Constitution
1. NAME OF ASSOCIATION
The name of the Association is the FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (Australia & South Pacific) (abbreviated as FCA).
2. OBJECTS
The aims and purposes of the FCA are as follows:
1. to promote the professional interest of foreign correspondents working in Australia and the South Pacific,
2. to foster good relations between foreign correspondents and Australian authorities and local press,
3. to assist foreign correspondents and journalists visiting Australia,
4. to provide forums for discussion of current affairs and matters of professional concern in Australia and the South Pacific region,
5. to provide a social meeting place and entertainment, on a non profit basis, for members and their guests.
3. USE OF FCA NAME
The FCA shall not pursue any political, racial or religious objectives.
1. No member shall use the name of the Association without the prior written consent of the Executive Board.
2. Without limiting the generality of sub clause (2) no member shall use the name of the Association for the purpose of private gain or profit or do any act or thing whereby:
1. The good name of the Association will be damaged;
2. The Association will be rendered liable in any legal proceedings whatsoever.
4. MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS
A person is qualified to be a member of the Association if: being a correspondent member as defined hereunder he/she has been nominated for membership of the Association as provided by clause (7);
1. in the case of a correspondent member or any other member, the person has been approved for membership of the Association by the Executive Board;
2. the person is domiciled or resident in Australia or the South Pacific or spends a substantial proportion of their working time in Australia or the South Pacific; and
3. the person satisfies the membership criteria referred to in clause (5) to the reasonable satisfaction of the Executive Board.
5. MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
A member shall only be admitted under one of the following categories of membership:
Correspondent Member – Being a person, who practices journalism, gathers and disseminates information about current events, trends, issues and people, for foreign audiences, and who derives a reasonable and regular portion of revenue from it. Correspondents create reports for broadcast or publication in foreign mass media such as newspapers, television, radio, magazines, documentary film, and the Internet. They are expected to report in the most objective and unbiased way to serve the public good. Correspondent membership is subject to independent review by a majority of the Board at any time. The Board reserves the right to request copies of recently published work.
Journalist Member – Being a person who is one or more of the following:
1. on the editorial staff of a daily newspaper or periodical published in Australia; or
2. a news correspondent or photojournalist for a radio or television station in Australia
3. a freelance journalist or photographer whose articles or photos are published via any media in Australia
4. a former correspondent who meets such criteria established by the Executive Board from time to time.
5. An overseas correspondent residing outside Australia.
6. Any journalist or photojournalist, including freelance, published occasionally in overseas newspapers, periodicals, recognised websites, radio or television.
7. An honorary member. This may be granted to any person who has contributed significantly to the FCA on the recommendation of the Executive Board.
Associate Member – Being a person who is one or more of the following:
1. an accredited press representative of official and semi-official information services and international organisations
2. a member of a profession or other special interest group interested in the news gathering and presentation efforts of the FCA and who are regarded by the Executive Board as contributing to the journalistic profession by their interest and support
3. a person employed in diplomatic services or in the corporate sector and who has a genuine interest in supporting and furthering the aims and objectives of the Association
6. MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
1. All members must notify the Board, electronically or in writing, within three month of any change in position that may affect their membership category.
2. The Executive Board reserves the right to ask each member at any time for continuing proof of eligibility for their category membership. The Board may change a member’s status, based on a two-thirds vote, should the member fail to provide adequate documentation in the time period.
7. NOMINATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
Nomination of a person for membership of the Association as required by the constitution:
1. Shall be made by a member of the Association in writing or electronically in a form approved of by the Executive Board; and
2. Shall be lodged with the Secretary or Treasurer of the Association.
3. As soon as practicable after receiving a nomination for membership the Secretary or Treasurer shall refer the nomination to the Executive Board which shall determine whether to approve or to reject the nomination for any reason prescribed by this constitution or the Rules made thereunder.
4. The Executive Board shall consider the application at the next board meeting or sooner via electronic means and shall notify the applicant of the success or failure of the application.
5. An application submitted under this clause shall only be approved by two-thirds majority of the Board present and voting.
8. CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP
Cessation of member occurs if or when a member:
1. dies;
2. resigns his membership by notice in writing or electronically to the Executive Board;
3. is expelled from the Association;
4. is in arrears in payment of any subscriptions or other fees for a period of three months or more from the date that those subscriptions or fees were due and payable.
9. MEMBERSHIP ENTITLEMENTS
1. The Board may from time to time make rules not inconsistent with this Constitution dealing with the rights and obligations under each membership category provided that the same rules shall apply to any member within the one category.
2. Each member has access to the FCA membership database.
10. REGISTER OF MEMBERS
1. The Secretary of the Association shall establish and maintain a register of members of the Association specifying the name and address of each person who is a member of the Association, the category of membership and any fees to which the member is liable.
2. The register of members shall be kept at the principal place of administration of the Association as well as electronically and shall be open for inspection by any member upon giving of reasonable notice.
11. FEES, SUBSCRIPTIONS
1. A member of the Association shall upon admission to membership pay to the Association the annual fee prescribed by the Rules of the Association from time to time.
2. In addition to the amount payable under clause (1) a member shall pay to the Association such fees and charges which the Association may by its rules levy from time to time.
3. Fees are not reimbursed to any member who leaves or is expelled from the FCA.
12. DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS
Where the Board is of the opinion that a member of the Association has:
1. persistently refused or neglected to comply with a provision of this constitution or the rules thereunder; or
2. persistently and wilfully acted in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the Association and its objects, the Board may by resolution do one or all of the following things, namely:
1. expel the member from the Association; or
2. suspend the member from membership of the Association for a specified period.
A resolution of the Committee under sub clause (1) shall not be effective unless passed by 75% majority of those present and voting.
13. RIGHT OF APPEAL OF DISCIPLINED MEMBER
Prior to giving any effect to a resolution made under clause (12), the Executive Board shall notify the member of the action proposed to be taken and provide the member with an opportunity to be heard.
The Executive Board shall, where a member indicates that he wishes to be heard, provide a suitable venue for the hearing and shall at the conclusion of the hearing confirm or revoke the resolution made under clause (12).
The decision made by the Executive Board shall be binding on all parties
14. MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
1. The management of the Association shall be vested in the Executive Board which shall consist of the following office bearers:
1. a President
2. a Vice President
3. a Secretary
4. a Treasurer
5. four ordinary members
6. the immediate past President of the Association
1. No fewer than FOUR office bearers shall be correspondent members and no more than FOUR shall be non correspondent members. Only correspondent members shall be nominated for and elected to the office of President and Vice President.
2. Each office bearer shall, subject to the rules, hold office until the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting following the date of the members’ election and shall be eligible for reelection.
3. The president and vice president may hold their positions for an unlimited period, subject to re-election each year at the Annual General Meeting.
4. In the event of a casual vacancy occurring in the Executive Board, the Board may appoint a member of the Association to fill the vacancy, and the member so appointed shall hold office subject to these rules until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting following the date of appointment.
15. POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
The Executive Board shall subject to this constitution and the rules thereunder:
1. control and manage the affairs of the Association
2. where appropriate take a particular stand on any matter dealt with in the objects of the Association
3. perform (a) such acts and do (b) such things as appear to the Committee to be necessary or desirable for the proper management of the affairs of the Association
4. exercise such powers conferred upon it by this constitution and the rules thereunder
5. make rules not inconsistent with this constitution on a matter for which it is desirable or necessary to make such rules
16. PROCEEDINGS AT ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE B0ARD
1. The Board shall inform all members electronically or in writing of the date and venue of the Annual General Meeting of the Association no later than thirty days in advance of the date fixed.
2.
1. Nominations of candidates for election as office bearers of the Executive Board shall be made in the approved form signed by two members of the Association and accompanied by the written consent of the candidate and delivered to the Secretary no less than seven days before the date fixed for the holding of the election.
2. If the number of the nominations received is equal to the number of vacancies to be filled, the persons nominated shall be deemed to be elected.
3. If the number of nominations received exceeds the number of vacancies, a ballot shall be held in such usual and proper manner as the Executive Board may direct. If, after holding a ballot in accordance with this clause, it appears that the provisions of clause (14) have not been complied with, a fresh ballot will be taken (as often as may be necessary) so as to comply with clause (14).
17. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS
1. The Executive Board shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
2. The Association shall at least once in each calendar year convene an Annual General Meeting of its members.
3. In addition to any other business which may be transacted at an Annual General Meeting under the constitution the business of an Annual General Meeting shall be:
1. to confirm the minutes, of the last preceding Annual General Meeting
2. to receive from the Executive Board reports on the activities of the Association during the last preceding financial year
3. to vote on any resolution requesting the Executive Board to consider a particular issue
4. to vote on any proposed amendments to the constitution
5. to vote on any proposal for the incorporation of the Association under the laws of any state
18. MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
The Executive Board shall meet at least once every two months at such place and time as it shall determine, including via electronic means or teleconference calls.
19. SPECIAL MEETINGS
1. The Executive Board shall convene a special meeting of the Association (to be called an Extraordinary General Meeting) if requested by no fewer than eight correspondent members by petition made to the President.
2. Such petition shall state the business to be transacted at the extraordinary general meeting.
3. The president shall as soon as reasonably practicable forward a notice to all members eligible to be present at an extraordinary general meeting detailing the business to be transacted, the venue of the meeting and the time for the meeting (not being earlier than seven days from the date of the notice).
4. In every other respect, the proceedings at an extraordinary general meeting shall be the same as at an Annual General Meeting.
20. DELEGATION BY EXECUTIVE BOARD TO SUB COMMITTEE
1. The Executive Board may delegate to one or more sub committees (consisting of such members as the Executive Board thinks fit). The functions of the Committee are specified subject to such conditions and limitations as the Executive Board may determine.
2. Notwithstanding any delegation under this rule the Executive Board may continue to exercise any function delegated and veto any decision made by a sub committee.
21. VOTING AND DECISIONS
1. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution any matter arising for decision shall be decided by a simple majority of eligible voting members present.
2. Any member of the Executive Board shall be entitled to vote at a Board meeting.
3. Only financial members shall be entitled to vote at an Annual General Meeting.
4. Minutes shall be kept of each Board meeting, Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting by the Secretary of the Association.
5. As far as possible, the President of the Association shall preside over all Board meetings, Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary General Meetings.
6. In the case of an Annual General Meeting, Board Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting a quorum shall be required before business may be transacted.
7. In the case of a Board meeting, a quorum shall consist of five Board members and in the case of an Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting of either twenty (20) correspondent members or one third of paid-up correspondent members, whichever is the lesser figure.”
8. Voting by proxy shall not be permitted at any meetings.
9. Subject to the provision of this constitution, sub clause (8) hereof shall not be construed as prohibiting voting through the use of postal ballots as decided by the Executive Board from time to time.
10.The Executive Board reserves the right to hold meetings electronically and to vote through those means.
22. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
1. An amendment to the constitution may be proposed by the Executive Board or by resolution signed/submitted by no less than fifteen correspondent members and shall be submitted to an extraordinary general meeting or the Annual General Meeting of the Association. An amendment duly submitted in accordance with sub clause (1) shall be adopted by the members if it is approved by a three quarters majority of correspondent members present and eligible to vote.
23. ACCOUNTING
1. The fiscal year of the Association shall be from the 1st July to 30th June of the following year.
2. Once a year and in each year the accounts of the Association shall be examined by an auditor appointed by the Executive Board.
24. DISSOLUTION
In the event that the Association is dissolved, the assets of the Association shall (subject to any rule of law to the contrary) be distributed in the following order:
1. In payment of any outstanding debts of the Association including any indebtedness to past or existing members
2. To a body which, in the reasonable opinion of the Executive Board, promotes the objects provided in this constitution.