About the Network of Public Sector Communicators

Committee Members

There are currently ten members of the Network committee:

Cathy Trewby is the Secretary of the Network. You can also reach Cathy by:

  • (04) 389 3825 - evenings
  • 027 425 5334 (due to study/lecture commitments this phone is not always on but please leave a message).
  • PO Box 10638 WELLINGTON

CONSTITUTION

Name

The name of the organisation shall be "The Network of Public Sector Communicators", commonly known as "The Network".

Aims

To provide, by the participation and contribution of members and the organisation of meetings and activities, a professional network for friendship and encouragement, and sharing of resources, information, contacts and experience, with the aim of improving the quality of public sector communications.

Members

People eligible to be members are:

  1. Information communication professionals from public sector and local body organisations, state owned enterprises and related organisations.
  2. Other professionals with a background in public sector communications, within or outside the workforce, who support the aims of The Network.

Application for Membership

Applications for membership shall be approved by the Committee.

Subscriptions

The amount of subscriptions shall be set by the Annual General Meeting.

Distribution of Funds

No payment or distribution of funds may be made to any person except in payment for services rendered or disbursements on behalf of The Network. All payments for services must be reasonable for the service/s performed.

Voting Rights

Each financial member shall be entitled to vote at any Annual or Special General Meeting of members.

Each member of the Committee shall be entitled to vote at meetings of the Committee.

Committee

A Committee made up of a Coordinator, a Deputy Coordinator, and a minimum of four (4) members shall be elected by the Annual General Meeting.

The Committee may co-opt further members as may be required during the year, and to fill committee vacancies caused by resignation or failure of a member to attend three meetings without reasonable explanation.

Term of Office

The Coordinator's term of office shall be for a maximum of two (2) years.

Secretary/Treasurer

A paid Secretary/Treasurer shall be appointed by the Committee each year to:

  1. Organise and publicise activities.
  2. Maintain the mailing list.
  3. Write and distribute the newsletter.
  4. Write and circulate minutes.
  5. Maintain The Network's accounts, bank accounts and balance sheet.
  6. Ensure there are sufficient committee members authorised to sign cheques on behalf of the Network.
  7. Perform other Secretary/Treasurer duties as required.

The Secretary/Treasurer shall not be a voting member of the Committee.

The remuneration for the Secretary/Treasurer shall be set by the Committee.

Quorum

Ten (10) members shall form a quorum at any Annual or Special General Meeting of members, and four (4) members shall form a quorum at any meeting of the Committee.

General Meetings of Members

The Annual General Meeting shall be held no later than 31 October.

The Committee may call a Special General Meeting whenever it thinks fit.

A Special General Meeting shall be called by the Secretary/Treasurer within four (4) weeks of receipt of a written request signed by ten (10) members, for a Special General Meeting for a specified purpose.

Members shall be given two (2) weeks notice in writing of every Annual General Meeting and every Special General Meeting.

Committee Meetings

The Committee shall meet at places suitable to the elected members at least once in every two calendar months.

Decisions at Committee Meetings shall be by majority vote.

Amendment to Constitution

Amendment to the Constitution may only be made by an Annual or Special General Meeting of members.

Written notice of Amendment to the Constitution shall be given to members at least three (3) weeks prior to the Annual or Special General Meeting.

No addition to or alteration of the non-profit aims, personal benefit clause or the winding up clause shall be approved without the approval of the Inland Revenue Department. The provisions and the effect of this clause shall not be removed from this document and shall be included and implied in any document replacing this document.

Annual Report and Balance Sheet

At each Annual General Meeting the Committee shall present a Report, and an audited Balance Sheet and Statement of Income and Expenditure for the preceding year. The financial year shall be from 1 April to 31 March.

Professional Integrity

The Network aims to provide a professional forum for people concerned with information communication in the public sector. The making of contacts is valid within this aim but meetings of The Network are NOT to be used directly to solicit business.

Notwithstanding the above, the Committee may plan meetings with speakers or workshops where people display their commercial goods or services which could be of interest to members.

Winding Up

A decision to wind up The Network shall only be made by a General Meeting of Members. In the event of a winding up being proceeded with, the General Meeting shall decide the issue of disposal of any assets held. These may be gifted to one or more groups with similar aims, that also have income tax exemption, or for some other charitable purpose within New Zealand. No member or employee of The Network may personally benefit in the event of a winding up.


Christine Seymour
Co-ordinator
22 November 2000.