Format of this document will be: “Paragraph – original text (in italics) – suggested alternative text – rationale for change”
3.1
The Society shall encourage people to become Members, and to that end, the Management Committee shall maintain a Membership Strategy for that purpose and report to the Members at the Annual Members Meeting on the state of the Society’s membership and on the Membership Strategy.
“The Society shall encourage people to become Members, and to that end, the Management Committee shall maintain a Membership Strategy for that purpose and report to the Members at the Annual Members Meeting on the state of the Society’s membership. ”
Rationale: The use of capital letters means that a written document would be required, this downgrades the requirement to create and update such a strategy whilst retaining the requirement to seek new members
3.6
The Management Committee may divide Members into constituencies, based on geography, the nature of their interest in the society, or any other relevant factor. If Members are divided into constituencies: the Members in each constituency will be able to elect at least one representative from amongst their number to the Management Committee; no person may be a Member within more than one constituency; and the Secretary shall make any final decision about the constituency which a Member belongs to.
Delete
Rationale: Suggest deleting entire paragraph as not used and unlikely to be used
4.4.2
…receiving from the Management Committee a report on the state of the membership and the Membership Strategy
“receiving from the Management Committee a report on the state of the membership”
Rationale: remove reference to strategy
4.11
Before a Members Meeting can do business, a minimum number of Members (a quorum) must be present. Except where these Rules say otherwise a quorum is present if 5 Members or 10% of the Members entitled to vote at the meeting (whichever is greater) are present.
“Before a Members Meeting can do business, a minimum number of Members (a quorum) must be present. Except where these Rules say otherwise a quorum is present if at least 10 Members are present.”
Rationale: As the membership numbers increase it get increasingly difficult to achieve a % quorum. Can we actually get 10% of the members to attend? With a large membership that does not attend the AMM we are unlikely to ever achieve a 10% quorum. Thus, we are proposing increasing the quorum to 10
5.2
If Members are divided into constituencies, the Management Committee shall include persons elected by and from the Members in each constituency, and the Management Committee shall strive to ensure that its composition appropriately reflects the various constituencies.
Delete
Rationale: remove reference to constituencies
5.11 (and any other relevant section)
The Management Committee shall elect from amongst themselves a Chair, a Vice-Chair, and a Treasurer.
“The Management Committee shall elect from amongst themselves a Chair and a Treasurer.”
Rationale: We do not operate with a Vice Chair so let’s correct this. Delete all subsequent references to Vice Chair (5.13)
5.17
A resolution signed by all the members of the Management Committee has the same effect as a resolution validly passed at a meeting of the Management Committee. Each member of the Management Committee may sign a separate copy of the resolution and send a signed copy to the Secretary by email or other electronic means.
“A resolution signed by all the members of the Management Committee has the same effect as a resolution validly passed at a meeting of the Management Committee. Each member of the Management Committee may send their vote on the resolution to the Secretary by email or other electronic means.”
Rationale: facilitates easier emailed approval outside of meetings when needed. Email will provide proof and removes over elaborate need to sign a paper copy and scan
6.8
The Society must keep a copy of the last balance sheet for the time being, together with the report of the Auditors, always displayed in a conspicuous place at its registered office
“The Society must keep a copy of the last balance sheet for the time being, together with the report of the Auditors, available for inspection by request of a Member”
Rationale: I am unsure what this is intended so have reduced the burden of displaying in a Food Safety environment. Also now aligns with 6.9
7.1
No new rule shall be made, nor shall any of the Rules be amended, unless it is approved by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast at a Special Members Meeting.
“No new rule shall be made, nor shall any of the Rules be amended, unless it is approved by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast at a Members Meeting.”
Rationale: Removes the need to call a Special Meeting and allows rules to be changed at the AMM. So we are unable to change at the next AMM until this is changed!
10 (points 10.1 to 10.4)
Start-up Provisions
Delete all
Rationale: no longer relevant