THE CONSTITUTION OF THE AUSTRALIAN CALLERS FEDERATION

(ii) Associate member.

(b) Association There is membership for a State or Territory Caller Association. Such an association will be known as an " Affiliated State Association".

Caller members are persons who call regularly, at least, one solo night per month, or two shared nights per month, for a square dance club and have done so for at least one year. They will be required to remain active and to show involvement in the teaching of square dancing.

Persons who are recognised as genuine trainee callers will also qualify. A trainee must have demonstrated commitment to self development as a square dance caller. This may include attending a caller class, or a traineeship with a caller or club. Regular guest calling in their area is essential but not a sufficient commitment. This person should be making progress in their development as a more active caller.

Any State Association that has, as its prime objective, the nurturing and development of square dance callers, subject to that association's satisfying clause 4.2.2 below.

This is an awarded position to honour a member. Nominations should be made in writing to the board for their consideration and recommendation. Nominations recommended by the board are to be ratified by a simple majority of the general membership at a general meeting. Consideration should be given to -

A Life member is not required to pay an annual membership fee, and is entitled to receive a copy of the ACF publications such as "Callerlink" or its equivalent.

Fees are set out in the By-Laws.

Applications for individual membership will be accepted from either, the individual, or from an Affiliated State Association on the individual's behalf, and must include the following items –

(ii) A payment of approved fees as detailed in the ACF By-Laws.

The board reserves the right to refuse membership, but if it does so, the reason for refusal will be given, and subject to review, with the "Right of Appeal", as detailed in the ACF By-Laws.

To become an Affiliated State Association, an association will be required to sign the "Cooperative Agreement". The Cooperative Agreement is included in the By-Laws.

Before signing the agreement, a caller association should pass an appropriate resolution agreeing to become an ACF Affiliated State Association. After signing the ACF Cooperative Agreement an Affiliated State Association should register all of their "caller members" who would satisfy this definition above in clause 4.1.2, and who are not already members of the ACF.

An Affiliated State Association may grant an exemption from joining the ACF, to a member who has a serious objection to being a caller member of the ACF.

6.1 An Executive Board, made up of members elected and appointed by the Membership and Affiliated State Associations, shall govern the Australian Callers Federation. This board shall consist of between fifteen (15) to eighteen (18) members inclusive.

6.1.3 The balance of the board positions should be allocated to Affiliated State Associations in proportion to the number of ACF members they represent. The system of calculating the allocation is to be contained in the By-Laws of the ACF. No Affiliated State Association (State or Territory) should have more than four (4) board members, including independent members, at any one time. Affiliated State Association board positions are confirmed prior to any election for independent board positions. If an Affiliated State Association is unable to fill all of the positions allocated to it, then the unfilled positions are considered to be independent board positions and filled accordingly.

This is an elected position. To be eligible, a member must be an Accredited Caller Member of the ACF.

A board member -

This clause applies when a board position becomes vacant between Annual General Meetings. The Affiliated State Association may elect a replacement to complete the three-year term of their previous representative. The replacement shall only be valid until the next Annual General Meeting, where the meeting will be required to confirm the replacement, thus enabling the term of that position to be completed. If the board position was one for an independent board member, then a replacement board member to complete the remainder of the three-year term is to be elected at the next Annual General Meeting. All replacements shall satisfy the requirements for board membership (clause 6.1.4 refers).

Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer, Registrar, Editor, and a State Coordinator for each represented State and Territory.

9.1.1 The board shall meet at least once a year. Normally, the board meeting will precede the Annual General Meeting, which will generally be held at or near the time of a National Square Dance Convention. Board members shall try to attend all meetings, but should attend at least two (2) meetings in any three (3) year period. (Leave of Absence clause 9.1.4 refers).

9.1.3 A Proxy Vote shall be allowed at board meetings, provided that an apology has been received, and the proxy vote rule is observed (clause 9.3.1 refers).

9.1.4 Any notice of Leave of Absence, excepting unforeseeable circumstances, should be in writing to the secretary one month prior to the next board meeting to indicate whether a quorum will be present.

9.2.1 General meetings are the responsibility of the Host State for the National Convention. All meeting dates and locations should be set at least 12 months in advance where practical, and a person or an association should be nominated to plan and coordinate that meeting.

9.2.2. A Quorum for all General Meetings shall consist of a minimum of twenty (20) individual members.

9.2.3. A Right to vote will exist for all ACF members. The chairman may have a casting vote, which should, where possible, be used to maintain the status quo.

9.4.1 Any apology for non-attendance at a meeting, excepting unforeseeable circumstances, should be in writing and forwarded to the Secretary at least 7 days prior to the meeting to indicate whether a quorum will be present.

10.1 Subscriptions will be set at each AGM board meeting by the board. Membership subscriptions should be paid by the first day of August in each year. Callers who remain in default will be struck from the ACF membership roll.

11.1 All ACF members and ACF Affiliated State Associations are obligated to abide by and uphold our code of ethics. Callers must wholeheartedly prescribe to these established standards of relationship.

I accept these obligations as a personal responsibility and solemnly pledge myself to think and act in a manner consistent with the highest standards of professional service, and I shall discharge these obligations to the best of my ability."

12.1 The income and property of the ACF however derived, shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objectives of the ACF, and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred, directly or indirectly, by way of dividend, bonus, or otherwise howsoever, by way of profit to the members of the ACF, PROVIDED THAT nothing herein shall prevent the payment in good faith of remuneration to any officer or servant of the ACF, or to any member in return for services actually rendered to the ACF or reasonable or proper rent for premises let to the ACF.

13.1 The ACF will not be dissolved, except at a general meeting of the ACF specially convened for the purpose, and by a resolution carried by a majority of four-fifths of the votes recorded in respect of the same. If after the dissolution of the ACF, and the clearing of all debts and liabilities, there remains any property whatsoever, the same shall not be given or distributed amongst the members. But it shall be given, or transferred to, some other institution or institutions having objects similar to, or in part similar to, the objects of the ACF, PROVIDED THAT they also prohibit the distribution of their property amongst their members. Such institution or institutions are to be determined by the members of the ACF at, or before, the dissolution, or in default thereof by the judge of such court as may have or acquire jurisdiction in the matter.

14.1 This Constitution may only be changed at an Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting called for that purpose, by a vote on a motion. All members must be given notice of the motion to change constitution two (2) months in advance, either by mail, or by an entry in the official newsletter "Callerlink" if the newsletter is issued to all members.

(i) There must be a quorum at the meeting.

15.1 This Constitution shall allow for the existence and operation of "By-Laws of the ACF". The By-Laws may set conditions for the operation of the ACF, PROVIDED THAT no By-Law is contrary to, or alters the intent of the Constitution.

15.2 By-Laws may be approved by a majority vote of members present at a general meeting, proxy votes included.