Committee

The Act specifies that: there be at least 3 officers on a society's committee (although most society committees are larger than this), and every committee member is an officer, and certain people are not permitted to serve as officers (see the 'Officers' Qualifications' rule which specifies who is disqualified from being appointed or holding office).

Committee composition

1. The committee will consist of three officers:
   1. the chairperson
   2. the vice-chair
   3. the secretary.
2. The majority of the officers must be subscribing members of SCANZ.

Functions of the committee

This rule reinforces the main function of your committee. The Act requires the operation and affairs of a society to be managed by, or under the direction or supervision of its committee. As each committee member is also an officer of the society, the committee must act in good faith and in the best interest of the society when performing the committee's functions.

1. From the end of each annual general meeting until the end of the next, SCANZ shall be managed by, or under the direction or supervision of, the committee, in accordance with the Incorporated Societies Act 2022, any regulations made under that Act, and this constitution.

Powers of the committee

The Act requires the committee's powers to be set out in the society's constitution.

1. The committee has all the powers necessary for managing - and for directing and supervising the management of - the operation and affairs of SCANZ, subject to such modifications, exceptions, or limitations as are contained in the Act or in this constitution.

Sub-committees

This rule is found in many society constitutions, and expressly authorises the establishment of sub-committees.

1. The committee may appoint sub-committees consisting of such persons (whether or not subscribing members of SCANZ') and for such purposes as it thinks fit. Unless otherwise resolved by the committee -
   1. the quorum of every sub-committee is half the members of the sub-committee but not less than 2,
   2. no sub-committee shall have power to co-opt additional members,
   3. a sub-committee must not commit SCANZ to any financial expenditure without express authority from the committee, and
   4. a sub-committee must not further delegate any of its powers.

General matters: Committees

This rule reflects the fact that it can be difficult to arrange meetings where officers are all present in one room and enables the use of modern communication methods to hold committee meetings. It also makes it clear that a society’s committee can make decisions where the Act, the constitution, or decisions made by general meetings do not provide answers to issues.

1. The committee and any sub-committee may act by resolution approved during a conference call using audio and/or audio-visual technology or through a written ballot conducted by email, electronic voting system, or post, and any such resolution shall be recorded in the minutes of the next committee or sub-committee meeting.
2. Other than as prescribed by the Act or this constitution, the committee or any sub-committee may regulate its proceedings as it thinks fit.