The following constitution was ratified at a general meeting of CANWin on 20 January

CLIMATE ACTION NOW, WINGECARRIBEE (CANWin) CONSTITUTION

1 Interpretation

The Model Rules in Schedule One of the NSW Associations Incorporation Regulation 1999 shall be taken to apply on all matters that are not explicitly addressed by this Constitution.

2 Objectives

2.1 to bring together in an independent, non-partisan, non-sectarian Association, Southern Highlands people who share concerns about climate change.

2.2 to increase the awareness and understanding of climate change of its members and of the communities from which these members are drawn.

2.3 to encourage individuals, organisations and governments to act positively, both to ameliorate and to manage climate change.

3 Membership

3.1 Members will be those persons who accept the objectives of the Association, who have paid the Subscription for the current financial year and to whom a receipt for the Subscription has been issued and recorded by the Committee.

3.2 The Subscription for each current financial year shall be determined by the management committee (hereafter called ‘the Committee’) prior to the end of the previous financial year.

4 Associate Membership

4.1 Associate Members will be those persons who accept the objectives of the Association and have been enrolled by the Committee but who have not paid the Subscription for the current financial year.

4.2 Associate Members may join in any activities of the Association and may speak at General Meetings at the discretion of the chairman but do not have rights to vote at these Meetings.

5 The Committee

5.1 The Committee of the Association will manage the affairs of the Association but may delegate functions to subcommittees and working groups by minuted resolutions.

5.2 The Committee shall comprise a Convenor, Deputy Convenor, Secretary, Treasurer and up to eight further Committee Members who are Members of the Association.

5.3 The Committee may appoint Committee Members or other Members to other positions that it considers necessary for the effective running of the Association and it may co-opt to the Committee additional Members who will not have voting rights in Committee Meetings.

5.4 Members may attend Committee meetings at the invitation of the Convenor or of the chairperson of a meeting.

6 General meetings

6.1 An Annual General Meeting shall be held as soon as possible after the end of the previous financial year and no later than 31 March of the new year, at which the Committee shall present a Report and a Financial Statement for the year just completed and at which a new Committee will be elected by Members present at the Meeting.

6.2 The Committee may call a Special General Meeting at any time and must do so within three months of a written requisition from at least five per cent of the Members of the Association.

6.3 Notices of General Meetings shall be given in writing (which shall include email) to each Member of the Association at least twenty-one days prior to the General Meeting and must state the nature of the business to be considered at the General Meeting.

6.4 A quorum at all General Meetings shall be a minimum of five per cent of the Members of the Association.

6.5. Meetings held in the normal course of the activities of the Association (such as lectures and workshops) are not General Meetings for the purposes of this Constitution and can not reach decisions that are binding on either the Committee or the Association.

7 Funds

7.1 The financial year of the Association shall end on 31 January in every calendar year

7.2 All money received by the Association must be deposited in an Authorised Deposit-taking Institution. All disbursements, other than by way of petty cash payments up to $100, must be previously approved or subsequently ratified by the Committee. Cheques shall be signed by any two of the Convenor, Deputy Convenor, Treasurer and Secretary.

7.3 The annual financial statement presented to the Annual General Meeting shall have been subjected to a review and report by a competent person who is independent of the Committee and is not a Member of the Association.

8 Alteration

8.1 This Constitution may be amended only by a Special General Meeting. Amendments must be ratified by three quarters of the Members present and voting at the Special General Meeting.

8.2 Climate Action Now – Wingecarribee may wind up its activities only by a resolution passed by three quarters of the Members present and voting at a Special General Meeting. In this event all residual monies and assets after payment of all debts and liabilities shall be given to an organisation with similar objectives to the Association and specifically shall not be divided among members.