMBERSHIP FEES - (1) The membership fees shall be such sum as the members shall from time to time, at any general meeting so determine.
(2) The membership fees shall be payable at such time and in such manner as the management committee shall from time to time determine.
TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP - (1) A member may resign at any time by ceasing to pay the subscription.
Written confirmation to the management committee of such termination while appreciated is not a requirement under this constitution.
(2) Resignation will take effect, unless otherwise notified in writing, two months after the subsequent subscription would be due.
(3) If a member –
(a) is convicted of an indictable offence; or
(b) fails to comply with any provision of these rules; or
(c) has membership fees in arrears for a period of two months or more; or
(d) conducts himself or herself in a manner considered to be injurious or prejudicial to the character or interests of the association, the management committee shall consider whether the member’s membership shall be terminated.
(4) The member concerned shall be given a full and fair opportunity of presenting the member’s case and if the management committee resolves to terminate the membership it shall instruct the secretary to advise the member in writing accordingly.
APPEAL AGAINST REJECTION OR TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP - (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 the person’s 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 the secretary of such notice, a general meeting to determine the appeal.
REGISTER OF MEMBERS - (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 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 may also be entered into the register.
(3) The register shall be open for inspection at all reasonable times by any member who previously applies to the secretary for such inspection.
SECRETARY - (1) If a vacancy happens in the office of secretary, the members of the management committee must appoint or elect a secretary withtn 14 days of the vacancy occurring.
(2) The secretary must be an individual residing in the State who is –
(a) a member of the association elected by the association as secretary; or
(b) a member of the association’s management committee appointed by the committee as secretary.
The management committee may appoint and remove the secretary any time.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - (1) The management committee of the association shall consist of a president, vice president, treasurer, all of whom shall be members of the association, and such number of other members as the members of the association a! any general meeting may from time to time elect or appoint.
(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 2 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 the member’s proposer and seconder, shall be lodged with the secretary at least 14 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 at the usual place of meeting of the association 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) at the commencement of such meeting, should there be an insufficient number of candidates nominated, nominations may be taken from the floor of the meeting.
RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OF A MEMBER OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - (1) 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.
Any member may be removed from office :
a. at a general meeting of the’association where that member shall be given the opportunity to fully present the member’s case.
b. if the member is absent from three successive committee meetings without explanation or apology
(2) the question of removal shall be determined by the vote of the members present at such a general meeting.
(3) There is no right of appeal against a member’s removal from office under this section.
VACANCIES ON MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - (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.
FUNCTIONS OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - (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 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 securities;
(b) to borrow amounts from members and to pay interest on the amounts borrowed 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.
(3) For sub-section (2)(b) the rate of interest must not be more than the rate for the time being charged for overdrawn accounts for money lent (whatever the term of the loan ) by –
(a) the financial institution for the association, or
(b) if there is more that 1 financial institution for the association – the financial institution nominated by the association.
MEETINGS OF MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - (1) The management committee shall meet at least once every 2 calendar months to exercise its functions.
(2) The management committee must decide how a meeting is to be called.
(3) Notice of a meeting is to be given in the way decided by the management committee.
(4) 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.
(5) 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.
(6) Subject as previously provided in this section, the management committee may meet together and regulate its proceedings as it thinks fit.
(7) However, 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.
(8) A member of the management committee shall not vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract with the association in which the member is interested, or any matter arising therefrom, and if the member does so the member’s vote shall not be counted.
(9) Not less than 14 days notice shall be given by the secretary to members of the management committee of any special meeting of the management committee.
(10) Such notice shall clearly state the nature ofthe business to be discussed thereat.
(11) The president shall preside as chairperson at every meeting of the management committee, or if there is no president, or if at any meeting the president is not present within 10 minutes after the appointed time for holding the meeting, the vice-president shall be chairperson or if the vice-president is not present at the meeting then the members may choose 1 of their number to be chairperson of the meeting.
(12) 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.
(13) 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 meeting shall lapse.
DELEGATION OF POWERS OF MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - (1) The management committee may delegate any of its powers to a subcommittee consisting of such members of the association as the management committee thinks fit.
(2) Any subcommittee 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.
(3) A subcommittee may elect a chairperson of its meetings.
(4) If no such chairperson is elected, or if at any meeting the chairperson is not present within 10 minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the members present may choose 1 of their number to be chairperson of the meeting.
(5) A subcommittee may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper.
(6) 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.
ACTS NOT AFFECTED BY DEFECTS OR DISQUALIFICATIONS - All acts done by any meeting of the management committee or of a subcommittee 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 has been duly appointed and was qualified to be a member of the management committee.
RESOLUTIONS OF MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WITHOUT MEETING - (1) A resolution in writing signed by all 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.
(2) Any such resolution may consist of several documents in like form, each signed by 1 or more members of the management committee.
FIRST GENERAL MEETING - (1) The first [general meeting must be held not less than 1 month, and not more than 3 months, after the day the association is incorporated. .
(2) The management committee must decide where the meeting is to be held.
(3) The business to be transacted at the first general meeting must include the appointment of an auditor.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS - Each annual general meeting must be held –
(a) at least once each year; and
(b) within 3 months after the end of the association’s previous financial year.
BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED AT ANNUAL GENERAL
MEETING - The following business must be transacted at every annual general meeting –
(a) the receiving of the statement of income and expenditure, assets and liabilities and of mortgages, charges and securities affecting the property of the association for the last financial year;
(b) the receiving of the auditor’s report on the financial affairs of the association for the last financial year,
(c) the presenting of the audited statement to the meeting for adoption,
(d) the election of members of the management committee;
(e) the appointment of an auditor.
SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING - (1) The secretary shall convene a special general meeting by sending out notice of the meeting within 14 days of;-
(a) being directed to do so by the management committee; or
(b) being given a requisition in r.vriting 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;
(c) 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.
(2) A requisition mentioned in subsection (1)(b) shall clearly state the reasons why such special general meeting is being convened and the nature of the business to be transacted thereat.
QUORUM AT GENERAL MEETING - (1) At any general meeting the number of members to constitute a quorum shall be double the number of members presently on the management committee plus 1.
(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.
(3) For the purpose of this rule –
‘”member” includes a person attending as a proxy for a member.
(4) 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.
(5) 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.
(6) The chairperson 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.
(7) When a meeting is adjourned for 30 days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the original meeting.
(8) 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 - (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.
(3) However, notice of any meeting convened for the purpose of hearing and determining the appeal of a member against rejection or termination of his/her membership by the management committee, shall be given in writing.
PROCEDURE AT GENERAL MEETING - (1) Unless otherwise provided by these rules, at every general meeting –
(a) the president shall preside as chairperson, or if there is no president, or if the president is not present within 15 minutes after the time appointed for the holding of the meeting or is unwilling to act, the vice-president shall be the chairperson or if the vice-president is not present or is unwilling to act then the members present shall elect 1 of their number to be chairperson of the meeting, and
(b) the chairperson shall maintain order and conduct the meeting in a proper and orderly manner; and
(c) every question, matter or resolution shall be decided by a majority of votes of the members present; and
(d) every member present shall be entitled to 1 vote and in the case of an equality of votes the chairperson shall have a second or casting vote; and
(e) however, no member shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting if the member’s annual subscription is more than 1 month in arrears at the date of the meeting; and
(f) 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; and
(g) the chairperson shall appoint 2 members to conduct the secret ballot in such manner as the chairperson shall determine and the result of the ballot as declared by the chairperson shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the ballot was demanded; and
(h) 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 1 vote and in the secret ballot every member present in person or by proxy or by attorney or other duly authorised representative shall have 1 vote; and
(i) the instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing, in the common or usual form under the hand of the appointor or of the appointor’s attorney duly authorised in writing ; and
(j) a proxy may but need not be a member of the association; and
(k) the instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a secret ballot; and
(l) where it is desired to afford members an opportunity of voting for or against a resolution the instrument appointing a proxy shall be in the following form or a form as near thereto as circumstances permit –
ASSOCIATION:
I, ____________________ of ____________________ , being a member of the above mentioned association, hereby appoint
____________________ of ____________________ , or failing a member, ____________________ 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____ , an at any adjournment thereof.
Signed this day ____________________ of ____________________ , 20____
________________________________________ Signature.
This form is to be used *in favour of the ____________________ *against ____________________ resolution
*Strike out whichever is not desired. (Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy may vote as the proxy thinks fit);
(m) 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
(n) 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.
(2) For the purposes of ensuring the accuracy ofthe recording of such minutes, the minutes of every management committee meeting shall be signed by the chairperson of that meeting or the chairperson of the next succeeding management committee meeting verifting their accuracy.
(3) Similarly, the minutes of every general meeting shall be signed by the chairperson of that meeting or the chairperson of the next succeeding general meeting.
(4) However, the minutes of any annual general meeting shall be signed by the chairperson of that meeting or the chairperson of the next succeeding general meeting or annual general meeting.
BY-LAWS - Consistent with the rules of the constitution the management committee may from time to time make, amend or repeal by-laws, for the internal management of the association.
Any by-law may be set aside by a general meeting of members.
ALTERATION OF RULES - (1) Subject to the provisions of the “associations Incorporation Act 1981”, these rules may be amended, rescinded or added to from time to time by a special resolution carried at any general meeting.
(2) However an amendment, rescission or addition is valid only if it is registered by the chief executive.
COMMON SEAL - (1) The management committee shall provide for a common seal and for its safe custody.