rules

CONSTITUTION OF THE FINCH SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA INC. (2004)

1.	TITLE:		FINCH SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA INC

2.	OBJECTS:	a.	To foster and encourage the keeping and breeding in captivity of all species of finches
		b.	To bring together and create the feeling of harmony and unity between all lovers of Finches and create a greater zeal and devotion to the fancy, thereby protecting members from dishonourable conduct and fraudulent practices.
		c.	To maintain a high standard of professionalism in every endeavour.

3.	MEMBERSHIP:		Any person desirous of becoming a member of this Society must be proposed and seconded by two financial members at a General Meeting. The Society may (in its discretion) accept or reject the nomination of any candidate without specific reason.

4.	MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS:		Subscriptions to be determined at the Annual Meeting: Joining Fee Adults Husband & Wife Juvenile (under 17) Postage Year to consist of as from 1 September to 31^st August. After 1^st September subscriptions must be renewed within 2 months to retain membership privileges. New members joining 3 months prior to the Annual Meeting shall be considered financial for the ensuing financial year.

5.	OFFICERS:		All offices to be honorary and shall consist of: President 2 Vice Presidents Secretary Assistant Secretary Minutes Secretary Treasurer Membership Secretary Sales Table Manger Editorial Team Librarian Raffle Organiser 2 Refreshment Officers Delegates and alternate delegates to various bodies as required Nominations shall be received at the Annual Meeting. Persons nominating a member who is absent from this Annual Meeting must present in writing the nominees willingness to accept such office if nominated. Officers may hold more than one office in a financial year.

6.	MEETINGS:		To be held on the second Wednesday of each month at a place to be arranged at 8pm sharp. Quorum to consist of at least six (6) financial members at an ordinary General Meeting or Special Meeting and twelve (12) or more at an Annual Meeting. The September meeting shall be the Annual Meeting. The Special Meeting may be called by requisition signed by 6 financial members of the Society and presented to the President as often as may be necessary for the good government of the Society. It shall have the power to suspend any officer or member of the Society until such times as the General Meeting shall have dealt with same.

7.	DUTIES OF OFFICE BEARERS:		President to chair meetings, maintain proper control and to act in the best interest of all members. Vice Presidents to attend meetings and to act in the absence of the elected President. Treasurer to attend meetings, receive, keep and attend to all correspondence, receive all monies payable to the Society and shall issue an official receipt for same, stamped with the official stamp of the Society, within seven (7) days of receiving same. All accounts to be submitted to the monthly meeting which shall authorise payment by the Treasurer. Accounts requiring payment shall be paid with the sanction of the President. All amounts withdrawn from the bank shall be by cheque, signed by two (2) of three (3) elected officers. Treasurer shall keep a cash book showing monies received and disbursed and shall be delivered to the auditors when requested. Treasurer shall maintain audit books and vouchers, receipts etc. before any meeting and shall have same audited by the President and/or Vice Presidents and Secretary before the Annual Meeting. Treasurer to report an Annual General Meeting. Assistant Secretary to attend all meetings and keep a true record of all business transacted at meetings in a record book provided for that purpose. Assist the elected Secretary when required and to act on his behalf in his/her absence. Delegates to attend representative meetings for which they are appointed and to furnish a report to the next General Meeting. Alternate delegates to be prepared to take over the duties of the regular delegates in their absence.

8.	CONTROL OF OFFICERS:		If any executive officer absent himself from 3 consecutive meetings without a reasonable excuse acceptable to the General Meeting, his/her seat may be declared vacant and such vacancy shall be filled at the next summoned meeting. The affairs and undertakings of the Society shall be aided by all members when requested.

9.	ALTERATION OF CONSTITUTION:		Notice of motion to be authorized at General Meeting previous to meeting at which motion is to be dealt with and only financial members to vote. Such notices to be sent by ordinary post of delivered to the honorary secretary at the time. No clauses or rule shall be amended unless such notice of motion has been received and all members shall be given at least seven (7) days notice in writing of the meeting at which the discussion will take place.

10.	BUSINESS AT ANNUAL MEETING		The business of the Annual Meeting shall be to receive and consider the Annual Report and balance sheet and the report from the Executives and Auditors. To elect officers for the ensuing year and to deal with any other business that may be necessary. A General Meeting shall be held after the Annual Meeting.

11.	NOTICE OF MEETINGS:		Notice in writing shall be given to all financial members at least seven (7) days prior to Annual Meeting, Special Meetings or of any alterations of time or place of any meeting held by the Society.

12.	VOTING:		Voting shall be by voice unless a ballot is called for. Resolutions shall be deemed to be carried if supported by a majority of those present. The Chairman on all counts shall have a deliberate vote and in the case of an equality, shall have a casting vote.

13	LIFE MEMBERSHIP:		Nomination for life membership shall be in recognition of services rendered during a period of at least ten (10) years consecutive membership. Nominations to be submitted to the management committee who submit recommendations to General Meetings for approval. One member only can be accepted as a life member each two years.

14.	PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERS:		No member shall be entitles to hold office in the Society unless he/she has been a financial member for at least three (3 ) months and has attended at least three (3) meetings. No member shall be entitled to vote on any question or be entitled to any privileges of the Society until he/she has paid annual dues to date. No member retiring from the Society or ceasing to be a member from any cause shall be entitled to have any claim on any of the property of the Society.

15.	CONDUCT OF MEMBERS:		Should any member make a charge against a member or members of improper conduct, he/she shall do so in writing. In such case the Society shall instruct the Secretary to summon the principle parties by registered letter (giving 14 days notice), stating the substance of the charge to appear before the meeting. Should the persons concerned, fail to attend or fail to furnish an excuse acceptable to the meeting the matter will be dealt with in their absence. Any member wilfully infringing upon these rules or accused of any unbecoming or dishonourable conduct or acting in a manner detrimental to the interest of the Society shall be liable (on a charge being made in writing of the same and proven by the meeting) to be expelled or dealt with in such manner as the meeting may deem necessary. Any member thus expelled shall forfeit all claims on the Society for any contributions or part thereof. Such member may appeal within two (2) months to a summoned meeting and the decision of such meeting shall be final.

16.	TRUSTEES:		Trustees of the Society shall consist of: President Vice Presidents The Trustees shall, in the event of the Society going out of existence, sell the assets of the Society and pay all liabilities, then distribute the remainder.

17.	BY-LAWS GOVERNING BRANCH SOCIETY & SECTION:		The affiliation fee of a Branch shall be determined at the Annual Meeting. A "Branch" shall consist of at least 15 members. Each Branch shall be known as Finch Society of Australia Inc ……………..Branch and all Branches shall function under the constitution of the Finch Society of Australia Inc. All Branches shall be responsible for all debts incurred on behalf of such Branch. The Society shall not bin any manner be responsible for such debts incurred. Two delegates to be appointed from each Branch of the Society to attend any meetings of the parent body with the power of one (1) vote each. All Branches Annual Meetings to be held before the Annual Meeting of the parent body and a certified copy of their Balance Sheet submitted to the Branches Secretary of the Society within 14 days prior to Annual Meetings.