Notice of General Meeting

NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETING

3pm Sunday Nov 4, Running Stream Hall

Dear Members,

We wish to advise you that, due to an administrative error, we need to call a general

meeting in order to once again formally adopt the new model constitution, a copy of which

can be found at:

http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Cooperatives_and_associations/Incorporating_an_ass

ociation/About_the_constitution/Model_constitution.html

We look forward to your understanding in this matter. We will also have a special

presentation by Mitchell Clapham, from the NSW Farmer’s Association, on the process

used in mediation/arbitration so we hope that you will be able to join us.

Best wishes,

Your Committee.

AGENDA

1. Special Resolution ‐ Adoption of Model Constitution

a) The Committee recommends to the members at a General Meeting that the following

Special Resolution be adopted:

That Running Stream Water Users Association adopt the Model Constitution

prepared by the Dept of Fair Trading to replace the present Rules.

Explanatory Notes

Over two years ago the legislation covering incorporated associations changed. Instead of

Model Rules, there is now a Model Constitution. Currently RSWUA is operating under the old

Model Rules, with some changes. If we adopt the Model Constitution it means if there are any

legislative changes, our constitution is automatically updated and therefore we are always

compliant with the legislation. This means one less administrative detail for your committee to

keep tabs on. The Model Constitution is essentially the same as the old Model Rules. However

it would mean the following changes:

1. Proxy voting is no longer allowed.

2. Decrease in the number of committee members. In our old Model Rules we had a

committee of 12. The Model Constitution has a committee of seven with four Office Bearers as

they are now called. These are President, Vice‐President, Secretary and Treasurer. However

there is provision to have as many sub‐committees (appointed by the committee) as we want.

This would therefore allow more members to be involved in the running of the association

should we have a sudden rush of enthusiasm from our members wanting to be on the

committee. In addition, a person with special expertise could be invited to attend specific

committee meetings in an advisory capacity.

3. Our financial year will have to run with the fiscal year i.e. from 1 July to 30 June.