Registered rules of COSA New Zealand Inc.

1. Name

The Association shall be called "Casualties of Sexual Allegations New Zealand Incorporated" hereinafter called COSA New Zealand.

2. Purpose

Along with the problem of genuine sexual abuse, Western society is currently afflicted by a parallel problem of false allegations and their adverse social effects. The latter is largely created by misguided investigative and therapeutic practices. COSA New Zealand is an active group formed in response to the prevailing problem of false allegations and to uphold the principles of science and justice within New Zealand. COSA New Zealand acknowledges that sexual abuse does occur in our society, and this abhorrent practice is in no way accepted or condoned by COSA New Zealand.

The purpose of COSA New Zealand is to foster and promote sound and reliable scientific knowledge concerning sexual abuse, to provide support for people involved in false allegations, and promote changes that will minimise the creation of wrongful accusations.

3. Objects

To achieve its purpose COSA New Zealand has the following objects within New Zealand.

To provide education about sexual abuse issues by :

To support those people involved in false allegations of sexual abuse by:

To promote changes which help prevent the creation of false allegations by :

4. Membership

Application for membership

Membership is open to all persons or corporate bodies who agree with the objects of COSA New Zealand. Application for membership shall be submitted to the secretary on the membership application form together with the annual subscription fee. Applicants will become members when a duly submitted application has been confirmed by the committee and their name and details have been entered into the register of members.

Members shall be entitled to attend and speak at any Special General Meeting and each Annual General Meeting of COSA New Zealand.

Entitlement to vote

Only financial members of COSA New Zealand shall vote. Each member shall have only one vote on any question presented to the membership at a Special General or Annual General meeting. Voting at all meetings shall be by show of hands, except that a ballot may be called for on any question if 20% or more of the members present at any meeting require one and provided that members may also vote by proxy authorised in writing, by way of postal vote or any other electronic means which clearly communicates their view on an issue.

Termination of membership

Members may terminate their membership by giving notice in writing to the secretary. Membership of any person or corporate body may for disciplinary reasons be terminated or temporarily suspended. When a question of the need for such discipline arises, the affected individual or a representative of the affected corporate body shall be invited to present a case to a meeting of the Committee, and may be accompanied by one supporter during such presentation. Members of the Committee shall have the power to question the affected person and their supporter to determine the facts relevant to the matter under consideration. At the same meeting, the Committee shall formulate an appropriate response that may include termination, suspension or continuation of membership by a 75% majority vote. Such decision shall be final. The President shall give written notice of such decision to the individual or corporate body within seven days of the decision being made. The Secretary shall annotate the Register of Members to reflect such terminations or suspensions.

5. Meetings of members

Annual General Meetings

The Annual General Meeting of COSA New Zealand will be held in the month of May at a time and place decided by the Committee. The members shall be notified of the Annual General Meeting by a special notice sent to each member. 14 days clear notice must be given prior to the meeting and must state the agenda and give notice of all motions that will be put to the meeting. Submissions to the agenda should be in the hands of the Secretary by 1 April. Members shall not pass a resolution at either an Annual General or Special General Meeting on any issue which has not been notified as above.

Special General Meetings

Special General Meetings may be called by resolution of the Committee or by the secretary when petitioned to do so by written application signed by not less than 20% of the membership. A Special General Meeting shall consider only those matters for which it was called. Notice to members of a Special General Meeting shall be the same as that for an Annual General Meeting.

Powers of chairperson

At any meeting of the Committee or members, the President shall be the chairperson. If the President does not attend, the meeting shall elect a chairperson. The chairperson at any meeting of the members, committee, or subcommittee shall be entitled to an ordinary vote and in the event of a tie in the vote shall also have a casting vote.

Quorum

A quorum at a meeting shall be 20% of members.

Conduct of meetings

Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the Standing Orders detailed at the Appendix to these rules.

6. Officers and the Committee

The officers of COSA New Zealand:

President - chairs meetings and monitors Committee activities.

Secretary - manages administrative procedures and keeps a register of all members.

Treasurer - carries out financial administration.

Committee members - up to 5 members. The Committee has the power to co-opt.

Election of officers

Officers shall be elected by a simple majority vote at an Annual General Meeting of COSA New Zealand and shall hold office until the next Annual General Meeting or they cease membership or tender their resignation from office in writing to the Committee. Officers may only be removed from office by a 75% majority resolution of members present at any Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting summoned for that purpose.

In the event of a vacancy occurring, due to death, resignation, or extended leave of absence of any Committee member, the committee shall have the power to fill such vacancy, from within the membership while it exists.

7. Meetings of the Committee

The day-to-day administration of COSA New Zealand shall be conducted by the Committee which shall meet at such times and in such manner as the Committee shall from time to time decide. Dedication to pursuing the aims and objectives of COSA New Zealand will be the priority of the Committee.

At any Committee meeting half the committee members shall form a quorum.

Each member of the Committee shall have only one vote on any question presented to the Committee provided that members may also vote by proxy authorised in writing, by way of postal vote or any other electronic means which clearly communicates their view on an issue.

8. Professional advisory consultants

COSA New Zealand will consult Professional Advisors to provide reliable and credible scientific and professional advice on legal, medical, psychological and related matters.

9. Sub-Committees

The Committee may from time to time resolve to form subcommittees for any special purpose. The purpose and terms of reference of any subcommittee will form part of the resolution and any activity outside that purpose and terms of reference shall not be attributable to COSA New Zealand.

Subcommittees will have the same power as ordinary members unless the Committee specifically provides otherwise.The Committee may resolve to disband a subcommittee at any time and for any reason.

10. Communication

The Committee may publish a magazine or other circular or publication to further the objects of COSA New Zealand and may distribute it among members and also the public. No statement, publication or communication shall be valid or attributable to COSA New Zealand unless approved by the Committee.

11. Finance

Control of funds and assets

The funds of COSA New Zealand shall be lodged at a bank to an account in the name of COSA New Zealand Incorporated. All payments from the account shall be made by cheque, signed by any two of the President, the Treasurer, and one committee member. The Treasurer shall receive all monies, issue receipts, maintain accurate books of account, and prepare statements including Receipts and Payments, Income and Expenditure and Balance Sheets. The Treasurer shall present accurate accounts and statements to the Annual General Meeting for inspection and approval. An auditor may be appointed by the Committee.

The funds, property and assets of COSA New Zealand shall be under the control of the Committee who shall have full power to expend, rent, lease, furnish and deal with buildings land and other property of COSA New Zealand as the committee may think fit without reference to a general meeting of members except in the case of the winding up of COSA New Zealand.

In addition to the other powers vested in it the Committee shall have power to apply for funding, or to borrow or raise money or to invest monies from time to time as it sees fit and without reference to the members.

Subscriptions

COSA New Zealand shall raise funds by annual subscription which may be set from time to time by the Committee. Subscriptions shall be due and payable on 1 April annually.

Financial period

The financial year for COSA New Zealand shall be the calendar period between 1 April in any one year and 31 March of the following year.

Other powers relating to property

All legacies, endowments, donations or gifts of money or other real or personal property unless given to COSA New Zealand for any specific object shall be dealt with by the Committee as they think fit for the general purposes of COSA New Zealand.

The funds, property and assets of COSA New Zealand shall be solely applied to the pursuit of its charitable purposes.

Personal Benefit

Any income, benefit or advantage shall be applied to the charitable purposes of COSA New Zealand. No member of COSA New Zealand or any person associated with a member shall participate in or materially influence any decision made by COSA New Zealand in respect of the payment to or on behalf of that member or associated person, of any income, benefit or advantage whatsoever. Any such income paid shall be reasonable and relative to that which would be paid in an arm's length transaction, being the open market value. The provisions and effects of this clause shall not be removed from this document and shall be included and implied into any document replacing this document.

12. Provisions for winding up COSA New Zealand

The affairs of COSA New Zealand may be wound up voluntarily if at a meeting of COSA New Zealand the members pass by a simple majority to do so, providing that this winding up resolution is confirmed at a subsequent general meeting called for the purpose as required by section 24 of the Incorporated Societies Act 1908. If upon the winding up or dissolution of COSA New Zealand there remains after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities any property whatsoever this property shall not be distributed amongst its members but shall be given or transferred to some other charitable organisation or body having objects within New Zealand similar to the objects of COSA New Zealand, or for some other charitable purpose within New Zealand.

13. Common seal

The common seal of COSA New Zealand shall be that adopted by the Committee and shall be kept by the Secretary. Whenever the common seal is required to be affixed to any deed, document or other instrument, the seal shall be affixed pursuant to a resolution of the Committee and in the presence of the President and another member of the Committee or at a general meeting of COSA New Zealand. The President and another member of the Committee shall sign every instrument to which the seal is affixed in their presence.

14. Alteration to Rules

These rules may be altered, added to, or rescinded or otherwise amended by a resolution passed by a 75% majority at a general meeting. Every such notice shall set forth the purport of such amendment. Duplicate copies of every such alteration, addition, rescission or amendment shall forthwith be delivered to the Registrar of Incorporated Societies in accordance with the provisions of the Incorporated Societies Act 1908.

No addition to or alteration or rescission of the rules shall be approved if it affects the charitable objects, the personal benefit clause or the winding up clause.

15. Patron

COSA New Zealand may seek to invite an eminent person to become its Patron. Nominations for patronage shall be actioned at an Annual or Special General Meeting.

16. Matters not provided for

In the event of any matter arising that is not covered in the written rules it shall be competent for the Committee to legislate therefore, pending confirmation or otherwise by the annual or special annual general meeting of COSA New Zealand.

Appendix

Standing Orders for Conduct of Meetings

The procedure of general meetings of the Society and (as far as they apply) committee meetings shall be governed by the following standing orders:-

I. The members shall assemble at the place and time appointed. The President shall preside or, in his/her absence, a deputy. No person other than a member may be present except by resolution of the meeting.

II. The meeting shall sit on such days and at such times as it shall appoint and may also sit at such other times as it shall agree upon by separate resolution.

III. The meeting may adjourn by its own resolution to such time and place as it shall think fit.

IV. Save as in these rules expressly provided any business whether on the order paper or not may be transacted at any meeting and failing any decision of the chair to the contrary shall be taken in the order in which it appears on the order paper. The meeting may by resolution alter such a paper.

V. Where the ruling of the chairperson of the meeting is challenged the challenge shall be seconded whereupon the meeting shall appoint a temporary chairperson to conduct the proceedings on the challenge. The member raising the challenge shall then speak thereto and the chairperson of the meeting shall reply and the matter shall be forthwith put to the vote without further debate. A challenge not seconded shall lapse. As soon as the challenge has been decided by the meeting the temporary chairperson shall leave the chair and the chairperson of the meeting shall resume his/her seat.

VI. The chairperson may require any motion or amendment to be put in writing by the proposer thereof. Every motion shall be seconded before being debated. Every notice of motion shall be fairly written and signed by the proposer and handed to the chairperson. Every motion (of which notice in writing has been given) shall (when subsequently moved at the meeting) be seconded before further debate. After notice of the motion has been given the terms thereof may be altered by the proposer or may be withdrawn by the proposer on leave being granted without any negative voice.

VII. A motion may be superseded by adjournment either on the motion "that this meeting now adjourn", or on notice being taken, that the quorum is not present, or by the previous question, viz: "That the question not be now put" being proposed and carried, or by amendment.

VIII. Every member shall obey the orders and rulings of the chairperson. Any member may object to any ruling by the chairperson. Any question of order that may arise in a debate shall be at once disposed of by the chairperson.

IX. The mover and seconder of a motion shall be allowed five minutes and three minutes respectively in which to address the meeting and other members shall have three minutes. The mover shall be entitled to a reply of three minutes. By leave of the chairperson a member who has already spoken shall speak again for the purpose of clearing up a misunderstanding. Extra time may be allowed by a majority vote.

X. No motion or amendment may be proposed which is the same in substance as any motion which, during the sitting, has been decided. A motion or amendment which is different in substance may be proposed. The meeting shall have power to re-open any matter already decided upon and to rescind a resolution. A member may move (or second) only one amendment to the same motion (or amendment) but may speak on a further amendment. A member who has moved or seconded an original motion may not move or second an amendment to it.

XI. The meeting may appoint such committees and of so many members as it shall think fit, to deal with any separate subject or subjects. Such committees shall regulate their own meetings. At the time of appointment of such committees a convenor shall be selected. Standing orders may be suspended by a 75% majority vote.

This document date: April 2001

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The predecessor to this document was the Rules of COSA SOUTH Inc. dated 12 April, 1999.


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