[committee] Draft Constitution Amendments

[Bob Adamson]

On Sat, 2 Oct 2010, David Adam wrote:
> Definitions:
> * I think the wording of the new clause on special resolutions could use
>  improvement; at the moment it is lots of boilerplate which does not
>  apply to us.

Indeed, now that I know proxy/postal voting isn't allowed, the definition 
is pretty simple

> Objects:
> * The new Object seems like it is the intent of the original 3rd object
>  but expanded in scope; I don't think we need both (although the new
>  object only applies to members while the original is to 'any person or
>  body'.

The new object is a necessary addition for incorporation. I'm pretty sure 
that the 3rd object is a requirement for soc affiliation, but will have to 
check that with soc.

> The stuff in Powers of the Club seems like it's basically just rewriting
> what's there?

Yes and no. The old General Powers were powers given to the _committee_ in 
order to let them do things for the club. Now that the club will be an 
entity in its own right, the section needed rewriting. The new section is 
taken from the sample constitution, with an addition that we may not go 
into too much debt.

> I agree with your comments on "Declaration of Pecuniary Interest",
> although I learned a new word today!

Still not sure about it. Schedule 1 of the act doesn't stipulate that it 
has to be in there, but we should really have something to that effect 
anyway.

> Duties of Committee Members:
> * Secretary: keeping a membership register is a good idea; is it
>  important to stipulate that it may be an online database or similar? I
>  notice a few clauses that reference email or online presence but I'm not
>  sure if they are required.

Section 27 of the Act requires that a register is kept, it doesn't 
stipulate in what form. Given that this form is currently changing and is 
likely to change again in the future, it's probably best if we leave it 
open to interpretation.

I have however, changed 'Minute Book' in this section to reflect the 
online availabilty of the minutes.

> * Treasurer: we don't have a Chairperson; I would prefer stronger language
>  for the presentation of balances at each committee meeting.

The idea was to prevent the treasurer having to quote balances of every 
account the club has (safe, guild, paypal, westpac, term dep) at every 
meeting. I've realised that the old rules didn't actually require this, so 
I've put them back in.

> General Meetings:
> * We don't allow proxy or postal voting, do we really need the additional
>  clause?

Fixed, postal/proxy voting now specifically prohibited

> Commercial Exploitation
> * I am not sure how this is redundant; for example, I don't think the new
>   Object stops me from running a for-profit website at the UCC.

Agreed, reinstated.

> Good work on getting this done!

Thanks. Schedule 1 on this site has the information on what needs to be in 
the constitution btw: 
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_act/aia1987307/

Bob