A major item at AIDA’s 2014 AGM was the adoption of new rules to replace AIDA’s constitution.
In 2012 state parliament passed the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012, replacing the Act of 1981. The government has proposed new model rules conforming with the Act. These govern the operational and financial provisions to be followed by not-for-profit associations like AIDA, and are designed to ensure proper accountabilities and to protect the rights of members.
The AIDA committee recommended to the members that we adopt the new model rules in their entirety, except that ‘members’ would be added to the list of those to whom the committee may delegate responsibilities. This addition is designed to give future committees greater flexibility.
The motion “that the Aireys Inlet and District Association adopt new rules under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012, in accordance with the Model Rules provided by the Government – with the discretionary text required in Model Rules 1, 2, and 3 and a proposed change to Model Rule 43 as highlighted in the document circulated at the meeting” was passed unanimously.
Our new Rules do not significantly affect the way AIDA now operates. We are able to retain our policy of each family or household membership carrying two votes at an AGM. There are more detailed provisions for the process of becoming and remaining a member: membership lapses if dues are not paid for one year.
If needed, there are clear procedures mandated for special general meetings, removal of membership, and so on. The committee may now decide to allow the use of new technologies to enable participation at meetings.