ASSOCIATIONS INCORPORATIONS ACT, 1984
OBJECTS AND RULES OF
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS SOCCER REFEREES INCORPORATED
ADOPTED NOVEMBER 24TH, 2002.
(AFFILIATED TO NEW SOUTH WALES SOCCER REFEREES INC.)
OBJECTS. 4
PART 1. – PRELIMINARY.
1. NAME. 5
2. INTERPRETATION. 5
PART 2. – MEMBERSHIP.
3. MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS. 6
4. CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP. 7
5. MEMBERSHIP ENTITLEMENTS NOT TRANSFERABLE. 7
6. RESIGNATION OF MEMBERSHIP. 7
7. REGISTER OF MEMBERS. 7
8. MEMBERS’ OBLIGATIONS. 7
9. ANNUAL AFFILIATION FEES. 8
10. MEMBERS’ LIABILITIES. 8
11. LIFE MEMBERS. 8
12 DISCIPLINING. 8
13 RIGHT OF APPEAL OF MEMBER OR OFFICIAL. 9
14. JURISDICTION. 10
PART 3. – THE COMMITTEE AND OFFICIALS.
15. COMMITTEES AND OFFICIALS. 11
16. THE FUNCTIONS OF COMMITTEES. 11
17. VOTING AND DECISIONS OF COMMITTEES. 12
18. DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF OFFICIALS. 13
19. TERMS OF OFFICE. 15
20. ELECTIONS OF OFFICIALS. 15
21. CASUAL VACANCIES. 16
22. REMOVAL OF AN OFFICIAL. 16
PART 4. – GENERAL MEETINGS.
23. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - HOLDING OF. 17
24. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – CALLING OF AND BUSINESS AT. 17
25. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS – CALLING OF. 18
26. GENERAL MEETINGS. 18
27. DELEGATION BY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE TO SUB-COMMITTEE. 19
28. NOTICE. 19
29. PROCEDURE. 20
30. PRESIDING MEMBER. 20
31 ADJOURNMENT. 20
32. MAKING OF DECISIONS. 21
33. SPECIAL RESOLUTION. 21
34. VOTING. 21
PART 5. – MISCELLANEOUS.
35. INSURANCE. 22
36. FUNDS – SOURCE. 22
37 FUNDS MANAGEMENTS. 22
38. AUDITOR. 22
39. ALTERATIONS OF OBJECTS AND RULES. 22
40. COMMON SEAL. 23
41. CUSTODY OF BOOKS, ETC. 23
42. INSPECTION OF BOOKS, ETC. 23
43. SERVICE OF NOTICES. 23
44. SURPLUS PROPERTY. 23
45. REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES AND HONORARIUMS. 23
46. CONDUCT OF MEETINGS. 24
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS SOCCER REFEREES INCORPORATED.
ADOPTED ON THE 24TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2002.
ASSOCIATIONS INCORPORATIONS ACT, 1984.
OBJECTS OF
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS SOCCER REFEREES INCORPORATED.
OBJECTS:
(a) To improve the status of Referees.
(b) To improve the quality of refereeing by assisting Members in their educational work in maintaining a high standard and the re-grading of Members.
(c) To promote a closer relationship between Referees and Soccer football Associations and kindred organizations and to make such representations to the aforementioned bodies, as may be deemed necessary, for the good of the game and the benefits of referees and refereeing.
(d) To adopt the Laws of the Game as promulgated by F.I.F.A. and / or the National Football Association.
(e) To assist or take action, as deemed necessary, for and on behalf of any Member unfairly or unjustly treated.
(f) To ensure the uniformity of interpretations of the Laws of the Game, standardisation of officiating at matches, referees gradings and match dress.
(g) To seek and maintain affiliations to those organizations as determined by this Branch as appropriate.
(h) To do all such other things as are incident or conductive to attainment of the Objects of the Branch.
NEW SOUTH WALES
ASSOCIATIONS INCORPORATIONS ACT, 1984.
RULES OF
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS SOCCER REFEREES INCORPORATED.
PART 1.
PRELIMINARY.
This body shall be called “Southern Districts Soccer Referees Incorporated”, and shall be referred to throughout these Rules and By-Laws as “this / the Branch”.
In these Rules, except in so far as the context or subject matter otherwise indicates or requires:-
(a) “Member” means a Person qualified and admitted to membership of this Branch under these Rules.
(b) “Secretary” means the person holding office under these Rules as Secretary and Public Officer of this Branch.
(c) “General Meeting” means a General Meeting, Special General Meeting, Annual General Meeting of this Branch.
(d) “The Act” means the Associations Incorporations Act, 1984.
(e) “The Regulation” means the Associations Incorporations Regulations, 1985.
(f) “A.S.R.F.” means the Australian Soccer Referees Federation.
(g) “N.S.W.S.R. Inc.” means the New South Wales Soccer Referees Incorporated.
(h) “F.I.F.A.” means the Federation Internationale De Football Association.
(i) “S.A.” means Soccer Australia.
(j) “N.S.W.A.S.F.” means the New South Wales Amateur Soccer Federation.
(k) “Southern Districts” MEANS Southern Districts Soccer Football Association Incorporated.
(l) “Executive Committee” means the Committee of this Branch constituted under Rule 15.
(m) “Official” means a person holding office under Rule 15.
(n) “Delegate” means a person elected by the Branch to represent them at any meeting for which they were elected.
(o) “Poll” means secret voting.
(p) In these rules:-
A reference to a function includes a reference to a power, authority and duty; and a reference to the exercise of a function includes, where a function is a duty, a reference to the performance of the duty.
(q) The provisions of the Interpretations Act 1987, apply to and in respect of these Rules in the same manner as those provisions would apply if these Rules were an instrument made under the Act.
Words importing the singular or plural number or the masculine or feminine gender shall where the context permits, include the plural or singular number or the feminine or masculine genders as the case may be.
MEMBERSHIP.
3. MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS.
(a) The membership of this Branch shall consist of :-
(i) Such persons as have been accepted in accordance with these Rules and shall be restricted to approved Referees as recognised by this Branch.
(ii) Duly elected Life Members.
(b) Application for Membership:
(i) Each applicant approved for membership, shall submit to and pass the examination as set by the examination board; or
(ii) A member of another Referees Branch, having passed the required examination and having been graded, shall submit an application to the Branch Secretary.
(iii) The Secretary shall refer the application to the Executive Committee which shall examine the application and make a recommendation to the Branch for their determination.
(iv) Upon being elected for membership, the applicant shall pay to the Secretary within 14 days, the required sum payable under these Rules by a member as an Affiliation Fee.
(v) The Secretary, on payment by the applicant of the amount referred to in clause (iv) shall enter the applicants name in the Register of Members and upon the name being so entered, the applicant becomes a Member of this Branch.
4.CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP.
A Member ceases to be a member of this Branch if that Member:-
(a) Resigns that Membership, or
(b) Is expelled from this Branch, or
(c) Fails to pay their Affiliation Fee by December 31st of each year.
5. MEMBERSHIP ENTITLEMENTS NOT TRANSFERABLE.
A right, privilege or obligation which a Member or Official has by reason of being a member of this Branch:-
(a) Is not capable of being transferred or transmitted to another Member or Official, and
(b)Terminates upon cessation of membership of the Member or Official.
6.RESIGNATION OF MEMBERSHIP.
(a) A member of this Branch is not entitled to resign that Membership except in accordance with this Rule.
(b) A Member of this Branch who has paid all games dues and any fines payable by them to this Branch may resign from Membership of this Branch by giving notice in writing to the Secretary of the Branch. Upon receiving a clearance from the Secretary of the Branch, the Member ceases to hold Membership.
7. REGISTER OF MEMBERS.
(a) The Secretary shall keep a Register of Members affiliated with the Branch together with their Address, Date of Birth, Date of Theory Exam and Field Tests and Class of Certificates held.
(b) The Register of Members shall be kept by the Secretary of this Branch and shall be open to inspection, by the members at any time mutually agreed between the Secretary and the Member.
(c) The Secretary shall maintain a register of suspended members and keep the N.S.W.S.R. Inc. advised of such suspensions.
8. MEMBER OBLIGATIONS.
(a) This Branch shall recognise the suspensions of Members of other Branches as advised by the Registrar of the N.S.W.S.R. Inc.
(b) Members of this Branch shall not officiate in another Branch’s domestic games without the approval of the other Branch concerned; or
(c) Have been appointed to games by the Appointments Board of this Branch.
(d) Members who are registered players/coaches/managers or officials of a club or association and who are registered with a Football Body as such and who are subsequently suspended by that body, may have that suspension recognised by this Branch.
(e) This Branch shall recognise Life Members of other Branches and the N.S.W.S.R. Inc.
(f) Each Member of this Branch shall be bound by the Rules of the Branch and any By-Laws, which are and maybe in-force from time to time.
9. ANNUAL AFFILIATION FEES.
(a) Each member shall pay an Annual Affiliation Fee, which shall be determined at each Annual General Meeting. This fee shall be due and payable by the 1st of January each year or paid on application to become a Member of this Branch.
(b) All membership of the Branch ceases on December 31 of each year.
10. MEMBER LIABILITIES.
The liability of a Member of this Branch to contribute towards the payment of debts and liabilities of this Branch is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid by the Member in respect of Membership of this Branch as required by Rule 9 and any outstanding games dues and levies.
11. LIFE MEMBERSHIP.
(a) This Branch may elect one only Life Member, per season.
(b) Life Members shall only be considered after a minimum of ten (10) years meritorious service to this Branch and / or to the Unincorporated Body.
(c) Members shall submit their nomination in writing to the Secretary no later than the 31st of August. On receipt of a nomination the Executive Committee shall investigate and make recommendations to the next general meeting and the Executive Committee reserves the right to withhold the naming of the successful recipient until a date off their choice, which must be within the year that it was awarded.
(d) A Life Member shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the Branch.
12. DISCIPLINING.
(a) This Branch shall be empowered to take any action against any Member or Official of the Branch in accordance with this rule.
(b) Where the Executive Committee is of the opinion that a Member or Official:-
(i)Has refused or neglected to comply with a provision of these Rules; or
(ii) Has wilfully acted in a manner prejudicial to the interest of this Branch or refereeing in general; or
(iii) Has refused or neglected to comply with a provision of the By-Laws.
The Executive Committee may, by resolution:-
( c) Cause a notice in writing to be served on a member or Official:-
(i) Setting out the resolution of the Executive Committee and the grounds on which it is based.
(ii) Stating that the Member or Official may address the Executive Committee at a meeting to be held not earlier than 7 days and not later than 28 days after service of notice.
(iii) Stating the date, place and time of that meeting; and
(iv) Informing the Member or Official that they may do either or all of the following:-
(a) Attend and speak at that meeting.
(b) Submit to the Executive Committee at or prior to the date of that meeting written representations relating to the resolution
(d) At a meeting of the Executive Committee held as referred to in clause ( c) , the Executive Committee shall:-
(i) Give to the Member or Official an opportunity to make oral representations;
(ii) Give due consideration to any written representations submitted by the member or Official;
(iii) Give due consideration to any oral representation from any person with an interest in the matter.
(e) The Executive Committee may by Resolution:-
(i) Refer the matter to the Management Committee of the Branch for their determination; or
(ii) Suspend the Member or Official for a specified period: or
(iii) Impose a fine or censure the Member or Official; or
(iv) Expel the Member or Official from this Branch; or
(v) Make such other directives as deemed necessary in the matter before it.
(f) A resolution made under clause (e) does not take effect:-
(i) Until the expiration of the period within which the Member or Official is entitled to appeal against the resolution, where the Member or Official does not exercise the right of appeal, within that period; or
(ii) Where within that period the Member or Official exercises the right of appeal, unless and until the resolution is confirmed by the Appeals Committee.
13. RIGHT OF APPEAL OF MEMBER OR OFFICIAL.
(a) A Member or Official may appeal to the Appeals Committee of the Branch against a resolution of the Executive Committee within 7 days after the resolution was passed by the Executive Committee, by lodging with the Secretary a notice to that effect.
(i) The notice shall state the grounds upon which the appeal is made;
(ii) Legal representation shall only be permitted at any hearing of the Executive Committee or Appeals Committee upon the lodgement of a fee in accordance with the By-Laws.
(b) Upon the receipt of a notice, from a Member or Official under clause (a), the Secretary shall notify the Appeals Committee, which shall meet within 21 days after the date on which the Secretary received the notice.
( c) At an Appeals Committee Meeting of this Branch convened under clause (b);-
(i) No business other than the question of the Appeal shall be transacted,
and
(ii) The Executive Committee, Member or Official shall be given the opportunity to state their respective cases orally or in writing, or both:
and
(iii) The appeals Committee shall vote on the question of wether the Resolution should be confirmed, revoked or varied.
(d) The Appeals Committee shall cause a letter of their decision to be sent to the Member or Official within 7 days of their meeting.
(e) A Member or Official that has had a Resolution of the Executive Committee confirmed or varied by the Appeals Committee, may appeal to the N.S.W.S.R. Inc.
14. JURISDICTION.
The Jurisdiction of the Branch shall cover all Branch Officers, Officials, Members of sub – committees and all Members of the Branch.
PART 3.
THE COMMITTEES AND OFFICIALS.
15. COMMITTEES AND OFFICIALS.
(a) Committees of this Branch shall comprise:-
(i) Executive:-
President
Secretary
Treasurer
(ii) Management:-
President
Senior Vice President
Junior Vice President
Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Treasurer
Examination Board Chairperson
Appointments Board Chairperson
Assistant Appointments Officer
(iii) Appeal:-
Senior Vice President
Plus 4 members over 18 years of age, not being members of the Management Committee.
(iv) Examination Board:-
Chairperson
Appointments Board Chairperson
Members appointed by Chairperson
(v) Appointments Board:-
Chairperson
Examination Board Chairperson
Assistant Appointments Officer
Members appointed by Chairperson.
(b) Officials of this Branch shall comprise:-
(i) Those persons mentioned in Rule 15 (a) that are members of Committees; and
(ii) The following persons:-
Examination Lecturers
Inspectors
Delegates of this Branch as required
Equipment Officer
Publicity Officer
16. THE FUNCTIONS OF COMMITTEES.
The functions of Committee/s shall be:-
(a) The Executive Committee of this Branch, subject to the Act, the Regulation and these Rules and to any resolution passed by this Branch at any general meeting:-
(i) Shall control and manage the affairs of this Branch;
(ii) May exercise all such functions as may be exercised by this Branch other than those functions that are required by these Rules to be exercised by the Appeals Committee or by a general meeting of Members of this Branch; and
(iii) has power to perform all such acts and do all such things as appear to the Executive Committee to be deemed necessary or desirable for the proper management of the affairs of this Branch;
(iv) Shall report their actions to the next General Meeting.
(b) The Management Committee shall meet as required with a quorum of five (5) required to hold a meeting. The Secretary may call a meeting by giving where possible 24 hours notice to members of the committee; they shall
(i) Attend to any matters as directed by the members;
(ii) Consider matters that are of general concern to this Branch and Members;
(iii) Shall report their actions to the next General Meeting;
(iv) Shall meet at least monthly for the period February to November inclusive.
( c) The Appeals Committee shall hear any appeal referred to it in accordance with Rule 13; and
(i) The Senor Vice President shall chair the Committee and will be responsible to implement procedures as per Rule 13.
(ii) When the Senior Vice President is unavailable to chair the committee, the Junior Vice President shall take the Chair, and will be responsible to implement procedures as per Rule 13.
(iii) No Appeals Committee member connected in any way with the origin of the appeal shall be eligible to sit on the appeal.
(iv) A quorum shall consist of three (3) members. Comprising of the Chairperson and two (2) of the four (4) other Committee Members.
(v) In the event that a Quorum cannot be achieved from the Members of the Committee, the Executive Committee shall appoint Branch Members over 18 years of age excluding the Management Committee Members to make such a quorum.
(d) The Examination Board shall be under the control of the Chairperson; and
(i) Shall be responsible as required for the control and co-ordination of all matters pertaining to the education, advancement and re-grading of all Members associated directly with refereeing;
(ii) Shall report their actions to the next General Meeting.
(e) The Appointments Board shall be under the control of the Chairperson; and
(i) Shall appoint referees and assistant referees (Subject to availability of members) to fixtures as per the draw provided by Southern Districts; and
(ii) Appoint referees and linesman to fixtures run by N.S.W.A.S.F.; and
(iii) Keep a record of all appointments and provide a copy of same to the Treasurer of the Branch.
17. VOTING AND DECISIONS OF COMMITTEES.
(a) Questions arising at a meeting of any Committee or of any sub-committee appointed by the Management Committee shall be determined by a majority vote of members of the Committee present at the meeting.
(b) Each member present at a meeting of any Committee or of any sub-committee (including the person presiding at the meeting) is entitled to one vote, but, in the event of an equality of votes on any question, the person presiding may exercise a second or casting vote.
(c) Any committee may act notwithstanding any vacancy on that committee.
(d) Any act or thing done or suffered, or purporting to have been done or suffered, by any Committee or any sub-committee appointed by the Management Committee, is valid and effective not withstanding any defect that may afterwards be discovered in appointment or qualification of any member of any Committee or sub-committee.
18. DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF OFFICIALS.
(a) The President shall be Chairperson at all meetings they attend, except the Appeals Committee, Examination Board and Appointments Board, and shall conduct such meetings in accordance with the Rules of this Branch; and
(i) They shall have the right to exercise their vote as a member and shall have a casting vote.
(ii) The President shall exercise a watching brief over the whole administration of this Branch and shall be responsible for the good order and discipline of this Branch.
(b) The Senior Vice President shall assist the President in their duties and shall act in their absence; and
(i)They shall act as Chairperson of the Appeals Committee subject to
Rule 16 ( c) (ii).
( c) The Junior Vice President in the absence of the President and/or the Senior Vice President shall act in their place at any meeting he attends.
(d) The duties of the Secretary shall be to administer the affairs of this Branch, as directed by the Executive Committee, Management Committee or Members, and as the Rules direct.
(i) To execute such other duties as may come within the province of the Secretary.
(ii) The Secretary shall sign and receive all correspondence and generally advance details of all written matters dealt with by the Executive Committee and Management Committee and report on any other matters dealt with by these Committees.
(iii) Shall act as Public Officer of the Branch.
(iv) Shall be an ex-officio member of all committees with no power to vote except where otherwise stated in these Rules.
(e) The Assistant Secretary shall assist the Secretary in their duties and shall act in their absence; and
(i) Keep a true minute of all general meetings and committee meetings.
(ii) Minutes of proceedings at a meeting shall be signed by the Chairperson of the meeting or by the chairman of the next succeeding meeting.
(f) It is the duty of the Treasurer of this Branch to ensure that:-
(i) All monies due to this Branch is collected and received and that all payments authorized by this Branch are made; and
(ii) Correct books and accounts are kept showing the financial affairs of this Branch including full details of all receipts and expenditure connected with the activities of this Branch.
(iii) They shall present reports at each General Meeting.
(iv) They shall cause the preparation of a Financial Statement covering the financial year to the 30th September, for audit and submission to the Annual General Meeting.
(g) The Examination Board Chairperson shall be responsible for the arrangement of instructional courses as required and the co-ordination of all matters pertaining to the advancement and re-grading of all Members associated with refereeing; and shall:-
(i) Hold a minimum Grade of N.S.W.S.R. Inc. Class 2 Theory with 2 years experience as a Class 2 Theory or higher.
(ii) Be responsible to co-ordinate inspectors/examiners for field assessment of Members.
(iii) Provide field assessments of members to the Appointments Board, which is necessary for that Board to fulfil their obligations under these Rules.
(iv) Be a member of the Appointments Board.
(h) The Appointments Board Chairperson shall be responsible for the appointment of Members to fixtures; and shall:-
(i) Be a senior member with at least two years experience in refereeing.
(ii) Provide that detail to the Treasurer necessary for him to fulfil his obligations under these Rules.
(iii) Be a member of the Examination Board.
(iv) The Assistant Appointments Officer shall assist the Appointments Board Chairperson by appointing Cadet Level members to fixtures and shall report all appointments to the Chairperson on a weekly basis.
(i) (i) The Equipment Officer will attend to the purchase of equipment and materials required by the Branch for its Members; and shall:
(i) Pay to the Treasurer all monies received from the sale of such equipment.
(ii) Keep a proper record of all Equipment and Materials purchased and sold.
(iii) Provide at the end of the Financial Year an itemised list showing the value of stock on hand.
(j) The Publicity Officer shall publicise the activities of the Branch so as to gain maximum advantage for the Branch. He shall also be responsible for the control, management and updating of the Branch website.
(k) Branch Delegates shall represent this Branch and attend such meetings of organizations to which they have been appointed; and
(i) They shall keep the Secretary informed (in writing) on all matters pertaining to this Branch that might be raised by the organization to which they are a delegate.
(ii) They shall make regular reports to the General Meetings of this Branch.
(l) Inspectors / Examiners shall carry out assessments of referees as directed by the Examination Board Chairperson and shall provide the appropriate reports.
19. TERMS OF OFFICE.
(a) The following members of the Management Committee shall be elected for a two (2) year term:-
(i) The President, Treasurer and Examination Board Chairperson in any year ending in an odd figure, i.e. 1993, 1995.
(ii) The Secretary, Senior Vice President and Junior Vice President and the Appointments Board Chairperson in any year ending in an even figure, i.e. 1990, 1992.
(b) All other Officials shall be elected annually with the exception of:-
(i) The Assistant Secretary, who shall be appointed by the Secretary.
(ii) The Assistant Appointments Officer, who shall be appointed by the Appointments Board Chairperson.
(iii) Members of the Examination Board, who shall be appointed by the Chairperson with the exception of the Chairperson of the Appointments Board.
(iv) Members of the Appointments Board, who shall be appointed by the Chairperson with the exception of the Chairperson of the Examination
Board.
( c ) Each Official shall be subject to these Rules, hold office until the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting applicable to the date of that Official’s election, but is eligible for re-election.
(d) In the event of a casual vacancy occurring, such vacancy may be filled by the Management Committee of the Branch and the Member so appointed shall hold office, subject to theses Rules, until the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting following the date of their appointment.
20. ELECTION OF OFFICIALS.
(a) Nominations of candidates for election as officials of this Branch shall:-
(i) Be made in writing, indicating the name of the candidate, the position/s for which he wishes to stand; and
(ii) Be signed by the candidate, the proposer and seconder and delivered to the Secretary by the October General Meeting.
(iii) If insufficient written nominations are received to fill all the vacancies, the candidates nominated shall be deemed to be elected and further nominations shall be taken from the floor.
(b) If the number of nominations received is equal to the number of vacancies to be filled, the person/persons nominated shall be deemed to be elected.
( c) If the number of nominations received exceeds the number of vacancies to be filled, a secret ballot shall be held.
(d) If insufficient further nominations are received, any vacant positions shall be deemed to be casual vacancies.
(e) The ballot for the election of officials shall be conducted at the Annual General Meeting in such usual and proper manner as the Executive Committee may direct.
(f) A nomination of a candidate for election under this clause is not valid if the candidate is unfinancial with the Branch.
(g) A member nominating for the position of President, Secretary or Treasurer of the Branch must be a Senior Member of at least two (2) full membership years involvement with the Branch. Such membership years shall have been served consecutively.
(h) A member of the Branch, who holds a position on the management committee of any Soccer Football Association in New South Wales, may not hold a position on the management committee of this Branch.
21. CASUAL VACANCIES.
(a) For the purpose of these Rules, a casual vacancy occurs if the Official:-
(i) Dies;
(ii) Ceases to be a Member of the Branch;
(iii) Becomes insolvent under administration within the meaning of the Companies (New South Wales) Code;
(iv) Resigns office by notice in writing given to the Secretary;
(v) Is expelled from membership under Rule 12 (e) (iv) or is removed from office under Rule 22.
(vi) Becomes of unsound mind or a person whose person or estate is liable to be dealt with in any way under the law relating to mental health
(vii) Is absent without the consent of this Branch or a Committee for two consecutive meetings of the Committee of this Branch without reasonable excuse.
(b) Should a casual vacancy occur or be declared, such vacancy shall be filled by the Management Committee of the Branch and the Member so appointed shall hold office, subject to these Rules, until the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting following the date of the appointment.
22. REMOVAL OF AN OFFICIAL.
(a) This Branch in a General Meeting, may by resolution remove any member of a Committee or Official from office before the expiration of a member’s term. Such removal of a member of a Committee or Official shall be deemed a casual vacancy.
(b) Where a member of a Committee or Official to whom a proposed resolution referred to in clause (a) relates, makes representations in writing to the Secretary (not exceeding a reasonable length) and requests that the representations be notified to the Members of this Branch, the Secretary, may send a copy of the representations to each Member or, if they are not so sent, the member is entitled to require that the representations be read out at the meeting at which the resolution is considered.
PART 4.
GENERAL MEETINGS.
23. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS – HOLDING OF.
(a) With the exception of the first Annual General Meeting of this Branch, this Branch shall, at least each calendar year, and within the period of six (6) months after the expiration of each financial year of this Branch, convene an Annual General Meeting of its Members.
(b) This Branch shall hold its first Annual General Meeting:-
(i) Within the period of 18 months after its incorporation under the Act;
and
(ii) Within the period of two (2) months after the expiration of the first financial year of this Branch.
( c) Clauses (a) and (b) have