RULES OF ASSOCIATION

Chinese Professionals Club Australia, Sydney

Endorsed at the AGM of CPCA Sydney on the 14th September, 2003

Part 1 Name and Objectives

This association is a non-political, non-religious and non-profit organisation registered in the State of New South Wales. Its name is the Chinese Professionals Club of Australia, here after referred to as CPCA.

The objectives of CPCA are:

1. to represent member’s interest in the Chinese community and, by and large in the Australian society
2. to facilitate interactions, and to encourage and foster the development of friendship among members
3. to promote Chinese culture and embody the harmonious relationship among communities
4. to provide a means for members to enjoy social life and welfare and enhance their professional competency and career development
5. to contribute to the development of friendly relationship between China and Australia

Part 2 Membership

2.1 Membership

All members are qual in dignity and have equal rights under rule 2.6.

2.2 Membership Qualifications

A person is qualified to be a member of the CPCA if:

1. the person is a nature person who
1. accepts and pledges to observe the rules of CPCA set out in this instrument, and
2. holds tertiary degree or equivalent qualification or experience for engaging in professional activities, and
3. has been nominated for membership of the CPCA by at least a financial member

2. the person the committee thinks fit for membership.

2.3 Membership approval

A person satisfying membership qualifications as stipulated in Section 2.1 becomes a financial member by applying to the president, or his duly appointed delegate, for approval and paying the prescribed membership fee and the committee of the association has approved for the person’s membership.

2.4 Cessation of membership

A person ceases to be a member of the CPCA if the person:

1. dies, or
2. resigns membership, or
3. is expelled from the association, or
4. fails to pay the membership fee as prescribed.

2.5 Suspension and Expulsion

A member, who has persistently and wilfully acted in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the CPCA and/or involved in any illegal dealings, may be suspended the member from membership or expelled from the association by the resolution of the committee.

2.6 Rights and obligations of membership 

1. A member has the right to vote for resolutions at the general meeting and the right to be elected to the office bearer of the association
2. A member has the right to raise issue, concern and resolution to the committee
3. A complaint may be made to the committee by any person that a member of the association has behaved as described in rule 2.5
4. A member may appeal to the association in general meeting against a resolution of the committee under rule 2.5
5. A member has the obligation to observe the rules of he association and to pay the membership fee as prescribed by the committee of the association.

2.7 Membership fee

There are two types of membership fees, ordinary and student, as defined below: 

1. ordinary membership for qualified individual person or a family representative as described in Section 2.2
2. student membership for those who are in the final year study at universities and willing to become an ordinary member after graduation

Membership fee for Ordinary membership is prescribed by committee. Student membership fees are stipulated as follows:

Student membership fee = 0.5 X ordinary membership fee

Part 3 The committee

3.1 Powers of the committee

The committee is to be called the committee of administration of the association and, subject to the relevant Regulation and these rules in this instrument, and to any resolution passed by the association in general meeting:

1. is to control and manage the affairs of the association, and
2. may exercise all such functions as may be exercised by the association, other than those functions that are required by these rules to be exercised by a general meeting of members of the association, and
3. has power to perform all such acts and do all such things as appear to the committee to be necessary or desirable for the proper management of the affairs of the association.

3.2 Election of committee members

1. the committee is elected at the annual general meeting (AGM).
2. the committee is to consist of: the office-bearers of the president, the Vice-Presidents, the treasurer, and the secretary and a number of ordinary committee members. The number of ordinary committee members is determined by the current committee. Candidates are nominated by members, seconded by at least two other members, and elected by popular votes at the AGM.
3. Each member of the committee is, subject to these rules, to hold office until the conclusion of the annual general meeting following the date of the member’s election, but is eligible for re-election.
4. Office bearer of presidency is elected by the elected members of the committee. The maximum consecutive terms of Presidency is two years.
5. Other office bearers are appointed by the president from the elected members.

1. The association in general meeting may by resolution remove any member of the committee from the office of member before the expiration of the member’s term of office.
2. The committee may delegate to one or more sub-committees (consisting of such member or members of the association as the committee thinks fit) the exercise of such of the functions of the committee as are specified in this document.

3.3 Decision of the committee

Resolution by the committee is to be determined by a majority of the votes of members of the committee. In case of hanging ballot, the president may decide the outcome.

3.4 Committee Power Limitation

1. the committee has power to call a Special General Meeting (SGM) for any emerging crucial issue that is related to the association's direction, identity, alliance or mergence.
2. the committee does not have power to make decision on the issue or alike above. It must be decided or resolved at a AGM or SGM.

Part 4 General Meeting

1. the association must, at least once in each calendar year and within the period of 6 months after the expiration of each financial year of the association, convene an annual general meeting of its members.
2. In addition to any other business which may be transacted at an annual general meeting, the business of an annual general meeting is to include the following:

(a) to receive from the committee the financial report and other reports of the association during the last preceding financial year,

(b) to elect office-bearers of the association and ordinary members of the committee, and

(c) to receive and consider the statement which is required to be submitted to members under these rules.

Part 5 Miscellaneous

1. Insurance

The association may effect and maintain insurance.

2. Account keeping

The treasurer is responsible for the account keeping of the association, in accordance with relevant Australian account keeping regulations set out by the Australian Government.

3. Custody of books

Except as otherwise provided by these rules, the public officer must keep in his or her custody or under his or her control all records, books and other documents relating to the association.

4. Inspection of books

The records, books and other documents of the association must be open to inspection, free of charge, by a member of the association at any reasonable hour.

5. Amendments to the rules

If and only if motions moved by the committee with 2/3 voting approval at general meeting, rules in this instrument may be amended.

6. Interpretation of the rules

The interpretation of the rules relies on the committee.