Waitaha Canterbury District Council
 
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Constitution

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| Mission Statement | Purpose | Designated Area | Composition | Election of Officers |
| Reports | Roles | Meetings | Meeting Procedures | Funding |
| Constitutional Amendments |

1. MISSION STATEMENT

The District Council will actively develop and promote effective communication systems activities to ensure that members' interests and concerns are met appropriate links with allied groups give honour and effect to the Treaty of Waitangi with Maori and Tauiwi being equal parties in Institute operations in accordance with Section 1.8 Part 3 of NZE1 Te Riu Roa Rules.

2. PURPOSE

The purpose of the District Council is

  • to actively promote NZEI Te Riu Roa priorities and to support Branches in their implementation by developing annually an action plan
  • to coordinate membership training and activities for members within the District Council area
  • to liaise with Te Wai Pounamu Regional Office with the implementation of NZE1 Te Riu Roa priorities
  • to operate within the rules of NZEI Te Riu Roa as stated under Section 3.5 of NZE1 Te Riu Roa Rules.

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RULES

1.0 Designated Area of the Waitaha Canterbury District Council

The designated area of the Waitaha Canterbury District Council shall be those branches within its area.

  • Aronui Tomua O Waitaha
  • Ashley
  • Christchurch
  • Ellesmere
  • Grey
  • Hurunui
  • Mackenzie
  • Malvern
  • Mid Canterbury
  • South Canterbury
  • Waimate
  • Westland

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2.0 Composition

2.1 The Waitaha Canterbury District Council representation from branches shall be

  • Christchurch Branch - seven representatives
  • South Canterbury Branch - two representatives
  • Aronui Tomua 0 Waitaha - two representatives
  • Other Branches - one representative each

2.2 Representatives on Waitaha Canterbury District Council shall be extended to provide for NZEI Te Riu Roa Rule 3.5.2.1 (b)

  • three support staff members representatives
  • two early childhood member representatives
  • two student member representatives

    2.2.1 Nominations for these representatives shall be called for from branches no later than 2 months prior to the Annual General Meeting; and these nominations shall be forwarded to the Secretary no later than one month prior to the Annual General Meeting. If there are then more nominations than positions available, the nominations shall be returned to the sector involved, for the election of their representatives to the District Council. If insufficient nominations are received, nominations will be called for from the floor of the Annual General Meeting.

2.3 There shall be two further representatives namely the Mens Network Convenor and the Women's Network Convenor as provided for by Rule 3.5.4.1

2.3.1. Nominations for these representatives shall be called for from branches no later than 2 months prior to the Annual General Meeting; and these nominations shall be forwarded to the Secretary no later than one month prior to the Annual General Meeting. If there is more than one nomination for either position an election shall be held at the Annual General Meeting. If insufficient nominations are received, nominations will be called for from the floor of the Annual General Meeting.

2.4 The elected members for the District Council on the Principals' Council, the Primary Classroom Teachers Advisory Group, the Early Childhood National Caucus and the Support Staff National Caucus shall also be members of the Waitaha Canterbury District Council.

2.5 Representatives on Waitaha Canterbury District Council shall be extended to include members of NZEI Te Riu Roa National Executive / Te Reo Areare from the Waitaha Canterbury District Council area.

2.6 The Chairperson and Immediate Past Chairperson may be in addition to Branch representatives.

2.7 The Secretary/Treasurer shall be a paid employee of the Waitaha Canterbury District Council so long as finances permit

2.8 The Secretary/Treasurer, the Te Wai Pounamu Regional Secretary, and the Field Officers and Kaitakawaenga from the District attend the meetings and may be called on to report, but are not members and do not hold voting rights.

2.9 Each Branch is entitled to bring one observer to Waitaha Canterbury District Council meetings. Costs for observers attending is not to be at cost to the District Council.

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3.0 Election Of Officers

3.1 Refer NZEI Te Riu Roa Rule 3.5.4.1

" The District Council shall at the Annual General Meeting of the District Council elect such officers, including a Chairperson and Secretary, as the District Council shall from time to time determine it requires. Following the election the District Council shall advise the National Office of the names of the elected officers."

At present, the other officers to be elected shall be the Immediate Past Chairperson, and a Deputy Chairperson.

3.2 The District Council Executive Committee shall comprise:

  • Chairperson
  • Immediate Past Chairperson
  • Deputy Chairperson
  • West Coast Representative
  • Mid/South Canterbury Representative
  • Christchurch/North Representative
  • Aronui Tomua 0 Waitaha/ Te Reo Areare Representative
  • Support Staff Representative
  • Early Childhood Representative
  • Student Representative
  • National Executive Liaison person
  • Regional Secretary, or his or her nominee

3.3 Each Waitaha Canterbury District Council Annual General Meeting shall elect Conveners of committees to promote and coordinate activities of NZEI Te Riu Roa; committee priorities shall be identified from the Annual Action Plan, and such other networks as required by the District Council from time to time.

3.4 The Waitaha Canterbury District Council shall elect such representatives as required to other organisations in the Waitaha Canterbury District Council area, eg CTU, the University of Canterbury. The Secretary shall call for nominations from Branches and/or membership of the appropriate sector groups concerned, for the position(s). If there are more nominations received than positions available the District Council representatives present at the meeting at which the voting is to take place shall decide the successful candidate by ballot.

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4.0 Reports to District Council Meetings

4.1 Reports to Waitaha Canterbury District Council meetings shall be received from the following:

4.1.1 Each Branch
4.1.2 Conveners of Networks
4.1.3 Regional Secretary with Field Staff
4.1.4 National Executive
4.1.5 District Council members elected as reps to other organisations
4.1.6 Elected representatives on the Principals Council, Early Childhood Caucus, the Support Staff National Caucus, and the Primary Classroom Teachers Advisory Group.
4.1.7 Any other members in the District Council area who wish to make a report.

4.2 Reports, in writing, are to be in the hands of the Secretary as soon as possible, but no later than one week before the meeting.

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5.0 Roles

5.1 Chairperson

  • chairs District Council meetings
  • chairs Executive Committee meetings
  • represents the District Council to the National Office
  • represents the District Council to the Te Wai Pounamu Regional Office
  • represents the District Council as required at other forums
  • liaise with the Regional Secretary about employment matters.

5.2 Immediate Past Chairperson

  • advises the Chairperson
  • acts on behalf of the Chairperson as required.

5.3 Deputy Chairperson

  • acts on behalf of the Chairperson as required
  • deputizes on behalf of the Chairperson as required.

5.4 Secretary

  • maintains a directory of, and communicates as required with, representatives, Branch secretaries and staff
  • receives and acts upon incoming correspondence
  • actions required outgoing correspondence
  • records and presents minutes of District Council meetings
  • records and presents minutes at Executive Committee meetings
  • undertakes any other responsibilities as directed by the District Council.

5.5 Treasurer

  • is responsible for all financial transactions of the District Council
  • prepares and presents financial statements to District Council meetings
  • prepares and presents audited financial statements to the Annual General Meeting of the District Council
  • prepares and presents financial statements as required to National Office
  • prepares and administers all budgets for the District Council
  • presents a detailed financial report to the Annual General Meeting.

5.6 Conveners/elected representatives on National Bodies

  • facilitate actions of networks and caucuses
  • report on activities of network to the District Council; these reports to the Annual General Meeting of the District Council shall include a financial report where appropriate.
  • prepare and are responsible for the network budget where appropriate.

5.7 Regional Secretary, Field Officers and Kaitakawaenga

  • report to the District Council on district and national activities
  • assist with facilitation of activity and training of members in the Waitaha Canterbury area.

5.8 National Executive Liaison

  • reports on National Executive activity to the District Council
  • reports on Waitaha Canterbury District Council activities, issues and concerns to National Executive.

5.9 Executive Committee

  • acts on behalf of District Council between District Council meetings
  • enacts decisions made at District Council meetings.

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6.0 Meetings of the Waitaha Canterbury District Council

There shall be three Waitaha Canterbury District Council meetings per year, one of which shall contain the Annual General Meeting to be held before the 30th April of each year. Special meetings may be called by the Executive when required. Executive meetings shall be held between each full District Council meeting. Some or all Executive meetings may be held by teleconference. Other Committees to meet as need arises.

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7.0 Meeting Procedures

Meeting procedures shall follow those set down on NZEI Te Riu Roa Rules, Section 5.7

8.0 Funding

8.1 Travel and meals costs for attendance of representatives at Waitaha Canterbury District Council meetings shall be met by the District Council. Other costs shall be met at the discretion of the District Council.

8.2 The mileage allowance payable for travel shall be as per the Primary Teachers Collective Employment Agreement.

8.3 The number of vehicles to be reimbursed from each area of the Waitaha Canterbury District Council shall be determined at the Annual General Meeting of the District Council.

8.4 Travel payments for Waitaha Canterbury District Council seminars shall be paid at the same rate as for District Council meetings.

8.5 Expenses for the Chairperson shall be set at the Annual General Meeting of the Waitaha Canterbury District Council.

8.6 Budget

8.6.1 The Secretary/Treasurer shall prepare a draft budget for approval to the last executive meeting of the District Council each year.

8.6.2 At each Waitaha Canterbury District Council meeting the Secretary/ Treasurer shall give a written report to include a financial report and an update on the Budget.

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9.0 Constitutional Amendments

9.1 The Constitution is to be ratified at the 2008 Annual General Meeting and takes effect immediately.

9.2 The Constitution shall be reviewed at the last District Council meeting each year.

9.3 Resolutions in writing must reach the Secretary/Treasurer no later than two months prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting and be forwarded by the Secretary/Treasurer to branches no later than six weeks prior to that date.

9.4 Motions to amend or repeal rules in this Constitution shall be carried on a simple majority.

9.4.1 Subject to the other provisions of this section, any section of the Rules may be added to, rescinded or amended and any new section inserted by a three-fifths majority of the votes recorded.

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Last updated 20 May 2008