The Australian Federal Police Former Members Association
Incorporated in the ACT
RULES
These Rules act in concert with the Model Rules, as outlined at Rule 3
Contents
1.
2.
Aims and Objectives
(a) foster a sense of community and camaraderie amongst members;
(b) promote a spirit of goodwill as well as esprit de corps;
(c) use legitimate means to protect and advance the interests of members;
(d) assist members as determined by the AFPFMA Executive Committee;
(e) help reduce the feeling of isolation members often experience following separation from the Australian Federal Police (AFP);
(f) work co-operatively with the AFP and AFPA to participate in programs, information sessions and activities to assist people transition out of the AFP;
(g) provide a valuable resource to enhance the AFP, in particular the AFP Museum;
(h) Provide support and comradeship to each other, particularly in times of ill health;
(i) show respect where possible by attending the funeral of any former AFP member;
(j) assist widows, widowers and families where possible;
(k) maintain a Wall of Remembrance acknowledging members who have passed on;
(l) provide information to members;
(m) administer the funds and assets of the Association to the benefit of the members and to facilitate the effective administration of the Association;
(n) work collaboratively with other like-minded groups;
(o) act as a link/pathway for members to access assistance on mental health issues, such as PTSD;
(p) lobby legislators for better outcomes for members;
(q) seek funding through grants for the betterment of members;
(r) create events such as reunions and activities for members.
3.
Part 1.2
4.
Membership
(1) All membership applications are subject to review by the Committee. The Committee shall have ultimate discretion over whether an application for membership is accepted.
(2) Membership of the Association shall be offered in the following categories;
(a) Full Member
Full membership of the AFPFMA is available to those who:
(i) Were an employee of the Australian Federal Police either as a sworn or unsworn member but excluding contractors; and
(ii) Retired or resigned from the Australian Federal Police, including those retired for medical/invalidity reasons; and
(iii) At the time of their leaving the Australian Federal Police left under ‘clear and honourable’ circumstances after honourable and ethical service in the AFP.
(b) Associate Member
Associate membership of the AFPFMA is available to those who;
(i) Are the spouse or partner of a Full Member; or
(ii) Are the widow, widower or partner of a deceased former Full Member; or
(iii) Are the widow, widower or partner of a deceased member of another Police Service or Force other than the AFP; or
(iv) Former members of another Police Service or Force.
(c) AFPFMA Life Member
(i) Any two financial members may nominate in writing the name of any financial member for Life Membership who has, in their opinion, rendered outstanding service to the Association over a considerable period of time.
(ii) All nominations for Life Membership will be considered by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may approve or not each application. The Executive Committee will inform the nominator for any reasons for refusal.
(iii) Only one Life Member may be approved in any calendar year.
(iv) Any person granted Life Membership shall not be liable to pay the annual subscription fees, but still retain full voting rights and the ability to sit on the board.
(d) Honorary Member
(i) Any two financial members may nominate any person who is not a member, who has in their opinion, been of assistance to the Association for Honorary Membership.
(ii) All nominations for Honorary Membership will be considered by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may approve or not each nomination.
(iii) Any person granted Honorary Membership shall not be liable to pay annual subscription fees.
(iv) The Executive Committee may revoke an Honorary Membership should the person’s actions, in words or by deed, move away from that set out in the Rules.
(v) Any decision taken under this section may be overturned during an ordinary meeting of the Executive Committee by a two thirds majority vote by the members in attendance.
5.
Membership Conditions
(1) Associate Members may attend meetings and enjoy all amenities but have no voting rights at any meeting of the Association, except a Branch Social or Welfare Committee meeting.
(2) Associate Members are not eligible for election to the Committee.
(3) Non-financial members do not have any voting rights at a meeting, including a general meeting of the Association.
(4) Non-financial members are not eligible for election to the Committee.
(5) Non-financial members are not able to receive any benefit, privilege, invitation or entitlement ordinarily open to financial members.
(6) Honorary Members may attend meetings and enjoy all amenities but have no voting rights at any meeting of the Association, except a Branch Social or Welfare Committee meeting.
(7) Honorary Members are not eligible for election to the Committee.
5A.
Fees, subscriptions etc.
(1) The entrance fee (joining fee) to the association is $10 or, if any other amount has been determined by resolution of the Committee, the other amount.
(2) The annual membership fee of the association is $20 or, if any other amount has been determined by resolution of the Committee, that other amount.
(3) The annual membership fee (renewal fee or subscription) is payable every 12 months from the date on which the initial entrance and membership fees were received and in each succeeding calendar year, the renewal date. For example: joined on 11 April 2019. Renewal fee is due before 11 April in subsequent years.
(a) A member whose annual subscriptions remain unpaid after a period of three months or more from their membership renewal date shall cease to be a financial member and become a non-financial member.
(b) Non-financial members shall not be entitled to any privileges of membership including voting rights, discount offers or invitations to functions.
(c) Non-financial members who have been unfinancial for one year may regain their membership without paying the nomination fee, and by paying all outstanding subscriptions. Where the outstanding dues are in excess of two years subscriptions, a nomination fee as well as signing another application form will be required.
(4) Any member who has been a financial member for at least three years and has reached the age of eighty years (80yrs) shall be exempt from paying the annual subscription fees.
(a) The Patron is exempt from paying the annual subscription fees but retains voting rights and all other privileges, whilst Patron.
(5) The Executive Committee may approve an application for membership and waive the joining and annual subscription fees in exceptional hardship or other circumstances.
6.
7.
Part 1.3 Committee
The office bearers of the Committee are:
8.
10.
Treasurer
Association cheques shall be prepared by the Treasurer, and signed by any two office bearers, committee members, or members, as authorised by the rules of the Association. The Treasurer shall submit to the Annual General Meeting a duly audited Balance Sheet of all monies received and disbursed for the current financial year.
11.
Secretary
The Secretary shall receive and conduct all correspondence for the Association, as may be necessary, and generally assist in the management of the affairs of the Association. They will prepare and submit for the information of the members an Annual Report in connection with the affairs of the Association within 21 days after the close of each financial year, and he will be responsible for bringing notice of the Annual General Meeting to the attention of each member by way of a ‘Notice of Annual Meeting’ 14 days before such meeting is held.
12.
14.
15.
Continuity of Ordinary Committee membership
(1) After the election of the first Committee, only half of the ordinary committee member positions will be open for re-election at the AGM.
(2) The ‘continuing’ ordinary committee members will be taken, if they seek re-election at the AGM, to be re-elected.
(3) The ordinary committee member positions open for re-election will alternate; 50 percent in odd years, the other 50 percent in even years.
Part 1.4 General Meetings.
17.
Part 1.5 Miscellaneous
18.
19.
20.
Branches
(1) Regional Branches and Sub-Branches of the Association may be formed if approved by the Association. Such branches must have a membership of not less than five members. Branches will conduct their own local business.
(2) All matters of policy or management of the Australian Federal Police Former Members Association Incorporated must be dealt with, by and through the Committee. Such matters must not be circulated between branches beforehand.
21.
Advocacy
All advocacy including negotiations or lobbying with the Government, Government Authorities, or other representative body, as well as approaches to the press, radio, television, social media and official Associations or organizations, relating to matters of general interest, shall be conducted through the Committee. This approach provides coordination during official negotiations being conducted by the Association.
