Constitution
RECOMMENDED RULES FOR AN INCORPORATED CLUB AFFILIATED WITH THE VICTORIAN CANINE ASSOCIATION INC.,
1. The name of the incorporated association is Collie Club of Victoria Inc (in these Rules called "the Club")
INTERPRETATION
2. (1) In these Rules, unless the contrary intention appears:
“Act” means the Association Incorporation Act 1981 and amendments
“Application for Membership” includes application for re-admission to membership.
“Association” has the same meaning as is ascribed to that word by Section 3(1) of the Associations Incorporation act 1981 which, inter alia, includes a Club.
“Body” means where the context reasonably admits, a Club, Society, Association, Company or group of persons.
“By-Laws” means the By Laws in force for the time being of the Club and shall form part of and be deemed to be incorporated in the Rules of the Club.
“Clause” means a provision of the Rules and where the context so admits includes a paragraph or sub-paragraph thereof.
“Club” for the purpose of these Rules, has the same meaning as is ascribed to the word Association by Section 3(1) of the Associations Incorporation Act 1981.
“Committee” means the Committee of Management of the Club and includes Officers of the Club and ordinary members of the Committee unless the Rules specifically provide otherwise.
“Dual Member” means one of any two members of the one family resident at the same address or one of any two of the persons who are partners in the conduct of a kennel having a kennel prefix in their joint names registered with the VCA Inc who has been admitted with the other of such persons as a dual member of the Club.
“Exhibition” includes a Canine Show, Canine Exhibition, Canine Parade, Gundog Trial and Test, Canine Competition, Display, Obedience Trial and Tracking Trial, Non- Slip Retrieving Trial, Agility Trial, Sledding, Weight Pulling, Contest, Match or similar event.
“Financial Member” means a member of the Club who shall not be in default in the payment of the annual subscription of any fees or other monies payable in accordance with the Rules. Unfinancial shall have the opposite meaning.
“Financial Year” means the financial year of the Club as defined.
“Honorary Member” means a person who upon the recommendation of the Committee or upon a written nomination signed by not less than five members is elected by a resolution passed in general meeting by a majority of not less than three-fourths of the members voting in person thereat as an Honorary Member for such period as may be so determined and who in the opinion of such meeting has rendered outstanding services to the Canine Fancy or to the Club of for other good and sufficient reason and who need not comply with the provisions of Clause 3(1) and shall in addition have the rights and privileges of a financial member, but shall not be entitled to vote at general meetings or hold office, unless a majority of members otherwise decides.
“Insolvent under administration” in relation to a member of the Committee of Management has the same meaning as that given to those words by Section 5(1) of the Companies (Victoria) Code.
“Junior Member” means a member under the age of sixteen years.
“Life Member” means a member who has been admitted to the Club as a member for life, whether upon payment of a subscription or without payment of a subscription as may be determined by the members from time to time.
“Member” means a person who has been admitted as an ordinary or dual or Life member of the Club and where the context otherwise so admits, shall include a person admitted to any other category of membership and the word “Member” where the context so admits, shall mean and include persons who have been admitted to any category of membership.
“Office” means the Office of the Club, and shall be a place as determined from time to time, at which the records of the Club are to be kept.
“Office Bearers” means the President, the Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary, and Public Officer, and such other nominated positions as referred to in Clause 23 and the By Laws for the time being of the Club.
“Period of Membership” in relation to a member, denotes the twelve months terminating at midnight on the 30th of September each year for which such member is for the time being elected or admitted to membership of the Club or such portion of that term during which the membership continues.
“Person” where the context reasonably permits, includes an individual, a firm or partnership, a company or corporation, or any other legal entity.
“Public Officer” means the person referred to as such in Section 24 to 28 inclusive of the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 and whose statutory duties are set out in Sections 13, 22(2), 26. 28(1), 38(2), 30(4), 47(5) and 47(6) of that Act
“Registered” means breeds and breed varieties of dogs for which a separate register is kept by the Victorian Canine Association Inc.
“Regulations” mean either the Associations Incorporation Regulations 1993 of the Regulations of the VCA Inc, as specifically referred to in either case in the Rules of the Club.
“Rules” means the Rules for the time being of the Club and includes its By Laws.
“Secretary” means the Honorary Secretary or Secretary of the Club and, where the context reasonably permits, includes the Assistant Secretary and any other person for the time being appointed by the Committee to exercise the functions of the Secretary.
“VCA Inc” means the Victorian Canine Association Inc.
“Writing” includes printing and roneo and any other like recognized means of communication or of reproducing words in a visible form.
2. (2) In these Rules, a reference to the Secretary of an Association is a reference:
(a) where a person holds office under these Rules as Secretary of the Association – to that person; and
(b) in any other case, to the public officer of the Association.
2. (3) Words or expressions contained in these Rules shall be interpreted in accordance with the Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 and the Ace as in force from time to time, and in accordance with the Constitution, Rules and Regulations of the VCA Inc.
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
3. (1) A natural person owning a pure bred dog or interested in any of the activities referred to in the Statement of Purposes of the Club who is nomination and approved for membership as provided in these Rules is eligible to be a member of the Club on payment of the entrance fee and annual subscription payable under these Rules.
3. (2) A person who is not a member of the Club at the time of the incorporation of the Club (or who was such a member at that time but has ceased to be a member) shall not be admitted to membership unless nominated as provided in Sub Clause (3) and the admission as a member is approved by the Committee.
3. (3) An application for membership shall be in such form as the Committee may from time to time prescribe and shall be signed by the applicant (and the nominee where the form so provides) and lodged with the Secretary of the Club accompanied by the fees prescribed in Clause 4.
3. (4) The Secretary shall submit such application to the next meeting of the Committee for approval.
3. (5) Upon a nomination being referred to the Committee, the Committee shall determine whether to approve or to reject the nomination.
3. (6) Upon a nomination being approved by the Committee, the Secretary shall enter the nominee’s name in the register of members and upon the name being so entered, the nominee becomes a member of the Club.
3. (7) A right, privilege, or obligation of a person by reason of membership of the Club, is not capable of being transferred or transmitted to another person.
3. (8) A member may within thirty days after the end of the Club’s financial year, make application to the Club for re-admission as a member and upon payment of the annual subscription shall be deemed for all purposes to have been re-admitted as a member.
3. (9) A member, upon election to any category of membership, shall strictly observe and act in conformity with an not otherwise than in accordance with the Act and the Rules and By-Laws of the Club and the Constitution and Rules and Regulations of the VCA Inc.
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION AND JOINING FEE
4. Subject to notice of motion first being given by Resolution of the Committee, the members in General Meeting at any time and from time to time may fix the amount of the annual subscription payable by each category of membership and may in like manner determine that a membership joining fee shall be paid and the amount thereof.
REGISTER OF MEMBERS
5. The Secretary shall keep and maintain a register of members in which shall be entered the full name, address and date of entry of the name of each member and the register shall be available for inspection by members at General Meetings.
CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS
6. Membership of the Club may be in any of the following categories:
(a) Member, Ordinary
(b) Dual Member
(c) Life Member
(d) Honorary Member
(e) Junior Member
(f) Any other class of Member
PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERSHIP
7. (1) Subject to the restrictions and limitation prescribed by or pursuant to the Act, Rules and By-Laws of the Club, privileges of a member shall be:
(a) upon application and payment of the prescribed fee (if any), to the Secretary to receive a copy of the Rules and By-Laws of the Club;
(b) the right to attend and vote at all general meetings of the Club; subject to the conditions of Clause 27(2) and 27(3);
(c) to submit as a candidate for any Office of the Club and/or Committee subject to the conditions of Clause 27(2) and 27(3);
(d) to receive any publications issued by the Club, upon payment of the prescribed fee, (if any);
(e) to compete for prizes (including trophies), available for members of the Club when exhibiting or competing at any exhibition conducted by the Club.
7. (2) A junior member shall be entitled to take part in the proceedings of a general meeting but shall not be eligible to vote and shall not be eligible to hold office as an Office Bearer or an ordinary member of the Committee, but shall be entitled to exercise all other privileges of membership.
RESIGNATION AND EXPULSION OF MEMBER
8. (1) A member shall cease to be a member of the Club –
(a) upon the termination of the period of membership, (whether by effluxion of time or otherwise), unless re-admitted pursuant to Clause 3(8) as a member of the Club for a further period of membership;
(b) if the member resigns by notice in writing addressed to the Secretary pursuant to Sub-Clause (3);
(c) if the member dies:
(d) if the annual subscription for the forthcoming financial year has not been paid in accordance with Clause 3(8);
(e) if pursuant to the Rules the member is expelled from the Club:
(f) if as a member of the VCA Inc, is disqualified or suspended by the VCA Inc. for any period for which suspension or disqualification applies
8. (2) Should any person cease to be a member of the Club for any reason whatsoever the person shall not be entitled to the return of the membership fees or any part thereof.
8. (3) A member of the Club who has paid all moneys due and payable to the Club may resign from the Club by first giving notice in writing to the Secretary of such resignation.
8. (4) Upon the receipt of a notice given under Sub-Clause (3) the Secretary shall make in the register of members an entry recording the date on which the member by whom the notice was given ceased to be a member.
9,(1) Subject to these Rules, the Committee may be resolution:-
(a) expel a member from the Club:
(b) suspend a member from membership of the Club for a specified period: or
(c) fine a member in accordance with Regulation 14 of the Association Incorporation Act. Iif the Committee is of the opinion that the member –
(i) has refused or neglected to comply with these rules: or
(ii) has been guilty of conduct unbecoming a member or prejudicial to the interest of the Club.
9. (2) A Resolution of the Committee under Sub-Clause (1):-
(a) does not take effect unless the Committee at a meeting held not earlier than 14 and not later than 28 days after the service on the member of a notice under Sub Clause (3) confirms the resolution in accordance with this Clause: and
(b) where the member exercises a right of appeal to the Club under this Clause, does not take effect unless the Club confirms the resolution in accordance with this Clause.
9. (3) If the Committee passes a resolution under Sub-Clause (1), the Secretary shall, as soon as practicable, cause to be served on the member a notice in writing:-
(a) setting out the resolution of the Committee and the grounds on which it is based
(b) stating that the member may address the Committee at a meeting to be held not earlier than 14 and not later than 28 days after service of the notice:
(c) stating the date, place and time of that meeting:
(d) informing the member that they m ay do one or more of the following:
(i) attend that meeting:
(ii) give to the Committee before the date of that meeting a written statement seeking the revocation of the resolution: and
(iii) not later than 7 days before the date of the meeting, lodge with the Secretary a notice to the effect that they wish to appeal to the Club in general meeting against the resolution.
9. (4) At a meeting of the Committee held in accordance with Sub-Clause (2), the Committee:-
(a) shall give the member an opportunity to be heard
(b) shall give due consideration to any written statement submitted by the member: and
(c) shall by resolution determine whether to confirm or to revoke the resolution.
9. (5) Where the Secretary receives a notice under Sub-Clause (3) (d)(iii) the Secretary shall notify the Committee and the Committee shall convene a general meeting of the Club to be held within 21 days after the date on which the Secretary received the notice.
9. (6) At a general meeting of the Club convened under Sub-Clause (5):-
(a) no business other than the question of the appeal shall be transacted:
(b) the Committee may place before the meeting details of the grounds for the resolution and the reasons for the passing of the resolution;
(c) the member shall be given an opportunity to be heard; and
(d) the members present shall vote by secret ballot on the question whether the resolution should be confirmed or revoked.
9. (7) If at the general meeting:-
(a) three-fourths of the members vote in person in favor of the confirmation of the resolution, the resolution is confirmed; and
(b) in any other case, the resolution is revoked.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
10. (1) The Club shall in each calendar year convene an annual general meeting of its members
10. (2) The annual general meeting shall be held on such date and time, and at such venue as the committee determines.
10. (3) The annual general meeting shall be specified as such in the notice convening it.
10. (4) The ordinary business of the annual general meeting shall be:
(a) to confirm the minutes of the last preceding annual general meeting and of
any general meeting held since that meeting:
(b) the appoint a Returning Officer, where necessary, and at least two scrutineers pursuant to Clause 25(6);
(c) to receive from the Committee reports upon the transactions and activities of the Club during the last preceding financial year;
(d) to elect Officers of the Club and the ordinary members of the committee;
(e) receive and consider the statement submitted by the Club in accordance with Section 30(3) of the act; and
(f) to appoint an auditor pursuant to Clauses 33.34 and 35.
10. (5) The annual general meeting may transact a special business of which notice is given in accordance with these Rules.
10. (6) The annual general meeting shall be in addition to any other general meetings that may be held in the same year.
11. (1) The notice convening the annual general meting shall be given to each member not less than thirty days before the date of the meeting and shall be accompanied by a form of Nomination of Committee of Management, (see Clause 25(1)(a). Such notice shall specify the business to be conducted at the meeting in accordance with Clause 10(4) and (5).
11. (2) The signature to the notice convening the annual general meeting may be written, stamped, impressed, typed or printed.
11. (3) Notice of an annual general meeting and the form of Nomination of Committee of Management shall be deemed to have been given to each member if they are published in, or enclosed with the Club’s newsletter or journal or such other publications as the Club may circulate to its members provided that such publication is dispatched to each member not less than 30 days prior to the date of the annual general meeting or if they are served personally not less than 28 days prior to the date of that meeting or if they are sent through the post not less than 30 days prior to the meeting addressed to each member at the address shown in the Register of Members. A notice and form of Nomination of Committee of Management sent to one of a dual membership shall be deemed to have been given to each of such members.
11. (4) A notice sent by post to a member shall be deemed to have been received at the time at which the notice would have been delivered in the ordinary course of post.
11. (5) the accidental omission to give notice to a member, or if a member shall fail to receive a notice sent in accordance with Sub-Clause (3), shall not invalidate an annual general meeting.
SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
12. All general meetings other than the annual general meeting shall be called special general meetings.
(1) The committee may, whenever it thinks fit, convene a special general meeting of the Club and where, but for this Sub-Clause, more than 15 months would lapse between annual general meetings shall convene a special general meeting before the expiration of that period.
(2) The Committee shall, on the requisition in writing of members representing not less than 5% of the total number of members, convene a special general meeting to the Club.
(3) The requisition for a special general meeting shall state the objects of the meeting and shall be signed by the members making the requisition and be sent to the address of the Secretary and may consist of several documents in a like form, each signed by one or more of the members making the requisition.
(4) If the committee does not cause a special general meeting to be held within one month after the date on which the requisition is sent to the address of the
Secretary, the members making the requisition, or any of them, may convene A special general meeting to be held not later than 3 months after that date, and the Secretary shall for that purpose, if requested by such members, furnish to them or otherwise make available a list of names and addresses of all members entitled to attend a special general meeting.
(5) A special general meeting convened by members in pursuance of these Rules shall be convened in the same manner as nearly as possible to that in which those meetings are convened by the Committee and all reasonable expenses incurred in convening the meeting shall be refunded by the Club to the persons incurring the expenses.
ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING
14. (1) If at a special general meeting or at a Committee or Sub-Committee meeting a quorum shall not be present after the expiration of thirty minutes from the appointed time thereof, the meeting shall there upon be adjourned in accordance with Clause 15 (5)
14. (2) A special general meeting of members or a meeting of members of a Committee or of a Sub-Committee shall have the power to adjourn its proceedings from time to time for any period not exceeding at any one time, one month
PROCEEDINGS AT ALL MEETINGS OF MEMBERS
15. (1) All business that is transacted at a special general meeting and all business that is transacted at the annual general meeting with the exception of that specially referred to in Clause 10(4) as being the ordinary business of the annual general meeting shall be deemed to be special business.
15. (2) Representation by proxy including voting by proxy is expressly precluded.
15. (3) No item of business shall be transacted at a general meeting unless a quorum of members entitled under these rules to vote is present during the time when the meeting is considering that item.
15. (4) 15 members personally present (being members entitled under these Rules to vote at a general meeting) constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of a general meeting.
15. (5) If within half a hour after the appointed time for the commencement of a general meeting, a quorum is not present, the meeting is convened upon the requisition of members under Clause 12 (4) and (5) shall be dissolved and in any other case shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and (unless another place is specified by the Chairperson at the time of the adjournment or by written notice to members given before the day to which the meeting is adjourned) at the same place and if at the adjourned meeting the quorum is not present with half an hour after the time appointed for the commencement of the meeting, the members present (being not less than 15) shall be a quorum.
16. (1) The President, or in the President’s absence, a Vice President shall preside as Chairperson at each general meeting of the Club.
16. (2) If the President and the Vice-President are absent from a general meeting, the members present shall elect one of their number to preside as Chairperson at the meeting.
17. (1) The Chairperson of a general meeting at which a quorum is present may, with the consent of the meeting, adjourn the meeting from time to time and place to place, but no business shall be transacted at an adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting at which the adjournment took place.
17 (2) Where a meeting is adjourned for 14 days or more, a like notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of the general meeting.
17 (3) Except as provided in Sub-Clauses (1) and (2), it is not necessary to give notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting.
18. A question arising at a general meeting of the Club shall be determined on a show of hands and, unless before or on the declaration of the show of hands a poll is demanded, a declaration by the Chairperson that a resolution has, on a show of hands, been carried or carried unanimously or carried by a particular majority or lost, and an entry to that effect in the minute book of the club is evidence of the fact, without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favor of, or against, that resolution.
19.(1) Upon any question arising at a general or committee meeting of the Club a member has one vote only. A dual membership shall be entitled to one vote for each member of the dual membership.
19 (2) All votes shall be given personally, except as provided for in Clause 25(5) (b)
19 (3) In the case of an equality of voting on a question, the Chairperson of the meeting is entitled to exercise a second or casting vote.
20.(1) If at a meeting a poll on any question is demanded by not less than three members, it shall be taken at that meeting in such manner as the Chairperson may direct and the resolution of the poll shall be deemed to be a resolution of the meeting on that question.
20 (2) A poll that is demanded on the election of a Chairperson or on a question of an adjournment shall be taken forthwith and a poll that is demanded on any other question shall be taken at such time before the close of the meeting as the Chairperson may direct.
21. A member is not entitled to vote at any general meeting unless all moneys due and payable by the member to the Club have been paid, other than the amount of the annual subscription payable in respect of the current financial year.
COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT
22.(1) The affairs of the Club shall be managed by a Committee of Management constituted as provided in Clause 24 (1).
22.(2) The Committee:
(a) shall control and manage the business and affairs of the Club
(b) may, subject to these Rules, the Regulations and the Act, exercise all such powers and functions as may be exercised by the Club other than those powers and functions that are required by these Rules to be exercised by general meetings of the members of the Club; and
(c) subject to these Rules, the Regulations and the Act, has power to perform all such acts and things as appear to the Committee to be essential for the proper management of the business and affairs of the Club.
23,(1) The Officers of the Club shall be:
(a) a President
(b) a Vice-President
(c) a Treasurer
(d) a Secretary
(e) a Public Officer (refer Section 26 of the Act): and
(f) such other Officers as required
23 (2) The provisions of Clause 24 so far as they are applicable and with the necessary modification apply to and in relation to the election of persons to any of the offices mentioned in Clause 23 (1).
23 (3) Each Officer of the Club shall hold office until the annual general meeting next after the date of their election but is eligible for re-election.
23 (4) In the event of a casual vacancy in any office referred to in the Clause 23(1), the Committee may appoint one of its members to the vacant office and the member so appointed may continue in office until the annual general meeting next following the date of appointment.,
24.(1) Subject to Section 23 of the Act, the Committee shall consist of:
(a) The officers of the Club: and
(b) 8 ordinary members of committee; each of whole shall be members of the VCA Inc.
24 (2) each ordinary member of the Committee shall, subject to these Rules, hold office until the annual general meeting next after the date of the member’s election but is eligible for re-election.,
24 (3) In the event of a casual vacancy occurring in the office of an ordinary member of the Committee, the Committee may appoint a member of the Club to fill the vacancy and the member so appoints shall hold office, subject to these Rules, until the annual general meeting next following the date of appointment.
ELECTION OF COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT
25.(1) Nomination of candidates for election as Officers of the Club or as ordinary members of the Committee:
(a) shall be made in writing in such form as the Committee shall prescribe, signed by one member of the Club and accompanied by the written consent of the candidate (which may be endorsed on the form of nomination); and
(b) shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Club not less than 21 days before the date fixed for the holding of the annual general meeting.
25 (2) If insufficient nominations are received to fill all vacancies on the Committee, the candidates nominated shall be deemed to be elected and further nominations shall be received at the annual general meeting subject to each nominee consenting to such nomination.
25 (3) If the number of nominations received is equal to the number of vacancies to be filled, the persons nominated shall be deemed to be elected.
25 (4) If the number of nominations exceeds the number of vacancies to be filled, a ballot shall be held, for the purpose of Clause 25(5)(b) the Secretary shall, upon closure of nominations of candidates for election to the Committee of Management when a ballot becomes necessary under this Clause, send forthwith to all members entitled to vote a list of all nominations in alphabetical order in respect of each position on the Committee of Management for which they have been nominated.
25 (5) The election of the Office Bearers and ordinary members of the Committee shall be by ballot:
(a) cast by members present at the annual general meeting and eligible to vote thereat:
(b) notwithstanding Clause 25(5)(a), any member who is entitled to vote at the annual general meeting, but unable to attend shall be entitled to apply to the Secretary for a postal vote. Application for a postal vote must be in writing and lodged with the Secretary fourteen days prior to the annual general meeting. Within seven days the Secretary in the presence of the President and one other Committee member appointed by the Committee will forward an initialed ballot paper to each applicant and record their names., Members to whom ballot papers are posted will under no circumstances be given a second ballot paper. Completed ballot papers are to be returned to the Returning Officer or the Secretary in envelopes endorsed “Ballot Papers”. These envelopes shall be handed (unopened) to the Returning Officer officiating at the poll.
25 (6) For the purposes of the ballot, a Returning Officer shall be appointed at the general meeting of members immediately preceding the annual general meeting or as the second item of business of the annual general meeting, and not less than two scrutineers shall be appointed by the members at, and as, the second item of business of the annual general meeting.
25 (7) Each member wishing to participate in the ballot shall strike out from the ballot paper all names in excess of the number of positions vacant and ballot papers containing a greater or lesser number of candidates to be elected shall be invalid.
25 (8) After the appointment of the Returning Officer and the scrutineers the Returning Officer and the scrutineers shall count the postal votes returned in accordance with Clause 25 (5) and the votes cast by members in accordance with Clauses 25 (5) and 25 (7).
25 (9) The Returning Officer shall declare the result of the ballot immediately after the votes have been counted and in the event of an equality of votes in favor of any candidate which could affect the election of a candidate the members at the annual general meeting shall elect one of such candidates to fill the vacancy for which he was nominated by a Resolution passed by a simple majority of members present and voting thereon.
25(10) If any question shall arise as to the validity or invalidity of a ballot paper or whether any particular member has or has not been elected to any particular Office, a statement by the Returning Officer that the relevant voting paper is or is not valid or that a particular member has or has not been elected to a particular Office shall be conclusive.
26. For the purposes of these Rules the office of an Officer of the Club or of an ordinary member of the Committee becomes vacant if the Officer or member:
(a) ceases to be a member of the Club;
(b) becomes insolvent under administration within the meaning of the Companies (Victoria) Code;
(c) resigns from office by notice in writing given to the Secretary:
(d) is absent from three consecutive Committee meetings without leave of the Committee
(e) if as a member of the VCA Inc. is disqualified or suspended by the VCA Inc.
NOMINATION AND VOTING
27.(1) Every member who was a financial member of the Club for not less than three months of the financial year preceding the annual general meeting and is currently a financial member shall be entitled to vote at the annual general meeting and shall be eligible to nominate or be nominated as an Office Bearer or member of the Committee. Unless the Club ‘s By-Laws provide otherwise, a member may be nominated for but not hold more than one position on the Committee except for the position of Public Officer.
27 (2) A person becoming a member between the closing date of the financial year preceding the annual general meeting and the date of the annual general meeting shall not be eligible to vote at the annual general meeting, nor to nominate, or be nominated for Office Bearer or member of the Committee.
27 (3) In all matters not covered by these Rules, the Rules of common debate shall apply provided always that the best interests of the general members of the Club be served and general members have the right to vote in favor or against any Committee decision.
MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE
28.(1) Meetings of the Committee shall be held at such place and at such time as the Committee from time to time determines:
28 (2) The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Committee. The minutes of such meetings signed by the Chairperson thereof or by the Chairperson of a confirmatory meeting shall be accepted as sufficient evidence of the proceedings of such meeting.
28 (3) The quorum for a Committee meeting shall be not less than 7 members thereof present in person or such other number as prescribed by members in By Laws.
28 (4) The Secretary shall call a meeting of the Committee whenever requested to do so by the President or by three members of the Committee.
28 (5) At meetings of the Committee:
(a) The President or in the President’s absence, the Vice President shall Preside; or
(b) if the President and the Vice President are absent, such one of the remaining members of the Committee as may be chosen by the members present shall preside.
28 (6) A member of the Committee shall not vote in respect of any contract of proposed contract with the Club in which the member has a conflict of interest or in respect of any matter arising there out and if the member does so vote, the vote shall not be counted.
28 (7) All acts done by any meeting of the Committee or a Sub-Committee thereof or of a Sub-Committee appointed by the members or by any person acting as a member of the Committee or of a Sub-Committee notwithstanding that it is afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of the Committee or Sub-Committee or of any person acting as aforesaid, or that the members of the Committee or any of them or of a Sub-Committee were disqualified shall be as valid as if any such person had been validly appointed and was qualified to be a member of the Committee or of such Sub-Committee.
28 (8) A resolution in writing signed by all members of the Committee for the time being entitled to receive notice of a meeting of the Committee shall be as valid and effectual as if it has been passed at a meeting of the Committee duly held and convened. Any such resolution may consist of several documents in like form each signed by one or more members of the Committee.
28 (9) Subject to Clause 28 (3) the Committee may act notwithstanding any vacancy on Committee.
DUTIES OF SECRETARY AND/OR PUBLIC OFFICER
29. (1) The Secretary shall exercise and perform all the usual secretarial functions and generally attend to the secretarial work of the Club and in particular shall keep and maintain:
(a) the roll of members;
(b) minutes of the resolutions and proceedings of each general meeting and each committee meeting in books provided for that purpose together with a record of the names of persons present at committee meetings;
(c) all necessary records of the affairs of the club;
(d) a complete record of awards made at all exhibitions and shows conducted by the Club, where necessary;
(e) and shall forward to the VCA Inc within one months of the annual general meeting an Audited Statement of Receipts and Expenditure and Balance Sheet of the Club.
29. (2) The Public Officer shall:
(a) notify the Registrar of appointment within fourteen dates – s. 28(1)
(b) notify change of address within fourteen dates – s. 28(2);
(c) notify alterations to the statement of purposes or rules within one month – s, 22(s);
(d) make application for approval of a change of name, if any, within the prescribed time – s. 13;
(e) lodge with the Registrar the documents required by s.30(4) in respect of the annual general meeting within one month of the date of the meeting or such further period as the Registrar may allow – s.30(4);
(f) produce any book to the Registrar or authorized Officer on being required to do so – s.47(6);
(g) tell the Registrar or authorized Officer where a book is at the time a request is made – s,47(6);
(h) not hinder or obstruct the Registrar or authorized Officer whilst exercising powers of inspection; and
(i) ensure that the incorporated Club complies with its obligation to lodge with the Registrar particulars of Trusts within fourteen days of becoming a trustee of that Trust.
DUTIES OF TREASURER
30. The Treasurer shall:
(a) receive all monies paid to the Club and cause the same to be paid into the banking account of the Club kept for such purpose within fourteen days of the receipt thereof:
(b) keep all necessary books of account and financial statements as shall be required by the Auditors, the VCA Inc., and the Act:
(c) prepare the annual accounts and accompanying reports;
(d) submit financial statements to all constituted meetings of the Committee and of the Club:
(e) produce in general meetings the cash books and bank passbook when requested to do so:
(f) keep vouchers for payments authorized by the Club and the Committee: and
(g) keep a true and correct inventory of all property of the Club.
REMOVAL OF MEMBER OF COMMITTEE OR PUBLIC OFFICER
31.(1) The Club in general meeting may by a resolution, passed by three-fourths of the members voting in person, remove any member of the Committee before the expiration of the term of office and appoint another member within fourteen days to hold office instead until the expiration of the term of the first-mentioned member, however
31 (2) Where the member to whom a proposed resolution referred to in Sub-Clause
(1) makes representation in writing to the Secretary or President of the Club (not exceeding a reasonable length) and requests that they be notified to the members of the Club, the Secretary or the President may send a copy of the representations to each member of the Club or, if they are not so sent, the member may require that they be read out at the meeting.
BANKING ACCOUNT
32.(1) The Committee shall cause a banking account to be opened with a recognized Bank or equivalent and be kept in the name of the Club.
32 (2) All cheques payable to the Club shall be deposited to the credit of the Club’s banking account
32 (3) All monies payable on behalf of the Club amounting to $20-00 or upwards with the exception of prize money shall be paid by cheque drawn upon the Club’s bankers which shall be signed by the Treasurer or authorized deputy and any one of the Office Bearers authorized to sign on behalf of the Club. Notice of every such authority or change thereof shall be given to the Club’s bankers forthwith whenever the need shall arise. Where an amount less than $20-00 is paid in cash, the Treasurer, or authorized deputy, shall ensure a receipt is obtained at the time of the transaction.
AUDIT AND AUDITOR
33. Subject to any Regulation that may be made under Section 54(2) (b) of the Associations Incorporation Act the members at the annual general meeting shall appoint each year a person with accountancy knowledge to be the Auditor of the Club and a person so appointed shall hold that office until the next annual general meeting. A casual vacancy occurring in the position of Auditor shall be filled by the Commitee.
34. Notice of the nomination of any person other than a retiring auditor for appointment as Auditor shall be given to the members not less than fourteen days before the annual general meeting at which the appointment of Auditor is to be made:
35. A person shall not be appointed or act as Auditor of the Club if that person is an Office bearer or an ordinary member of the Committee or an employee of club or any person with a perceived conflict of interest. Such auditor to be a person suitably qualified to conduct the audit and their qualifications to be included in the Auditors’ Report.
NOTICES
36.(1) A notice may be served on behalf of the Club upon any member either personally or by sending it by post to the member at the last known address shown in the Register of Members.
36 (2) Where a document is properly addressed pre-paid and posted to a person as a letter, the document shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to have been given to the person at the time at which the letter would have been delivered in the ordinary course of post.
WINDING UP OR CANCELLATION
37. In the event of the winding up or the cancellation of the incorporation of the Club, the assets of the Club shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the Act and Clause 41 of these Rules.
SEAL
38.(1) The Common Seal of the Club shall be kept in the custody of the secretary.
38 (2) The Common Seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of the Committee and the affixing of the Common Seal shall be attested by the signatures of either two members of the Committee or one member of Committee and the Public Officer.
CUSTODY OF RECORDS
39.(1) Except as otherwise provided in the Act and in these Rules, the Secretary shall keep in custody or under control all books, documents and securities of the club.
39 (2) The books and documents referred to in Clause 39 (1) shall be available for inspection by members.
FUNDS
40. The funds of the Club shall be derived from entrance fees, annual subscriptions, donations and such other sources as the committee determines.
PROPERTY
41. The property assets and income of the Club, wherever derived, shall be applied towards the promotion of the Statement of Purposes of the club, and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred either directly or indirectly to any member or members of the Provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent the payment in good faith of remuneration or reimbursement to any offices or servants of the Club or any member in return for services actually rendered or for authorized expenses incurred nor prevent the payment of interest on money borrowed from any member of the Club. Should the Club for any reason whatsoever cease to function, the members may, at a meeting specially convened for the purpose of winding up of the affairs of the Club, direct by resolution, passed by a majority of 75% of financial members, that the funds be donated to an approved charity or applied for use by an approved canine activity.
FINANCIAL YEAR
42. The financial year of the Club shall commence on the first day of October each year, and terminate on the last day of September the following year. Membership fees must be paid on or before the 1st day of October each year for continuity of membership.
ALTERATIONS OF RULES AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
43. These rules and the Statement of Purposes of the Club shall not be altered except in accordance with the Associations Incorporation Act, and any such alterations are to be advised to the Manager of the VCA Inc without delay.
BY-LAWS
44. Subject always to the Associations Incorporation Act, VCA Inc Rules and Regulations, and these Rules, members in general meeting by resolution passed by a majority of not less that three fourths of the members present and voting in person may make By-Laws and may from time to time amend such By-Laws by variation, deletion or addition, as they shall think fit in respect of:
(a) nominations of members;
(b) amount of joining fee, if any, and the annual membership subscription;
(c) the conducting of ballots;
(d) the holding and conducting of Shows and Exhibitions by the Club;
(e) the granting of awards and prizes at such Shows and Exhibitions;
(f) the manner and procedure of dealing with protests and objections made at shows or exhibitions subject always to the VCA Inc Rules;
(g) meetings of members and of Committees;
(h) the publication of a newsletter or journal;
(i) any matter the members may consider necessary.
AFFILIATION WITH THE VCA INC
45.(1) The club shall affiliate with the VCA Inc. as provided for in the Rules and Regulations of the VCA Inc.
45 (2) Members agree to be bound by the Constitution, Rules and Regulations of the VCA Inc, and the VCA Inc. Code of Ethics and Codes of Practice. Members also agree to abide by, observe and comply with decisions or directives of the Management Committee of the VCA Inc.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSES
The Objects of the Collie Club of Victoria Inc are:
(a) to affiliate with the VCA Inc
(b) to promote and encourage the breeding of pure bred dogs and in particular the Collie (Rough) and Collie (Smooth)
(c) to promote and raise the standards and exhibition of registered pure bred dogs, particularly the Collie
(d) to promote the holding of Exhibitions under the VCA Inc Rules and Regulations and to conduct Exhibitions and/or to promote Obedience training and to conduct Obedience training and to conduct Obedience Trials, Tracking Tests and Field Trials
(e) to foster, promote and protect the interests of exhibitors of dogs at exhibitions and particularly the exhibitors of Collies
(f) to collect, verify and publish information relating to dogs and the breeding and exhibition of dogs
(g) to educate and encourage members, breeders and judges to abide by the requirements and standards approved by the VCA Inc for the conduct of Exhibitions and Shows
(h) to promote good fellowship and sportsmanship amongst members and those participating in or attending at Exhibitions and Shows
(i) to inform members of and make known to them the Laws and Regulations of State relating to the ownership and care of dogs, and the responsibility of owners for the conduct and actions of their dogs
(j) to hold functions, and lectures relating to dogs and to the purposes of the Club generally
(k) to provide awards and donate prizes for competition at Exhibitions and for the competition by breeders and exhibitors of dogs
(l) to foster relations with other Clubs and bodies having similar aims
(m) to promote and assist worthy causes, as agreed at a general meeting of the members of the Club
(n) to invest the funds of the Club not immediately required in such manner as the members or the Committee in lieu thereof shall determine
(o) to purchase, hire, lease etc and do such things as are conductive or incidental to promoting and achieving the purposes of the Club
(p) to carry on such other activities or promote or encourage interest in the breeding, upkeep and training of and the general well-being and improvement of Collies and to do such other things as may be necessary or conductive to carrying out the objects of the Club.
BY LAWS OF THE COLLIE CLUB OF VICTORIA INC
By Law No. 1 – Annual Subscription
The Annual Subscription shall be determined in acceptance with Clause 13 of the Constitution and shall be in respect of the period 1st October to 30th September of the year immediately following the Annual General Meeting, at which such determination is made.
The Annual Subscription shall be:
(a) Single Membership
(b) Dual Membership
(c) Junior Membership
All subscriptions paid after 30th June shall be carried through to the following year.
By Law No. 2 – Office Bearers and Committee
The Office Bearers shall consist of:
President
Two (2) Vice Presidents
Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Treasurer
The Committee of the Club shall consist of not more than fourteen (14) persons including Office Bearers.
By Law No. 3 - Quorum
The quorum for a meeting shall be:
(a) Committee Meeting – 50% of the members of the Committee
(b) Sub-Committee – 50% of the members of the Sub Committee
(c) General meeting of members – fifteen (15) members
By Law No. 4 – Membership
The membership of the Club shall consist of:
(a) Ordinary Membership
(b) Dual Membership
(c) Life Member
(d) Honorary Member
(e) Junior Member
Life Member:
Any person may be nominated as a Life Member of the Club in recognition of services rendered to the Club, or services towards any of the objects of the club, however, not more than one person may be appointed as a Life Member of the club in any one year.
Honorary Member:
Any person may be nominated as an Honorary Member, but such nomination shall not exceed two in any one financial year.
Junior Member:
Any person under the age of sixteen may be a junior member of the club, but shall ceased to be a junior member at the end of the financial year in which he or she attains their sixteenth year.
By Law No. 5 – Statements
The Collie Club will take no responsibility for any statement spoken or printed made without the approval of the Committee and/or members at a General Meeting.
By Law No. 6 – Cash Floats
The Committee may advance a cash float to the Secretary, Trophy Steward and Chatter Editor to enable these office bearers to carry out their duties efficiently. The amount of each float is to be approximately equal to the expected expenditure of the office for the following two months. A statement of expenditure is to be lodged with the Treasurer at each meeting by each of these office bearers. The Collie Club is not responsible for any expenditure, excepting that incurred by the above three office bearers in the performance of their duties and to maximum value of their respective floats, without the approval of the Committee and/or members at a General Meeting.
By Law No. 7 – Signatures for signing cheques
The signatures of the President, Secretary and Treasurer are to be registered with Banks, and any other organizations where the club may have money and/or securities on deposit. All withdrawal documents from these deposits must be signed by the Treasurer and one of the other two officers.
By Law No. 8 – Puppy Sales Scheme
1. The scheme is open to financial members of the Collie Club of Vic Inc only, who have been financial members for a minimum of 12 months and who agree to abide by the following regulations
2. Applications for registration on this scheme must be made on the prescribed form supplied by the Club
3. The puppies must be owned and bred by the said member, and must be from registered parents, and be eligible for registration themselves. Full pedigree and transfer papers, completed, must be given at the time of sale to the new owner
4. All sales are to be outright sales only, puppies sold on lease or breeding terms are not eligible to be sold through the scheme
5. Puppies must be a minimum of 8 weeks of age before being handed to the new owners
6. Puppies must have been wormed in accordance with veterinary recommendations, and also have had temporary immunization with proof of vaccination provided.
7, Puppies must be clean and free from parasites.
8. Puppies will be listed for a period of time to be set by the committee from time to time.
9. The member must inform the Puppy Sales Managers after each sale.
10. The Club suggests a recommended price for puppies, to be reassessed at each Annual General Meeting.
11. The fee payable to the Collie Club of Vic Inc as prescribed by the Committee from time to time is to be sent with the completed application form to the Secretary.
12. All complaints received by the Puppy Sales Managers regarding puppies purchased through the Puppy Sales Scheme should be handed to the Secretary of the Collie Club with the following information:
Name and address of purchaser, telephone number, date puppy purchased, from whom the puppy was purchased, nature of complaint.
Upon receipt of this information, the Committee of the Collie Club shall appoint 2 members of the committee to investigate the complaint. This investigation shall be completed within 2 weeks of the complaint being made. If the report is substantiated, then the committee shall act by advising the seller member in writing to attend the next scheduled committee meeting of the Collie Club and show cause why he/she should not be dealt with under the Rules and regulations of the constitution of the Collie Club of Vic Inc (Clauses 16 – 21)
13. That country and interstate members be allowed to sell their litters through the Collie Club Puppy Sales Scheme via friends or acting agents who are also eligible members, providing that eligibility of sale requirements have been met