Constitution and By-Laws
CNSA Constitution
On 6 September 2017, CNSA was registered with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission as a Company Limited by Guarantee and the new Constitution came into effect. As per the transitional arrangements described in the Constitution, at that time the National Executive Committee (NEC) ceased, but the members of the NEC continued as Elected Directors in accordance with the CNSA Constitution, with their terms continuing for a specified time. For further details of the transitional arrangements, please see pages 32 to 34 of the CNSA Constitution.
The CNSA Constitution serves as the foundational legal document that governs the overall structure and operation of the organisation. It outlines the core principles, objectives, and purpose of CNSA, defining how the organisation is structured and how it functions. The Constitution specifies membership criteria, governance roles (such as the Board of Directors), and decision-making processes. It acts as a guide for both members and leaders, ensuring transparency, accountability, and adherence to the mission of CNSA. The Constitution is essential for maintaining good governance practices, enabling the organisation to function effectively and fulfil its objectives within the legal framework of Australian law.
CNSA By-Laws
On 29 March 2018, the Board of Directors also approved the By-Laws, which expand upon the Constitution and provide more specific information that members can refer to.
The By-Laws of CNSA complement the Constitution by providing more detailed, procedural rules on how specific functions within the organisation should be carried out. They offer guidelines on areas such as the election process for Board members, membership responsibilities, committee functions, and meeting protocols. By-Laws ensure the smooth operation of day-to-day activities within the governance framework established by the Constitution, offering flexibility to address specific organisational needs without requiring amendments to the Constitution itself.
CNSA Membership
The classes of membership described in the Constitution and By-Laws are:
Voting Members – comprising Full Members, Life Fellows, and any other category of membership with voting rights as determined by the Board from time to time; and
Non-voting Members – comprising Honorary Members, Organisational Members, Associate Members, Student Members and any other category of membership without voting rights as determined by the Board from time to time.
The Board may create additional categories within a class of membership on such conditions and criteria as the Board may determine, provided the rights of each class of membership are in accordance with clause 7.8 of the Constitution. Please see the Membership page for more information about each of these membership categories.
If you have any questions with regards to any aspects of the Constitution or the By-Laws, please contact us.
