" Constitution of the Australian Sacré-Coeur Association"

Article 1: Definition
1.1 This Association shall be known as the Australian Sacre Coeur Association abbreviated as "ASCA".
This definition, complete and abbreviated, may be used together or separately.
1.2 The acronym of the Association is "ASCA".
1.3 This Association is regulated by the laws of Australia.

Article 2: Administrative Headquarters
2.1 The Administrative Headquarters of the Association are established in the place of residence of the President of the Association;
these headquarters may be transferred to any other Australian State or Territory.

Article 3: Purpose
The purpose of the Association is not for profit; the purpose is to assist its members:
3.1 To place themselves at the service of humanity in order to create a more just and cohesive society,
with an accumulated awareness of their social responsibilities lived in both the personal and communal dimensions;
3.2 To create and maintain friendship and solidarity between the Australian Alumnae/i and all National Federations and
Associations of Alumnae/i of the Sacred Heart with the aim of achieving true national and international collaboration;
3.3 To cooperate actively and effectively with the Society of the Sacred Heart in all its various tasks and options;
3.4 To be present in State, National and International Associations with a constant concern for discernment and openness.

Article 4: Membership
4.1 The members of the Association shall be the Associations of Alumnae/i and Associations of Ex students of Sacred Heart Schools and
Colleges in Australia admitted to membership by resolution of the National Committee.
4.2 The National Committee may by resolution exclude a member from the Association.

Article 5: Fees
5.1 Members under Article 4.1 are subject to payment of an annual fee, the amount of which is determined from time to time by
the National Committee.

Article 6: National Committee - Composition and powers
6.1 The Association is administered by a National Committee, which has all the powers necessary to achieve the aims of the Association.
6.2 The National Committee is composed of:

i) A National Executive consisting of the National President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
ii) A Committee member or members representing the constituent member Associations under Article 4.1
iii) A Committee member or members representing the Purposes according to Article 3 including Hospitality,
RSCJ Liaison and such other positions as are required from time to time to achieve the purposes of the Association.

6.3 Members of the National Committee are appointed for a period of four years and may be re-elected.
6.4 The following points are reserved for deliberation and decision by the National Committee:

i) election of the National Executive;
ii) admission to and exclusion from membership;
iii) approval of budgets and accounts;
iv) modification of the Constitution;
v) dissolution of the Association;
vi) exercise of powers conferred by law or this Constitution;

Article 8: Proceedings
8.1 Except in exceptional cases defined under law, the present Constitution or any by-laws, resolutions will be adopted by
a simple majority of votes of members of the National Committee under Article 6.2 present or represented. In case of a split vote,
the President has the casting vote
8.2 Decisions shall be communicated to all members of the National Committee under Article 6.2.
8.3 The deliberations of the National Committee shall be recorded in minutes.

Article 9: Meetings of the National Committee
9.1The National Committee shall meet under the authority of its President, or in case of the unavailability of the above,
under the Vice-President, at such time and place when the needs of the Association so demand.
9.2 Notwithstanding Article 8.1 the National Committee shall meet at least once every calendar year.

Article 10: Annual General Meeting
10.1 One General Meeting of the National Committee shall be determined as the Annual General Meeting of the Association.

Article 11: Vacancies
11.1 In case of vacancy of the office of President, the Vice-President shall take on this function.
11.2 In case of vacancy of one or more members of the National Committee, following resignation, death or any other cause,
the remaining members of the National Committee have provisional powers, and at its next meeting, the National Committee shall
seek nominations from the ASCA membership and hold an election. The member/s elected under the above circumstances shall be
elected for the period necessary to complete the term of the member/s who is/are being replaced. .

Article 12: Special Powers
12.1 The National Committee may confer, under its responsibility, special powers or roles to one or more persons.
12.2 The National Committee may also determine the duties, remunerations, salaries, indemnities or reimbursements fixed and variable,
of persons on whom it has conferred such roles.

Article 13: By-laws
13.1 The National Committee, deliberating according to the articles of this Constitution may create by-laws specifying means of
application of the present Constitution. Such by-laws are binding on all members.

Article 14: Annual financial period
14.1 The financial period is one year and commences on the 1st of July and closes on the 30th of June each year.
14.2 The accounts of the last financial period and the budget for the following period shall be presented to the Annual General Meeting
of the National Committee.

Article 15: Income and expenditure
15.1 Subject to the provisions of the Constitution, the Association may raise and expend monies and do all those things deemed
necessary or convenient in the furtherance of the purposes of the Association.

Article 16: Auditing
16.1 The National Committee may designate an officer charged with auditing the accounts of the Association and reporting annually.
The auditor is elected for four years and may be re-elected.

Article 17: Dissolution
17.1 In case of dissolution after discharging all debts, charges and fees, or designation of funds to this effect,
the net remainder (of funds) must be obligatorily given to an association or institution with purposes similar to the present Association.

Ratified at Sydney, New South Wales on 16 June 2002

President: Susan Scanlan
Vice-President: Penny Sturrock
Secretary: Barbara Walsh
Treasurer: Carlie Schlieman

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