Constitution of the Association of Speakers Clubs (ASC)

1. Name
   • The Association is named “The Association of Speakers Clubs” (ASC).
2. Aim
   • The goal is to help members become better speakers, presenters, and leaders in a supportive environment.
3. Powers
   • The ASC has powers to create and maintain clubs, admit members, set standards, publish materials, raise funds, and purchase equipment to support its mission.
4. Membership Types
   • Full Members: Individuals aged 18+.
   • Student Members: Full-time students, 50% membership fee.
   • Junior Members: Under 18, cannot vote or hold office.
   • Affiliated Members: Members of Affiliated or Candidate Clubs, no voting rights.
   • Associate Members: For individuals without a local club, 50% membership fee, no voting rights.
5. Strategic Leadership Team (SLT)
   • Includes elected officers (e.g., National President, Vice President) and appointed officers (e.g., National Secretary, Treasurer).
6. General Meetings
   • AGM: Held annually by April 30th to receive reports, vote on motions, and elect officers.
   • EGM: Can be called by the President, SLT, or a third of voting members for special matters.
7. Finance
   • Membership fees are determined at the AGM.
8. Amendments
   • Constitution amendments require a two-thirds majority; Rules amendments require a simple majority.
9. Dissolution
   • The ASC can only dissolve with a two-thirds majority vote at an EGM, and remaining assets will be transferred to a similar organization.

Rules of the Association of Speakers Clubs

• Membership of Clubs
  • Candidate Clubs: Groups forming to become official clubs, working towards compliance with the ASC’s criteria.
  • Admission Criteria: A club must have at least 6 members, hold regular meetings, and have members on the ASC Development Pathway.
  • Suspension and Expulsion: Clubs may be suspended or expelled for non-compliance with the Constitution and Rules.
• Club Structure and Development
  • Clubs must follow ASC rules and aim to remain compliant with membership criteria. Non-compliant clubs become “Development Priority” and receive support for a maximum of two years.
  • A club may be expelled by a two-thirds majority vote for serious violations.
• Individual Members of Clubs
  • Individual members are governed by their club’s rules but must follow the ASC Constitution and Rules.
  • Suspension: An individual can be suspended if they violate ASC rules, losing membership benefits.
  • Expulsion: An individual may be expelled by the Strategic Leadership Team, losing all rights and membership benefits.

Management of the Association

1. Officers of the Association
   • Elected Officers:
     • National President and National Vice President.
     • Must be a Full or Student member, and from a non-Suspended or Expelled club.
     • Preferably have served as an appointed or casual officer and attended at least 2 meetings.
     • Elected at the AGM. Nominations due by 30 November, with additional nominations by 31 January.
     • If more than one nominee, a vote will be held at the AGM.
     • If an elected officer fails to meet eligibility, they must resign or be deemed to have resigned by the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT).
   • Appointed Officers:
     • Includes National Secretary, Treasurer, Education Director, Development Officer.
     • Must be a Full or Student member, and from a non-Suspended or Expelled club.
     • Officers are appointed by SLT after receiving applications and CVs.
     • Term is one year, renewable up to 5 years.
   • Casual Officers:
     • Appointed by SLT for specific roles or projects.
     • Must be a Full or Student member and from a non-Suspended or Expelled club.
     • Vacancy notices sent by National Secretary, with CV submission required.
     • Appointment term is one year or project duration.
   • Terms of Office:
     • Elected officers serve a 2-year term.
     • Appointed officers serve a 1-year term, renewable up to 5 years.
     • Casual officers serve for a year or the project duration.
   • Removal of Officers:
     • Elected Officers can be removed via AGM resolution (requires 2/3 majority).
     • Appointed or Casual Officers can be removed by the SLT for good cause.
   • Compensation of Officers:
     • Officers only reimbursed for legitimate expenses incurred during their duties.
2. Strategic Leadership Team (SLT)
   • SLT consists of elected, appointed, and regional coordinators.
   • Casual officers advise but do not vote.
   • SLT duties include:
     • Managing the Association’s affairs, policies, and financial management.
     • Ensuring the Association remains relevant and well-managed.
     • Setting and controlling financial policies and budgets.
3. Ad-Hoc Committees
   • Formed as needed by SLT for specific projects or purposes.
   • Members appointed by SLT with vacancies notified to members.
   • Members must be Full or Student members from non-Suspended clubs.
   • Committees are dissolved by SLT and reported at the AGM.

Conduct of Meetings

1. AGM
   • The AGM addresses matters set by the Constitution.
   • Motions from the SLT are automatically included; others need a proposer, seconder, and support of 5 other voting members.
   • Quorum: 20 voting members.
   • Motions require a simple majority to pass, except where the Constitution states otherwise.
2. SLT Meetings
   • At least 2 meetings per year, often in person.
   • Other meetings may be called as necessary, via video or phone conference.
   • Urgent meetings can be called with 3 days’ notice.
   • Quorum: Majority of members in attendance.
3. Ad-Hoc Committee Meetings
   • Held as needed for the committee’s duties, in person or remotely.
   • Quorum: Majority of members present.

Finances

1. Financial Control
   • SLT manages the financial decisions, except those requiring member input at the AGM.
   • Signatories to the bank account: National President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer.
   • Financial transactions over a set limit require two signatories.
2. Financial Operation
   • Funds held in the Association’s name.
   • Transactions up to a limit need one signatory; above the limit require the Treasurer and one other signatory.
   • Financial year ends on 31 December, with accounts examined by a competent person and presented at the AGM.
3. Membership Fees
   • Membership fees are due on 1 January annually.
   • Fees set by SLT and approved at the AGM.
   • Late payments may lead to restrictions on member participation and loss of rights.
   • Special arrangements for affiliated, candidate, corporate, and transferring clubs.

Miscellaneous

1. Complaints, Disputes, and Infringements
   • Managed according to a set procedure (CDI).
2. Copyright
   • All Association materials and logos are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without SLT authorisation.

These are summarised key points for quick reference. For the full Constitution and Rules, please visit the ASC Policies Page.