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In the Constitution you will find all the rules we operate by.

Last updated 31 May 2006.

CONSTITUTION

OF

WOMENS OUTDOOR PURSUITS INC

NAME

The name of the incorporated society shall be Womens Outdoor Pursuits Incorporated, hereinafter referred to as WOPS.

REGISTERED OFFICE

The registered office of WOPS shall be at the residential address of the Secretary for the time being, or at such other place as the Committee may decide from time to time.

OBJECTS

The objects of WOPS shall be to:

Provide training programmes for members covering bushcraft, safety, first aid, leadership, risk management and any other aspects relating to outdoor activities.
Encourage and enable all members to participate in weekly outdoor activities through a term programme of tramping and other recreational outdoor pursuits.
Use bushcraft activities and the medium of the outdoors to develop self esteem and personal growth in members.
Engage in any other activity for the promotion or furtherance of all or any of the above objects.

MEMBERSHIP

Any person wishing to become a member of WOPS must first complete a WOPS training course. If a general member becomes inactive for a period of seven years or more they will be required to complete another WOPS training course before becoming a financial member.

Register

A Register of Members shall be kept by the Enrolment Officer.

Fees

The membership fees shall be determined by the committee.

Withdrawal of Membership

Any member may, at any time, resign from membership of WOPS by advising the Secretary in writing.
The committee has the authority to withdraw membership if a member acts in a manner considered harmful to other members or contrary to the Safety Policy of WOPS (see appendix A).
The member has the right to respond in writing within seven days of receipt of written notification, from the committee, of the intention to terminate membership. The decision of the committee shall be final and binding and there shall be no further right of appeal.

THE COMMITTEE

Officers and Committee of WOPS

The committee of WOPS shall consist of:

Chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Other Committee members, to a maximum of nine, all of whom shall be members or paid leaders of WOPS.
The committee shall have the right to co-opt members and/or appoint subcommittees as and when required.

The election of officers and committee members shall take place at the AGM.
A list of candidates shall be made available at the AGM and further nominations accepted from the floor. All nominations must be seconded by a member. If necessary, a list of the nominees for committee shall be prepared and each member present at the AGM shall be entitled to vote for up to nine candidates.

The Committee may remove an Officer from office in the event of any of the following occurring:
The Officer becomes insolvent;
The Officer is dishonest, fraudulent or willfully exceeds her authority;
The Officer is charged with any serious criminal offence;
The Officer fails without good cause to attend at least four successive Committee meetings.
To remove an officer from their position there must be a two-thirds majority vote by the committee members.
In this event or in the event of an officer being unwilling or unable to continue in their position during the elected term, then the committee may appoint another member to act in that capacity until the immediately following AGM.

Functions of the Committee

The committee shall be responsible entirely for the management of WOPS, covering all administrative, financial, judicial and other matters of WOPS. This includes:

To ensure the objects of WOPS are adhered to.
To have regular meetings for the purpose of administering WOPS.
To organise an annual general meeting of the members.
To develop programmes of education and training in association with the leaders.
To promote WOPS in the community for the purpose of attracting new members.
To organise the financing of WOPS through subscriptions, donations, fundraising and other means.
To keep an accurate record of all financial transactions.
To establish bank accounts and funds as the Committee may think fit.
To grant or withdraw membership of WOPS.
To appoint or dismiss persons to or from positions of leadership, administration and responsibility.
To provide for the safe custody of books, documents and equipment.
To become a member of, or affiliated to, any club or association having objects similar to those of WOPS, if considered beneficial to WOPS.

FINANCES

The Financial Year shall be from April 1st to March 31st in each year.
As soon as practicable after the end of each financial year the Treasurer will prepare a statement containing:
A profit and loss account for the financial year just ended.
A schedule of the assets and liabilities and of all charges and securities affecting the property of WOPS at the close of that year.

All such statements shall be subjected to a peer review by an auditor and forwarded to the Secretary prior to the AGM. These documents shall then be tabled at the said AGM.
A copy of the annual accounts shall be filed with the Registrar of Incorporated Societies each year.

MEETINGS OF WOPS

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting shall be open to all members and be held each year, within three months of the end of the previous financial year.
The Secretary shall convene the AGM by giving 14 days notice of the meeting to all financial, life and honorary members of WOPS. This notification may be by newsletter, e-mail or mail.

The current Chairperson shall chair the meeting and, if unavailable, this task shall be undertaken by the Secretary, the Treasurer or an appointed committee member.
Every member present shall be entitled to one vote. There shall be no casting vote.
At any given AGM a quorum shall be 10 members.
The business to be transacted at the AGM shall be:

Approval of the minutes of the previous AGM.

Presentation and approval of the financial report of the previous twelve months and the Peer Review of the Accounts.
The election of officers and committee members.
Any general matters requiring approval of the members.

Special General Meetings

These should be convened by the Secretary when:

Directed to do so by the Committee.
A requisition in writing is received by the Secretary, signed by not less than two- thirds of the Committee members or not less than two-thirds of financial members. Such a requisition shall clearly state the reasons why a meeting is being convened.

Special General Meetings should take place within 14 days of receipt of the requisition.
Chairperson, voting and quorum at Special General Meetings shall be the same as for an AGM. The business of a Special General Meeting shall be as stated in the requisition notice and no other business may be transacted.

Committee Meetings

These meetings should be held at regular intervals, at a time and place decided by the committee members at the time. No business shall be transacted at any committee meeting unless a quorum of six members is present.

COMPLAINTS, DISPUTES AND SUGGESTIONS

All complaints, disputes and suggestions touching upon or affecting the operation of WOPS shall be referred initially to the Secretary, who shall bring them to the attention of the Committee for consideration. The person or persons making the complaint, dispute or suggestion may be required to appear before the Committee in respect of the matter. The decision of the Committee concerning the complaint, dispute or suggestion shall be final and binding.

COMMON SEAL

WOPS shall have a Common Seal and provide for its safe custody with the Secretary for the time being. The Committee shall determine when the Common Seal is used.
Unless determined by the Committee, any document may be executed by any two Officers without the Common Seal being affixed, provided that such Officers act with the authority of the Committee.

ALTERATION OF THE CONSTITUTION

Subject to the provision of the Incorporated Societies Act 1908, these rules may be amended, rescinded or added to from time to time by a special resolution carried by two thirds majority at the AGM or a Special General Meeting.
Notice of such proposed resolutions shall be circulated to financial, life and honorary members not less than 14 days prior to the meeting at which the proposed resolution will be considered.
No addition to or alteration or rescission of the rules shall be approved if it affects the Personal Benefit clause or the Winding Up clause. These clauses may not be amended or removed. Any alteration of the constitution must be registered with the Registrar of Incorporated Societies.

PERSONAL BENEFIT

No officer or member of WOPS shall derive or be entitled to any pecuniary gain or other benefit, except where:

They shall be entitled to be reimbursed for expenses personally paid in respect of the activities of WOPS.
They are paid for professional or administrative services rendered to WOPS.

WINDING UP

WOPS may be wound up at some future time if it:

Is deemed to have achieved its purpose.
Cannot pay its debts.
Has ceased to operate.

Winding up needs to be by resolution of two thirds of the members at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose, in accordance with these rules.
Upon winding up or liquidation or dissolution of WOPS and after the payment of all debts and liabilities, any remaining property shall not be paid or distributed among the members of WOPS. The property shall be given or transferred to some charitable organisation or other body, within New Zealand, having objects similar to the objects of WOPS.
Notice of winding up shall be sent to the Registrar of Incorporated Societies.