NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION OF INTERMEDIATE MIDDLE SCHOOLING INCORPORATED

CONSTITUTION

AS REGISTERED [2003] Amended 2021

1. NAME

The name of the organisation shall be

New Zealand Association of Intermediate Middle Schooling (NZAIMS) "Ngā Kura Takawaenga o Aotearoa" incorporated.

To be known as - NZAIMS "Ngā Kura Takawaenga o Aotearoa" hereafter called the ‘Association’.

2. OBJECTIVES

To promote and develop Intermediate Middle Schooling education in New Zealand.

To act as a promoter, adviser on matters pertaining to education in years 7-10 in New Zealand.

3. REGISTERED OFFICE

The registered office shall be at such a place in New Zealand as the Executive may from time to time decide.

4. COMMON SEAL

The Common Seal of the Association shall be that adopted by the Executive which shall be responsible for it’s safe custody and control.

Whenever the Common Seal of the Association is required to be affixed to any deed, document or other instrument, the seal shall be affixed by resolution of the Executive or of a general meeting of the Association, by any two members of the Executive.

5. WINDING UP

In the event of the Association being wound up, the surplus assets after payment of the Association’s liabilities and the expenses of the winding up shall be given or transferred to a charitable organisation within New Zealand whose objects are for the benefit and advancement of education.

6.0 MEMBERSHIP

Full Membership - Criteria for membership shall be:

The payment of an annual subscription
The Principal, Head Teacher or Director or their nominee of any state, integrated or private school in New Zealand with student enrolment in any combination, Year 7, 8, 9 or 10 – hereafter referred to as members.
Full membership is for one person at a school, i.e – the Principal or Head Teacher or Director or nominee. Membership will be in the name of the school with the full member also named.
The Executive shall have power by resolution to remove from the Register of Members any member whose subscription is six months in arrears or any members who has ceased to meet the membership criteria as set out in 6a (i) to 6a (iii) above.
The Executive shall have power by resolution to remove from the Register of any member whose subscription is six months in arrears or any members who has ceased to meet the membership criteria as set out in (6a) above.
Every Full Member shall advise the National Secretary of any change of contact email address.

The National Secretary shall keep a membership register recording members’ names, addresses and other salient details as determined from time to time by the National Executive.

All members (and National Executive members) shall promote the interests and the objects of the Federation and shall do nothing to bring the Federation into disrepute.

Affiliate Membership:

Affiliate membership of NZAIMS is open to all interested parties with consequent affiliate member privileges. The Affiliate Membership fee shall be determined by the executive and membership at an AGM.

Cessation of Membership

Any member may resign from the association at any time by any of 1-3.

Any member wishing to resign from the Association shall give notice in writing to the Executive to that effect.
The Executive has the power to remove from the register of Members any Member who breaches any rule, regulation or by-law of the Association or who brings the Association into disrepute, or if it is in the best interests of the Association to do so.
Any member who is liable to be removed from membership under subclause (2) shall be entitled to appear personally or be represented before the Executive to offer an explanation verbally or in writing. At least 10 days written notice of the meeting shall be given to any member concerned.

7. ASSOCIATION OFFICERS - EXECUTIVE

Officers of the New Zealand Association of Intermediate and Middle schooling shall be elected for a two-year term, by a ballot of members hereinafter described.

Election of officers – Executive

The following officers shall be elected to the Executive by a Ballot of the members hereinafter described

President
Vice President
Up to 6 executive members
Immediate past President in first year of the term (appointed)

8. VOTING PROCEDURE

The conduct of elections shall be the specific duty of the Executive. Responsibilities include

Appoint a returning officer and preparation of an electoral roll that includes all Full Association members.
A FULL member of the Association is one whose dues have been received before April 1 in each year.
Nominations must be nominated and seconded by a FULL member. A full member may nominate and second themselves
Ballot uses electronic notification and instruction.
Voting process will be prescribed by the returning officer in the voting papers delivered to the email address provided by the member and included in the election database.
Publication of election results by the returning officer will precede the final executive meeting. Election results will be confirmed and minuted during the final executive meeting in the election year.
Offices are held for a two year period commencing at the start of a calendar year.

9. FILLING EXECUTIVE POSITIONS in the event of a member resigning or being removed from the executive

If the position to be filled is that of an Executive Member, the Executive may decide to appoint by one of the following;

a. The next highest Polling Candidate at the last election.

b. Where there is no next polling candidate, the Executive may at its discretion co-opt a member for the unexpired term of office.

Where the position vacant is that of President, the Executive shall appoint the Vice President to fill the unexpired term.

10. MEETINGS

National Executive Meetings

The National President has the responsibility to call National Executive meetings four times a year.

National Executive Members

Elected members shall liaise, inform and report on issues affecting Intermediate Middle schooling.

11.0 CO-OPTION TO NATIONAL EXECUTIVE

The National Executive shall have the right at any time, and for any such period as it may desire, to ‘co-opt’ to the Executive a Principal or persons/s who have the special skills required to further the objectives of the NZAIMS.

12.0 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE

The National Executive, having due regard to the Membership, shall carry out the policy of the Association as directed by the members at the Annual General Meeting.
The minutes of Executive Meetings shall be available to all financial members of the Association.
The National Executive will actively foster the publication of researched information and programmes appropriate to Intermediate Middle Education.
The National Executive has the responsibility to act as an ‘Advisory body’ to NZEI Policy development.
The National Executive will update annually the National Register of members following resignations and appointments.
The National Executive will be responsible for the promotion of the middle years of schooling.
At all meetings of the Executive, the President, or in his/her absence the Vice President, shall take the chair. The Chairperson for each meeting shall have one deliberative and also one casting vote. Voting shall be by show of hands unless otherwise called for and agreed to by a majority at the meeting.
Five elected members shall be a quorum at all meetings of the Executive. At least ten days notice shall be given to all members of the Executive of any meeting unless the Office Holders deem business to be of significant importance to warrant an Emergency Meeting.
A meeting of the Executive shall be held within one month of the receipt by the president of notice, signed by at least 5 members of the Executive, calling for the meeting.

13.0 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting shall be held each year at a date and using means or place to be fixed by the Executive for the following purposes.

To receive from the Executive a report and audited balance sheet and statement of accounts for the preceding year.
To consider and conduct such other business as may properly be brought forward.
To consider resolutions from the annual conference on policy matters.
Determine all membership subscriptions.
Association and full members can attend. Only full members can participate or vote.

14.0 GENERAL MEETING AND SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

At all meetings, each full member present shall have one vote and voting shall be by a show of hands unless otherwise called for and agreed to by a majority at the meeting.
General Meetings, Special General Meetings or referenda of the Association may be called at any time by the Executive and shall otherwise be called by the Secretary upon the requisition in writing of twenty members of the Association stating the purpose of which the meeting or referendum is required. Any such meeting or referendum shall be held within two months of the date of such requisition.
The Secretary shall give at least 10 days notice to all members, regarding the holding of a General Meeting. Special General Meeting or referendum and such notice shall specify the nature of the business to be transacted or poll to be taken.
At all General Meetings or Special General Meetings, the President, or in his/her absence the Vice President, shall take the chair and if both shall be absent, a Chairperson shall be appointed from the Executive present. The Chairperson of the meeting shall have a deliberative and also a casting vote.
One-fifth of the full members of the Association shall constitute a quorum at the Annual General Meeting and any other general meeting or Special General Meeting.

15.0 FINANCES (revised August 30, 2023 AGM)

All monies received shall be deposited in the Association’s Bank Account.
Annual meeting confirms those charged with authorisation on this account.
The Accounts of the Association shall be reviewed by an Auditor appointed by the National Executive who shall not hold any other office in the Association.
A reviewed financial statement covering the previous year’s transactions shall be presented at each Annual General Meeting.
Any income, benefit or advantage shall be applied to the objectives of the organisation. No member of the organisation or any person associated with a member shall participate in or materially influence any decision made by the organisation in respect of payment to or on behalf of that member or associated person of any income, benefit, or advantage whatsoever. Any such income shall be reasonable and relative to that which would be paid in an arms-length transaction (being open market value).
The financial year shall run from 1st January to 31st December of the calendar year.
In the event of the NZAIMS being wound up or ceasing to operate, the financial assets of the Association shall be disposed of in accordance with the ‘Winding up’ clause, stated above

16.0.AMENDMENTS

Amendments to the Constitution will be considered at an Annual General Meeting. Proposed amendments must be in writing to the National Secretary twenty-eight days before the Annual General Meeting and all full members are to be notified 10 days beforehand.
If an Annual General Meeting cannot be held within twelve months of the previous one, the National Executive has the power to recommend to full members, provided 10 days notice is given, amendments to the Constitution.
Copies of every such alteration, addition, rescission or amendment shall be delivered to the Registrar of Incorporated Societies in accordance with the provision of the Act.
No addition or alteration to the Constitution or Rules can be made which alter the exclusively charitable nature of the Association.