Constitution - 1st Caringbah Venturer Unit 1 Name The name of the unit shall be 1st Caringbah Venturer Unit and shall be referred to in this constitution as the Unit. 2 Meetings a) The Unit shall meet at the 1st Caringbah Scout Hall, Castlenau St, Caringbah 2229. b) Meeting night is each Monday of the week for normal school terms. c) A program covering meeting night and other activities shall be developed by Unit Council for at least 4-6 weeks in advance and must include a business/uniform meeting within that period. This program shall be accepted by majority vote of the Unit Council and distributed to unit members as soon as possible. d) Alteration of the meeting night in b) above is by a recommendation from the majority of Unit Members to Unit Council. The Unit Council shall act on that recommendation by majority vote. e) A casual meeting can be held on any day between meetings at a venue and time set at prior meetings. 3 Uniform a) Venturer uniform as specified by Scout Association Policy shall be worn by the unit on occasions that require full uniform. b) The Unit scarf shall be identical to that of the 1st Caringbah Group scarf at all times. c) Wearing of a Beret or Johnson hat for headwear shall be set by majority vote of the Unit in Council. d) Full uniform must be worn to any unit business/uniform meeting held at the hall and any other occasion that is declared as a uniform event. 4 Membership a) The Unit is open to youths between the ages of 15 years and 18 years. b) However, a Scout may be accepted from the age of 14 Years and 6 months on recommendation from the Scout Leader. c) If unit membership numbers becomes an issue then a Scout from 1st Caringbah should not be restricted from membership due to membership numbers. 2002 Page 1 5 Conditions of Membership a) A Scout shall complete the requirements of the Venturer Link Badge as per the Scout Handbook guidelines. b) A non-scouting applicant shall attend at least 3 Unit meetings to become invested as a Venturer which shall include: • A business/uniform meeting; and • Two activity meetings. c) Applicants must be willing to accept the way of life set forth in the Scout Promise and Law and agree to abide by the Unit Constitution. d) Applicants must be accepted by a majority vote of Unit members at the meeting where the vote is taken. 6 Personal Conduct a) All Unit members must behave in a manner acceptable to the majority of members within the unit and at all times uphold the Scouting way of life set forth in the Scout Promise and Law. b) The Unit has declared the following as unacceptable and as such Unit Members agree that such behaviour is prohibited during all UnitiScouting activities. • Swearing, use of demeaning language or vilification of any kind. • Use or consumption of drugs including alcohol and smoking. • Relationships leading to activities not acceptable for the Unit's well being eg. Sexual conduct, etc. c) Unacceptable behaviour shall be brought before a meeting of Unit Members for discussion and recommendations made to the Unit Council which may include: • Formal warning; • A fine set by the Unit Members; • Request for resignation from the Unit; or • Expulsion from the Unit. d) Unit Council shall consider the recommendations from Unit Members and act by majority vote. 7 Meeting Attendances a) Unit members absent for a period of four meetings or more without reasonable cause may be asked to resign. b) Unit Council office bearers may be asked to step down if absent for four meetings or more and shall not have the right to hold office if absent for eight meetings or more in a year. 2002 Page 2 8 Resignations a) Resignations should be sent to the Unit Council in writing. b) Members who resign may be readmitted to the Unit and Unit Council shall decide from which membership conditions the applicant shall be exempt. c) The Unit may suspend from membership any member who: · Violates the Unit Constitution · Violates any Unit in Council decisions; · Engages in misconduct which is detrimental to the Unit overall. d) Any move for suspension must be first brought before a meeting of Unit Members for a recommendation to Unit Council who shall consider the recommendations from Unit Members and act by majority vote. 9 Unit Council a) Office Bearers a) The Unit Council Management shall have the following officers as a minimum: • Chairman Chairs the Unit Council and all its meetings. Represents the Unit at Zone Venturer Council and other Zone/Branch meetings as required. If unable to personally attend any meeting, arranges an appropriate Unit member to substitute. • Secretary Maintains Unit records including correspondence, meeting minutes, Awards Progress, etc. • Treasurer Manages unit funds. Maintains a record of income and expenditure reporting on the status of the Unit's finances to Unit Council as requested. • Quartermaster Manages Unit equipment. Keeps an inventory of equipment held by the unit and reports on the status of equipment to Unit Council as requested. And from time to time may also include other officers to assist with management of the Unit, eg. Zone Delegate, Activities Officer, Awards Standards Officer. b) Elections 1) Elections for Unit Council Management shall be held every six months at a business/uniform meeting. 2002 page 3 2) Unit members may nominate themselves or any other Unit member for any position. Existing office bearers may also re-nominate for a position. 3) A simple majority shall elect office bearers with each Unit member at the meeting casting a vote by show of hands. The Venturer Leader shall act as Scrutineer and provide a casting vote if required. 4) Casual vacancies in a position may be filled by an election held at any business/uniform meeting per d) above. Any one elected in this manner shall hold office until the next election is held per b) above. c) Unit in Council Decisions 1) A meeting can be regarded as Unit in Council if a quorum exists for decisions to be binding on the Unit. 2) A quorum exists if, as a minimum, the following are present at the meeting: • Chairman (or his delegate); • One other office bearer of the Unit Council Management; and Two other members of the unit. 3) Minutes must be taken of all Unit in Council meetings and any decisions recorded in those minutes. 10 Venturer Leaders a) Venturer Leaders are eligible to attend all Unit meetings, activities, etc of the Unit. b) Venturer Leaders shall not vote at any election or Unit Council meeting unless requested to provide a casting vote by the Unit. c) Unit members should actively seek out interested parties for Venturer Leader roles to ensure the continuation of the Unit. 11 UnitFunds a) Joining Fee - All members joining the unit shall pay a once off joining fee of $20.00 to the Unit Treasurer. b) Unit Subscriptions - All members shall pay subscription fees of $10.00 per term to the Unit Treasurer due at the beginning of each term. c) Annual Registration Fee - All members shall pay the annual registration fee as set by Branch to the Group Treasurer when requested. d) From time to time the Unit shall undertake fund raising activities to supplement Unit income. Any such activities must be cleared with the Group committee to ensure no impact on Group fund raising activities. 2002 page 4 e) The unit Treasurer shall manage the use of unit funds.These unit funds are be used to finance Unit activities,badges, maps, equipment, books, etc. The Treasurer shall maintain a record of income and expenditure reporting the status of the Unit's finances as requested by Unit Council. Funds shall be managed through the Group banking accounts. f) Any member who has not paid his/her subscriptions by the end of the next term that they were due without good excuse shall be cause for recommendation for suspension from membership. 12 Unit Equipment a) The Quartermaster shall be responsible for management of Unit equipment. The quartermaster shall keep an inventory of equipment held by the unit and report on status of the equipment to Unit Council as requested. b) No equipment shall be removed from the den without permission of the Quartermaster. c) All equipment must be returned as soon as possible to the quartermaster and any gear lost or damaged through neglect must be replaced or reimbursed by the member. 13 Constitution Amendments and Annual Review a) This constitution shall be reviewed on an annual basis for relevancy at a time set by Unit Council. b) Where a meeting is called to discuss and/or vote on amendments to this constitution then Unit members must be advised at least one business/uniform meefing before of the proposed meeting. c) For a vote to take place to amend the constitution, 50% of the unit membership must be present. d) The constitution may be amended if two thirds (2/3) of the members present at the meeting called per b) and c) above are in agreement with the amendment. 14 Record of Amendment a) Constitution approved by a meeting of Unit Members per Clause 13 on 18/02/2002. 2002 Page 5