Constitutional Change Summary of Rule Changes 2016

Introduction

Since the middle of 2015 the Council has been working on updating the Orienteering NZ Constitution.  We thank members and clubs who have provided feedback on the discussion documents which has helped us develop the new constitution.

A new constitution will be presented to the AGM in March 2016 as a Council-supported resolution.

The purpose of the resolution will be for the membership to adopt a new constitution which will be a) more modern and easier to understand, and b) ensure compliance with relevant law.  The new constitution reflects:

• Simplier language
• A clearer split between the Rules (constitution) and Policies.
• Law changes (including proposals within the Incorporated Societies Bill 2016)
• Alignment with best practice.

Because the Council are proposing the adoption of a New Constitution in its entirety, we have summarised the key changes in the table below.

To view the complete Draft Constitution Click Here

If you have any feedback on the draft constitution, please provide this to the General Manager no later than 1 February 2016.

Definitions

• Includes new definitions of “Postal Vote” which includes email and electronic voting.

Rights and Obligations of Members

• Simplification and clarification of who are members of ONZ.
• Members of Clubs will continue to become members of ONZ through their clubs. Through this process it has been brought to ONZ’s attention this rule will require some clubs to update their rules and annual membership form to make this ONZ membership clear.
• Clubs retain the right to vote at all General Meetings and postal votes.
• Register of members updated to clarify requirements and align with the proposed changes detailed within the Incorporated Societies Bill 2016
• Termination of Membership – Updated to align with best practice and requirements under the Sports Anti-Doping Act 2006 and the New Zealand Policy on Sports Match-fixing and Related Corruption.

Council

• These changes will see the removal of the President, Vice President and Regional Rep roles, all replaced by elected positions.
• Council size – has been defined at 6 elected person and up to 2 co-opted members.
• Term of office – 3 years for elected members, and 1 year for co-opted members. A maximum of 3 consecutive terms for all Council members.
• The Council shall annually elect the chair.
• The Council members will be elected by postal vote by the Clubs.  It is anticipated this will occur annually prior to the AGM so the successful candidates can be announced at the AGM.  This allows all clubs to vote as we know about 30% of clubs do not have representation at the AGM.

General Manager

• The General Manager has previously held a vote on Council.  This right to vote will be removed, but the General Manager will still sit on the Council.

Meeting of Council

• These have been updated to accommodate the use of technology, such as tele or video conferencing.

Notice of Meeting

• These define the notice period for meetings, the submission of resolutions and the confirmation of AGM Agenda.
• The time frame for these notices of meeting time and dates has been shortened from 12 weeks to 60 days for AGM’s and 30 days for SGM’s.
• The time for Clubs to submit business for AGM’s has been defined as 45 days.
• An Agenda notice will be published 30 days before the meetings.

Judicial Committee

• Updated to align with best practice – allowing for a 2-tiered process between minor and not-minor misconduct.
• It also incorporates the requirements of the Sports Anti-Doping Act 2006 and the New Zealand Policy on Sports Match-fixing and Related Corruption, as well as ONZ selection disputes.

Transition Clauses

• These allow for the systematic and considered rolling replacement of the current Board members with the newly elected Council members over a period of 2 years.
• It also simplifies the process in 2016 with the President and Vice President being elected at the AGM as required under the current constitution and their positions being “grandfathered” into the new Council structure.
• It is anticipated that 1 new Council member will need to be elected in 2016.  A call for applications will occur after the 2016 AGM and the vote will be via postal vote.