Meadowbank & St Johns Residents Association
Explanatory Notes for Proposed Rule Changes
Our Finance and Administration Subcommittee considered the original draft of the
rule changes and after some minor amendments, the final version was considered by
the Committee at its meeting on 9 May with all changes being approved.
The Committee therefore recommends these rule changes.
These explanatory notes have grouped the rule changes into three types - procedural
changes, the introduction of the office of Membership Convenor and changes
affecting membership.
1.
Procedural Changes.

Rule 2.1 – Changes the current registered office to the address of the current
Chair.

Bylaw – Under existing Rule 25.1, the Committee is empowered to make bylaws
for the general management of the society. The new bylaw that was approved
by the Committee at it’s meeting on 9 May outlines the purpose and procedures
of our monthly meetings of members (now known as “Member meetings”) that
were not currently recognised in the rules. Notification of this new bylaw is for
members’ information only – no approval is required.
2.
Introducing the Office of Membership Convenor.
Background - Introducing the new office of Membership Convenor reflects the
Committee’s commitment to the idea that membership numbers and all matters
affecting membership are key aspects to the growth of the Association going forward.

New Rule 4.1d introduces an additional office bearer “Membership Convenor”.

Rule 5.1b deals with the appointment of the “Membership Convenor”.

Existing Rule 9.2b has been deleted. Responsibility for keeping of the Register of
Members has been changed to the Membership Convenor (see Rule 9.4 below).

New Rule 9.4 sets out the responsibilities of the Membership Convenor
(including the keeping of the Register of Members).

Rules 13.1 and 13.2 change the responsibility for the keeping of the Register of
Members from the Secretary to the Membership Convenor.

Rules 14.1, 14.2(b) and 14.2(c) change the responsibility for the Cessation of
Membership from the Secretary to the Membership Convenor.

New Rule 21.9(d) requires the Membership Convenor to provide a Membership
report to the AGM.
3.
Changes affecting Membership.
Background - The changes affecting membership are principally designed to have the
Rules recognise a new membership type “Associate Members” i.e. people who are on
our membership database who have not paid an annual subscription in the current
year, and to differentiate this group from those who will in future be known as
“Financial Members” i.e. those who have paid an annual subscription in the current
year.

Rules 4.2, 5.1 and 7.1 change the word Member to “Financial Member”

Rule 7.1 changes the word Member to “Financial Member”.

Rule 11.2 changes the word Member to “Financial Member” and introduces the
new membership type “Associate Member”.

Rule 11.3 changes the word Member to “Financial Member”.

New Rule 11.4 sets out the rights and responsibilities of Associate Members.

Rule 11.5 changes the words “an Ordinary Member” to “a Financial Member”.

Rule 12.1 sets out the admission requirements of Financial and Associate
Members.

New Rule 12.1c includes the need to pay an annual subscription in the case of
Financial Members.

Rule 17.1 changes the word Member to “Financial Member” and provides that
non-payment of subscriptions by the final due date will automatically change
the membership type of a Financial Member to Associate Member.

Rule 20.1 changes the word Members to “Financial Members”.

Rule 21.3 changes the word Member to “Financial Member”.

Rule 21.5 makes it clear that while all Members may attend Society meetings,
only Financial and Life Members may vote.

Rule 21.6 changes the word “eligible” to “Financial”

Rule 22.1 changes the word Member to “Financial Member” in two places.

Rule 22.1 4th sentence changes the word Member’s to “Financial Member’s”
and clarifies the time when the number of members is calculated by changing
the wording “at least quarter of eligible Members” to “at least a quarter of the
Financial Members of the Society at the date that the written notice of the
Member’s Motion is given to the Secretary:”

Rule 22.1a and 22.1b change the word Member to “Financial Member” in three
places.

Rule 24.1 changes the word Member to “Financial Member”.

Rule 24.2 changes the word eligible to “Financial”