SOUTHERN AFRICA INSTITUTE OF FUNDRAISING

RULES FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE OF BRANCHES

AMENDED AND APPROVEDAT THE AGM OF:

BRANCH

DATE:

Interpretation of rules

The branch shall abide by the Constitution of the Institute and the following branch rules. In an event of conflict between the Constitution and the rules the Constitution will prevail.

1.Name and Area of operation

1.1The branch will be known as ……………(example: SAIF: Gauteng)

1.2The branch will operate in

  1. the provincial boundaries of ______or
  2. other defined area. (See Constitution 22.2)

2.Objective

The objective of the branch is to promote the objectives of the Institute as stated in section 3. of the Constitution and encourage membership to persons involved in fundraising.

3.Branch Membership

3.1The National Council awards membership to individuals on the recommendation of the branch and on payment of the prescribed membership fee.

3.2Membership shall not be transferable within fundraising organisations or between persons replacing a member within an organisation.

3.3A member of SAIF living/working in the above area shall automatically be a member of the said branch but is welcome to attend meetings held by other branches.

4.Branch Executive Committee

4.1The business and affairs of the branch shall be managed by an Executive Committee comprising at least seven (7), but not more than nine (9) members, including the Chairman and Treasurer, elected at the AGM of the branch.

4.2Members shall be elected to serve a one (1) year term, but shall be eligible for re-election each year.

4.3Committee members must be fully paid up members of SAIF and be in good standing.

4.4The position of Chairman and Treasurer shall be filled at the AGM. Neither the Chairman not the Treasurer may hold office for longer than three (3) consecutive years, without at least a one year break in service.

4.5Nominations for Chairman, Treasurer and members of the Branch Executive Committee shall be in writing, signed by a branch member and accompanied by a signed acceptance from the nominee; and must reach the secretary at least three working days before the AGM.

4.6In the event of more than seven (7) nominations for regular committee members being received, voting shall be done by secret ballot.

4.7Ballot papers shall list all nominations for Chairman, Treasurer and Committee Members under those headings. Members shall vote by ticking one (1) nomination for Chairman, and one (1) nomination for Treasurer and a maximum of seven (7) nominations for Committee members.

4.8Two impartial scrutineers shall be appointed by the AGM to supervise the counting of votes. Those nominees for Chairman and Treasurer receiving a majority vote shall be declared duly elected as Chairman and Treasurer, and the seven (7) nominees for Branch Committee members receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared Committee Members.

4.9Vacancies occurring due to insufficient nominations or resignations may be filled by the co-option of members by the Executive Committee.

4.10The Executive Committee will elect its own secretary and appoint sub-committees it deems necessary.

5.Meetings of the Executive Committee

5.1The Executive Committee shall meet at least six (6) times a year.

5.2Membership of the Executive Committee shall cease if a member fails to attend two (2) consecutive meetings without leave of absence from the Chairman.

5.3Four (4) members shall constitute a quorum at an Executive Committee Meeting.

5.4The Secretary shall:

i)Give notice in writing to members at least seven (7) days before each meeting.

ii)Record Minutes of all meetings;

iii)Forward Minutes to members of the Executive Committee and the National Council;

iv)File a report to every National Council meeting.

6.Financial Management

6.1The Financial Year End of the Branch will be same as National Council -01April – 31 March

6.2The Branch Treasurer shall forward financial reports to the National Treasurer quarterly.

6.3A bank account will be held in the name of the branch as the constituted body stipulated in 1.2 above.

6.4Signatories to the account will be two National Council Executive Members (not for day to day purposes) and three members of the Branch Executive Committee Members with any two of three to sign at one time.

7.Annual General Meeting

7.1The AGM shall be held each year between 01 June and 30 September.

7.2At least fourteen (14) days’ prior written notice shall be given to all branch members of the venue, date and time.

7.310% of the total number of Branch members shall constitute a quorum.

7.4All paid up members shall be entitled to vote.

8.Amendments to the Branch Rules

8.1The branch rules may be amended by a vote of members at a Branch AGM, subject to the approval of the National Council.

8.2A two-thirds majority vote at an AGM shall be required to pass the proposed amendment.

8.3All branch members shall be notified of the proposed amendments with the notice of the AGM.

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