2001 (Alterations in 2007)
1 NAME
The name of the organisation shall be THE NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICES INCORPORATED: TE KAUNIHERA RATONGA TAUWHIRO O AOTEAROA hereafter called "the Council"
2 VISION:
A national voice for local communities
3 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The Council will uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi and act in a culturally appropriate manner as an umbrella organisation operating withint Aotearoa/New Zealand. The Council will be beneficial to the Community by providing information, training and resources to member groups enabling them to empower their communities to meet their social needs.
4 AIMS
(a) To promote at a national level information sharing, and liaison between statutory and non-statutory bodies, voluntary agencies, local authorities and individuals in all areas of community and social services.
(b) To represent the concerns of affiliated councils of social services.
(c) To encourage and support the establishment of councils of social services.
(d) To promote such initiatives in the social and community work field as may be deemed desirable by the council.
(e) To encourage improved standards of voluntary, social and community work, including training
(f) To make recommendations to the government and local authorities and other appropriate organisations as the council thinks fit to promote action to bring about policy changes where necessary.
(g) To comment and make submissions on social policy.
(h) To publish material which is consistent with the Statement of Purpose when required.
(i) To disseminate information which fosters public awareness in social matters and to encourage participation therein.
(j) To develop social research and formulate policies on broad social issues
(k) To organise seminars on special issues relevant to social and community work
(l) To receive funds and expend these monies for the purposes within the stated aims and objects of the council.
(m) To establish such sub-committees as may be deemed necessary to carry out the functions of the council
5 MEMBERSHIP
(a) i FULL MEMBERSHIP
Full members shall be duly recognised Councils of Social Services or bodies acting as Councils of Social Services, representing their areas/regions, which are elected or recognised by their communities and subscribe to the objects as stated in Rule 4. Application for membership must be made in writing and approved by the Executive Committee.
(a) ii Each member is to be represented by its authorised delegate at meetings and shall be entitle to ONE VOTE
5(b) i ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
Individuals, including past Executive Members and people with an interest in social and community services may apply in writing at any time for admission to membership and the Executive Committee may in accordance with this rule admit that person to membership.
(b)ii Associate members may attend meetings and have speaking rights but DO NOT have the right to vote. Associate members are not eligible for election to the Executive Committee.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution and these Rules, the Council shall at all times respect and preserve the Rules and Constitution of its member bodies and authority and autonomy thereof.
(d) Any member of the Council may resign by written notification to the Executive Committee.
(e) Any Member may be called upon to resign if there is any reason to believe that the member has been guilty of, or party to, conduct contrary to these Rules or inimical to the objects or interests of the Council. Before the member's resignation is called for, under this section, the member shall be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in defence. Such notice in writing may be served on the member by delivery in person or by mail to the last known address by registered post. If no response is forthcoming within four weeks of a notice so delivered, then by the direction of the Executive Committee, the member's name shall be removed from the register.
6 THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL
The Executive Committee shall be the governing body of the Council and may exercise all its objects and powers not required by these Rules to be exercised in the General Meeting and shall consist of the following.
(a) Eight delegates elected to ensure regional representation.
(b) These Executive Committee members shall be elected at each Annual General Meeting. Nominees to the Executive Committee must be participating members of a Council of Social Service and have been a member for a minimum of one year prior to nomination to the Council. The nominating Council of Social Services must be a financial member of the Council. The nomination form must be signed by the authorised signatories of the COSS and be accompanied by a Minute noting the approval of the nomination by the COSS Committee.
(c) The officers of the Council shall be the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and Treasurer.
(d) These officers shall be elected by vote of the Executive Committee at its first meeting following the election.
(e) Any vacancy occurring during the year may be filled by vote of the Executive Committee.
(f) The Executive Committee shall be elected at each Annual General Meeting on the majority vote of the Council delegates in person or by proxy votes given by written authority.
(g) Nominations to the Executive Committee shall be in writing to the Secretary not less than six weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting, but should there be insufficient written nominations, the Chairperson may accept nominations from the Annual General Meeting.
(h) Election of officers shall be by secret ballot if more than the required number of nominations are received.
7 ADMINISTRATION AND POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
(a) The Executive Committee shall meet at least three times in each year and more frequently if considered necessary, with the purpose of carrying out the aims, objects and interests of the Council.
(b) It may for sub-committees and co-opt, if required, for implementation of any of the above aims and objectives.
(c) A quorum of the executive Committee shall be any four members.
(d) The executive committee shall be responsible for the management of the business of the Council, which includes the finances of the council.
(e) The executive committee may employ staff, provided that no benefit or income, monetary or in kind, can be gained by any person. This shall not prevent the payment of any reasonable reimbursement or salary to any member or employee for any services performed or costs incurred on behalf of the council.
(f) Up to three people may be co-opted with the same powers as elected members.
(g) The Executive Committee may form sub-committees and may delegate power to act.
8 GENERAL MEETINGS
(a) The AGM shall be held no later than 30 November of each year.
(b) Members shall receive at least eight 8 weeks written notice of the time and place of such meeting.
(c) A Special General Meeting shall be called on the written request of at least five members, or may be called by the Executive Committee. Member must receive at least three weeks written notice of the time and place of such a meeting and the purpose for which it is called.
(d) A quorum for any general meeting shall be ten members.
9 FINANCE
(a) The treasurer shall record the finances of the Council and shall present a financial statement at each meeting of the Executive Committee and a financial statement for the year at each AGM. The financial year for the Council shall be from 1 July to 30 June.
(b) A bank account shall be in the name of the Council, and cheques drawn on such bank account shall be signed by persons designated by the Executive Committee.
(c) The Annual Accounts shall be audited by an external auditor appointed at the Annual General Meeting, and the audited accounts shall be available to all members.
(d) Subscriptions for members shall be fixed at each Annual General Meeting.
(e) Any income, benefit, or advantage must be used to advance the Charitable purposes of the organisation.
(f) No member of the organisation or anyone associated with a member, is allowed to take part in, or influence any decision made by the organisation in respect of payments to, or on behalf of, the member or associated person of any income, benefit, or advantage.
(g) Any payments made to a member of the organisation, or person assoicated with a member, must be for goods or services that advance the charitable purpose and must be reasonable and relative to payments that would be made between unrelated parties.
10 ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION
This constitution may be added to, altered, repealed or amended by resolution at any General Meeting of the Council, provided notice of motion of the resolution has been given to all members eight weeks prior to that meeting. The resolution shall require a two-thirds majority of members present or represented by proxy given but written authority.
No alterations repeals or amendments shall permitted which would alter the charitable nature of the Council.
11 VOTING
Voting at the Annual General Meeting, Special General Meeting, Council and Executive Committee meetings shall be on voice , show of hands or, on request, by ballot and the Chairperson shall have the deliberative and a casting vote.
Each member shall have one vote through its authorised delegate or by proxy as given by written authority.
12 DISSOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL
(a) The council may decide to be would up on a majority vote of members present at a Special General Meeting called for this purpose, provided that all members have been given six weeks written notice of such a motion and the resolution is confirmed at a subsequent General Meeting called for the purpose and held not earlier than thirty days after the date on which the resolution to be confirmed was passed. The property of the council shall be disposed of as follows:
(i) In settlement of all costs, debts and liabilities
(ii) In fulfilment of any trust or obligations affecting the same.
(iii) If any property remains after the winding up or dissolution of the organisation and the settlement of all the organisation's debts and liabilities, that property must be given or transferred to another organisation that is charitable under New Zealand law or for some other charitable purpose recognised under New Zealand law.
13 CONTROL OF THE COMMON SEAL
The Common Seal of the Council shall be kept in the custody of the Treasurer, and shall be used and signed by the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson or Treasurer on the decision of the Executive Committee.