Australian Computer Society – Constitutional Reform Working Group

Round 2 - Elements of a Constitutional Document
THE QUESTION LIST

Version of 1 February 2022

This document asks ACS members what elements they think should be in a new constitutional document (hereafter referred to as 'constitution'). Also available is an index to this List.

Introduction

For each Question in this document, a web-form is provided, which generates a posting to the Online Forum. You can respond in this way at any time. If you wish to read other people's responses, and the conversations on each topic, you need to login to the Forum (if you've already joined it), or register as a new participant in the Forum.

The Question List has been designed so that you can respond to whichever Questions you want to, in whatever order suits you. It is not essential for you to answer all of them.

Alternatively, you can submit text or an attachment via the Submission Form, or participate in one of the discussion sessions organised by the Branches, national Committees and CRWG, as advertised on the landing-page.

In addition, a comprehensive Consultation Document is provided. You can use that:

This Question List and the Consultation Document are structured along similar lines to the Report back to Members from the first consultation Round of 5 December 2021. The list of elements reflects both the input provided by members during October-November 2021 and the requirements and norms of constitutional documents.

The purpose of Round 2 is to gain an understanding of the preferences of members in relation to each element. That will enable the drafting of clauses that implement the kind of constitution that members will support.

Some of the Questions ask whether you want an element to be 'embedded in the constitutional document'. Alternatives include 'Yes' and 'No'. But there are other alternatives. In particular, elements can be 'embedded in By-Laws or Regulations'. Changing the constitution is (by design, and by law) slow and not all that easy. Changing By-Laws can be easier and quicker; but can still be designed to offer members some degree of protection against misbehaviour by some future governing committee.

The elements are organised into a high-level structure, as follows:

0. Common Themes

1. ACS as a Professional Society

2. ACS Activities

3. ACS Business-Lines

4. ACS Internal Structures

5. The ACS Governing Committee

6. Possibly Non-Controversial Elements

0. Common Themes

The following assumptions, which were widely held among the participants in the first consultation round, are relevant to many of the elements:

  1. The organisation is a professional society;
  2. The professional members are central to the Society;
  3. Statements of the Society's mission, purposes, and perhaps also its key functions, need to be embedded in the constitution, with the Society's activities required to be both driven by and constrained by them; and
  4. The form of incorporation is not a major consideration in Round 2, with common ground in Round 1 discussions being that the discussion of elements should proceed without consideration of the opportunities and constraints inherent in the Constitution of a company limited by guarantee (CLG).

1. ACS as a Professional Society

1.1 Nature and Values of the Society

Members see the Society's nature and values as underpinning all ACS activities, driving decisions, and setting the standards against which performance is measured.

Remember: You can respond to some Questions and leave others alone. You can respond to them in any order that suits you. And you don't need to do everything in one sitting.

1.1.1 Embedment in the Constitution

Members have indicated that they want ACS activities and directions to be consistent with its nature as a professional society. This could be achieved by including relevant declarations within the constitutional document, in some other document that is easier to amend than the constitutional document, or possibly in some less formal manner.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Note: Unless you have auto-fill set, you need to paste your email-address into the relevant field in each response block.

Note: The drop-down menu choices have generally been defaulted to the conservative option.

Do you want embedded in the constitutional document a declaration that the ACS is a professional society?

Do you want embedded in the constitutional document a declaration that the ACS comprises professional people?

Do you want embedded in the constitutional document a declaration that the ACS is governed by those professionals?

Do you want embedded in the constitutional document a declaration that the ACS's foundational value is commitment to the public good, by means of the promulgation of professionalism in the field of ICT, and the provision of services to its members in order to assist them to develop, maintain and extend their expertise for application in the interest of others?

Do you want the ACS Code of Ethics embedded in the constitutional document?

Do you want embedded in the constitutional document a declaration that the ACS must apply the foundational value and the Code of Ethics to all of its decision-making?

     


1.2 Professional and Other Membership of the Society

1.2.1 Professional Membership
1.2.2 Non-Professional Membership

Members may want to have a clear distinction made between the professional grades (Member, Senior Member and Fellow) and non-professional grades (currently Associate).

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want embedded in the constitutional document the statement that the ACS clearly distinguishes ICT professional membership from other grades, by means of eligibility criteria for entry and promotion?
     

Do you want embedded in the constitutional document the statement that the ACS welcomes membership by people who are not ICT professionals, such as students, trainees, managers, professionals in other fields, ICT users and unqualified enthusiasts?
     

1.2.3 Changes to Membership Grades

Members may wish to have a discussion about additional categories of membership, and the entry criteria appropriate to those categories.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you support a 'Provisional Member' grade within the Professional Division, for people with a qualification in ICT sufficient to support entry to the profession?
     


Do you support a 'Practitioner' grade within the Professional Division for people who have satisfied the requirements for the level of Member other than achieving certification?
     


Do you support an 'Executive' grade for C-suite members in the ICT field, including a vote?
     


Do you support a 'Technician' grade within the Professional Division for hardware and software service and support specialists?
     


Do you support a 'Cadet' (or similar) grade for high-school students, as a special form of the Associate grade, designed both to enthuse them about ICT and to draw them into the Society's embrace?
     

1.2.4 Dispute Resolution

It is important that means be available for resolving disputes that arise within the Society.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want embedded in the constitutional document the statement that a suitable procedure is to exist for the brisk, efficient and equitable resolution of disputes?

           

1.2.5 Member Communications

An important service that ACS needs to provide to its members is means whereby members can discover other members with similar interests, and means whereby members can establish and run online forums on professional and Society matters.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want embedded in the constitutional document the requirement that the ACS provide effective communications channels among members?
     

2. ACS Activities

Members see the Society's mission, purposes and key functions as underpinning all ACS activities, as needing to drive decision rationale, and as standards against which performance is measured.

Remember: You can respond to some Questions and leave others alone. You can respond to them in any order that suits you. And you don't need to do everything in one sitting.

2.1 Scope of the Society

2.1.1 The Society's Primary, Scope-Defining Term

The current ACS Rules use the expression 'Information and Communication Technology (ICT)' to define the Society's scope.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Note: Unless you have auto-fill set, you need to paste your email-address into the relevant field in each response block.

Note: The drop-down menu choices have generally been defaulted to the conservative option.

Do you agree that Information and Communication Technology should continue to be the Society's scope-defining term?
     

2.2 The Mission of the Society

The Society's current 'Primary Object' (Mission) is "to promote the development of Australian information and communications technology resources".

2.2.1 Formulation of the Society's Mission

Questions have been raised about the underlined terms in s.2.2 immediately above, and suggestions have been made about the use of 'advancement', 'computing', 'practice', 'applications', 'implications', ethical and positive uses, and benefits for society.

Note that care is needed with any amendments, in order to reemain compliant with the law and public policy.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want any adaptation in the expression of the Society's Mission ('Primary Object')?
     

2.2.2 Embedment in the Constitution

Members may want the Society's Mission to be declared as underpinning all ACS activities.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want the Society's Mission embedded in the constitutional document?
     

2.3 Purposes of the Society

The Society's current 'Secondary Objects' (Purposes) are defined here.

2.3.1 Alignment with the Professional Membership

Members may wish to re-assert the need for the Society's purposes and activities to be strategically aligned with the interests of its professional members, and thereby with the interests of the public.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want the Society's Purposes to be adapted to better align them with the intentions of the Professional Membership?
     

2.3.2 Adaptation to encompass all Key Functions

Members may wish to ensure that the declared Purposes encompass all of the Key Functions that the Society performs.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want the Society's Purposes to be adapted to encompass all of the Society's Key Functions, as discussed in s.2.4 immediately below?
     

2.3.3 Embedment in the Constitution

Members may wish to ensure that the actions of the governing committee are directed and constrained by the Society's declared Purposes.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want the Society's Purposes embedded in the constitutional document?
     

2.4 Key Functions

The term 'Key Functions' is used here to refer to those activities that are particularly important to the fulfilment of the Mission and Purposes.

2.4.1 Definition

Members may wish to see refinements in the list of Key Functions on p.9 of Consultation Document 1, or for an alternative expression of Key Functions to be developed.

Members may also wish to express their thoughts on a couple of specific issues in relation to Key Functions:

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

In relation to the Society's Key Functions, do you want to see them:
     


Do you want innovation generally to be included as a Key Function?
     


Do you want direct involvement in the IR&D and commercialisation pipeline to be excluded?
     


Do you want engagement with industry associations to be included as a Key Function?
     


Do you want ownership relationships with industry associations excluded?
     

2.4.2 Member Involvement

Members may wish to see improvements in the processes whereby members can contribute to the performance of Key Functions.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want engagement on the question of how members can contribute to the Society's national strategy and policy?
     

3. ACS Additional Activities

By 'additional activity' is meant an activity that is not a Key Function of the Society.

Remember: You can respond to some Questions and leave others alone. You can respond to them in any order that suits you. And you don't need to do everything in one sitting.

3.1 The Principles

3.1.1 Embedment of Criteria in the Constitution

Note: Unless you have auto-fill set, you need to paste your email-address into the relevant field in each response block.

Note: The drop-down menu choices have generally been defaulted to the conservative option.

Members may want the constitutional document to make clear how decisions are to be made about additional activities that the Society can undertake.

Do you want embedded in the constitution the requirement that additional activities be consistent with ACS values, mission and purposes?
     

3.1.2 Requirement to Support Professional Activities

Because additional activities are by definition not Key Functions, members may want the criteria to be specifically to provide support for the professional activities of the ACS by generating surplus that can be applied to ACS's Key Functions, or otherwise providing material benefits to society and/or the ACS membership.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want the additional activities to be required to support the professional activities of the ACS by generating surplus that can be applied to ACS's Key Functions, or otherwise providing material benefits to society and/or the ACS membership?
     

3.1.3 Embedment of Transparency, Engagement and Accountability

Members may wish to see reflected in the constitution or other policy documents requirements for Transparency about the principles applying to additional activities, Assurance to the membership that those criteria are being applied, adequate Transparency about the initiatives being considered, in advance of the decision, meaningful Engagement processes, and effective Accountability mechanisms.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want requirements embedded in the constitution or other policy documents, for Transparency about the principles applying to business-lines, Assurance they're applied, Transparency about major initiatives in advance of the decision, meaningful Engagement processes, and/or effective Accountability?
     

3.1.4 Functional Separation of Additional Activities from the Society

Some members have argued that additional activities have loomed too large in recent years, and that measures are needed to prevent them drawing attention away from the Society's Key Functions.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you think additional activities should be placed in one or more separately-managed subsidiaries, to be managed under ethical investment principles?
     

4. ACS Internal Structures

The term 'groups of members' is used in this document to encompass:

The term 'panel' is used in this document to refer to an intermediate-level organ through which national committees and task forces communicate with the governing committee. The current ACS Rules use the term 'board' in the same manner as this document uses 'panel'.

Remember: You can respond to some Questions and leave others alone. You can respond to them in any order that suits you. And you don't need to do everything in one sitting.

4.1 National Structures

Members see the need for delegations to groups of members to be anchored in the constitutional document, and to facilitate decision and action by delegated groups rather than impeding them and even reducing them to mere advisory roles, as current arrangements do.

This section relates to such groups of members at national level as standing Panels and Committees and project-specific, time-bounded Task Forces and Working Groups.

4.1.1 Powers and Funding for Panels

The existing Panels (currently called 'Boards') are limited to advisory and guidance roles. Some members have argued that, to be effective, Panels need sufficiently specific scope, and authority to act.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Note: Unless you have auto-fill set, you need to paste your email-address into the relevant field in each response block.

Note: The drop-down menu choices have generally been defaulted to the conservative option.

Do you want Panels to have sufficient focus, authority and resources to play an active role in the Society's activities?
     

4.1.2 The Set of Panels

There are currently 3 Panels: for Membership, the Profession and Technical matters. Members may want to contribute to discussions about the set of panels and the Key Functions for which each has responsibility for strategic decision-making.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want engagement with the membership about what Panels should be responsible for which Key Functions?
     

4.1.3 Powers and Funding for Other National Groups

National Committees, Task Forces and Working Groups, and National SIGs also need sufficient powers to perform their functions.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want other national groups to have sufficient authority and resources to play an active role in the Society's activities?
     

4.1.4 Accountability by All National Groups

Members may wish to ensure that effective accountability by national groups is embedded in the constitution, or assured in some other way. This may be through formation processes, rules or guidance in relation to the composition of the group, obligations in relation to transparency and engagement, and responsibilities in relation to budgets, supporting staff and volunteer effort.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want effective accountability by national groups to be embedded, or assured in some other way, through transparency, engagement and responsibilities in relation to budgets, supporting staff and volunteer effort?
     

4.1.5 ACS as an Umbrella Organisation

Members may wish to ensure that the ACS constitution enables appropriate relationships with compatible professional associations, through partnering, through hosting, and by supporting self-organising internal groups.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want features in the constitution to enable ACS to operate as an umbrella organisation?
     

4.2 Regional Structures

Members' see their contributions on national activities as being through national Committees; but Branches are their local and direct connection with the Society. Members want locally-relevant, value-added activities, and grass-roots agility and innovation within their own Branch.

4.2.1 Branches and Branch Committee Powers

Members may wish to see Branches and Branch Committees embedded in the constitution, or perhaps assured in some other way, together with relevant powers in relation to regional matters.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want to see Branches and Branch Committees embedded in the constitution, or assured in some other way, endowed with local leadership responsibility and authority for regional events, services and relationships, and with some capacity to direct local staff in a manner consistent with national policies and workplace law?
     

4.2.2 Branch Chapters and Branch SIGs

Within at least some Branches, important means of serving the needs of the Branch's diverse and dispersed membership have proven to be regional Chapters, and SIGs and other forms of communities of practice or of interest.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want to see Branch Chapters and SIGs embedded in the constitution, or assured in some other way, with delegated responsibility for relevant activities, with funding and services support?
     

4.2.3 Accountability within Branches

Members may wish to ensure that effective accountability by Branch groups is embedded in the constitution, or assured in some other way, through transparency, engagement and responsibilities in relation to budgets, supporting staff and volunteer effort.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want effective accountability by Branch groups to be assured in some way, through transparency, engagement and responsibilities in relation to budgets, supporting staff and volunteer effort?
     

4.2.4 Branch Management

Members may wish to see an appropriate relationship between Branch Committee and Branch staff reflected in the constitution or other policy documents.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want to see an engagement process in order to achieve substantial improvements regarding the relationship between Branch Committees and Branch staff?
     

4.2.5 A Minimum Level of Member Services

Some members have argued for a clear declaration relating to a minimum level of service nationwide, irrespective of Branch and Chapter sizes, and of the degree of physical distance separating members from population centres where ACS is active.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want to see a declaration of a minimum level of service to members nationwide?
     

5. The ACS Governing Committee

This section addresses members' concerns about governance, and in particular the accountability of the governing committee to the membership.

Remember: You can respond to some Questions and leave others alone. You can respond to them in any order that suits you. And you don't need to do everything in one sitting.

5.1 The Model

During recent decades, the corporate model has dominated discussions of governance. During this Consultation Round, clarity needs to be achieved about what the Society requires of its governing committee. In the following Round, consideration will be given as to how the organisation can best be constituted in order to fulfil those requirements.

5.1.1 The Choice of Model

There are two main models for a governing committee:

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Note: Unless you have auto-fill set, you need to paste your email-address into the relevant field in each response block.

Note: The drop-down menu choices have generally been defaulted to the conservative option.

Do you consider that ACS should have a single governing committee or a two-tiered model (whether along the lines of the current Congress and Management Committee, or otherwise)?
     

5.1.2 The Functions of a Congress

If the two-tier model is adopted, its functions may be purely advisory, or it may have the power to make determinations that bind the governing committee.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

If a two-tier model is used, do you want the larger Congress to have the power to direct the smaller executive committee, or do you want Congress to be limited the providing advice to it?
     

5.1.3  Composition and Electoral Arrangements for the Two-Tier Model

If a two-tier arrangement is adopted, decisions are needed regarding the composition of each layer, and the electoral arrangements for the two categories of committee-member.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.


     

5.2 Composition of the Governing Committee

Some of the following Attributes in this section of the Consultation Document will vary depending on which of the above two governing committee models is being considered. Such variations are noted where appropriate in the discussions below.

5.2.1 Eligibility to Nominate

Given that members see the Society as being run by its professional members, they may wish to embed the provision that professional members generally are able to stand for positions on the governing committee.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you consider that all Professional Division members should be able to nominate for the Governing Committee, or whether some additional eligibility criteria should exist?
     

5.2.2 Candidate Qualifications and Experience

Even if all professional members are eligible to stand, members may want some requirements to be imposed.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you consider that some requirements are necessary, such as that a candidate provide a declaration of governance expertise and experience, or that a successful candidate commits to make good any shortfall in their governance background?
     

5.2.3 Term Limits

Members may want to ensure that individuals can only spend a limited number of years on the governing committee.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want limits to the period of time over which members can serve on the governing committee?
     

5.2.4 The Size of the Governing Committee

Enough members are needed on the governing committee to ensure that it has access to sufficient breadth of expertise and perspective.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

What factors should be considered in deciding the size of the governing committee?
     

5.2.5 Supplementary Appointments to the Governing Committee

Some constitutional documents enable the governing committee to appoint a small number of additoinal members, to ensure that it has access to sufficient breadth of expertise and perspective.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Should the governing committee have power to appoint a small number of external members to address any shortage of specific expertise among the elected members?
     

5.2.6 The CEO as a Member of the Governing Committee

The CEO needs to be present at meetings of the governing committee. There are advantages and disadvantages in the CEO being a member of it, with the capacity to vote on motions.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want the CEO to be a member of the governing committee or should the CEO instead be an active participant in its meetings, but not a member?
     

5.2.7 Obligations of a Member of the Governing Committee

Members may want to ensure a degree of personal accountability to the membership by each member of the governing committee.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want consideration to be given to a formal Charter of Rights and Responsibilities for members of the governing committee?
     

5.3 The Electoral Scheme

The mechanism for electing members of the governing committee needs to balance several interests.

5.3.1 Elements of the Scheme

An electoral process involving one vote for each member is straightforward and conventional. However, a large proportion of the membership, like the Australian population, lives in the south-eastern crescent of the continent, and the Rules, like the Australian parliamentary election arrangements, have always included ways to avoid the large Branches dominating the rest of the membership.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

When electing members of the governing committee, do members want direct elections by all Society members, or a scheme that provides some protection against dominance by members in the largest Branches?
     

5.3.2 Voting Rights

There is no requirement for Associate members to be qualified to be ICT professionals, but for the last decade they have nonetheless had the right to vote at General Meetings. There is considerable concern about this, because Professional Division voting members are currently outnumbered by Associate-grade members.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want the right to vote on Society matters to extend to unqualified Associates, or be limited to members in professional grades?
     

5.3.3 Staff-Members' Voting Rights

Members may want to address the risk of staff having a disproportionate impact on election results.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Where a member of the Society is also employed as a member of staff, do you want them to be able to exercise their right to vote on Society matters?
     

5.4 Effective Accountability Measures

Members want more effective accountability to the membership than the arrangements under the current Rules provide. These mechanisms need to be finely balanced against the need for the governing committee to have sufficient powers to perform its functions, and the risk of ungovernability.

5.4.1 Criteria for Governing Committee Decision-Making

Members may want the governing committee's decision-making to be guided and constrained by the declarations of the Society's Mission, Purposes, Key Functions, principles for determining the allocation of surplus, and/or Code of Ethics.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want the the appropriateness of decisions of the governing committee to be formally declared to be assessable against the Society's values, as expressed in its declarations of Mission, Purposes, Code of Ethics, etc.?
     

5.4.2 Transparency and Explanation

For the governing committee to be effectively accountable to its members, members want the Society's governing committee to provide information to the membership on an ongoing basis.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want the governing committee to be required to be transparent to the membership about its activities, and provide explanations of the reasons for its major decisions?
     

5.4.3 Engagement with the Membership

A further element of accountability is the need for the governing committee to take steps to be aware of the views of members, through consultation processes designed to elicit comments, not just to project the views of the governing committee and staff.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want the governing committee to be required to engage with the membership about its activities, and in the case of major decisions to do so prior to entering into commitments?
     

5.4.4 Branch Committee Motions

Members may want Branch Committees to be capable of communicating dissatisfaction among members to the governing committee.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want Branch Committees to have the power to communicate to the governing committee the dissatisfaction of members in relation to particular matters through formal Motions of Concern and of Serious Concern?
     

5.4.5 Member Ratification of Proposed Decisions

Some categories of Society matters are important enough that many members wish to express a view. Using online voting, a plebiscite can be held in relation to such matters. This has the effect of providing strong advice to the management committee.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want some categories of governing committee decisions to require ratification by members by electronic voting?
     

5.4.6 Member Approval for Proposed Decisions

Some categories of Society matters are important enough that members might wish to not only express a view, but also have the capacity to prevent the governing committee from pursuing particular activities. Using online voting, a referendum can be held in relation to such matters. This represents instructions or directions to the management committee.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want some categories of governing committee decisions to require approval by members by electronic voting?
     

5.4.7 Removal of a Member of the Governing Committee

Members may want a mechanism embedded in the constitutional document that enables the membership to remove members from the governing committee.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want express provisions in the constitutional document that enable the membership to remove a member of the governing committee, as a mechanism of last resort?
     

5.4.8 Triggering Thresholds for a General Meeting

Members of the governing committee can cause a General Meeting to be convened, and can put motions. It is a conventional accountability arrangement for members to also have such powers. Given the centrality of Branches in the Society, the current constitutional document also provides Branch Committees such powers.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want express provisions in the constitutional document that (a) enable a nominated number or proportion of members, and (b) enable a nominated number and/or proportion of Branch Committees, to trigger a General Meeting, and to force a motion to be put to such a meeting?
     

5.4.9 Publication of Governing Committee Minutes

A particular contribution towards transparency is access by members to the Minutes of meetings of the governing committee.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Do you want express provisions in the constitutional document that require publication of the Minutes of meetings of the governing committee?
     

5.5 The Matters of Greatest Importance to Members

It is necessary to determine which matters and/or documents are to be subject respectively, to referendum and approval, and to plebiscite and ratification.

5.5.1 Matters Subject to Member Approval

If members want embedment of element 5.4.6 Approval, then decisions need to be made about which matters or documents the power encompasses.

Members may want to specify matters and/or documents that encapsulate the Society's values, regulate membership matters, declare committee terms of reference or procedures, define major initiatives, define dispute resolution procedures, or express the fee schedule.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

What matters and/or documents do you want to be subject to approval by the members?


5.5.2 Matters Subject to Member Ratification

If members want embedment of element 5.4.5 Ratification, then decisions need to be made about which matters or documents the power encompasses.

Firstly, members may want to specify matters and/or documents that were mentioned in element 5.5.1 immediately above but were not selected as being subject to the approval process.

Secondly, members may want to specify matters and/or documents that explain or further articulate the Code of Ethics, communicate the criteria for course accreditation, specify procedures for admission of members into some or all grades, define standing orders for meetings, or specify procedures for disciplinary proceedings, for online voting, or for membership fee administration.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

What matters and/or documents do you want to be subject to ratification by the members?


6. Possibly Non-Controversial Elements

The CRWG has included in this second round Question List and Consultation Document all of the elements that it considers are of consequence at this stage.

However, a wide range of further elements may appear in a constitutional document. Although CRWG has treated all of these further elements as low priority until the third round, members may think otherwise. Please provide your input on any of the further elements, or indeed any unlisted elements, that you believe require discussion in this Round.

You can read further information on this element in the Consultation Document.

Are there any further features, or indeed any unlisted features, that you believe require discussion in this Round?