Shoalhaven Beekeepers Association Incorporated
Amended Constitution (August 2017)

1. Name

The name shall be the Shoalhaven Beekeepers Association (NSW) Incorporated, herein after called the “Association”.

1. Rules

The Shoalhaven Beekeepers Association (NSW) Incorporated is incorporated under the NSW Associations Incorporation Act 1984 (as amended) and the “Model Rules for Incorporated Associations” form part of this Constitution. The clauses, which follow are intended to clarify the requirements of some of the Model Rules as they appertain to the Association and are to be read in conjunction with the Rules.

1. Objectives

The objectives of the Association shall be:

1. To foster good beekeeping practice in the Shoalhaven and surrounding areas
2. To promote the interests of beekeeping, and to disseminate and exchange information about all aspects of beekeeping
3. To organise informative and practical workshops and encourage mentoring of new and experience beekeepers in a safe learning environment
4. To protect the honey and pollen flora of NSW and the interests of beekeeping
   
5. To encourage the observance of the Apiaries Act and regulations.

 

1. Membership

 

1. Nominations for membership of the Association shall be made on the prescribed form as in Appendix 1 of the Model Rules. Membership of the Association shall be deemed conferred on the approval of the nomination by the Management Committee and payment of the prescribed entrance fee and annual subscription to the Amateur Beekeepers Association NSW or their nominated third party and via their nominated payment method in accordance with Clause 5 (i) and the production of a current Working With Children certificate or current registration number and expiry date.
2. Membership shall be open to the following classes of person:

1. Ordinary Member – any person interested in bees and bee culture
2. Honorary Life Member – any person by virtue of long and distinguished service to the Association, or by distinguished service to apiculture, may be granted Life Membership, provided such Life Membership is proposed by notice of motion, signed by two ordinary members, delivered to the Secretary of the Association at least six weeks before the next Annual General Meeting. The notice of motion shall be considered, by the Management Committee, prior to the Annual General Meeting, and if no objections to it are raised, it shall be introduced to the Annual General Meeting by its proposers. If carried by a majority of members present and entitled to vote, Life Membership shall be conferred forthwith on the person proposed.
3. Honorary Member – Honorary Membership may be conferred on any person nominated by the President or Management Committee and ratified by the Association in General Meeting. A person may be granted Honorary Membership for one year only.
4. People who hold a current Working With Children certificate.

 

1. Membership Fees

 

1. A new member must pay the Amateur Beekeepers Association NSW or their nominated third party and via their nominated payment method an entrance fee on joining and annual fee as follows:
   1. Single Membership
   2. Family Membership – includes the partner and other eligible family members of the household
   3. Junior / Pensioner Membership – persons under the age of 17 or persons holding a valid pension card
2. The Management Committee shall from time to time determine the entrance fee and annual subscription.
3. Annual membership subscription fees shall be due and payable on the first day of January each year.
4. A person shall cease to be a member if he / she fails to pay the annual membership fee before the Annual General Meeting is declared open. Payment of the full membership fee may be accepted after the Annual General Meeting at the discretion of the Management Committee.
5. The Management Committee may grant re-admission of a former member who has resigned or whose membership has lapsed for a period of twelve months or more without payment of a second entrance fee.

 

1. The Committee

 

1. The management of the Association shall be vested in a Management Committee, elected by and from members other than members referred to in Clause 4 (ii) c.
2. The Management Committee shall consist of President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Apiary Officer, Public Officer.
3. The position of any member of the Committee who is absent for six consecutive months, without leave of absence having been granted, shall be declared vacant.
   
4. The position of any member of the Committee may appoint sub-committees. The President shall ex-officio be a member of all sub-committees. Membership of sub-committees need not be confided to members of the Association.
5. The Management Committee shall be responsible to the Association for the efficient management of the Association’s affairs and it shall present, through the President, an annual report of the affairs of the Association to each Annual General Meeting.
6. A report of proceedings at each Management Committee meeting shall be delivered verbally to the next General Meeting of the Association.
7. The Management Committee shall meet no less than three times each year.