AUSTRALIAN BLINDNESS FORUM CORPORATIONS ACT 2001 (CTH) A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE CONSTITUTION AGREEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION 1 1.1 DEFINITIONS 1 1.2 INTERPRETATION 2 2. EFFECT OF THE CONSTITUTION 2 3. OBJECTS 3 4. CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF WIND UP 3 5. PROMOTION OF OBJECTS 3 6. WINDING UP OR DISSOLUTION 4 7. MEMBERSHIP 4 7.1 MEMBERS 4 7.2 APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP 4 7.3 MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA 5 7.4 FURTHER INFORMATION 5 7.5 DETERMINATION OF DIRECTORS 5 7.6 ENTRANCE FEE 5 7.7 CERTIFICATES 5 7.8 NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE 5 7.9 MEMBERSHIP NOT TRANSFERABLE 5 7.10 REPRESENTATIVE OF MEMBERS 5 8. FEES 6 8.1 FEES 6 9. VARYING MEMBERS' RIGHTS 6 9.1 SPECIAL RESOLUTION 6 9.2 RULES APPLYING TO MEETINGS OF CLASS MEMBERS 6 10. CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP 6 10.1 NON PAYMENT OF FEES 6 10.2 CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP 6 10.3 CONTINUING RIGHTS, LIABILITIES ETC. 7 10.4 NON-COMPLIANCE WITH CONSTITUTION, MISCONDUCT 7 11. POWERS 7 11.1 EXERCISE OF POWERS 7 12. GENERAL MEETINGS 7 12.1 DIRECTORS CONVENING A GENERAL MEETING AT THE REQUEST OF MEMBERS 7 12.2 FORM OF THE MEMBERS REQUEST 7 12.3 DIRECTORS REFUSAL TO CONVENE 8 12.4 MEMBERS MAY CONVENE 8 12.5 NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETING 8 12.6 QUORUM 8 12.7 DETERMINE A QUORUM 8 12.8 PROCEDURE WHERE NO QUORUM 8 12.9 MINUTES 8 12.10 CHAIRMAN 9 12.11 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN 9 12.12 ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING 9 12.13 ADJOURNMENT OF 30 DAYS 9 12.14 ADJOURNMENT OF LESS THAN 30 DAYS 9 12.15 SHOW OF HANDS OR POLL 9 12.16 DECLARATION ON SHOW OF HANDS 9 12.17 WITHDRAW POLL 10 12.18 DEMAND FOR POLL 10 12.19 POLL FOR CHAIRMAN 10 12.20 VOTING – PERSON OR PROXY 10 12.21 MEMBERS RIGHT TO VOTE 10 12.22 QUALIFICATION OF MEMBER 10 12.23 OBJECTIONS REFERRED TO CHAIRMAN 10 12.24 VALID VOTE 10 12.25 CIRCULAR RESOLUTION 10 13. RULES FOR VOTING BY PROXY 11 13.1 ONLY MEMBERS ENTITLED TO VOTE SHALL VOTE 11 13.2 PROXIES 11 13.3 ATTORNEYS 11 13.4 REPRESENTATIVES OF MEMBERS 11 13.5 REPRESENTATIVE NEED NOT BE A MEMBER 11 13.6 INSTRUMENT IN WRITING 11 13.7 MANNER THE PROXY IS TO VOTE 12 13.8 AUTHORITY FOR A POLL 12 13.9 FORM OF PROXY 12 13.10 DELIVERY OF PROXY BEFORE MEETING 12 13.11 INSTRUMENT NOT VALID 12 14. APPOINTMENT, REMOVAL AND REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS 13 14.1 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS 13 14.2 RIGHT TO NOMINATE A DIRECTOR 13 14.3 APPOINTMENT OF NEW DIRECTOR 13 14.4 ROTATION OF DIRECTORS 13 14.5 ELIGIBILITY 13 14.6 REMOVAL OF DIRECTOR 13 14.7 REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES 13 14.8 VACATION OF DIRECTOR'S OFFICE 14 14.9 TRANSITION 14 15. POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS 14 15.1 DIRECTORS MANAGE THE BUSINESS 14 15.2 ALL POWERS 15 15.3 APPOINTMENT OF ATTORNEY 15 15.4 PROVISIONS OF POWER OF ATTORNEY 15 15.5 BY-LAWS 15 15.6 CHEQUES AND PROMISSORY NOTES 15 16. PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS 15 16.1 USE OF TECHNOLOGY 15 16.2 DIRECTORS MEETINGS 16 16.3 QUORUM 16 16.4 VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF DIRECTOR 16 16.5 OFFICE OF CHAIRMAN 16 16.6 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN 16 16.7 CIRCULAR RESOLUTION 16 16.8 DOCUMENTS FORMING RESOLUTION 17 16.9 REMEDY OF DEFECTS 17 16.10 MINUTES 17 17. ALTERNATE DIRECTORS 17 17.1 APPOINTMENT OF AN ALTERNATE 17 17.2 NOTICE OF MEETINGS 17 17.3 POWER OF ALTERNATE 17 17.4 TERMINATION OF APPOINTMENT 17 17.5 VACATION 18 17.6 RESPONSIBILITY 18 17.7 NO REMUNERATION 18 18. COMMITTEE 18 18.1 DELEGATION TO COMMITTEE 18 18.2 POWERS OF COMMITTEE 18 18.3 COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN 18 18.4 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN 18 18.5 DECISION BY MAJORITY 18 18.6 EQUALITY OF VOTES 19 18.7 COMMITTEE TO SELF REGULATE 19 19. COMMON SEAL 19 19.1 ELECTION TO ADOPT COMPANY SEAL 19 19.2 DUPLICATE COMMON SEAL 19 19.3 PROHIBITED USE 19 20. SECRETARY 19 20.1 APPOINTMENT 19 21. ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS 19 22. INTERESTED DIRECTORS 20 22.1 INTERESTED DIRECTORS NOT DISQUALIFIED 20 22.2 SUFFICIENT DISCLOSURE 20 22.3 OTHER OFFICE MAY BE HELD 21 22.4 PROFESSIONAL DIRECTOR MAY ACT 21 23. ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT 21 23.1 PROPER RECORDS KEPT 21 23.2 MEMBERS TO HAVE ACCESS 21 23.3 AUDITOR 21 24. RESERVES 21 24.1 GENERAL 21 25. NOTICES 21 25.1 FORM OF NOTICES 21 25.2 METHOD AND ADDRESS FOR GIVING NOTICES. 22 25.3 TIME OF RECEIPT 22 25.4 OBJECTION TO FACSIMILE 22 25.5 ADVERTISEMENT REQUIRED 23 25.6 ELIGIBILITY TO RECEIVE NOTICES 23 25.7 NO OTHERS 23 26. AMENDMENTS OR ALTERATIONS TO THIS CONSTITUTION 23 27. INDEMNITY 23 27.1 DIRECTOR AGAINST LIABILITY 23 27.2 PAYMENT OF INSURANCE 23 27.3 RESOLUTION TO GRANT INDEMNITY 24 1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION 1.1 Definitions In this Constitution, unless the context or subject matter otherwise require: "Company" means the Company whose Members have adopted this Constitution; "Constitution" means those rules for the operation of the Company set forth in this Constitution agreement and as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time; "Corporation" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 57A(1) of the Corporations Act 2001(Cth); "Directors and Board" means all or any number of the Directors for the time being of the Company acting in accordance with these Rules; "Law" means the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (as amended, modified or enacted from time to time); "Member" means any Corporation whose name appears in the Register as a Member of the Company; "Notice Address" means in respect of each Member or Director the last address for that person as recorded in the records of the Company; "the office or the Registered office" means the Registered office for the time being of the Company; "Ordinary Resolution" means a resolution passed by a simple majority of Members who are in attendance at the meeting of Members; "the Register" means the Register of Members of the Company required to be kept by section 169 of the Law; "Related Body Corporate" of a body corporate is a body corporate which is related to that body corporate within the meaning of the Law; "Representatives" means a representative nominated by a Member in accordance with Rule 7.10; "Rules" means the provisions of this Constitution as amended, modified or supplemented; "the Secretary" means the Secretary and any assistant or acting Secretary and any other person for the time being appointed to perform whether alone or in addition to any other person or persons the duties of Secretary of the Company; "Special Resolution" shall have the meaning assigned to that expression by Section 9 of the Law; and "in writing and written" includes printing, lithography, braille and other modes of reproducing or representing words in a visible form. 1.2 Interpretation In the interpretation of this Constitution, unless the context or subject matter otherwise require: (a) singular includes plural and vice versa; (b) any gender includes every gender; (c) a reference to a person includes corporations, trusts, associations, partnerships, a government authority, and other legal entities, and where necessary, include successor bodies; (d) references to writing include printing, typing, facsimile and other means of representing or reproducing words, figures, drawings or symbols in a visible and tangible form, in English; (e) references to signature and signing include due execution of a document by a corporation or other relevant entity; (f) references to months mean calendar months; (g) references to statutes include statutes amending, consolidating or replacing the statutes referred to and all regulations, orders-in-council, rules, by-laws and ordinances made under those statutes; (h) references to sections of statutes or terms defined in statutes refer to corresponding sections or defined terms in amended, consolidated or replacement statutes; (i) headings and the table of contents are used for convenience only and are to be disregarded in the interpretation of this Constitution; (j) where any word or phrase is given a defined meaning, another grammatical form of that word or phrase has a corresponding meaning; (k) each paragraph or sub-paragraph in a list is to be read independently from the others in the list; (l) reference to "Rule" means a clause number or sub-clause of the Constitution; (m) a reference to an agreement or document is to that agreement or document as amended, novated, supplemented or replaced from time to time; and (n) a reference to a party includes that party's executors, administrators, substitutes, successors and permitted assigns. 2. EFFECT OF THE CONSTITUTION This Constitution shall have effect as a contract: (a) between the Company and each Member; (b) between the Company and each Director and Company secretary; and (c) between a Member and each other Member, (d) pursuant to which each Member agrees to observe and perform the Rules within the Constitution so far as they apply to that Member. 3. OBJECTS Having regard to the intention of the members that the Company operate as a partnership of organisations of and for the blind and vision impaired and blindness prevention organisations for the benefit of Australians who are blind or vision impaired, the objects of the Company are to: (a) encourage exchange of information between members; (b) exert influence on Government policy development; (c) enable blindness sector representation both nationally and internationally; (d) enable Australia to facilitate its membership of the World Blind Union; (e) encourage and promote the development and equity of the level of services throughout Australasia; and (f) do all acts and things as may be deemed necessary or incidental to the achievement of similar objects, including taking over the funds and assets currently the property of Australian Blindness Forum. 4. CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF WIND UP Every Member of the Company undertakes to contribute to the property of the company, in the event of its being wound up while he is a Member or within one (1) year after he ceases to be a Member, for payment of the debts and liabilities of the company contracted before he ceases to be a Member and of the costs, charges and expenses of winding up and for the adjustment of the rights of the contributors among themselves, such amount as may be required not exceeding $10. 5. PROMOTION OF OBJECTS The income and property of the Company however derived shall be applied solely for the benefit and promotion of the Company's objects and no portion thereof shall be: (a) paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividends, bonus or otherwise to the Members of the Company; or (b) paid to Directors as fees or other remuneration or other benefit in money or money's worth, PROVIDED that nothing in this Rule shall preclude, with the prior approval of the Directors: (i) payment in good faith of reasonable and proper remuneration to any Director, officer or servant of the Company or to any Member of the Company in return for any services rendered to the Company; (ii) the payment of interest at a rate not exceeding the rate charged by the Company's bankers on overdrawn accounts on any money lent to the Company by any Member, Director or officer; (iii) in the case of any Director who is engaged by the Company as an executive Director, consultant or servant of the Company, such remuneration as is reasonable and proper for the services provided to the Company; (iv) the repayment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, properly incurred by any Director; or (v) payment of a reasonable rental for premises demised or let by any Member to the Company. 6. WINDING UP OR DISSOLUTION If upon the winding up or dissolution of the Company there remains, after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities any property whatsoever the same shall not be paid to or distributed among the Members of the Company but shall be given or transferred to some other organisation having objects similar to the objects of this Company and which shall prohibit the distribution of its or their income and property amongst its or their Members and also is a fund, authority or institution approved by the Commissioner of Taxation as a benevolent institution for the purposes of income tax, sales tax, fringe benefits tax or otherwise under the provisions of any applicable income tax legislation including the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. 7. MEMBERSHIP 7.1 Members The subscribers to these Rules which meet the criteria set out in this Rule and which the Directors shall admit to membership in accordance with the Constitution shall be Members of the Company. 7.2 Application for membership Any applicant which meets the criteria described in Rule 7.3 below, shall be eligible for membership of the Company. Every applicant for membership of the Company (other than the subscribers to the Constitution) shall execute and deliver to the Company an application for membership in such form as the Directors from time to time determine together with the entrance fee (if any) determined by the Directors. Subject to Rule 11, the Directors have the power from time to time to create such classes of Members and to determine the rights and privileges attaching to those classes including but not limited to the voting rights of those Members. 7.3 Membership Criteria To be a member of the Company the applicant must be an organisation : (a) That has as its primary objects, the provision of services to people who are blind or vision impaired; or (b) whose activities are substantially connected with the welfare of people who are blind or vision impaired; or (c) whose activities are substantially related to the prevention of blindness; and (d) whose membership is approved by the board. 7.4 Further information An applicant for membership shall provide in writing such other information in addition to that contained in the application as the Directors require. 7.5 Determination of Directors The Directors shall determine upon the admission or rejection of an applicant. In no case shall the Directors be required to give any reason for the rejection of any application. 7.6 Entrance Fee The Directors may from time to time determine any entrance fee payable by Members on application for membership of the Company and until so determined no entrance fee shall be payable. 7.7 Certificates A certificate of membership may be issued by the Company to any Member. Such certificate shall remain the property of the Company and on demand in writing by the Secretary shall be returned to the Company. 7.8 Notification of acceptance When an applicant has been accepted for membership the Secretary shall forthwith send to the applicant written notice of his acceptance and shall enter the applicant's name in the Register. When an application is rejected the Secretary shall forthwith send to the applicant written notice of such rejection and the entrance fee paid, if any, by such applicant shall be refunded to him in full. 7.9 Membership not transferable Membership of the Company shall not be transferable whether by operation of law or otherwise and all rights and privileges of membership of the Company shall cease upon the Member ceasing to be such whether by resignation, death, winding-up or otherwise. 7.10 Representative of Members Each member shall nominate not more than one (1) individual as its Representative, who may attend at meetings of the Company, who are authorised to vote on behalf of the Member, and who, subject to clause 14, shall be entitled to stand for election as a Director of the Company. The Member may by notice in writing to the Company change their Representatives from time to time. 8. FEES 8.1 Fees Members shall pay annual membership fees and such other fees in such amounts and at such times as the Directors may from time to time determine. 9. VARYING MEMBERS' RIGHTS 9.1 Special Resolution If at any time the membership of the Company is divided into different classes of Members, the rights attached to any class (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the members of that class) may, whether or not the Company is being wound up, be varied with the consent in writing of the holders of 75% of the Members of that class all with the sanction of a Special Resolution passed at a meeting of those Members of that class. 9.2 Rules applying to meetings of class Members The provisions from time to time contained in these Rules as to meetings shall apply mutatis mutandis to every such meeting so that the necessary quorum shall be two (2) Members of the class or a proxy or representative of such a Member. Any Member of the class present in person or by proxy or by a representative may demand a poll. 10. CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP 10.1 Non payment of fees If any fees payable by a Member shall remain unpaid for a period of two (2) calendar months after notice of the default is given to the Member by the Company, that Member may be debarred by resolution of the Directors from all privileges of membership (including the right to vote), provided that the Directors may reinstate the Member on payment of all arrears if the Directors think fit to do so. 10.2 Cessation of membership A Member's membership of the Company shall cease: (a) if the Member resigns that membership by giving notice in writing addressed to the Secretary of the Company and such resignation shall be effective from the date of receipt of the notice by the Secretary; (b) if the Member’s membership is terminated under these Rules and such termination shall be effective from the date of the resolution of the Directors if; (i) a liquidator is appointed in connection with the winding up of the Member; or (ii) an order is made by a court for the winding up of a Member. 10.3 Continuing rights, liabilities etc. The termination of a Member's membership (whether by resignation or expulsion) shall not in any way prejudice, lessen or affect the rights, duties, liabilities and obligations of a Member whether they arise under these Rules or otherwise and are existing at the date of such termination or may arise or crystallise after that date out of or by reason of facts or circumstances occurring or in existence at or before that date and in particular (but not by limitation) such termination shall not relieve a Member from any obligation to record or account for or pay any levies or fees referred to in Rule 8. 10.4 Non-compliance with Constitution, misconduct If any Member shall wilfully refuse or neglect to comply with the provisions of the Constitution of the Company or shall be guilty of any conduct which in the opinion of the Directors is unbecoming of the Member or prejudicial to the interest of the Company, the Directors may by resolution censure, suspend or expel the Member from the Company provided that the Member shall be given at least one (1) week's notice of the meeting of the Directors at which such a resolution is to be put and of what is alleged against him and of the intended resolution, and provided further that he has the opportunity of giving orally or in writing any explanation or defence he may think fit at such meeting, before the passing of such resolution. 11. POWERS 11.1 Exercise of powers The Company may by resolution or Special Resolution as the Law requires exercise from time to time any power which by the Law a company limited by guarantee may exercise if authorised by its Constitution. 12. GENERAL MEETINGS 12.1 Directors Convening a General Meeting at the Request of Members The Directors must call and arrange to hold a general meeting on the request of Members with at least 5% of the votes that may be cast at a general meeting or five (5) members, whichever is the greater. 12.2 Form of the Members Request The request from the Members must: (a) state any resolution to be proposed at the meeting; (b) be signed by the Members making the request; and (c) be given to the Company. 12.3 Directors Refusal to Convene The Directors may refuse to convene the general meeting if the voting on the proposed resolution is not within the power of the Members. 12.4 Members may Convene Five (5) Members with at least 5% of the votes that may be cast at a general meeting of the Company may call and arrange to hold a general meeting. The Members calling the meeting must pay the expenses of calling and holding the meeting. 12.5 Notice of General Meeting A notice of a general meeting shall: (a) provide at least twenty-one (21) days notice of the meeting; (b) specify the place, the day and the hour of meeting; and (c) specify the general nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting. 12.6 Quorum Subject to Rule 12.8, no business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of Members is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. For the purpose of these Rules a quorum shall be five (5) Members. 12.7 Determine a Quorum For the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present, a person attending as a proxy, or representing a body corporate that is a Member, shall be deemed to be a Member. 12.8 Procedure where no Quorum If a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting the meeting stands adjourned to such day, and at such time and place, as the Directors determine or, if no Directors are present or no determination is made by the Directors, to the same day in the next week at the same time and place. If at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting then: (a) those members present shall be deemed to constitute a quorum; or (b) where there are no members present the meeting shall be dissolved 12.9 Minutes The Directors shall cause proper minutes to be made of all general meetings of the Company and also of all appointments of officers and of the proceedings of all meetings of Directors and committees and of the attendance thereat and business transacted at such meetings, and any such minutes of any meeting if purporting to be signed by the chairman of such meeting or by the chairman of the next succeeding meeting shall be conclusive evidence without any further proof of the matters therein stated. 12.10 Chairman If the Directors have elected one (1) of their number as chairman of their meetings, that person shall preside as chairman at every general meeting. 12.11 Election of Chairman Where a general meeting is held and: (a) a chairman has not been elected; or (b) the chairman is not present within fifteen (15) minutes after the time appointed for the holding of the meeting or is unwilling to act, the Members present shall elect one (1) of their number to be chairman of the meeting. 12.12 Adjournment of Meeting The chairman may with the consent of any meeting at which a quorum is present, and shall if so directed by the meeting, adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. 12.13 Adjournment of 30 Days When a meeting is adjourned for thirty (30) days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. 12.14 Adjournment of Less than 30 Days Except as provided by these Rules, when a meeting is adjourned for thirty (30) days or less, it is not necessary to give any notice of the adjournment or of the business to be transacted at the adjourned meeting. 12.15 Show of Hands or Poll At any general meeting, a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded: (a) by the chairman; (b) by at least two (2) Members present in person or by proxy; or (c) by a Member or Members present in person or by proxy and representing not less than one-tenth of the total voting rights of all the Members having the right to vote at the meeting. 12.16 Declaration on Show of Hands Unless a poll is so demanded, a declaration by the chairman that a resolution has on a show of hands been carried or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, or lost, and an entry to that effect in the book containing the minutes of the proceedings of the Company, is conclusive evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against the resolution. 12.17 Withdraw Poll The demand for a poll may be withdrawn. 12.18 Demand for Poll If a poll is duly demanded, it shall be taken in such manner and subject to these Rules either at once or after an interval or adjournment or otherwise as the chairman directs, and the result of the poll shall be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded. 12.19 Poll for Chairman A poll demanded on the election of a chairman or on a question of adjournment shall be taken forthwith. 12.20 Voting – Person or Proxy Subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any class or classes of membership: (a) at meetings of Members or classes of Members each Member entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy or attorney; and (b) on a show of hands every person present who is a Member or a representative of a Member has one (1) vote, and on a poll every person present in person or by proxy or attorney has one (1) vote for each Membership held. 12.21 Members Right to Vote A Member is not entitled to vote at a general meeting unless all fees and levies and other sums presently payable by the Member have been paid. 12.22 Qualification of Member An objection may be raised as to the qualification of a Member or a Member's representative to vote only at the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the vote objected to is given or tendered. 12.23 Objections referred to Chairman Any such objection shall be referred to the chairman of the meeting, whose decision is final. 12.24 Valid Vote A vote not disallowed pursuant to such an objection is valid for all purposes. 12.25 Circular Resolution A Company may pass a resolution without a general meeting, if all of the Members entitled to vote on the resolution sign a document stating that they are in favour of the resolution. Separate copies of the document may be used for signing (if the document and the wording are identical) in which case the resolution is deemed to be passed when the last Member signs. 13. RULES FOR VOTING BY PROXY 13.1 Only Members Entitled to Vote shall Vote Only those Members who belong to a class of Members who are entitled to vote at a general meeting whether in person or by proxy shall be entitled to vote. 13.2 Proxies (a) a Member of a company who is entitled to attend and cast a vote at a meeting of the Company's Members may appoint a person as the Members proxy to attend and vote for the Member at the meeting; (b) the appointment may specify the proportional number of votes that the proxy may exercise; (c) each Member may appoint a proxy; (d) disregard any fraction of votes resulting from the application of sub-rules 13.2(b) or (c). 13.3 Attorneys Any Member made by power of attorney may appoint an attorney to act on his behalf at all or any meetings of the Company and such power of attorney or a copy thereof verified in the manner satisfactory to the Directors shall be produced for inspection at the registered office or such other place, if any, as may be specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting together with such evidence of the due execution as the Directors may require not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting. 13.4 Representatives of Members Any Corporation which is a Member may appoint a representative to attend and vote for that Member at a general meeting of the Company. 13.5 Representative need not be a Member A proxy attorney or a representative need not be a Member of the Company and his appointment may be revoked at any time. 13.6 Instrument in Writing An instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or of the appointor's attorney duly authorised in writing or, if the appointor is a body corporate, either signed in accordance with the Law or under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorised. 13.7 Manner the Proxy is to Vote An instrument appointing a proxy may specify the manner in which the proxy is to vote in respect of a particular resolution and, where an instrument of proxy so provides, the proxy is not entitled to vote in the resolution except as specified in the instrument. 13.8 Authority for a Poll An instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand (or join in demanding) a poll. 13.9 Form of Proxy An instrument appointing a proxy shall be in the following form or in a form that is as similar to the following form as the circumstances allow: [Name of Company] I/We, of , being a Member/Members of the abovenamed Company, hereby appoint of or, in his/her absence, of as my/our proxy to vote for me/us on my/our behalf at the meeting of the Company to be held on the day of 20 and at any adjournment of that meeting. †This form is to be used *for/against the resolution. Signed this day of 20 . *Strike out whichever is not desired. †To be inserted if desired. 13.10 Delivery of Proxy before Meeting An instrument appointing a proxy shall not be treated as valid unless the instrument, and the power of attorney or other authority (if any) under which the instrument is signed or a notarially certified copy of that power or authority, is or are deposited, not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote, or, in the case of a poll, not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the time appointed for the taking of the poll, at the registered office of the Company or at such other place in Australia as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting. 13.11 Instrument not valid An instrument appointing a proxy shall not be valid after the expiration of twelve (12) months from the date of its execution. 14. APPOINTMENT, REMOVAL AND REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS 14.1 Number Of Directors The number of Directors shall not be less than four (4) provided that the Company may from time to time by ordinary resolution passed at a general meeting of the Members of the Company increase or reduce the number of Directors but shall not reduce the minimum number of Directors below four (4) or increase the maximum number of Directors above nine (9). 14.2 Right to Nominate a Director Whilst Blind Citizens Australia (“BCA”) remains a member of the Company it shall be entitled to appoint to the Board: (a) 1 Director whilst there are 5 Directors or less (including the BCA Representative); and (b) 2 Directors whilst there are not less than 6 Directors appointed to the Board (including the BCA Representatives). Provided however, that in no circumstances shall the total number of Directors appointed be more than (9) nine. 14.3 Appointment of New Director The Directors shall have power at any time to appoint any other person as a Director, either to fill a casual vacancy or as an addition to the board, but the total number of Directors shall not exceed the maximum number fixed by this Constitution. Any Director so appointed shall hold office in the manner as specified in sub-rule14.4. 14.4 Rotation of Directors At the first annual general meeting of the Company 50% all the Directors (as determined by lottery) shall retire from office. At the second annual general meeting, and in each general meeting thereafter one half of the Directors shall retire from office. A retiring Director is eligible for re-election. Where there are an odd number of Directors at the date of the annual general meeting then the number of Directors to be retired will be rounded down to the next whole number, and those who retire will be those who have served the longest period of time on the Board. 14.5 Eligibility Directors must be the Representative of a Member. 14.6 Removal of Director The Company by ordinary resolution may remove any Director and may by ordinary resolution appoint another person in such Director's stead. Any Director so appointed shall hold office in the manner as specified in sub-rule14.4. 14.7 Reimbursement of Expenses Subject to the approval of a meeting of the Directors, the Directors shall be entitled to be reimbursed out of the funds of the Company such reasonable travelling, including accommodation and incidental, expenses as may be incurred by them when engaged on the business of the Company including expenses incurred in attending and returning from Board or General Meetings of the Company. 14.8 Vacation of Director's Office In addition to the circumstances in which the office of a Director becomes vacant by virtue of the Law, the office of a Director becomes vacant if the Director: (a) becomes of unsound mind or a person whose person or estate is liable to be dealt with in any way under any law relating to mental health; (b) resigns his office by notice in writing to the Company; (c) is absent without the consent of the Directors from meetings of the Directors held during a period of six (6) months; (d) without the consent of the Company in general meeting, holds any other office of profit under the Company except that of managing Director; (e) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors generally; or (f) the Director is no longer engaged by the Member of which it is the Representative. 14.9 Transition Notwithstanding clause 14.1: (a) the number of Directors shall at the first Annual General Meeting be reduced to 7 with the retirement of 5 directors (as determined by lottery), and only 3 shall new Directors shall be reappointed to the Board, provided always that (2) two of the Directors on the Board shall be BCA nominated Representatives; (b) the number of Directors shall, at the second Annual General Meeting be reduced to 5, with the retirement of 4 Directors (determined by lottery), and the appointment of (2) two Directors. One (1) of Directors on the Board shall be a Blind Citizen Australia Representative; 15. POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS 15.1 Directors Manage the Business Subject to the Law and to any other provision of this Constitution, the business of the Company shall be managed by the Directors, who may pay all expenses incurred in promoting and forming the Company, and may exercise all such powers of the Company as are not, by the Law or by this Constitution, required to be exercised by the Company in general meeting. 15.2 All Powers Without limiting the generality of Sub-Rule 15.1, the Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money, to charge any property or business of the Company or all or any of its uncalled capital and to issue debentures or give any other security for a debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any other person. 15.3 Appointment of Attorney The Directors may, by power of attorney, appoint any person or persons to be the attorney or attorneys of the Company for such purposes, with such powers, authorities and discretions (being powers, authorities and discretions vested in or exercisable by the Directors), for such period and subject to such conditions as they think fit. 15.4 Provisions of Power of Attorney Any such power of attorney may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of persons dealing with the attorney as the Directors think fit and may also authorise the attorney to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in him. 15.5 By-laws The Board may make by-laws for the Company for matters for which they are required by this Constitution. The Board may also make any other by-laws it considers necessary to run the Company properly as long as they are in keeping with this Constitution and with the law. The Board may change or repeal by-laws. Members must follow all by-laws until they are repealed either by the Board or by a resolution at a General Meeting. 15.6 Cheques and Promissory Notes All cheques, promissory notes, bankers drafts, bills of exchange and other negotiable instruments, and all receipts for money paid to the Company, shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed, as the case may be: (a) by any two (2) Directors; or (b) in such other manner as the Directors determine from time to time. 16. PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS 16.1 Use of Technology The Directors of the Company may hold a meeting at two (2) or more venues using any technology that gives the Directors as a whole a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and allows the parties present to hear and be heard by each other person present and adjourn and otherwise regulate the meeting as they determine. 16.2 Directors Meetings Any Director may at any time, and the secretary must upon the request of the Director, convene a meeting of the Directors. A notice of meeting of the Directors shall be sent in writing to each Director of the company within seven (7) days of receipt of that requisition. The notice may also be given by telephone or other electronic means of communication. The notice shall specify: (a) the date (which shall be within a reasonable time of the notice), time and place for the proposed meeting; and (b) the nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting. 16.3 Quorum Unless otherwise determined by the Directors, a quorum at a meeting of Directors shall consist of not less than 50% of the Directors entitled to vote on any motion that may be moved by the meeting. 16.4 Vacancy in the Office of Director In the event of a vacancy or vacancies in the office of a Director or offices of Directors, the remaining Directors may act but, if the number of remaining Directors is not sufficient to constitute a quorum at a meeting of Directors, they may act only for the purpose of increasing the number of Directors to a number sufficient to constitute such a quorum or of convening a general meeting of the Company. 16.5 Office of Chairman The Directors shall elect one (1) of their number as chairman of their meetings and may determine the period for which the chairman so elected is to hold office. 16.6 Appointment of Chairman Where such a meeting is held and: (a) a chairman has not been elected as provided for in these Rules; or (b) the chairman is not present within fifteen (15) minutes after the time appointed for the holding of the meeting or is unwilling to act then the Directors present shall elect one (1) of their number to be chairman of the meeting. 16.7 Circular Resolution If all of the Directors have signed a document containing a statement that they are in favour of a resolution of the Directors in terms set out in the document, a resolution in those terms shall be deemed to have been passed at a meeting of the Directors held on the day and at the time at which the document was signed by all of the Directors or, if the Directors signed the document on different days, on the day on which, and at the time at which, the document was last signed by the last Director to sign the document. 16.8 Documents forming resolution For the purposes of Sub-Rule 16.7, two (2) or more separate documents containing statements in identical terms each of which is signed by one (1) or more Directors shall together be deemed to constitute one (1) document containing a statement in those terms signed by those Directors on the respective days on which they signed the separate documents. A reference to all of the Directors does not include a reference to a Director who, at a meeting of Directors, would not be entitled to vote on the resolution. 16.9 Remedy of Defects All acts done by any meeting of the Directors or of a committee of Directors or by any person acting as a Director are, notwithstanding that it is afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of a person to be a Director or a member of the committee, or to act as, a Director, or that a person so appointed was disqualified, is valid as if the person had been duly appointed and was qualified to be a Director or to be a member of the committee. 16.10 Minutes The Directors shall cause proper minutes to be made of all general meetings of the Company and also of all appointments of officers and of the proceedings of all meetings of Directors and committees and of the attendance thereat and business transacted at such meetings, and any such minutes of any meeting if purporting to be signed by the chairman of such meeting or by the chairman of the next succeeding meeting shall be conclusive evidence without any further proof of the matters therein stated. 17. ALTERNATE DIRECTORS 17.1 Appointment of an Alternate A Director may, with the approval of the other Directors, appoint a person who meets the criteria for being a Director prescribed in Rule 14.5 to be an alternate Director in his place during such period as he thinks fit. 17.2 Notice of Meetings An alternate Director is entitled to notice of meetings of the Directors and, if the appointor is not present at such a meeting, is entitled to attend and vote in the appointor’s stead. 17.3 Power of Alternate An alternate Director may exercise any powers that the appointor may exercise and the exercise of any such power by the alternate Director shall be deemed to be the exercise of the power by the appointor. 17.4 Termination of Appointment The appointment of an alternate Director may be terminated at any time by the appointor notwithstanding that the period of the appointment of the alternate Director has not expired, and terminates in any event if the appointor vacates office as a Director. 17.5 Vacation An alternate Director shall ipso facto vacate office if the Director by whom he is appointed is removed or otherwise ceases to hold office as a Director for any reason. 17.6 Responsibility An alternate Director shall whilst acting as Director be responsible to the Company for his own acts and defaults and shall not be deemed to be the agent of the Director by whom he was appointed. 17.7 No remuneration An Alternate Director shall not be entitled as such to receive any remuneration from the Company. 18. COMMITTEE 18.1 Delegation to Committee The Directors may delegate any of their powers to a committee or committees consisting of such of their number as they think fit. 18.2 Powers of Committee A committee to which any powers have been so delegated shall exercise the powers delegated in accordance with any directions of the Directors and a power so exercised shall be deemed to have been exercised by the Directors. 18.3 Committee Chairman The members of such a committee may elect one (1) of their number as chairman of their meetings. 18.4 Election of Chairman Where such a meeting is held and: (a) a chairman has not been elected as provided by Sub-Rule 18.3; or (b) the chairman is not present within fifteen (15) minutes after the time appointed for the holding of the meeting or is unwilling to act, the members present may elect one (1) of their number to be chairman of the meeting. 18.5 Decision by Majority Questions arising at a meeting of a committee shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members present and voting. 18.6 Equality of Votes In the case of an equality of votes, the chairman, will not have a casting vote. 18.7 Committee to self regulate A Committee may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper. 19. COMMON SEAL 19.1 Election to Adopt Company Seal The Directors may resolve that the Company adopt a common seal. If the Company adopts a common seal, the Company shall set out on the common seal: (a) if the Company has its ACN as its name - the Company’s name; or (b) in all other cases the Company's name, the expression “Australian Company Number” and its ACN. 19.2 Duplicate Common Seal The Directors may resolve to adopt a duplicate common seal. The duplicate common seal shall be a copy of the common seal with the words "Duplicate Seal", "Share Seal" or "Certificate Seal" added to the original common seal. 19.3 Prohibited Use A Director shall not use, or authorise the use of, a seal which purports to be the common seal of the Company (or a duplicate of the common seal) if the common seal does not comply with the requirements of this Rule. 20. SECRETARY 20.1 Appointment The Secretary of the Company shall be appointed by the Directors upon such terms and conditions as the Directors think fit. The Directors may at any time appoint a person as an additional Secretary or as acting Secretary or as a temporary substitute for the Secretary who shall for the purposes of these Rules be deemed to be the Secretary. 21. ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS Immediately after each Annual General Meeting the Board of Directors will elect from among them: (a) a Chairman; (b) a Vice-Chairman; (c) a Secretary; and (d) a Treasurer. Provided however that, whilst BCA remains a member of the Company, one of the 4 positions is filled by a Representative nominated by BCA. 22. INTERESTED DIRECTORS 22.1 Interested Directors not disqualified Provided that a Director of the Company who is in any way whether directly or indirectly interested in a contract or proposed contract with the Company or in any contract or arrangement entered into by or on behalf of the Company has declared the nature of his interest at a meeting of the Directors of the Company and the Board of Directors has at any time passed the resolution that: (a) specifies the Director, the interest in the matter; and (b) states that the Directors voting for the resolution are satisfied that the interest should not disqualify the Director from considering or voting on the matter, then: (i) that Director shall not be disqualified by his office from contracting with the Company either as vendor, purchaser or otherwise; (ii) no contract made by that Director with the Company and no contract or arrangement entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which that Director is in any way interested shall be avoided by reason only of such Director holding his office or of the fiduciary relationship thereby established; (iii) that Director so contracting or being so interested shall not be liable to account to the Company for any profit realised by any such contract or arrangement by reason only of such Director holding his office or of the fiduciary relationship thereby established; and (iv) that Director may in respect of any contract or arrangement in which he is so interested as aforesaid and may in relation thereto:- A. vote; B. execute any deed or document whatsoever on behalf of the Company; and C. count in a quorum. 22.2 Sufficient disclosure A general notice that a Director is a Director or Member of any specified Company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in all subsequent transactions with such Company or firm shall be sufficient disclosure under these Rules in relation to any contract, proposed contract or arrangement so made with such Company or firm. 22.3 Other office may be held A Director may hold any other office or place of profit, except that of auditor, in the Company in conjunction with his directorship and may be appointed thereto upon such terms as to remuneration, tenure of office and otherwise as may be arranged by the Directors. 22.4 Professional Director may act Any Director may act by himself or his firm in a professional capacity for the Company, and he or his firm shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if he were not a Director. 23. ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT 23.1 Proper records kept The Directors shall cause proper accounting and other records to be kept. A balance sheet and profit and loss account shall be prepared and distributed to all Members at least once per annum. 23.2 Members to have access All Members have the right to examine and inspect any books records or accounts of the Company at any reasonable time. 23.3 Auditor The Company shall appoint an auditor or auditors, and his or their duties shall be regulated in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). 24. RESERVES 24.1 General The Directors may write off from the earnings of the Company such amount for loss or depreciation of any of the Company's property as they think fit or set aside out of the profits of the Company such sums as they think proper as a reserve fund to meet contingencies or for repairing improving and maintaining any of the property of the Company and for such purposes as the Directors in their discretion think conducive to the interests of the Company and may invest lend or dispose of the sums so set aside in any way they think fit and may from time to time deal with and vary such investments and dispose of all or any part thereof for the benefit of the Company and may divide the reserve fund into such special funds as they think fit with full power to employ the assets constituting the reserve fund in the business of the Company and without being bound to keep the same separate from other assets. 25. NOTICES 25.1 Form of Notices Notices given under this Constitution shall be in writing; (a) signed by the party giving the notice or its authorised representative; and (b) addressed to the Notice Address of the person to whom it is to be given. 25.2 Method and address for giving Notices. Notices must be either: (a) delivered by hand; (b) posted by pre-paid security or certified mail; (c) transmitted by facsimile; or (d) receipted by email, to the Notice Address of the person receiving the notice. 25.3 Time of receipt (a) A notice given to a person in accordance with these Rules is deemed to have been given and received if: (b) delivered, on the day of delivery if delivered before 5:00pm on a business day, otherwise on the next business day; (c) posted by pre-paid security mail or certified mail, on the second day after the day on which the notice was accepted by the post office from the person sending the notice; or (d) transmitted by facsimile: (i) the transmission report states that it was sent in full and without error; and (ii) no objection is received from the recipient; on the day of transmission if that report states that the transmission was completed before 5:00pm on a business day, otherwise on the next business day. 25.4 Objection to facsimile A person receiving a facsimile transmission may object to the facsimile transmission as not being fully intelligible. If a valid objection is made to a facsimile transmission and that person requests re-transmission before 5:00pm on the next business day after completion of the facsimile transmission, the person sending the facsimile transmission shall retransmit it, but any re-transmission is deemed to have been made at the time of completion of the original facsimile transmission. If a time restriction is placed, by reference to the date of receipt of the facsimile transmission, on the performance of an obligation or the exercise of a right by the person who makes the valid objection to a facsimile transmission, the time restriction for performance of the obligation or the exercise of the right is deemed extended by a corresponding time period to the time between the original transmission and re-transmission of the facsimile. 25.5 Advertisement required If a Member has no registered address within Australia, a notice addressed to the Member and advertised in a morning newspaper published in the Capital City of the State in which the Member last had a registered address shall be deemed to be duly given to the Member at noon on the day on which the advertisement appears. 25.6 Eligibility to receive notices Notice of every general meeting shall be given in some manner hereinbefore authorised to:- (a) every Member except those Members who have no registered address in Australia; (b) the chairman of Directors for the time being of the Company; and (c) the auditor for the time being of the Company. 25.7 No others No other persons shall be entitled to receive notice of general meetings. 26. AMENDMENTS OR ALTERATIONS TO THIS CONSTITUTION The directors undertake to notify the Commissioner of Taxation in writing of any alteration to this Constitution within 30 days of such alteration. 27. INDEMNITY 27.1 Director against liability To the extent permitted by the Law, the Company may indemnify a Director or officer of the Company or any related body corporate against: (a) any liability incurred by the Director or officer, in their capacity as a Director or officer, to a person other than the Company or a related body corporate, except where the liability relates to a lack of good faith; or (b) any liability for legal costs or expenses incurred by the Director or officer in defending proceedings (whether civil or criminal) in which judgement is given in favour of the Director or officer, the Director or officer is acquitted or the court grants relief to the Director or officer under the Law. 27.2 Payment of Insurance The Company will insure, or pay any premiums on a policy of insurance for, a Director or officer of the Company or of a related body corporate against: (a) any liability incurred by the Director or officer, in their capacity as a Director or officer, to the Company except where the liability relates to a wilful breach of duty to the Company or a contravention of Section 181 - 184 of the Law. (b) any liability for legal costs or expenses incurred by the Director or officer in defending proceedings (whether civil or criminal) against the Director or officer in their capacity as a Director or officer. 27.3 Resolution to Grant Indemnity A Director may vote in favour of a resolution that the Company grant an indemnity, take insurance or pay the premiums on an insurance policy even though the Director has a direct and material interest in the outcome of the resolution. ?? ?? ?? ?? Australian Blindness Forum Constitution Australian Blindness Forum Constitution Page 24 Australian Blindness Forum Constitution Page 1