2007 Annual General Meeting - Amendment of BCG Constitution

Amendment of BCG Rules (Constitution)

The Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (Act) sets out the minimum legal obligations and requirements of incorporated associations in Queensland. On 15 March 2007, the Queensland Parliament approved changes to the Act.

Under the changes BCG will be designated as a Level 3 association, having total revenue less than $20,000 and currents assets of less than $20,000. As a Level 3 association BCG will need to lodge financial statements that have been verified by the President or Treasurer. An auditor's report is no longer required.

Other changes have been made with the intention of streamlining the administration of incorporated associations. As a result the Office of Fair Trading has recommended that all associations review their rules to ensure the rules comply with the amended Act.

The Associations Incorporation Regulation 1999 (Regulation) provides model rules for associations which comply with the Act. Associations have the option to amend their existing rules or to adopt the latest version of the model rules.

A number of fact sheets explaining the legislative changes and the model rules are available on the website of the Office of Fair Trading.

The BCG committee proposes that we adopt the latest version of the model rules to ensure that we are in full compliance with the amended Act.

Any change to the rules requires a special resolution to be passed at a general meeting with the support of 75% of the members attending.

MOTION 1 - Amendment of Association Rules (Constitution)

That the model rules provided by the Office of Fair Trading be adopted in their entirety as the BCG Constitution, replacing all prior rules/constitution , and that the following insertions be made to these model rules.

Clause 3 Objects

The objects of the association are—

(1) By mutual co-operation, to aid and benefit such persons who:-

(a) have an interest in photography; and

(b) are a member of the association in accordance with this constitution.

(2) To encourage the development of technical skills and artistic creativity in the field of photography by providing various presentations and activities for members.

(3) To instigate and put into effect any other objects which the association or management committee might from time to time deem to be in the interests of the association.

Clause 5 Classes of members

(1) The membership of the association consists of ordinary members, and any of the following classes of members—

(a) Concession members

(b) Family members

(c) Life members

(d) Non-voting members - comprising honorary members and affiliates