* Objects
* Means of Achieving
Objects
* Income and Property
* Powers
* Membership
* Types of Membership
* Membership Fees
* Meetings
* Special General Meetings
* Core Group
* Membership of the Core
Group
* Facilitation of Meetings
* Officers
* The Secretary
* The Treasurer
* Cheques
* The Auditor
* Indemnity of Officers
* Interpretation
* Alteration to the Rules
* Seal
* Winding Up
* Disposition of Surplus
Assets
NAME
1. The name of the Association shall be the "New Zealand
Association for Impact Assessment Incorporated".
DEFINITIONS
2. The "Act" means "the Incorporated Societies
Act of 1908 and its Amendments".
3. "Meeting" means, "a general or special meeting
of the members as hereinafter provided".
OBJECTS
4. To promote the practice of impact assessment (including
social and environmental assessment) in the formulation and implementation
of development and policy proposals.
5. To promote research and consultation practices which identify
the full social and environmental effects of policies & projects
and the measures required to address these.
6. To promote the development of impact assessment theory and
methods.
7. To promote impact assessment that recognises and accommodates
different social and cultural values, including those of indigenous
peoples.
8. To promote and encourage a high standard of practice amongst
members of the Association and others using impact assessment
methods, in accordance with the Code of Ethics.
9. To recognise and consider the Treaty of Waitangi.
10. To undertake or encourage initiatives, consistent with the
other objects, powers and resources of the Association, to promote
or advance the protection of the environment.
11. The objects listed here are not listed by order of priority.
MEANS OF ACHIEVING
THE OBJECTS
12. Means to achieve these objects may include the following
:
- organise talks, meetings, seminars, conferences, workshops;
- commission or carry out research or investigations;
- prepare published or unpublished communications in any legal
form whether written, recorded on tape, film or any other medium;
- develop a library and/or other media resources;
encourage the practice of peer review; and/or
carry out other such activities as will further the objects.
13. The Association must maintain a Code of Ethics., including
ethical guidelines for those members involved in impact assessment
work.
14. The Ethical Guidelines (not listed in order of importance)
require that the Association and its members:
i. Commit themselves to principles of social justice, sustainable
development and high environmental quality.
ii. Demonstrate a concern for the social and environmental effects
of development and policy decisions.
iii. Consider the effects of development, programme and policy
decisions on all sectors of the community, with reference to
relevant (especially social and environmental) characteristics.
iv. Be committed to the empowerment of all people, including
indigenous people and those who are disadvantaged, to influence
the development, policy and programme decisions which affect them.
INCOME AND PROPERTY
15. The income of the Association shall be applied solely
towards its objects and no part of it shall be paid or transferred
by way of dividend or by bonus to any member provided that this
shall not prevent payment of a reasonable remuneration to any
Association member(s) or employee(s) in return for services actually
rendered.
POWERS
16. The Association has the following powers; (i) and (ii)
to be exercised only by prior authorisation of an annual general
meeting or a special general meeting called for that purpose
:
(i) To acquire or dispose of any interest in land or buildings.
(ii) To borrow and raise money and give security therefore by
the issue of debenture, stock, mortgage or charge upon all or
part of its property.
(iii) To investiits funds.
(iv) To raise money for its activities in pursuit of its objects
by way of public appeals for funds, sponsorship from persons,
public or public companies or bodies, or through the provision
of goods or services.
(v) Otherwise to do anything, including paying wages, in furtherance
of the objects of the Association (subject to these rules).
MEMBERSHIP
17. Those who subscribed to this application shall be the
first members of the Association.
18. Membership is open to all those who :
(i) accept the code of ethics and ethical guidelines, and are
prepared to apply them in their professional capacity (where
that is relevant) and support the objects of the Association;
(ii) pay the annual subscription appropriate to their category
of membership as determined by the annual general meeting of
the Association.
19. Application for membership shall be in writing signed by
the applicant.
20. The Association reserves the right to expel of fail to accept
for membership any member who:
i) was deemed not to be applying the code of ethics in impact
assessment work;
ii) who fails to pay the membership fees within the time period
for payment, set by the Association;
iii) deliberately fails to comply with the rules of the Association;
and/or
iv) deliberately brings the Association or its members into disrepute.
21. A person or organisation whose application for membership
is accepted by the core group shall not become a member until
payment of the annual subscription of the Association has been
made, and thereupon will be entered into the register of members.
22. Any member may resign from the
Association. Upon giving notice
in writing to the Secretary, and that member's name shall thereupon
be deleted from the register of members by the Secretary.
TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP
23. There will only be one class of members - ordinary members.
These can be either individual persons or organisations.
MEMBERSHIP FEES
24. Each member shall pay to the Association such membership
fees as may from time to time be determined by an annual general
meeting.
25. The membership fee shall be payable immediately upon acceptance
by the core group of an application for membership.
MEETINGS
26. The financial year shall be from 1 January to 31 December.
27. The date and organisation of meetings shall be fixed by the
core group and notice thereof advertised by the Secretary.
28. The business of each meeting shall include receipt and consideration
of a report of the actions of the core group for the period since
the last meeting.
29. Each Annual General Meeting will receive and consider the
accounts of the Association, determine the membership of the
core group, receive and consider any motion put forward to transact
any other business that may be brought forward, and shall further
include the review, amendment and confirmation of all policy
decisions made by the core group since the previous general meeting.
30. A quorum for the any meeting shall be not less than 10 members
of the Association present in person.
31. A resolution discussed at the meeting shall be passed by
consensus, and failing consensus by the agreement of at least
a simple clear majority of members present by a show of hands.
Every member present shall have one vote.
SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
32. The Secretary shall call special general meetings of the
Association :
(i) if asked to do so by the core group; or
(ii) upon the written request of at least 10 members of the Association
provided that the request will specify the reason for calling
the meeting.
33. In each case, the Secretary shall appoint the date of the
meeting and shall deliver notice thereof to all members of the
Association at least fifteen clear days before the date so fixed.
34. The notice to members shall specify the date, time, place
and reason for the meeting.
35. A quorum for such a special meeting shall be not less than
10 members of the Association present in person.
36. A resolution discussed at the meeting shall be passed by
the consensus and failing consensus by the agreement of a simple
and clear majority of members present by show of hands. Every
member present shall have one vote.
37. If requested in writing by at least 10 members of the Association,the
business of any such special general meeting must include :
(i) receipt and consideration of a report of the core group for
the period since the last general meeting;
(ii) receipt and consideration of the accounts of the Association;
(iii) determination of the membership of the core group;
(iv) receipt and consideration of any motion put forward to transact
any other business that may be brought forward; and
(v) review, amendment and confirmation of all policy decisions
made by the core group since the previous general meeting.
CORE GROUP
38. The core group shall normally consist of at least eight
persons, who are members of the Association. If for any reason
the number of members of the core group falls below eight, the
remaining members of the core group shall have the power to co-opt
additional members from the existing members of the Association.
39. Four core group members present at a duly convened meeting
of the core group shall constitute a quorum.
40. The core group may appoint any person (who need not be a
member of the core group) to perform any special functions or
to fill any special office whether honorary or paid and if paid
shall fix the persons remuneration. Any person so appointed shall
continue in office at the pleasure of the core group unless decided
otherwise at a meeting of members.
41. A majority of members of the core group may convene a meeting
of the core group.
42. A meeting of the core group shall be preceded by at least
seven clear days notice delivered to all its members and that
notice shall include an agenda for the meeting.
43. If for any reason an urgent meeting of the core group must
be called at less than three clear days notice, every reasonable
effort must be made to contact all members of the core group
and give them notice of that meeting.
44. Decisions of the core group shall be made by the consensus,
or failing this by a simple clear majority of those core group
members present at the meeting.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE
CORE GROUP
45. Volunteers for membership of the core group for the ensuing
year shall be received at the annual general meeting or at any
special general meeting called for that purpose.
46. The maximum number of members of the core group for the ensuing
year shall be determined by the annual general meeting or at
any special general meeting called for that purpose.
47. Members of the core group for the ensuing year, to the maximum
number of members, shall be determined in any manner approved
by a majority of members attending the general meeting or any
special meeting called for that purpose.
48. If the members at a meeting decide by a simple majority to
determine membership of the core group by secret ballot, the
normal procedure for such a ballot shall be :
i) All members present may cast only one ballot containing the
names of those members of the Association whom they deem suitable
to serve on the core group from among those who have volunteered
for membership of the core group.
ii) The maximum number of persons that each member may vote for
must be less than or equal to the maximum number of core goup
members for the year as previously determined by that meeting.
iii) Volunteers may place their names forward in writing to the
secretary or in person at the meeting.
iv) The designated number of persons who receive the most votes
shall constitute the members of the core group.
v) The results of the ballot shall be determined and reported
to the meeting by two tellers appointed by the core group for
the purpose. One of these tellers shall be from among those persons
present who has not volunteered for service on the core group.
vi) In the event of a tie vote for the last position on the core
group, a second ballot to break the tie must be cast by those
present who participated in the first ballot. Each voter shall
vote for only one of the individuals who have tied. No other
names should be introduced on this second ballot. In the event
that one of the persons involved in the tie is a member of a
minority group (ie determined by race, ethic group or nationality),
that person should be accorded the priority for the ninth position
without a re vote.
vii) The person or persons who received the most votes shall be
responsible for convening the first meeting of all members of
the incoming core group.
FACILITATION OF MEETINGS
49. (i) a faciitator will preside at all meetings of the core
group and at general meetings of the Association
(ii) this person
- has no special prerogative either within or without the meetings;
- when not functioning as presiding officer to keep discussion
and business orderly in meetings, the facilitator shall be just
another member of the core group;
- has no special or casting vote;
- has the principle role in meetings of :
seeing that there is free and open discussion on any point and
that it is kept to the point
ensuring that all members have the opportunity to put their point
encouraging all members to participate in discussions.
- shall see that both motions and decisions are clearly stated
and understood by all
- notifies the Secretary ahead of time when she/he is unable
to be present at the meeting
(iii) at any meeting of the core group, the facilitator of the
next core group must be appointed.
(iv) if for any reason a facilitator has not been appointed or
is not available, the Secretary shall assume or delegate that
role
50. The task of taking the minutes of any meeting of the core
group shall pass among the members of the core group and the
minute taker shall be a volunteer at the meeting
OFFICERS
51. The officers of the Association shall be the Secretary
and the Treasurer, and such other officers as the core group
from time to time appoints.
THE SECRETARY
52. The Secretary shall be appointed from time to time by
a majority vote of the core group and may be a member of the
core group.
53. The secretary shall :
(i) receive mail for the Association
(ii) present communications to the core group meetings
(iii) answer correspondence under the direction of the core group
(iv) under direction of the core group or a general meeting of
the Association, issue statements to and answers enquiries from
the news media
(v) maintain a filing system of all correspondence, communications,
newspaper clippings of all publicity on the Association, and
other materials as directed by the core group);
(vi) Notify each person when chosen of his/her membership or
office.
(vii) Notify members of the Association of meetings of the Association
and members of the core group of their meetings.
(viii) Comply with Section 22 of the Act (including the keeping
of a register of members with the names, addresses and occupation
of each member and the date they became members.
(ix) Keep a record of all meetings of the Association.
(x) Do such other acts as the core group or meeting may from
time to time require.
(xi) the core group may delegate any of these duties to other
members of that group.
The Secretary is empowered to delegate his/her tasks from
time to time but the core group or meeting may revoke such delegation.
THE TREASURER
54. The Treasurer of the Association shall be appointed by
a majority vote of the core group and may be a member of the
core group.
The Treasurers functions shall be to :
(i) Bank or cause to be banked in the name of the Association
all monies received.
(ii) Disburse the funds of the Association as may be determined
by the core group or meeting.
(iii) Keep the books of account and prepare the necessary financial
accounts and statements.
(iv) Put before the members at a meeting a statement of accounts
for the preceding year as soon as possible after the 31st of
March in each year, which shall be the balance date. The statement
shall be first audited by the auditor of the Association.
(v) Do such other acts as the core group or meeting may from
time to time require.
(vi) Keep a record of all membership fees received during the
year.
(vii) Abide by Section 23 of the Act.
The Treasurer is empowered to delegate her/his tasks from time
to time, but the core group or meeting may revoke such delegation.
CHEQUES
55. All cheques shall be signed or endorsed in such manner
as the meeting shall from time to time direct. Until this has
been determined by a meeting, it shall be required that all cheques
be signed by the Treasurer and one other member of the core group.
THE AUDITOR
56. The Auditor shall be appointed by the core group who shall
also fix her/his remuneration.
57. The Auditor shall be supplied with a copy of the accounts
and statements aforesaid and it shall be her/his duty thoroughly
to examine the same in detail with the books, accounts and vouchers
relating thereto.
58. The Auditor shall have a list delivered to her/him of all
books of account kept by the Association, and shall at all reasonable
times have access to the books and documents of the Association
and may examine the core group or any other officers of the Association
who shall at all times render all assistance to such Auditor.
59. The Auditor shall make a report to the members upon the accounts
and statements aforesaid. In every such report she/he shall state
whether in her/his opinion the same is or are full and fair accounts
and statements containing the particulars required by the Rules
of the Association and the Act, and properly drawn up so as to
exhibit a true and correct view of the affairs of the Association.
Such report shall be read together with the report of the core
group at a general meeting.
INDEMNITY OF OFFICERS
60. No Officer of the Association shall be liable for the
acts, receipts, neglects or defaults of any other officers of
the Association or for any loss occasioned by any error of judgement
or oversight on her/his part or for any other loss, damage or
misfortune whatever which shall happen in the execution of the
duties of her office or in relation thereto unless the same happened
through her won wilful default or dishonesty.
INTERPRETATION
61. If at any time any matter shall arise which is not provided
for in these rules or in the interpretation of these rules, the
same shall be determined where appropriate by the core group
or the meeting.
ALTERATION TO RULES
62. A motion for the alteration of the Rules of the Association
may be presented at the annual general meeting or at a special
general meeting called for that purpose. Any resolution altering
the Rules must be carried by a consensus of the members present
or, failing consensus, by a two thirds majority of the members
present at such a meeting.
63. At least fifteen clear days notice of any proposed motion
shall be given to all members of the Association.
64. If any alteration to the rules is passed, it shall come into
operation on the day after the alteration is registered by the
Registrar of Incorporated Societies.
SEAL
65. The Common Seal of the Association shall be held by the
Secretary and shall be affixed to any document upon the authorisation
of the core group in the presence of three members of the core
group.
WINDING UP
66. The Association may be wound up voluntarily if at a meeting
of its members a resolution is passed requiring it to be wound
up and the resolution is confirmed at a subsequent meeting called
for that purpose and held no earlier than thirty days after the
date on which the resolution to be confirmed was passed
DISPOSITION OF
SURPLUS ASSETS
67. On the winding up or disposition of the Association the
surplus assets after payment of all costs, debts and liabilities
shall be distributed to such charitable organisation(s) or incorporated
society(ies) having objects the same as or similar to those of
the Association, or whose work is associated with that of the
Association, and upon and subject to such terms and conditions
as the meeting passing the resolution of winding up or, in the
case of dissolution by the Registrar of Incorporated Societies,
as the Registrar shall determine.
