Constitution

Religions for Peace Australia

CONSTITUTION (Approved June 19, 2022)
WORLD CONFERENCE OF RELIGIONS FOR PEACE – AUSTRALIA, INCORPORATED

1. The name of the legally incorporated association is World Conference of Religions for Peace – Australia Incorporated (in these rules called WCRP Australia, known locally as Religions for Peace Australia or RfP Australia in abbreviation)
2. (1) In these rules, unless the contrary intention appears:
“Council” means the Executive Council of the Association.
“Financial year” means the year ending on 31 December.
“General Meeting” means a general meeting of members convened in accordance with Rule 12.
“Member” means a member of the Association.
“Ordinary Member of the Council” means a member of the Council who is not an officer of the Association under Rule 22.
“The Act” means the Association Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic) and its associated regulations of the Victorian Parliament. “The Regulations” means regulations under the Act.
(2) In these Rules, a reference to the secretary of the Association is a reference:
(a) where a person holds office under these Rules as secretary of the Association – to that person and
(b) in any case, to the Secretary of the Association.
(3) Words or expressions contained in these rules shall be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of the Victorian Act Interpretation Act 1958 and the Act as in force from time to time.

PURPOSE OF RfP AUSTRALIA ORGANISATION

2. RfP Australia was formed in the early 1970s and is linked with ACRP (Asian Conference of Religions for Peace).

ACRP was founded in 1976, ACRP is an independent fellowship of the followers of the many religious faiths and traditions in the Asia-South Pacific region, and with its constituent bodies represents more than half of humanity.

ACRP is legally an independent organization, being affiliated with, and recognized as the Asia-Pacific regional body of Religions for Peace, formerly known as the World Conference of Religions for Peace. ACRP operates in accordance with Religions for Peace’s vision and mission to advance common action among the world’s religious communities for peace and its following four guiding principles:

  1. respect religious diversity and seek to honour the identity and community of each religious tradition and their authentic spiritual principles.
  2. leverage the existing spiritual, moral and social assets of the world’s religious communities to act on deeply held and widely shared values.
  3. build and/or strengthen representative, sustainable multi-religious mechanisms, co-owned by religious institutions and communities.
  4. partner local, national, regional, and global multi-religious structures, with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental civil society actors.

The mission of RfP Australia is to promote Asian spiritualities and interreligious awareness and harmony as well as global and regional cohesion in the pursuit of peace, justice and human dignity and to uphold and develop the various religious heritages of the Asia-Pacific region in accordance with the authentic values of religion and spirituality.

MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

The Objectives of Religions for Peace Australia

  • To work with faith traditions and religious organizations for interreligious understanding and harmony in the Asian-Pacific region and across the world, including the right to freedom of religion and belief and in the pursuit of peace, justice and human dignity.
  • To promote the salience of spirituality and religion in the multireligious Asia – Pacific region, highlighting its resources and the importance of religion and spirituality and combating the false and negative aspects of religion.
  • To work with religious and interreligious organizations in bringing about peace, interfaith understanding, interreligious harmony and religious freedom.
  • To work for the appropriate recognition of the spiritualities of Australia’s First Peoples and all indigenous peoples across the world.
  • To work with intergovernmental, governmental, and civil agencies in achieving global, regional and local peace and harmony as well as social stability and cohesion.
  • To work positively and cooperatively with Religions for Peace International and other regional and specialist organizations.
  • To create social wealth for the countries of the Asia-Pacific, ensuring that the role of religious bodies is positively appreciated.
  • To sponsor activities, events and special initiatives into the multicultural and multireligious aspects of the region and individual nations.
  • To work with governmental and religious institutions for promoting peace education and religious pluralism by observing religious and cultural traditions and national laws and policies.
  • To organize meetings for dialogue between religious leaders at global, regional and national levels and with political and civic leaders.
  • To encourage and implement interreligious activity and projects and the formation of interreligious organizations among particular groups.
  • To work through its networks for the well-being of vulnerable groups, including women and young people, and the well-being of the environment.

INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL AFFILIATIONS

3. Religions for Peace Australia is affiliated with the World Conference of Religions for Peace (now known as Religions for Peace International) with its headquarters presently in New York – its website is www.religionsforpeace.org It is also a member of the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace, known as Religions for Peace Asia, with its headquarters presently in Tokyo.

ORGANIZATION

4. (1) Levels of Organization

There shall be four categories of organisation based around the national body:

a. National Body – Religions for Peace Australia which will act as the Executive Council
b. State and Territory Bodies based on geographical boundaries of Australia’s states and territories
c. Local Bodies based on local government areas
d. Affiliated Bodies based on a demographic or interest marker
(i) The national body, Religions for Peace Australia, will be composed of all financial members, and its executive council will be composed of the chairpersons of the state and territory bodies and chairpersons of affiliated groups.
(ii) The State and Territory bodies will be formed on a state or territory basis
(iii) Local Bodies, who wish to be affiliated with Religions for Peace Australia within a State or Region, may form an inter-religious local unit based on local government or other geographical areas and apply for recognition by the State or Territory body.
(iiii) Affiliated bodies who wish to be affiliated with Religions for Peace Australia can apply for recognition by Religions for Peace Australia
(v) All bodies are required to accept in word and in action the mission and aims of Religions for Peace Australia

(2) Recognition of Different Levels of Organisation

The Australian Executive Council shall retain the right to approve the formation and admission of any state, territory, local or other affiliated interfaith bodies which accept the mission and aims of Religions for Peace Australia. The Council may accept bodies who have their own name and constitution if the name does not contain Religions for Peace.

The bodies will have their title Religions for Peace (NSW, Youth etc) as appropriate will
a. will be formed by individual membership as outlined in Section 4.
b. will be governed by an elected committee.
c. will be able to use to the name and symbol of Religions for Peace Australia in their name.
d. will hold meetings at least three times a year.
e. will send an appropriate delegate with a timely annual report to the Annual General Meeting of Religions for Peace Australia.
f. may hold an annual general meeting with a chairperson’s report, a treasurer’s report which will include an audited financial statement, and which will elect a (i) chairperson
(ii) vice chairperson
(iii) secretary and
(iv) treasurer.
g. will be governed by all the other rules of association as applied to the state, territory, local or interest level as outlined in section 28.

(3) Use of the Name and Symbols Religions for Peace Australia

It is a condition to the recognition of each body and the use of the names and symbols associated with WCRP/Australia that the rights to use each such name and symbol is granted and licensed by Religions for Peace Australia thereto and that no body shall have a right to use any such name or symbol except pursuant to such grant and license at any time.

(4) Dissolution

Any State/Territory, local or affiliated body has the right to dissolve itself at any time upon notification to the Secretary of its intention.

(5) Termination

a) Any State/Territory, local or affiliated body that has engaged in activities contrary to the purpose and character of WCRP/Australia, and persists in such activities after the body has been duly notified about those activities by the Council, may have its recognition withdrawn.
b) Such a body shall be given notification and an opportunity to be heard as part of a mediation process.
c) At such time, such a body shall cease to use the names and symbols associated with WCRP Australia or otherwise to present itself as being part of or affiliated with WCRP Australia.

(6) Grants

WCRP/Australia may support state/territory, local or affiliated bodies with grants to pursue their work.

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

4 (1) There shall be only one category of members: individual membership
A person who is in agreement with the Purposes of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP) may apply for Individual Membership.

(2) A natural person who is nominated and approved for membership as provided in these rules is eligible to be a member of the Association on payment of the annual subscription payable under these rules.

(3) A person who applies for membership of the Association shall not be admitted to membership:
(a) unless he/she is nominated as provided in sub-clause (4); and
(b) his/her admission as a member is approved by the Council or by State/Territory bodies.

(4) A nomination of a person for membership of the Association
(a) shall be made in writing in the form set out in Appendix I; and
(b) shall be lodged with the Secretary of the Association.
(5) As soon as is practicable after the receipt of the nomination, the secretary shall refer the nomination to the Council.
(6) Upon a nomination being referred to the Council, the Council shall determine whether to approve or to reject the nomination.
(7) Upon a nomination being approved by the Council, the Secretary shall, with as little delay as possible, notify the nominee in writing that he/she is approved for membership of the association and request payment of the first year’s annual subscription.
(8) The Secretary shall, upon payment of the amount referred to in clause 5 below within the period referred to in that clause, enter the nominee’s name in the register of members kept by him/her and, upon the name being so entered, the nominee becomes a member of the association
(9) A right, privilege, or obligation of a person by reason of his/her membership of the association:
(a) is not capable of being transferred or transmitted to another person:
(b) terminates upon the cessation of his/her membership whether by death or resignation or otherwise.

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION

5. The annual subscription is as determined by the Executive Council is payable by August 31st each year.

REGISTER OF MEMBERS

6. The Secretary or his or her appointee shall keep and maintain a register of members in which shall be entered the full name, address and date of the entry of the name of each member and the register shall be available for inspection by members at the address of the Public Officer and/or Secretary.

RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

7. (1) Members have the right to all minutes of the meeting and AGM minutes and yearly financials either by writing to the secretary or via a log on the members’ page on the website of RfP Australia.
(2) Members have an obligation to follow the code of conduct approved by the Executive Council.

RESIGNATION AND EXPULSION OF MEMBERS

8. (1) A member of the Association who has paid all moneys due and payable by him/her to the Association may resign from the Association by first giving one month’s notice in writing to the secretary of his/her intention to resign and upon the expiration of that period of notice the member shall cease to be a member
(2) Upon expiration of a notice given under sub-clause (7.1), the Secretary shall make in the register of members an entry recording the date on which the member by whom the notice was given ceased to be a member.
(3) Subject to these rules, the Council may by resolution:
(a) expel a member from the Association.
(b) suspend a member from membership of the Association for a specified period.
(2) A resolution of the Council under sub-clause (8.1):
(a) does not take effect unless the Council, at a meeting held not earlier than 14 and not later than 28 days after service on the member of a notice under sub-clause (8.3) confirms the resolution in accordance with this clause; and
(b) where the member exercises a right of appeal to the Association under this clause does not take effect unless the Association confirms the resolution in accordance with this clause.
(c) where the member and /or Council seek mediation
(3) Where the Committee passes a resolution under sub-clause (8.1), the Secretary shall, as soon as practicable, cause to be served on the member a notice in writing:
(i) setting out the resolution of the Council and the grounds on which it is based.
(ii) stating that the member may address the Committee at a meeting to be held not earlier than 14 and not later than 28 days after service of the notice.
(iii) stating the date, place and time of the meeting.
(4) informing the member that he may do one or more of the following –
(a) Attend that meeting.
(b) Give to the Council before the date of that meeting a written statement seeking the revocation of the resolution.
(c) Not later than 24 hours before the date of the meeting, lodge with the Secretary a notice to the effect that he/she wishes to appeal to the Association in general meeting against the resolution.
(5) At a meeting of the Council held in accordance with sub-clause (8.2), the Council:
(a) shall give to the member an opportunity to be heard.
(b) shall give due consideration to any written statement submitted by the member; and
(c) shall by resolution determine to confirm or to revoke the resolution.
(6) Where the Secretary receives a notice under sub-clause (8.3), he/she shall notify the Council and the Council shall convene a general meeting of the Association to be held within 21 days after the date on which the Secretary received the notice.
(7) At a general meeting of the Association convened under sub clause (8.5):
(a) no business other than the question of the appeal shall be transacted.
(b) the Council may place before the meeting details of the grounds for the resolution and the reasons for the passing of the resolution.
(c) the member shall be given an opportunity to be heard; and
(d) the members present shall vote by secret ballot on the question whether the resolution should be confirmed or revoked.
(8) If at the general meeting:-
(a) two-thirds of the members vote in person or by proxy in favour of the confirmation of the resolution, the resolution is confirmed; and (b) in any other case, the resolution is revoked.
(9) Procedures for termination shall be instituted by the Council on receipt of a written complaint that has been endorsed by a financial member of Religions for Peace Australia
a) The Council shall as soon as practicable inform the Local Unit of the complaint, and request a written response.
b) The Council shall appoint one or more of its members to act on its behalf to consider such a response, and if the Local unit requests, provide it with an opportunity to be heard by those appointed.
c) Such a person shall be given notification and an opportunity to be heard as part of a mediation process.
d) The appointee(s) shall report to a meeting of the Council, with a recommendation as to whether WCRP Australia should withdraw recognition of the Local Unit.
e) The Local Unit shall be notified of the decision of the Council in writing.

Members of the Australian Chapter shall be notified of the decision through the WCRP Australia Newsletter.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

10 (1) The Association in each calendar year shall convene an annual general meeting of its members.
(2) The annual general meeting shall be held on such day as the Council determines.
(3) The annual general meeting shall be specified as such in the notice convening it.
(4) The ordinary business of the annual general meeting shall be:-
(a) to confirm the minutes of the last preceding annual general meeting and of any general meeting held since that meeting;
(b) to receive from the Council reports upon the transactions of the Association during the last preceding financial year and to appoint an independent auditor;
(c) to elect officers (Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, etc) of the Association and the ordinary members of the Council;
(d) if necessary appoint or reappoint a Patron and Honorary Presidents.
(e) to receive and consider the statement submitted by the Association in accordance with section 30 (3) of the Act.
(5) The annual general meeting may transact special business of which notice is given in accordance with these rules.
(6) The annual general meeting shall be in addition to any other general meetings that may be held in the same year.
(7) The secretary or their delegate will be responsible for preparing and keeping minutes of such meetings

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

11. All general meetings other than the annual meeting shall be called special meetings.
12. (1) The Council may, whenever it thinks fit, convene a special general meeting of the Association and, where, but for this sub-clause, more than 15 months would lapse between annual general meetings, shall convene a special general meeting before the expiration of that period.
(2) The Council shall, on the requisition in writing of members representing not less than 5% of the total number of members, convene a special general meeting of the Association.
(3) The requisition for a special general meeting shall state the objects of the meeting and shall be signed by the members making the requisition and be sent to the address of the Secretary and may consist of several documents in a like form, each signed by one or more of the members making the requisition.
(4) If the Council does not cause a special meeting to be held within one month after the date on which the requisition is sent to the address of the Secretary, the member making the requisition, or any of them, may convene a special general meeting to be held not later than 3 months after that date.
(5) A special general meeting convened by members in pursuance of these rules shall be convened in the same manner as nearly as possible to that in which those are convened by the Committee.

NOTICE OF MEETING

13 (1) The Secretary of the Association shall, at least 14 days before the date fixed for holding a general meeting of the Association, cause to be sent to each member of the Association at his/her address appearing in the register of members, a notice by pre-paid post or by email stating the place, date and time of the meeting and the nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting.
(2) No business other than that set out in the notice convening the meeting shall be transacted at the meeting.
(3) A member desiring to bring any business before a meeting may give notice of that business in writing to the Secretary, who shall include that business in that notice calling the next general meeting after the receipt of the notice.

PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS

14. (1) All business that is transacted at a special general meeting and all business that is transacted at the annual general meeting with the exception of that specially referred to in those rules as being the ordinary business of the annual general meeting shall be deemed to be the special business.

(2) No item of business shall be transacted at a general meeting unless a quorum of members entitled under these rules to vote is present during the time when the meeting is considering that item.

(3) 5 members personally present (being members entitled under these rules to vote at a general meeting) constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of a general meeting.

(4) If within an hour after the appointed time of the general meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting shall be dissolved.

15. (1)The President, or in his/her absence, the Chairperson of the Committee or, in his/her absence, the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee, shall preside as Chairperson at each general meeting of the Association.

(2) If the President and the Chairperson are absent from a general meeting, the members present shall elect one of their number to preside as Chairperson at the meeting.

16. (1) The Chairperson of a general meeting at which a quorum is present may, with the consent of the meeting, adjourn the meeting from time to time and place to place, but no business shall be transacted at an adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting at which the adjournment took place.
(2) Where a meeting is adjourned for 14 days or more, a like notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in case of the general meeting.
(3) Except as provided in sub-clause (15.1) and (15.2), it is not necessary to give notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting.
17. A question arising at a general meeting of the Association shall be determined on a show of hands and unless before or on the declaration of the show of hands a poll is demanded, a declaration by the Chairperson that a resolution has won a majority or lost, and an entry to that effect in the Minute Book of the Association is evidence of the fact, without proof of the number or proportion of votes recorded in favour of, or against, that resolution.
18. (1) Upon any question arising at a general meeting of the Association, a member has one vote only.
(2) All votes shall be given personally or by proxy.
(3) In the case of an equality of voting on a question, the Chairperson of the meeting is entitled to exercise a second or casting vote.
19. (1) If at a meeting a poll on any question is demanded by not less than three members, it shall be taken at that meeting in such manner as the Chairperson may direct and the resolution of the poll shall be deemed to be a resolution of the meeting on that question.
(2) A poll that is demanded on the election of a Chairperson or a question on the adjournment shall be taken forthwith and a poll that is demanded on any other question shall be taken at such time before the close of the current financial year.
20. A member is not entitled to vote at any general meeting unless all moneys due and payable by him/her to the Association have been paid, other than the amount of the annual subscription payable in respect of the current financial year.
21. (1) Each member shall be entitled to appoint another as his/her proxy by the notice given to the Secretary no later than 24 hours before the time of the meeting in respect of which the proxy is appointed.
(2) The notice appointing the proxy shall be in the form approved by the Executive Council.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

22. (1) The affairs of the Association shall be managed by the Executive Council constituted as provided in Rule 22.
(2) The Executive Council:
(a) shall control and manage the business and affairs of the Association;
(b) may, subject to those rules, the regulations and the Act, exercise all such powers and functions as may be exercised by the Association other than those powers and functions that are required by these rules to be exercised by general meetings of the members of the Association; and
(c) subject to these rules, the regulations and the Act, has power to perform all such acts and the things as appear to the Council to be essential for the proper management of the business and affairs of the Association;
(d) suggest the name of a Patron and Honorary Presidents of the Association to the AGM.
23. (1) The Officers of the Association shall be
(i) a Chairperson or co-chairpersons
(ii) a Deputy-Chairperson (iii) a Treasurer; and
(iv) a Secretary
  NB. No member of staff would be eligible for election as President, Chairperson, Deputy-Chairperson, or Treasurer.
(2) The provisions of Rule 24 so far as they are applicable and with the necessary modification, apply to and in relation to the election of persons to any of the offices mentioned in sub-clause (1)
(3) Each officer of the Association shall hold office until the annual general meeting next after the date of his/her election but is eligible for re-election
(4) In the event of a casual vacancy in any office referred to in sub-clause (1), the Committee may appoint one of its members to the vacant office and the member so appointed may continue in office up to and including the conclusion of the annual general meeting next following the date of his/her appointment.
24. (1) Subject to section 23 of the Act, the Council shall consist of:
(i) the Patron of the association (see 27 for appointment procedures) as non-voting member;
(ii) Chairperson and other officers of the Association, and
(iii) up to 12 ordinary members of the Council, including the chairpersons of the State/Territory bodies and of the affiliated bodies or their nominees from at least three different religions (not denominations within one religion) on the executive council.
(iv) Australian representatives on the International Council and Governing Board of WCRP International, if not included in (a) or (b).
(2) Each ordinary member of the Council shall, subject to these rules, hold office until the annual meeting next after the date of his/her election but is eligible for re- election.
(3) In the event of a casual vacancy occurring in the office of an ordinary member of the Council, the Council may appoint a member of the Association to fill the vacancy and the member so appointed shall hold office, subject to these Rules,
until the conclusion of the annual general meeting next following the date of his/her appointment.
(4) The Council shall have the right to co-opt individuals with special expertise as Council members but without the right to vote.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND VACANCY

25. (1) Nominations of candidates for election as officers of the Association or as ordinary members of the Council:
(i) shall be made in writing; signed by two members of the Association and accompanied by the written consent of the candidates (which may be endorsed on the form of nomination); and
(ii) shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Association not less than 7 days before the date fixed for the holding of the annual general meeting.
(2) If insufficient nominations are received to fill all vacancies on the Council, the candidates nominated shall be deemed to be elected and further nominations shall be received at the annual general meeting.
(3) If the number of nominations received is equal to the number of vacancies to be filled, the persons nominated shall be deemed to be elected.
(4) If the number of nominations exceeds the number of vacancies to be filled, a ballot shall be held.
(5) The ballot for the election of officers and ordinary members of the Council shall be conducted at the annual meeting in such usual and proper manner as the Council may direct.
(6) A nomination of a candidate for election under this clause is not valid if that candidate has been nominated for another office for election at the same election.
(7) No more than 4 ordinary committee members may be chosen from any one State or Territory in Australia.
26. For the purposes of these rules, the office of an officer of the Association or of an ordinary member of the Council becomes vacant if the officer or member –
(a) ceases to be a member of the Association,
(b) becomes an insolvent under administration within the meaning of the Companies (Victoria) Code: or
(c) resigns his office by notice in writing given to the Secretary.
27. The Council may appoint men or women of distinguished religious service to act as Patron and Honorary President.
28. Preceding each world Assembly of Religions for Peace International the Council shall nominate:
(a) delegates to represent WCRP/Australia at the gathering.
(b) members of WCRP/Australia to act on the International Council of Religions for Peace International.
29. Preceding each Regional Assembly of Religions for Peace Asia the Council shall nominate:
(a) delegates to represent WCRP/Australia at the gathering.
(b) members of WCRP/Australia to act on the Council of Religions for Peace Asia.

PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCIL

30. (1) The Council shall meet at least 3 times in each year at such place and such times or through the new technologies as the Committee may determine.
(2) Special meetings of the Council may be convened by the Chairperson or by any 4 of the members of the Council.
(3) Notice shall be given to members of the Council of any special meeting specifying general nature of the business to be transacted and no other business shall be transacted at such a meeting.
(4) Any 5 members of the Council constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of a meeting of the Council.
(5) No business shall be transacted unless a quorum is present and if within half an hour of the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present the meeting shall dissolve.
(6) At the meeting of the Council:
(i) the President or, in his/her absence, the Chairperson of WCRP/Australia or in his/her absence the Deputy-Chairperson shall preside; or
(ii) if the President, the Chairperson and the Deputy-Chairperson are absent, such one of the remaining members of the Council as may be chosen by the members present shall preside.
(7) Questions arising at a meeting of the Council or any subcommittee appointed by the Council shall be determined on a show of hands or, if demanded by a member, by a poll taken in such manner as the person presiding at the meeting may determine.
(8) Each member present at a meeting of the Council or any subcommittee appointed by the Council (including the person presiding at the meeting) is entitled to one vote and in the event of an equality of votes on any question, the person presiding may exercise a second or casting vote.
(9) Written notice of each Council meeting shall be served on each member of the Council by delivering it to him/her at a reasonable time before the meeting or by sending it by pre-paid post or by email addressed to him/her at his/her usual or last known place of abode at least two business days before the date of the meeting.
(10) Subject to sub-clause (28.4) the Council may act notwithstanding any vacancy on the Council

PROCEEDINGS OF STATE AND TERRITORY COMMITTEES

31. (1) The committee of each state and territory body or of each affiliated body shall meet at least 3 times in each year at such place and such times as the Committee may determine.
(2) The secretary or their delegate will be responsible for preparing and keeping minutes or reports of such meetings and presenting them to the Executive council as required.
(3) Special meetings of the Committee may be convened by the Chairperson or by any 4 of the members of the Committee.
(4) Notice shall be given to members of the Committee of any special meeting specifying general nature of the business to be transacted and no other business shall be transacted at such a meeting.
(5) Any 4 members of the Committee constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of a meeting of the Committee.
(a) No business shall be transacted unless a quorum is present and if within half an hour of the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present the meeting shall dissolve.
(6) At the meeting of the Committee:
(a) the Chairperson of WCRP/Australia or in his/her absence the Deputy-Chairperson shall preside; or
(b) if the Chairperson and the Deputy-Chairperson are absent, such one of the remaining members of the Committee as may be chosen by the members present shall preside.
(7) Questions arising at a meeting of the Committee or any subcommittee appointed by the Committee shall be determined on a show of hands or, if demanded by a member, by a poll taken in such manner as the person presiding at the meeting may determine.
(8) Each member present at a meeting of the Committee or any subcommittee appointed by the Committee (including the person presiding at the meeting) is entitled to one vote and in the event of an equality of votes on any question, the person presiding may exercise a second or casting vote.
(9) Written notice of each committee meeting shall be served on each member of the Committee by delivering it to him/her at a reasonable time before the meeting or by sending it by pre-paid post or by email addressed to him/her at his/her usual or last known place of abode at least two business days before the date of the meeting.
(10) Subject to sub-clause (4) the Committee may act notwithstanding any vacancy on the committee .

CHAIRPERSON’S ROLE

33 (A) The Chairperson shall chair all meetings of RfPA. The Deputy-chair or co-chairpersons or the Secretary can also chair in his or her place, as appropriate.
The role and responsibilities of the chair, as chair of RfPA and of the Executive Council, in association with the Deputy chair, who will act as chair in his or her permanent or temporary absence, are as follows:
(i) to have overall shared responsibility with the Secretary for and charge of RfPA its direction and functioning in achieving its mission, fulfilling its objectives and in implementing its policies and programs in association with the Secretary.
(ii) to provide leadership in close consultation with the Secretary to RfPA in a wise, calm and timely manner within the organization and to be a public face of the organization.
(iii) to chair all Executive Council meetings and sub committees (if applicable) in association with the Deputy Chair and the Secretar.y
(iv) to have overall shared responsibility in close consultation with the Secretary for the financial standing and the financial sustainability of RfPA in association with the treasurer and auditor (if required).
(v) to ensure in close consultation with the Secretary that the governance and management of RfP Australia is exercised in a cohesive, balanced, open and accountable style, free of corrupt and turbulent behaviour.
(vi) to serve as a member of the Executive Committee of ACRP.

SECRETARY

33 B. (1) The Secretary of the Association shall keep minutes of the resolutions and proceedings of each general meeting and each committee meeting in books provided for that purpose together with a record of the names of persons present at committee meetings.
(2) The Secretary will have the following responsibilities:
(a) to have overall responsibility for RfPA day-to-day work and its various committees or sub-committees
(b) to have responsibility in association with the Chair and the Executive Council in developing and implementing appropriate policies, programs, projects and other initiatives in the work of RfPA and ACRP
(c) to make necessary preparation for the AGM and the meetings of the Executive Council and all other relevant bodies.
(d) to draw up agendas and minutes for circulation amongst members and keep proper records of all meetings, resolutions and proceedings and have them appropriately archived.
(e) ACRP in association with the Treasurer and chair have some responsibilities for funds.
(f) to deal with all membership applications.
(g) Australian requirement: The secretary will be the Public Officer and take care of the necessary statutory requirements.
(h) The Secretary can be terminated in accordance with the section on ‘Removal of council members’ section 35.

TREASURER

34. (1) The Treasurer of the Association: –
(a) shall collect and receive all moneys due to the Association and make all payments authorized by the Association; and
(b) shall keep correct accounts and books showing the financial affairs of the Association with full details of all receipts and expenditure connected with the activities of the Association.
(2) The accounts and books referred to in sub-clause (1) shall be available for inspection by members

REMOVAL OF MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

35. (1) The Association in general meeting may by resolution remove any member of the Council before the expiration of his/her term of office and appoint another member in his/her stead to hold office until the expiration of the term of the first- mentioned member.
(2) Where the member to whom a proposed resolution referred to in sub clause (1) makes representations in writing to the Secretary or President of the Association (not exceeding a reasonable length) and requests that they be notified to the members of the Association, the Secretary or the President may send a copy of the representation to each member of the Association or, if they are not so sent, the member may require that they be read out at the meeting.
Financial Transfers
36. All payments are approved by the Chairperson and/or the secretary or by a motion at an Executive Council meeting.

SEAL

37. (1) The common Seal of the Association shall be kept in the custody of the Secretary.
(2) The common Seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of the Council, and the affixing of the common Seal shall be attested to by at least two members of the Committee or one member of the Council and the Secretary of the Association

ALTERATION OF RULES AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSES

38. These rules and the statement of purposes of the Association shall not be altered except in accordance with the Act.

NOTICES

39. (1) A notice may be served by or on behalf of the Association upon any member either personally or by sending it by post to the member at his/her address shown in the register of Members.
(2) Where a document is properly addressed pre-paid and posted to a person as a letter, the document shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to have been given to the person at the time at which the letter would have been delivered in the ordinary course of post.

WINDING UP OR CANCELLATION

40. In the event of the winding up or cancellation of the incorporation of the Association, the assets of the Association shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

CUSTODY OF RECORDS

41. Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, the Secretary shall keep in his/her custody or under his/her control all books, documents and securities of the Association.

FUNDS

42. The funds of the Association shall be derived from annual subscriptions, donations and such other sources as the Council and the state and territory and other affiliated bodies determine.
43. The Executive Council may delegate work to any of the members of the Executive Council, Sub-committee, or staff.

DRAFTING AND AMENDMENTS
This Constitution was drafted and approved on October 4th, 1989
Amendments were made May 4, 1995 and May 26, 2002 and June 3, 2012
Amendments approved National AGM Canberra 1 June 2014
Amendments approved National Annual General Meeting 19 June 2022

APPENDIX 1 APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Application for membership of the World Conference on Religion and Peace – Australia
Incorporated (WCRP/ Australia).
p>I,


(Full name of applicant)


(Address)


(Occupation)

desire to become a member of WCRP/Australia

In the event of any admission as a member, I agree to be bound by the rules of the Association for the time being in force.


Signature of Applicant


(Date)

I,


(Name)

a member of WCRP/Australia, nominate the applicant who is personally known to me, for membership of WCRP/Australia.


Signature of Proposer


(Date)

APPENDIX 2 FORM OF APPOINTMENT OF PROXY

I,


(Name)

of,


(Affiliation)

being a member of the World Conference on Religion and Peace – Australia Incorporated,

hereby appoint

I,


being a member or that Incorporated Association, as my proxy to vote for me on my behalf at the general meeting of the Association (annual general meeting or special general meeting, as the case may be) to be held on the … day of ………. 20.. and at any adjournment of that meeting.

My proxy is authorised to vote in favour of/against (delete as appropriate) the resolution

(insert details).







Signed


(Dated)

Appendix 3

Legally known as:
The World Conference of Religions for Peace Australia, Inc. ABN 49 320 161 142
PO Box 1383 Carlton, Victoria. 3053
Email: wcrpaust@iinet.net.au

Religions for Peace Australia

The National Executive of Religions for Peace Australia approved a Code of Conduct for all members and Volunteer Religious Instruction

RELIGIONS for PEACE AUSTRALIA
CODE of CONDUCT
for RfP MEMBERS and VOLUNTEER RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION

The mission of Religions for Peace Australia is to work for interreligious peace and harmony and for social cohesion in Australia as well as upholding the universal values of religion and individual spirituality. Members of Religions for Peace Australia are expected to represent their own religious tradition as ambassadors of its spiritual and human values and to work interreligiously for the well-being of Australia and the global society.

Members of Religions for Peace Australia are expected to behave in a conscientious and professional manner at all times towards members of their own and other religious and belief traditions by:

  • Behaving at all times in accord with the authentic spiritual and human values of their own religious traditions and within the requirements of Australian law
  • Behaving at all times courteously, honestly and justly and with integrity towards other members and with all persons
  • Treating all others with integrity, irrespective of their gender, sexual orientation, race, culture, age, marital status or political conviction
  • Acting in ways that are in accordance with the mission and aims of Religions for Peace Australia and contributing to its work
  • Protecting the privacy of others and respecting the confidentiality of information as appropriate
  • Respecting the cultural and religious backgrounds and beliefs of all members of RfP Australia and all other persons
  • Respecting those who change their religious affiliation or belief system
  • Avoiding behaviour that might reasonably be interpreted as harassment, discrimination, bullying or intimidation either in person or via electronic medium
  • Taking action to prevent unethical, corrupt, fraudulent or anti-religious behaviour and refraining from acting in any way that compromises Religions for Peace Australia

For volunteer religious instructors teaching in primary and secondary schools, as well as behaving in accord with the code of conduct for members, they will act as representatives of their own religious tradition and of Religions for Peace by:

  • Treating children always with respect and dignity, treating them fairly and equally, including being always mindful of the provisions of the Working with Children Act of the Victorian Parliament
  • Behaving towards children and school staff courteously, honestly, fairly and always with integrity and without coercion
  • Reporting to the appropriate authority behaviour towards children that is contrary to the law or to his or her well-being
  • Respecting the privacy of each child and maintaining confidentiality in respect of information about them
  • Modelling to the children and school staff good behaviour, positive attitudes and proper speech
  • Using only the designated syllabus based on the central beliefs and practices of one’s own faith tradition with political impartiality and never to use speech or curriculum material that denigrates or gives false impressions of other religious traditions or humanist groups
  • Observing the entry and exit procedures for visiting teachers and the occupational health and safety regulations, including the emergency procedures
  • Ensuring that any written information to be sent home has the permission of the school principal
  • Notifying the principal of the school as early as possible of absences from teaching the RI class
  • Ensuring that any visitor brought into the classroom has the required WCC check
  • Religions for Peace Australia,
    Approved May 2013

    I agree to abide by this code of conduct of Religions for Peace Australia

    Name:


    Signature:


    Date:


    Religions for Peace Australia,
    Constitution Approved by Annual General Meeting, 19 June 2022

    Download

    Download the Religions for Peace Australia Constitution (as approved 19 June 2022)