TOPSA Constitution Review and Update

On 26 November 2012, the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (and its associated Regulations) replaced the Associations Incorporation Act 1981.

Pursuant to legislation there are new items that the Association's rules must address: 
  • the association's name and purposes
  • members’ rights and obligations
  • procedures for resignation and cessation of membership
  • the process for appointment and termination of the secretary
  • preparing and keeping minutes of general and committee meetings
  • enabling members to access minutes of general meetings, including financial statements submitted at a general meeting
  • right of members’ access (if any is specified in the rules) to committee meeting minutes

Further information regarding adapting to the new incorporated association rules can be found on the website of Consumer Affairs Victoria. 

The TOPSA Committee undertook a detailed review of the current constitution, adopted in 2004, in preparation a new Constitution more accurately reflecting the Associations and changes that have occurred over the past ten years. 

The Committee used the Model Rules, provided by Consumer Affairs of Victoria, as the basis for the new constitution amending and adding relevant provisions as required. 

This proposed constitution was adopted by special resolution at the Annual General Meeting of the Association on 14th November 2013. 
The following documents pertain to new constitution: