-
-
New Zealand located Rotary Clubs are strongly encouraged to update their constitutions especially if clubs wish to adopt changes to the standard meeting and membership provisions. Rather than prepare a modifying document we have prepared a new standard constitution for New Zealand clubs which incorporates the new Council on Legislation updated constitution plus an updated version of the special clauses used in current New Zealand club constitutions to comply with the requirements of the Act.
-
Clubs in District 9920 which are not located in New Zealand and are not incorporated societies do not need to take any action as pursuant to Article 2.040.1 of the Bylaws of RI the amendments to the standard club constitution automatically become part of the constitution of each club.
Clubs in New Zealand are all incorporated societies and need to register the updated constitution with the Registrar of Incorporated Societies following the procedure below to ensure the registered version of the club's constitution incorporates all amendments.
-
Article 2 satellite club name should be completed in case the club subsequently establishes a satellite club. The satellite club provisions are now standard in the club constitution and should not be deleted.
-
Article 4 Locality of Club should be completed using the wording in the Article defining Locality in the club's current constitution.
-
Article 22(3)(a) provides that the Articles listed in the Schedule can be amended without approval from RI. Changes must be approved at a club meeting as set out in Article 22(3)(a).
-
Article 22(3)(b) provides that changes to the constitution resulting from the Council on Legislation shall be registered with the Registrar in accordance with Section 21 of the Act.
Best practice suggests clubs should follow the procedure in Article 22(3)(a) to do this.
-
Article 26(c) provides for the board of the club from time to time to determine whether the club accounts are audited or reviewed. If your club does not wish to have it's accounts audited or reviewed the words: and audited or reviewed by a chartered accountant or other qualified person as the board shall determine from time to time should be deleted. There is no requirement from RI or in the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 to have a club's accounts audited.
-
We strongly recommend that all New Zealand clubs adopt the revised constitution. Pursuant to Article 22 Section 3(a) this will need to be done at any regular meeting of the club where a quorum is present by the affirmative vote of a majority of its members present and voting provided that notice of such proposed change of constitution shall have been mailed (email can be used) to each member at least 10 working days before such meeting.
-
The following documents are required to update your club's constitution: