Constitution and By-Laws
The Queensland Family History Society Inc. is governed by its Constitution (Rules).
Where necessary, the Management Committee of your Society approves By-Laws to cover aspects of the Society's activities.
Review of Constitution and By-Laws 2023-24
The Queensland Family History Society has been successfully operating as an incorporated association under a set of Rules last revised in 1992. There have been significant amendments to the legislation governing such associations since then, with the most recent taking effect from 22 June 2022 and more to take effect on 1 July 2024.
The existing rules of QFHS no longer meet its needs or the requirements of Queensland law.
Consequently, Management Committee has established a Constitution Review Subcommittee to develop an agreed constitution and accompanying by-laws for the Queensland Family History Society.
The subcommittee will consist of two current or recent former members of the Management Committee: Charlotte Sale and Chris Schuetz.
A constitution advisory group (up to six members, membership currently being finalised) will provide advice and feedback on the draft documents prior to distribution to the full membership.
QFHS members will be given opportunities to provide advice and feedback. When available, documents for review will be posted on this webpage, as will all communications regarding the constitution revision process.
Management Committee will be updated with monthly reports from the subcommittee.
Options
There are two options for developing a new Constitution:
1. adoption of the recently reviewed and legislated Model Rules for incorporated associations. The Model Rules provide incorporated associations with common minimum requirements to which associations add by-laws specific to their circumstances. For instance, QFHS current by laws include the conditions of membership of the Pre-Separation Group.
2. one customised to our specific needs but which must not be inconsistent with the Model Rules.
Due consideration will be given to ensure changes don’t affect QFHS’s status as a charitable organisation or its registration with ACNC (Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission).
The task ahead for the Constitution Review Subcommittee is to
- Review past and existing documents, assess required changes
- Assess if Model Rules (and necessary supplementary By-Laws) will be sufficient for QFHS needs
- Draft proposed documents
- Communicate with members regarding the documents
- Obtain advice and feedback from the constitution advisory group, the Management Committee, and members
- Conduct legal due diligence
- Present the final documents to members at a General Meeting
There will be several opportunities for members to provide feedback on drafts and suggestions for improvement, both in writing and at informal hybrid meetings. The email address established for the purpose is constitution.review@qfhs.org.au
A final constitution and by-laws will be presented to QFHS members at a General Meeting in 2024, either to the meeting scheduled for March or to the Annual General Meeting in June.
Some resources relevant to this review include:
- Current rules and by-laws
- Current Queensland State Government legislation
- Queensland Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (Current as at 3 November 2022)
- Queensland Associations Regulation 1999 (Current as at 1 July 2023) – includes the Model Rules
- relevant advice webpages from Queensland Office of Fair Trading and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission
- Queensland Office of Fair Trading (OFT) – for example
- Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) – an example
We look forward to members’ participation in this important review.
Please direct questions and make requests, suggestions, and responses to the subcommittee via email: constitution.review@qfhs.org.au