University Computer Club

The Constitution of the University Computer Club.

Notes:

History of Amendments available here.

The document below is a transcription of the official document that was submitted to the Department of Commerce. A copy of the official Constitution can be found at here, and takes precedence should the transcription differ from the original.

Known Inconsistency:

  • The above date, 4 June 1976, and the below date, 4 June 1980, are taken from the original copy of the constitution and associated notes. One of these dates is clearly incorrect.

The following text is a copy of the University Computer Club constitution to be maintained by the Secretary of the University Computer Club. 

Transcribed 19 February 1996 by James Bromberger, Webmaster.
Updated 29 January 1998 by Mark Tearle, Secretary.
Updated and Verified 29 September 1999 by David Luyer, Secretary.
Updated 7 October 1999 by David Luyer, Secretary.
Updated 9 June 2011 by Andrew Adamson, President.

Do not edit below this point except as a result of an amendment passed at a General Meeting.

Constitution 

  (Adopted on 21-Sep-1974)
  (Amended on 4-Jun-1980)
  (Amended on 16-Feb-1996)
  (Amended on 23-Jan-1998)
  (Amended on 6-Oct-1999)
  (Amended on 16-Dec-2010 and 8-Mar-2011 for incorporation)
  1. Name
  2. Definitions
  3. Objects
  4. Executive
  5. Committee
  6. Membership
  7. Honorary Life Membership
  8. Patron and Vice Patron
  9. Election
  10. Duration of Office
  11. Duties of the Committee
  12. Exercise of Powers
  13. Powers of the Club
  14. Common Seal of the Club
  15. Proceedings of Committee
    1. Ordinary Meetings
    2. Notice of Meetings
    3. Special Meetings
    4. Quorum
    5. Declaration of Pecuniary Interest
    6. Voting
    7. Rules of Debate
  16. Duties of the Committee Members
    1. President
    2. Vice-President
    3. Secretary
    4. Treasurer
    5. Ordinary Committee Members
    6. First Year Representative
  17. Vacancies
    1. Resignation
    2. Absence
    3. Election
  18. General Meetings
    1. Ordinary General Meeting
    2. Notice of Meeting
    3. Special General Meeting
    4. General Meeting Called by Ordinary Members
    5. Powers of a General Meeting
    6. Agenda
    7. Notice of Motion
    8. Quorum
    9. Rules of Debate
    10. Chair
    11. Voting
    12. Procedure for Motions
  19. Delegates
  20. Removal from Office
  21. Cancellation of Membership
  22. Finance
  23. Policy
  24. Interpretation of the Constitution
  25. Amendments to the Constitution
  26. Interim Measures
  27. Commercial Exploitation
  28. Inspection of Constitution, records, etc.
  29. Dissolution

  1. Name

    The name of this organisation shall be:
    The University Computer Club Inc.

  2. Definitions

    Throughout this Constitution, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms shall have the meanings set against them:
    "Club"
    The University Computer Club Inc.
    "financial year"
    A period commencing on the date of incorporation of the Club and ending on 31 December; and thereafter each period commencing 1 January and ending 31 December in the same year
    "General Meeting"
    Annual General Meeting or other Ordinary or Special General Meeting.
    "special resolution"
    A resolution is a special resolution if it is passed by a majority of not less than three-fourths of the members of the Club who are entitled under the rules of the Club to vote and vote in person
    "the Act"
    The Associations Incorporation Act 1987
    "the Commissioner"
    The Commissioner for Consumer Protection exercising powers under the Act
    "University"
    The University of Western Australia

  3. Objects

    The objects of the Club shall be as follows:
    1. To be an organised association of students attending The University of Western Australia, and supporters, for the advancement of computer science and technologies, both at the University and in the broader community.
    2. To co-operate with all bodies of similar aims.
    3. The property and income of the Club shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objects of the Club and no part of that property or income may be paid or otherwise distributed, directly or indirectly, to any person or body, except in good faith in the promotion of those objects.

  4. Executive

    The Executive of the Club shall consist of the following members:
    1. The President
    2. The Vice-President
    3. The Secretary
    4. The Treasurer

  5. Committee

    The Club shall be governed by the Committee.
    The Committee of the Club shall consist of the following members:
    1. The President
    2. The Vice-President
    3. The Secretary
    4. The Treasurer
    5. Three Ordinary Committee Members
    6. The First Year Representative

  6. Membership

    1. Membership is open to any person who shares the aims of the Club and agrees to comply with the Constitution and rules of the Club.
    2. A subscription for ordinary membership may be payable to the Club if the Committee so desires.
    3. All members must comply with all provisions relating to affiliated societies included in the Guild Statute Book.

  7. Honorary Life Membership

    The Club in General Meeting may by a two-third majority of those present and voting confer Honorary Life Membership upon any member who has performed outstanding service to the Club.

  8. Patron and Vice Patron

    The Club at the General Meeting may elect a Patron and Vice Patron who if they indicate their willingness so to act shall hold office until the succeeding Annual General Meeting.

  9. Election

    1. The following members of the Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting:
      1. The President
      2. The Vice-President
      3. The Secretary
      4. The Treasurer
      5. Three Ordinary Committee Members
      6. First Year Representative
    2. The Secretary shall call for nominations for the above positions at least ten days before the date of the Annual General Meeting. The nominations shall close at that meeting.
      1. Any member who has been nominated for a position and is unable to attend the Annual General Meeting must notify the Secretary of his or her acceptance of said position, in writing, before the close of nominations.
    3. Only students at The University of Western Australia who are financial members of the Student Guild of The University of Western Australia may hold positions on the Executive.
    4. The First Year Representative must be a student at The University of Western Australia in first year for the first time and an ordinary member of the Club.
    5. Any members of the Club may hold a position of ordinary Committee member.
    6. Any members of the Club may vote for the positions of Committee members.

  10. Duration of Office

    The members of the Committee shall remain in office until the close of the succeeding Annual General Meeting, except as elsewhere provided in the Constitution.

  11. Duties of the Committee

    The Committee shall be responsible to the Club in General Meeting for giving effect to the objects of the Club.

  12. Exercise of Powers

    The Committee shall only exercise its powers at a properly convened meeting of the Committee, except as elsewhere provided in the Constitution.

  13. Powers of the Club

    The Club may do all things necessary or convenient for carrying out its objects and purposes, and in particular, may:
    1. acquire, hold, deal with, and dispose of any real or personal property;
    2. open and operate bank accounts;
    3. invest its money:
      1. in any security in which trust monies may lawfully be invested; or
      2. in any manner authorised by the rules of the Club;
    4. borrow money or incur overdrafts provided always that the total long term liabilities of the Club shall not exceed one hundred dollars, unless otherwise approved by a General Meeting;
    5. give such security for the discharge of liabilities incurred by the Club as the Club thinks fit;
    6. appoint agents to transact any business of the Club on its behalf;
    7. enter into any other contract it considers necessary or desirable; and
    8. act as trustee and accept and hold real and personal property upon trust, but does not have the power to do any act or thing as a trustee that, if done otherwise than as a trustee, would contravene the rules of the Club.

  14. Common Seal of the Club

    1. The Club must have a common seal on which its corporate name appears in legible characters.
    2. The common seal of the Club must not be used without the express authority of the Committee and every use of that common seal must be recorded by the Secretary.
    3. The affixing of the common seal of the Club must be witnessed by any two Executive members.
    4. The common seal of the Club must be kept in the custody of the Secretary or of such other person as the Committee from time to time decides.

  15. Proceedings of Committee

    1. Ordinary Meetings

      The Committee shall meet at least once a month at such times and places as the President or the Committee may determine.

    2. Notice of Meetings

      The Secretary shall cause all members of the Committee to receive written or email notice of any meeting of the Committee at least four days before the date of the meeting.

    3. Special Meetings

      1. The Secretary shall forthwith call a meeting of the Committee upon receiving a written requisition from at least three members thereof; and such special meetings shall be held not later than seven days immediately following the receipt of such requisition.
      2. If the Secretary fails to annouce a meeting within 3 days, any one of the members signing the requisition may do so and must give the same notice as required of the Secretary.
      3. Any business set out in the requisition shall have priority over all other business.

    4. Quorum

      The quorum for a meeting of the Committee shall be four members of the Committee at least two of which are members of the Executive.

    5. Declaration of Pecuniary Interest

      A Committee member having any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a contract, or proposed contract, made by, or in the contemplation of, the Committee (except if that pecuniary interest exists only by virtue of the fact that the member of the Committee is a member of a class of persons for whose benefit the club is established), must:
      1. as soon as he or she becomes aware of that interest, disclose the nature and extent of his or her interest to the Committee; and
      2. not take part in any deliberations of decision of the Committee with respect to that contract.
      Sub-rule 5.1 does not apply with respect to a pecuniary interest that exists only by virtue of the fact that the member of the Committee is an employee of the Club.

    6. Voting

      1. Only members of the Committee are entitled to vote at a meeting of the Committee.
      2. Except where stated otherwise in the Constitution, a motion shall be passed if a majority of those present and eligible to vote cast their vote in favour of the motion.

    7. Rules of Debate

      Any member of the Committee may demand at any meeting of the Committee that the meeting be conducted in accordance with the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with this Constitution or policy made thereunder.

  16. Duties of Committee Members

    1. President

      In addition to any other provisions set out elsewhere in this Constitution, or any regulation or policy made thereunder, it shall be the duty of the President:
      1. to conduct the relations of the Club with other organisations and to the general public subject to the authority of the Committee;
      2. to co-ordinate and supervise the work of the Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and other officers of the Club subject to the authority of the Committee;
      3. generally to carry out the policy of the Club; and
      4. generally to carry out the instructions and decisions of the Committee.

    2. Vice-President

      In addition to any other provisions set out elsewhere in this Constitution, or any regulation or policy made thereunder, it shall be the duty of the Vice-President:
      1. to assist in the President's duties;
      2. to carry out Presidential duties during the absence of the President, during which time the Vice-President shall be deemed to be the President; and
      3. generally to carry out the instructions of the Committee.

    3. Secretary

      In addition to any other provisions set out elsewhere in this Constitution, or any regulation or policy made thereunder, it shall be the duty of the Secretary:
      1. to maintain an up to date register of the members of the Club and their postal or residential addresses and, upon the request of a member of the Club, make the register available for the inspection of the member;
      2. A member may make a copy of or take an extract from the register but shall have no right to remove the register for that purpose.
      3. to carry out the administrative work of the Club for which the Committee does not appoint or elect an officer;
      4. to record the proceedings of all General Meetings and meetings of the Committee and make these minutes available in an easily accessible portion of the Club online presence;
      5. to conduct and keep copies of all correspondence to the Club;
      6. generally to carry out the instructions and decisions of the Committee relating to the administration of the Club; and
      7. to ensure that an accurate copy of the Club constitution is maintained in an easily accessible portion of the Club online presence.
      8. unless the members resolve otherwise at a general meeting, have custody of all books, documents, records and registers of the Club, other than those required to be kept and maintained by, or in the custody of, the Treasurer.

    4. Treasurer

      In addition to any other provisions set out elsewhere in this Constitution, or any regulation or policy made thereunder, it shall be the duty of the Treasurer:
      1. to be responsible for the receipt of all moneys paid to or received by, or by him or her on behalf of, the Club and issue receipts for those moneys in the name of the Club;
      2. to keep accounting records as correctly record and explain the financial transactions and financial position of the Club, in such a manner that permits convenient and proper auditing;
      3. to render an account at each meeting of the Committee of all receipts and payments since the previous meeting;
      4. to render an account of the petty cash at each meeting of the Committee;
      5. to furnish the Committee with such other accounts and information relating to the finances of the Club as the Committee may require;
      6. to present a current financial statement showing all receipts and payments at each Ordinary General Meeting and by motion of Committee, an auditor's report at the Annual General Meeting; and
      7. unless the members resolve otherwise at a general meeting, have custody of all securities, books and documents of a financial nature and accounting records of the Club
      8. generally to carry out the instructions of the Committee relating to the property and finances of the Club.

    5. Ordinary Committee Members

      In addition to any other provisions set out in this Constitution, or in any regulation or policy made thereunder, it shall be the duty of the Ordinary Committee Members:
      1. to assist the other Committee Members in the executions of their duties; and
      2. to bear any responsibilities that the Committee shall from time to time decide.

    6. First Year Representative

      In addition to any other provisions set out in this Constitution, or in any regulation or policy made thereunder, it shall be the duty of the First Year Representative:
      1. to represent the interests of members of the Club who are in first year University or have not previously been members of the Club.

  17. Vacancies

    1. Resignation

      Any officer of the Club may resign from a position by giving written notification to the Secretary at least fourteen days before that Officer's resignation takes effect.

    2. Absence

      The Committee shall declare vacant the position of any member of the Committee if that member has been absent from two consecutive meetings of the Committee without giving a satisfactory explanation for that absence.

    3. Election

      If any position on the Committee becomes vacant then the Committee shall call a General Meeting for the election of a member to that position within four weeks of that position becoming vacant.

  18. General Meetings

    1. Ordinary General Meeting

      There shall be at least one General Meeting in each year, namely the Annual General Meeting, and any Ordinary General Meetings held as the Committee shall determine. The annual general meeting must be held in every calendar year within 4 months after the end of the Club's financial year or such longer period as may in a particular case be allowed by the Commissioner, except for the first annual general meeting which may be held at any time within 18 months after incorporation.

    2. Notice of Meeting

      The Secretary shall make all reasonable attempts to notify all members using at least a notice on the club notice-board for ten days preceding the meeting and an email sent to all addresses on the membership register at least ten days before the date of the meeting.

    3. Special General Meeting

      The Committee may at any time, without the need for a Committee meeting, call a Special General Meeting of the Club by the written agreement of at least 4 Committee members, at least one of whom is a member of the Executive. This meeting must be notified by the Secretary as with all other General Meetings, or if the Secretary has resigned or is unavailable by any member of the Committee with the same notice requirements of the Secretary.

    4. General Meeting Called by Ordinary Members

      1. The Secretary shall forthwith call a Special General Meeting upon receiving a written requisition from at least ten ordinary members of the Club and such meetings shall be held with appropriate notice requirement and not later than 17 days immediately following the receipt of such requisition.
      2. If the Secretary fails to announce a meeting within 7 days any one of the members signing the requisition may do so and must make all reasonable attempts to give the same notice as required of the Secretary.
      3. Any business set out in the requisition shall have priority over all other business.

    5. Powers of a General Meeting

      A General Meeting may exercise the same powers as the Committee except for those powers exclusively reserved for the Committee under this Constitution.

    6. Agenda

      The Secretary shall post the agenda for any General Meeting on the notice-boards alongside the notice of meeting at least four days before the date of the meeting.

    7. Notice of Motion

      At least four days before the meeting, topics intended to be discussed at the meeting shall be posted on the notice-board alongside the notice of meeting.

    8. Quorum

      The quorum of a General Meeting shall be fifteen ordinary members present in person.

    9. Rules of Debate

      A General Meeting shall be conducted in accordance with the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with this Constitution or policy made thereunder.

    10. Chair

      The President shall have the right to take the chair at any General meeting or meetings of the Committee. If the President is absent or does not wish to exercise his right at any meeting, that right shall devolve upon the Vice-President being absent or not wishing to exercise the above right, that meeting shall elect its own Chair.

    11. Voting

      1. Except where stated otherwise in the constitution, all members of the Club are entitled to vote at a General Meeting.
      2. Except where stated otherwise in the constitution, a motion shall be passed if a majority of those present and eligible to vote cast their vote in favour of the motion.
      3. Postal voting or proxy voting is not permitted.

    12. Procedures for Motions

      1. Once a motion is tabled, the motion shall be open to general discussion and amendments.
      2. After general discussion, a call for votes will be made by the Chair of the meeting.
      3. Any member at the meeting may call for the votes to be by secret ballot.

  19. Delegates

    The Committee shall have the power, after its re-constitution, to appoint from amongst its members a Delegate and Deputy-Delegate to any body with which it may choose to affiliate.

  20. Removal From Office

    1. The Committee may request any member of the Committee, member of any sub-committee, officer, representative or delegate of the Club to resign from that position if a person has failed to perform satisfactorily the normal duties of the position.
    2. The person concerned shall be informed of this request at least seven days before a meeting of the Committee where that person may speak on their own behalf.
    3. Any such request shall require such a motion which will only be passed if a two-thirds majority of those voting have voted in favor of the motion. The request to resign shall be delivered in writing to the person concerned forthwith.
    4. If a person has not resigned within seven days of the request the Committee may declare that position vacant.
    5. Any person who has had their former position declared vacant shall have the right to appeal to a General Meeting for their reinstatement.

  21. Cancellation of Membership

    1. The Club may cancel the membership of any member of the Club, should that member have acted in a manner contrary to the best interests of the Club.
    2. A two-thirds majority of a committee meeting may cancel a membership by passing a motion to that effect.
    3. The cancellation of membership shall be delivered in writing to the person concerned forthwith.
    4. Any person who has their membership cancelled shall have the right to appeal to a General Meeting for the reinstatement of their membership, except where that person is a first-time member of the club and has been a member for less than one month or has had their membership cancelled by Committee more than once.
    5. A person who has had their membership cancelled may not reapply for membership for the period of one year.

  22. Finance

    1. All money due and payable to the Club shall be received by the Treasurer who shall lodge it without undue delay in the account of the Club.
    2. Except as otherwise provided for in the Constitution, or in a policy, any two of the Executive shall be empowered jointly to sign cheques and forms of authority for the withdrawal of any money standing in the credit of the Club in the account of the Club.
    3. The Committee may by a two-thirds majority elect a single delegate from the Committee who may sign in lieu of one of the required Executive signatures on a cheque.
    4. No payment shall be made on behalf of or in the name of the Club unless it has been authorised by the Committee.
    5. The Committee may, outside a Committee meeting, agree to a payment or purchase by written consent of five Committee members including at least two Executive members of the Committee. Such written consent must be tabled and minuted at the next meeting of the Committee.

  23. Policy

    1. The Club in General Meeting may make policy on any matter relating to the conduct of the affairs of the Club provided that policy is not inconsistent with or repugnant to this Constitution or the Act.
    2. Any motion proposing to make, alter or rescind policy shall require written notice and shall only be passed by special resolution at a General Meeting.
    3. The policy of the Club shall form an appendix to this Constitution and be made available with it.

  24. Interpretation of the Constitution

    The Committee shall be the sole authority for interpreting the meaning of any of the provisions contained in this Constitution or in any regulation of the Club policy made thereunder.

  25. Amendments to the Constitution

    1. The Club in a General Meeting may amend this Constitution.
    2. Any motion proposing to amend this Constitution shall require a written notice of motion and any such motion shall only be passed by special resolution.
    3. Within one month of the passing of a special resolution altering its Constitution, or such further time as the Commissioner may in a particular case allow (on written application by the Club), the Club must lodge with the Commissioner notice of the special resolution setting out particulars of the alteration together with a certificate given by a member of the Committee certifying that the resolution was duly passed as a special resolution and that the Constitution of the Club as so altered conforms to the requirements of the Act.
    4. An alteration of the Constitution of the Club does not take effect until sub-rule 25.3 is complied with.

  26. Interim Measures

    The Executive shall have the power to suspend such provisions of this Constitution until the 15th April, 1975 as may be expedient to the formation of a Club.

  27. Commercial Exploitation

    No member of the Club shall use any of the resources of the Club for direct financial gain.

  28. Inspection of Constitution, records, etc.

    1. The Secretary shall make available to any member of the public a copy of this Constitution for perusal.
    2. A member may at any reasonable time inspect without charge the books, documents, records and securities of the Club.

  29. Dissolution

    If upon the winding up or dissolution of the Club there remains after satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities any property whatsoever, the same must not be paid to or distributed among the members, or former members. The surplus property must be given or transferred to another association incorporated under the Act which has similar objects and which is not carried out for the purposes of profit or gain to its individual members, and which association shall be determined by resolution of the members.
Colour: #
Text Colour: #
Background Colour: #


© 1993-2002
webmasters@ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au
University Computer Club
Guild of Undergraduates
The University of Western Australia