Meeting:2023 AGM/Rules amendments
Special Resolution to change the Wikimedia Australia Rules of Association
The WMAU Board propose two changes to the rules of Association to be voted on at a Special Resolution at the AGM.
- That Wikimedia Australia adopt the 2012 model rules with minor amendments
- That the Term of Office for committee members be extended to two years (and other minor amendments).
1. Adopt 2012 Model Rules of Association (Victoria)
Wikimedia Australia is an Association incorporated in Victoria in 2008. The current WMAU rules are based on the 1981 Model Rules of Association with various amendments made over time. The Rules of Association and the Act were completely revised by Consumer Affairs Victoria in 2012 and although WMAU has made amendments over the last decade we have not adopted the 2012 rules and there are many inconsistencies between our current rules and the 2012 rules (a comparison between the rules is available here). To ensure WMAU is operating according to current rules we propose:
- Resolution 1. That WMAU adopts the 2012 Model Rules for an Incorporated Association (Consumer Affairs Victoria) including current purposes of the Association (as per the attached rules).
2. Change Term of Office for Committee members to two years.
WMAU committee members are currently elected on an annual basis and the 2012 Model rules also have one year term of office. However WMAU now receives funding on three year cycles with many decisions carrying over from one year to the next. To ensure greater continuity, stability and long term planning we propose introducing two year terms with approximately half of the committee to be elected each year. We also propose a maximum of 8 years continuous service (with a maximum total of 16 years) and that members provide their name and address (which is also in the current rules). Otherwise the 2012 Model rules are unchanged.
- Resolution 2. That the following amendments to the Term of Office for Committee members and other minor amendments be accepted.
- The text to be adopted is in red below.
- These amendments are shown in red in the attached 2012 rules WMAU Rules of Association Revised 2023.pdf);
- or in Purple in the current WMAU Rules (Rules 20, 21 and 22).
- 9. Application for membership
- (2) The application—
- (aa) must include the name, address and email address of the applicant; 53. Election of ordinary members
- (1) The annual general meeting must by resolution decide the number of ordinary members of the Committee (if any) it wishes to hold office for the term of office, as provided for in subrule 55(1).
- (2) The application—
- 55. Term of office
- (1) Subject to subrule (3) and rule 56:
- (a) a committee member elected at an annual general meeting holds office until the end of the second annual general meeting after the committee member’s election;
- (b) the President and Secretary elected at the first annual general meeting under these rules holds office only until the end of the next annual general meeting.
- (2) Subject to subrule (6), any member of the Committee may be re-elected.
- Rules 3, 4 and 5 as per model rules
- (6) A committee member may serve for up to 4 terms of office (consecutively or non-consecutively), and then, after a gap of at least one term of office, for no more than a further 4 terms of office (consecutively or non-consecutively).
- (1) Subject to subrule (3) and rule 56:
- 9. Application for membership