airconstitution

Constitution

FOR

AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL RESCUE

FOR THOSE WHO CARE

1. NAME

The name of the Association is the AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL RESCUE (hereinafter called ‘the Association or A.I.R.’).

2. ADMINISTRATION

Subject to the matters set out below the Association and its property shall be administered and managed in accordance with this constitution by the members of the Management Committee, constituted by clause 5 of this constitution (‘the Committee’).

3. MISSION

The principal mission of Australian International Rescue (A.I.R.) shall be to provide a free emergency rescue service to any country, individual, or victim of disaster within Australia and elsewhere in the world, regardless of race, religion, or any other reasonable consideration.

The secondary aim shall be to relieve the poverty and promote the health and safety of persons by initiating or supporting humanitarian projects to be offered to foreign countries and or specialist agencies to enable them to respond swiftly and effectively to the disaster area.

3.1 POWERS

In furtherance of the above objects, but not further or otherwise, the Association may:

A) Provide, assist in providing, or secure the provision of emergency services for the benefit of the public

B) Provide, maintain and equip or assist in the provision, maintenance, and equipment of premises and facilities designed to carry out the objects of the Association,

C) Promote and carry out, or assist in promoting and carrying out research, surveys, and investigations and publish the results thereof,

D) Organise or assist in organising meetings, lectures, classes and exhibitions, and publish or assist in publishing reports, periodicals, recordings, books or other documents or information;

E) Obtain, collect, and receive money by way of grants, donations, bequests, legacies, or other lawful method, PROVIDED THAT the Association shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities and shall conform to any requirements of the law;

F) Purchase, take on lease or exchange, hire or otherwise acquire any real or personal property and any rights and privileges necessary for the promotion of the above objects and construct, maintain and alter any buildings or erections which the Association may think necessary for the promotion of its objects;

G) Make any regulations for any property, that may be so acquired,

H) Subject to any consents as may be required by law, sell, let, mortgage, dispose of or turn to account all or any of the property or assets of the Association with a view to the furtherance of its objects;

I) Subject to such consents as may be required by law receive money on deposit or loan and borrow or raise money in such a manner as the Association shall think fit and to charge all or any part of the property of the Association with repayment of money so borrowed;

J) Invest the monies of the Association not immediately required for the furtherance of the said objects in or upon such investments, securities or property as may be thought fit, subject nevertheless to such conditions (if any) as may for the time being be imposed or required by law;

K) Recruit and train volunteers with relevant skills to carry out the objects of the Association;

L) Employ and pay any person or persons, NOT being a member of Committee to supervise, organise and carry on the work of the Association and make all reasonable and necessary provision for the payment of remuneration to employees;

M) Promote and organise co-operation in the achievement of the above objects and to that end to work in association with local authorities and voluntary organizations engaged in the furtherance of the above objects in the area of benefit;

N) Establish or support any charitable trusts, associations, or institutions formed for all or any of the above objects,

O) Do all such other lawful things as may be necessary for the attainment of the above objects or any of them.

4. MEMBERSHIP

4.1 There are three (3) membership sections within the Australian International Rescue:

Operational membership shall be open to any suitably qualified ordinary members, who have completed the appropriate training; they are appointed by the committee to go on the operational register. (There is a age limit of 19 to 65 years old and have a medical every 12 months)

Ordinary membership shall be open to individuals wishing to support the purpose of Australian International Rescue.

Honorary membership (individual or corporate)

4.2 Honorary members are appointed at the discretion of the committee upon such terms and conditions that are appropriate at the time. Such honorary members shall not be entitled to vote. (Honorary members that have been in Australian International Rescue for more than fifteen (15) years will be able to vote at the discretion of the committee.)

4.3 Affiliated Members shall each be entitled to be represented at meetings of the Association by a duly authorised representative with power to vote on behalf of the Affiliated Member.

4.4 The Committee shall fix the rate of annual subscription to twenty dollars $20.00 for membership, the committee will issue membership cards. The committee shall have the right to terminate the membership of any member for good sufficient reason and the member concerned will have the right to be hared by the Association before a decision is made and the member will be notified in writing of this.

5. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

5.1 The Committee shall meet not less than TWO times a year and shall consist of not less than SEVEN members of the Association, elected at an Annual General Meeting.

5.2 Nominations from full members of the Association for members of the Committee must be in writing, and must be in the hands of the Honorary Secretary of the Association at least 7 days before the Annual General Meeting hereinafter mentioned.

5.3 Should the number of nominations exceed the number of vacancies, election shall be by secret ballot of the members of the Association present and voting at an Annual General Meeting.

5.4 Should the number of nomination be less than the number of vacancies, further oral nominations may with the approval of the Annual General Meeting be invited from members present and voting at the said Annual General Meeting.

5.5 The Committee elected at an Annual General Meeting shall have the power to co-opt further members, who shall be Individual Members or representatives of Affiliated Members and who shall serve until the conclusion of the next following AGM PROVIDED THAT the number of co-opted members shall not exceed one-third of the total membership of the Committee. Co-opted members shall have the right to vote.

5.6 The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer, who shall be the Honorary Officers of the Association, shall be full Individual Members of the Association, and shall be elected annually by and from the members of the Committee at their first meeting following the Annual General Meeting. Any one person shall not hold the office of Chairperson for more than three consecutive years.

5.7 Any member of the Committee who fails to attend TWO consecutive Committee meetings without reasonable excuse shall lose her/his place on the Committee that may be filled by co-option in accordance with Clause 5.5 above.

5.8 The Trustees (if appointed) shall be notified of and shall be entitled to attend all meetings of the Committee but without the power to vote.

6. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE

6.1 The Committee may make such regulations, as they consider appropriate for the efficient conduct of the business of the Committee and the Association.

6.2 The Committee may appoint such staff, as they consider necessary on such terms and conditions as they may determine.

6.3 The Committee may appoint such sub-committees, advisory groups or working parties of their own members and other persons as they may from time to time decide necessary for the carrying out of their work, and may determine their terms of reference, duration and composition. All such subcommittees shall make regular reports on their work to the Committee.

6.4 The proceedings of the Committee shall not be invalidated by any failure to elect or any defect in the election, appointment, co-options, or qualification of any member.

7. CHAIRING MEETINGS

All meetings of the Association, of the Committee, or of any of its subcommittees shall be presided over by its Chairperson failing whom its Vice-Chairperson, if one has been appointed. If neither the Chairperson nor the Vice-Chairperson is present, those present may elect one of their numbers to take the Chair. The Chairperson of any meeting shall have a second or casting vote.

8. FINANCE

8.1 All moneys raised by or on behalf of the Association shall be applied to further the objects of the Association and for no other purpose PROVIDED THAT nothing herein contained shall prevent the payment of legitimate out-of-pocket expenses to members of the Association engaged upon the approved business of the Association. The Honorary Treasurer shall keep proper accounts of the finances of the Association.

8.3 The financial year of the Association shall run from 1^st JULY to 30^th JUNE.

8.4 The accounts shall be annual or examined by an independent person at least once a year by an auditor or auditors or independent person who shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting. An annual statement of accounts for the last financial year shall be submitted to the committee bye The Honorary Treasurer to the Annual General Meeting.

8.6 A bank account shall be opened in the name of the Association with, PUT BANK NAME HERE or with such other bank as the Committee shall from time to time decide. The Committee shall authorise in writing the Honorary Treasurer and 2 members of the Committee to sign cheques on behalf of the Association. All cheques must be signed by not less than 2 of the 3 authorised signatories.

9. TRUST PROPERTY

The Association may appoint and may terminate the appointment of not less than 3 people to act as Trustees for the purpose of holding any moneys or property belonging to the Association. The title to all or any such real and/or personal property that may be required by or for the purposes of the Association shall be vested in the Trustees who shall hold such property in trust for the Association. The Trustees shall act under the instructions of the Committee who shall, subject to the approval and consent of the Association as determined by a General Meeting, have power to fill vacancies among the Trustees.

10. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

10.1 The first Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held not later than the 1^st of October 2001, and in each year thereafter an Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held at such place and time (not being more than 15 months after the holding of the preceding Annual General Meeting) as the Committee shall determine.

10.2 At such Annual General Meeting the business shall include the following:

A) The election of members to serve on the Committee;

B) The appointment of an auditor or auditors or an accountant to examine and to certify or audit the annual accounts;

C) The consideration of an Annual Report of the work done by or under the auspices of the Committee;

D) The consideration of the annual accounts;

E) The transaction of such other matters as may from time to time be considered necessary.

11. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

The Committee may at any time at its discretion and shall upon a requisition signed less than 4 members having the power to vote and giving reasons for the request, call a Special General Meeting of the Association for the purpose of altering the Constitution in accordance with Clause 13 hereof or of considering any matter ay be referred to them by the Committee or for any other purpose.

12. RULES OF PROCEDURE AT ALL MEETINGS

12.1 Voting

Subject to the provisions of Clause 13 hereof all questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of those present and entitled to vote thereat. In case of an equality of votes the Chairperson shall have a second or casting vote.

12.2 Minutes

The Committee and all other subcommittees shall keep minute books and the appropriate Secretary shall enter therein a record of all proceedings and resolutions.

12.3 Quorum

The quorum at General Meetings of the Association shall be FIFTY PER CENT and at meetings of the Committee shall be FIVE or such other number as the Committee may from time to time determine.

12.4 Standing Orders

The Committee shall have power to adopt and issue Standing Orders and/or Rules for the Association. Such Standing Orders and/or Rules shall come into operation immediately PROVIDED ALWAYS THAT they shall be subject to review by the Association in General Meeting and shall not be inconsistent with this constitution.

13. ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION

13.1 Any alterations to this Constitution shall receive the assent of not less than two-thirds of the members of the Association present and voting at the Annual General Meeting or a meeting specially called for the purpose PROVIDED THAT notice of any such alteration shall have been received by the Honorary Secretary in writing not less than 21 clear days before the meeting at which the alteration is to be brought forward.

13.2 At least 14 clear days notice in writing of the meeting setting forth the terms of the alteration to be proposed shall be sent by the Honorary Secretary to each member of the Association PROVIDED FURTHER THAT no alteration shall be made which would cause the Association to cease to be a charity at law.

14. DISSOLUTION

14.1 If the Committee by a simple majority decide at any time that on the grounds of expense or otherwise it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Association they shall call a meeting of all members of the Association who have the power to vote of which meeting not less than 21 days notice (stating the terms of the Resolution to be proposed thereat) shall be given.

14.2 If such decision shall be confirmed by a simple majority of those present and voting at such meeting the Committee shall have power to dispose of any assets held by or in the name of the Association.

14.3 Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institution or institutions having objects similar to the objects of the Association as the Committee may decide.

15. TRAINING

15.1 All training is at group level; and will be conducted out of the Australian Emergency Manual Series. (As this manual is well known in most of the emergency services in Australia.) In addition, other Manuals from over seas that specialize in the felid that A.I.R. is doing eg: earthquakes.

15.2 All operational members MUST attend training at least 95% of the time and all training weekends and camps (except if there is work commitments), this is so all skills are kept up to date. If a member does NOT match this, the committee will take the member off the operational list. (The member shall have the right to attend a meeting to be heard by the committee before the decision is made.)

Members will be exempt from the above if they can produce a certificate or certificates for their skills of prior learning.

15.3 If you want to be a hero or have a gung-ho attitude and think that this is a perfect way to improve your macho image,

THE A.I.R. DOES NOT WANT YOU.

16. COPYRIGHT

All rights reserved. Reproduction or use in whole or in part without the express permission of the copyright holder is strictly forbidden. This constitution in part is copyright to the IRISH WORLDWIDE RESCUE TEAM they own the content and format of the Constitution. A.I.R. has change some of the content to suite its needs and these changers are copyrighted to AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL RESCUE ©.



	Constitution of A.I.R. mk2 Constitution FOR AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL RESCUE FOR THOSE WHO CARE 1. NAME The name of the Association is the AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL RESCUE (hereinafter called ‘the Association or A.I.R.’). 2. ADMINISTRATION Subject to the matters set out below the Association and its property shall be administered and managed in accordance with this constitution by the members of the Management Committee, constituted by clause 5 of this constitution (‘the Committee’). 3. MISSION The principal mission of Australian International Rescue (A.I.R.) shall be to provide a free emergency rescue service to any country, individual, or victim of disaster within Australia and elsewhere in the world, regardless of race, religion, or any other reasonable consideration. The secondary aim shall be to relieve the poverty and promote the health and safety of persons by initiating or supporting humanitarian projects to be offered to foreign countries and or specialist agencies to enable them to respond swiftly and effectively to the disaster area. 3.1 POWERS In furtherance of the above objects, but not further or otherwise, the Association may: A) Provide, assist in providing, or secure the provision of emergency services for the benefit of the public B) Provide, maintain and equip or assist in the provision, maintenance, and equipment of premises and facilities designed to carry out the objects of the Association, C) Promote and carry out, or assist in promoting and carrying out research, surveys, and investigations and publish the results thereof, D) Organise or assist in organising meetings, lectures, classes and exhibitions, and publish or assist in publishing reports, periodicals, recordings, books or other documents or information; E) Obtain, collect, and receive money by way of grants, donations, bequests, legacies, or other lawful method, PROVIDED THAT the Association shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities and shall conform to any requirements of the law; F) Purchase, take on lease or exchange, hire or otherwise acquire any real or personal property and any rights and privileges necessary for the promotion of the above objects and construct, maintain and alter any buildings or erections which the Association may think necessary for the promotion of its objects; G) Make any regulations for any property, that may be so acquired, H) Subject to any consents as may be required by law, sell, let, mortgage, dispose of or turn to account all or any of the property or assets of the Association with a view to the furtherance of its objects; I) Subject to such consents as may be required by law receive money on deposit or loan and borrow or raise money in such a manner as the Association shall think fit and to charge all or any part of the property of the Association with repayment of money so borrowed; J) Invest the monies of the Association not immediately required for the furtherance of the said objects in or upon such investments, securities or property as may be thought fit, subject nevertheless to such conditions (if any) as may for the time being be imposed or required by law; K) Recruit and train volunteers with relevant skills to carry out the objects of the Association; L) Employ and pay any person or persons, NOT being a member of Committee to supervise, organise and carry on the work of the Association and make all reasonable and necessary provision for the payment of remuneration to employees; M) Promote and organise co-operation in the achievement of the above objects and to that end to work in association with local authorities and voluntary organizations engaged in the furtherance of the above objects in the area of benefit; N) Establish or support any charitable trusts, associations, or institutions formed for all or any of the above objects, O) Do all such other lawful things as may be necessary for the attainment of the above objects or any of them. 4. MEMBERSHIP 4.1 There are three (3) membership sections within the Australian International Rescue: Operational membership shall be open to any suitably qualified ordinary members, who have completed the appropriate training; they are appointed by the committee to go on the operational register. (There is a age limit of 19 to 65 years old and have a medical every 12 months) Ordinary membership shall be open to individuals wishing to support the purpose of Australian International Rescue. Honorary membership (individual or corporate) 4.2 Honorary members are appointed at the discretion of the committee upon such terms and conditions that are appropriate at the time. Such honorary members shall not be entitled to vote. (Honorary members that have been in Australian International Rescue for more than fifteen (15) years will be able to vote at the discretion of the committee.) 4.3 Affiliated Members shall each be entitled to be represented at meetings of the Association by a duly authorised representative with power to vote on behalf of the Affiliated Member. 4.4 The Committee shall fix the rate of annual subscription to twenty dollars $20.00 for membership, the committee will issue membership cards. The committee shall have the right to terminate the membership of any member for good sufficient reason and the member concerned will have the right to be hared by the Association before a decision is made and the member will be notified in writing of this. 5. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 5.1 The Committee shall meet not less than TWO times a year and shall consist of not less than SEVEN members of the Association, elected at an Annual General Meeting. 5.2 Nominations from full members of the Association for members of the Committee must be in writing, and must be in the hands of the Honorary Secretary of the Association at least 7 days before the Annual General Meeting hereinafter mentioned. 5.3 Should the number of nominations exceed the number of vacancies, election shall be by secret ballot of the members of the Association present and voting at an Annual General Meeting. 5.4 Should the number of nomination be less than the number of vacancies, further oral nominations may with the approval of the Annual General Meeting be invited from members present and voting at the said Annual General Meeting. 5.5 The Committee elected at an Annual General Meeting shall have the power to co-opt further members, who shall be Individual Members or representatives of Affiliated Members and who shall serve until the conclusion of the next following AGM PROVIDED THAT the number of co-opted members shall not exceed one-third of the total membership of the Committee. Co-opted members shall have the right to vote. 5.6 The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer, who shall be the Honorary Officers of the Association, shall be full Individual Members of the Association, and shall be elected annually by and from the members of the Committee at their first meeting following the Annual General Meeting. Any one person shall not hold the office of Chairperson for more than three consecutive years. 5.7 Any member of the Committee who fails to attend TWO consecutive Committee meetings without reasonable excuse shall lose her/his place on the Committee that may be filled by co-option in accordance with Clause 5.5 above. 5.8 The Trustees (if appointed) shall be notified of and shall be entitled to attend all meetings of the Committee but without the power to vote. 6. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE 6.1 The Committee may make such regulations, as they consider appropriate for the efficient conduct of the business of the Committee and the Association. 6.2 The Committee may appoint such staff, as they consider necessary on such terms and conditions as they may determine. 6.3 The Committee may appoint such sub-committees, advisory groups or working parties of their own members and other persons as they may from time to time decide necessary for the carrying out of their work, and may determine their terms of reference, duration and composition. All such subcommittees shall make regular reports on their work to the Committee. 6.4 The proceedings of the Committee shall not be invalidated by any failure to elect or any defect in the election, appointment, co-options, or qualification of any member. 7. CHAIRING MEETINGS All meetings of the Association, of the Committee, or of any of its subcommittees shall be presided over by its Chairperson failing whom its Vice-Chairperson, if one has been appointed. If neither the Chairperson nor the Vice-Chairperson is present, those present may elect one of their numbers to take the Chair. The Chairperson of any meeting shall have a second or casting vote. 8. FINANCE 8.1 All moneys raised by or on behalf of the Association shall be applied to further the objects of the Association and for no other purpose PROVIDED THAT nothing herein contained shall prevent the payment of legitimate out-of-pocket expenses to members of the Association engaged upon the approved business of the Association. The Honorary Treasurer shall keep proper accounts of the finances of the Association. 8.3 The financial year of the Association shall run from 1^st JULY to 30^th JUNE. 8.4 The accounts shall be annual or examined by an independent person at least once a year by an auditor or auditors or independent person who shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting. An annual statement of accounts for the last financial year shall be submitted to the committee bye The Honorary Treasurer to the Annual General Meeting. 8.6 A bank account shall be opened in the name of the Association with, PUT BANK NAME HERE or with such other bank as the Committee shall from time to time decide. The Committee shall authorise in writing the Honorary Treasurer and 2 members of the Committee to sign cheques on behalf of the Association. All cheques must be signed by not less than 2 of the 3 authorised signatories. 9. TRUST PROPERTY The Association may appoint and may terminate the appointment of not less than 3 people to act as Trustees for the purpose of holding any moneys or property belonging to the Association. The title to all or any such real and/or personal property that may be required by or for the purposes of the Association shall be vested in the Trustees who shall hold such property in trust for the Association. The Trustees shall act under the instructions of the Committee who shall, subject to the approval and consent of the Association as determined by a General Meeting, have power to fill vacancies among the Trustees. 10. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 10.1 The first Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held not later than the 1^st of October 2001, and in each year thereafter an Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held at such place and time (not being more than 15 months after the holding of the preceding Annual General Meeting) as the Committee shall determine. 10.2 At such Annual General Meeting the business shall include the following: A) The election of members to serve on the Committee; B) The appointment of an auditor or auditors or an accountant to examine and to certify or audit the annual accounts; C) The consideration of an Annual Report of the work done by or under the auspices of the Committee; D) The consideration of the annual accounts; E) The transaction of such other matters as may from time to time be considered necessary. 11. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS The Committee may at any time at its discretion and shall upon a requisition signed less than 4 members having the power to vote and giving reasons for the request, call a Special General Meeting of the Association for the purpose of altering the Constitution in accordance with Clause 13 hereof or of considering any matter ay be referred to them by the Committee or for any other purpose. 12. RULES OF PROCEDURE AT ALL MEETINGS 12.1 Voting Subject to the provisions of Clause 13 hereof all questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of those present and entitled to vote thereat. In case of an equality of votes the Chairperson shall have a second or casting vote. 12.2 Minutes The Committee and all other subcommittees shall keep minute books and the appropriate Secretary shall enter therein a record of all proceedings and resolutions. 12.3 Quorum The quorum at General Meetings of the Association shall be FIFTY PER CENT and at meetings of the Committee shall be FIVE or such other number as the Committee may from time to time determine. 12.4 Standing Orders The Committee shall have power to adopt and issue Standing Orders and/or Rules for the Association. Such Standing Orders and/or Rules shall come into operation immediately PROVIDED ALWAYS THAT they shall be subject to review by the Association in General Meeting and shall not be inconsistent with this constitution. 13. ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION 13.1 Any alterations to this Constitution shall receive the assent of not less than two-thirds of the members of the Association present and voting at the Annual General Meeting or a meeting specially called for the purpose PROVIDED THAT notice of any such alteration shall have been received by the Honorary Secretary in writing not less than 21 clear days before the meeting at which the alteration is to be brought forward. 13.2 At least 14 clear days notice in writing of the meeting setting forth the terms of the alteration to be proposed shall be sent by the Honorary Secretary to each member of the Association PROVIDED FURTHER THAT no alteration shall be made which would cause the Association to cease to be a charity at law. 14. DISSOLUTION 14.1 If the Committee by a simple majority decide at any time that on the grounds of expense or otherwise it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Association they shall call a meeting of all members of the Association who have the power to vote of which meeting not less than 21 days notice (stating the terms of the Resolution to be proposed thereat) shall be given. 14.2 If such decision shall be confirmed by a simple majority of those present and voting at such meeting the Committee shall have power to dispose of any assets held by or in the name of the Association. 14.3 Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institution or institutions having objects similar to the objects of the Association as the Committee may decide. 15. TRAINING 15.1 All training is at group level; and will be conducted out of the Australian Emergency Manual Series. (As this manual is well known in most of the emergency services in Australia.) In addition, other Manuals from over seas that specialize in the felid that A.I.R. is doing eg: earthquakes. 15.2 All operational members MUST attend training at least 95% of the time and all training weekends and camps (except if there is work commitments), this is so all skills are kept up to date. If a member does NOT match this, the committee will take the member off the operational list. (The member shall have the right to attend a meeting to be heard by the committee before the decision is made.) Members will be exempt from the above if they can produce a certificate or certificates for their skills of prior learning. 15.3 If you want to be a hero or have a gung-ho attitude and think that this is a perfect way to improve your macho image, THE A.I.R. DOES NOT WANT YOU. 16. COPYRIGHT All rights reserved. Reproduction or use in whole or in part without the express permission of the copyright holder is strictly forbidden. This constitution in part is copyright to the IRISH WORLDWIDE RESCUE TEAM they own the content and format of the Constitution. A.I.R. has change some of the content to suite its needs and these changers are copyrighted to AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL RESCUE ©.