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The rules that govern the operation of the
NZIC
Rule 1 - NAME
The name of the Institute shall be "The New
Zealand Institute of Chemistry(Incorporated)".
1.1 The term "Institute"
hereinafter shall be taken to mean "The New Zealand
Institute of Chemistry (Incorporated)", and similarly
the term "the Council" shall be taken to
mean the Council of the said Institute.
1.2 The term "Chemistry"
hereinafter shall be taken to mean chemistry in its
widest sense thereby including biochemistry, geochemistry
and other related aspects of the discipline.
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Rule 2 - REGISTERED OFFICE
The registered office and headquarters of the Institute
shall be in such place as the Council may from time
to time determine.
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Rule 3 -OBJECTS OF THE INSTITUTE
The objects for which the Institute is established
are:
3.1 To promote the science and practice
of chemistry in all its branches and the usefulness
and efficiency of persons engaged therein.
3.2 To raise the status and to advance
the interests of the profession of chemistry and of
those engaged therein.
3.3 To provide for the delivery
of lectures, and the holding of exhibitions, classes
and conferences calculated to advance the cause of
chemistry.
3.4 To promote honourable practice,
to repress malpractice, to settle disputed points
of practice and to decide all questions of professional
usage and etiquette.
3.5 To admit persons to be members
(honorary or otherwise) of the Institute upon such
terms and to confer on them such rights and privileges
as may be determined from time to time and to suspend,
expel or remove from membership any persons.
3.6 To subscribe to, support or
co-operate with any other association, society or
institute whether incorporated or not the objects
of which are similar to those of the Institute.
3.7 To collect and circulate statistics
and other information relative to any branch of chemistry.
3.8 To purchase, print, publish,
issue and circulate such papers, periodicals, books,
leaflets and other literary undertakings as may appear
relevant to any of the objects of the Institute.
3.9 To take any gift of property,
whether subject to any special trust or not, for any
one or more of the objects of the Institute.
3.10 To award certificates on such
terms and conditions as may from time to time be determined
and to provide a Register of holders of certificates
of the Institute and to obtain power to grant legally
recognised certificates of proficiency provided that
every certificate granted shall show on the face of
it that it is merely a certificate granted by the
Institute either upon the results of an examination
approved by the Institute or by reason of the original
membership of the Institute of the person to whom
it is issued. All certificates issued by the Institute
shall remain the property of the Institute and shall
be surrendered to the Institute on demand.
3.11 To cancel any certificate issued
to members upon cessation of membership.
3.12 To take any other lawful steps
to promote the progress of chemistry and the welfare
of those engaged in its study and practice. Provided
always that nothing in the Rules of the Institute
shall affect any of the provisions of "The Pharmacy
Act 1908" and any Acts amending the same or take
away any power of right conferred on any person or
body by or under any of the said Acts.
3.13 No addition to or alteration of the aims/objects, payments to clause or the winding-up clause shall be approved without the approval of Inland Revenue. The provisions and effect of this clause shall not be removed from this document and shall be included and implied into any document replacing this document.
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Rule 4 - NO FINANCIAL GAIN TO MEMBERS
The income and property of the Institute whencesoever
derived shall be applied solely towards the promotion
of the objects of the Institute as set forth in these
Rules, and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred
directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or
otherwise howsoever by way of profit to the persons
who at any time are or have been members of the Institute
or to any of them or to any person claiming through
them. Provided that nothing hereinbefore contained
shall prevent the payment of reasonable remuneration
to any officer or servant of the Institute in return
for services rendered to the Institute, or the payment
of Honoraria, travelling and other outlays to any
member of the Institute, whether a member of Council
or not, or to any other person in return for services
rendered to the Institute.
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Rule 5 - MEMBERSHIP
The Institute shall consist of three grades of member
whose designation is set out below: Honorary Fellow,
Fellow, Member See also Rules 8,9, and10 regarding
Member, Fellow and Honorary Fellow respectively.
5.1 Every person desiring admission
to the Institute shall apply to the Council in writing
in such form as the Council may prescribe. For the
grade of Fellow of the Institute the names and addresses
of three Fellows shall be provided as referees to
whom the applicant is known personally and who can,
if necessary, provide information regarding the applicants
experience in the practice of chemistry and general
fitness to be admitted as Fellow. The application
for the grade of Member of the Institute shall be
signed by the applicant and by two sponsors who shall
be financial members of the Institute. Receipt of
an application for membership signifies the applicants
consent to abide by the Code of Ethics.
5.2 Every applicant shall be deemed
to be a member of the Institute from the date of payment
of fees due from that time.
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Rule 6 - SUBSCRIPTIONS
The annual subscriptions for each membership grade
shall be such a sum as the Council may from time to
time determine.
6.1 A candidate must pay on application
such fees as are due before membership is confirmed.
6.2 The Council may at its discretion
grant remission of subscription to any member.
6.3 The Council may set a differential
member annual subscription for full-time students,
the unwaged, and other members as the Council determines.
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Rule 7 - CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP
7.1 Persons shall cease to be members:
7.1.1 At death.
7.1.2 When written resignation
is received by the Council from a financial member.
7.1.3 On omission to
pay their subscription within the financial year
it is due, members shall cease to be financial,
provided notification has been given to their last
known address. Members who are not financial shall
not receive any benefits of the Institute and on
omission to pay their subscription and any arrears
owing within one year from the end of the financial
year for which such subscription was due shall automatically
cease to be members.
7.1.4 If found guilty
by the Council of any dishonourable act, or any
act discreditable to the profession of chemistry.
Any person charged under this clause shall have
the right to present a case in person before the
Council at the meeting at which the case is considered.
7.1.5 If, in the opinion
of the Council, they have knowingly failed to observe
the Code of Ethics. Any person charged under this
clause shall have the right to present a case in
person before the Council at the meeting at which
the case is considered.
7.2 When persons cease to be members,
the Council shall remove their names from the Register
and they shall forthwith cease to possess any of the
rights of membership. Except in the case of death,
official notice of such removal from the Register
shall be sent by registered post to the persons concerned,
and for this purpose their last recorded addresses
shall be deemed to be correct.
7.3 If persons cease to be members
their membership certificates must be returned to
the Council forthwith for cancellation if the Council
so resolves.
7.4 Any person whose name has been
removed from the Register may apply to the Council
for reinstatement, and the Council may reinstate such
person accordingly on such conditions as it may determine.
The Council may refuse reinstatement without assigning
its reasons.
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Rule 8 - MEMBER
8.1 A person elected a Member shall
be connected with New Zealand by birth, education
or domicile.
8.2 Any persons shall be deemed
to have complied with the requirements of membership
if they have demonstrated: either a sincere interest
in the application and advancement of chemistry and
chemical processes or a determination to broaden the
knowledge of chemistry through education.
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Rule 9 - FELLOW
9.1 No person shall be elected a
Fellow unless connected with New Zealand by birth,
education or domicile, and has produced evidence satisfactory
to the Council of having reached the required standard
of attainment.
9.2 A Member who is a candidate
for Fellowship must, subsequent to election to Membership,
have had at least five years' professional experience
in the practice, application, management or teaching
of chemistry, or in the direction of other qualified
chemists, and must have shown therein a substantial
measure of ability or achievement. Notwithstanding
the above, the Council may in exceptional circumstances
and on the unanimous recommendation of the Fellowship
Committee elect to Fellowship a person who, although
otherwise qualified, has been a Member for less than
five years.
9.2.1 A Member who is a
candidate for Fellowship shall hold a Bachelors Degree
of a New Zealand university, provided that the courses
taken have included the pursuance of not less than
three years study of Chemistry and/or Biochemistry
together with suitable practical work, and who prove
to the satisfaction of the Council that they have
been engaged in the study of Chemistry or Biochemistry,
or in the practise of the profession in an active
or managerial role, in a manner approved by the Council
for a period of at least five years after qualifying
for such a Degree.
9.2.2 Any other Member,
able to comply except for the Bachelors Degree requirements
(9.2.1) may be elected a Fellow in
exceptional circumstances, but only if the Fellowship
Committee have unanimously reported that in their
opinion the applicant complies with the required standard
of attainment for the Fellowship and that the circumstances
warrant election to the Fellowship.
9.3 Persons other than
Members may be elected to the Fellowship in the following
cases:
9.3.1 An applicant who
is a Fellow of an organisation for chemists, e.g.
RSC and RACI, with similar aims to the New Zealand
Institute of Chemistry whose entry qualifications
are accepted by the Council as being fully equivalent
to those determined from time to time by the Council.
9.3.2 Any other person
not being a Member, but able to comply in other respects
with the requirements for the Fellowship may be elected
a Fellow in exceptional circumstances, but only if
the Fellowship Committee have unanimously reported
that in their opinion the applicant complies with
the required standard of attainment for the Fellowship
and that the circumstances warrant direct election
to the Fellowship.
9.4 All candidates for the Fellowship
shall be required to submit a full account of their
chemical interests, experience and studies. They may
also submit other relevant evidence such as patents,
published papers, a thesis embodying the results of
experimental work or a dissertation or critical review
of some topic within their field of work. They shall
submit the names of three responsible persons who
are willing to act as referees. Unless a specific
exemption is granted by the Council these referees
shall be Fellows of the Institute. The evidence submitted,
and the opinions of the referees shall be referred
to and considered by the Fellowship Committee which
shall further take into account the nature and responsibility
of the position held by the candidate.
9.4.1 Fellows of the
Institute and Branch Committees shall have the right
to nominate Members for Fellowship. In so doing
they shall provide the supporting evidence required
by Section 9.4.
9.5 The Fellowship Committee may
recommend that one or more assessors be appointed
for any particular application. The appointment of
assessors shall be made by the Council or, between
meetings of the Council, by the President and the
General Secretary. Where assessors have been appointed
they shall examine the evidence submitted by the candidate
and report there upon to the Fellowship Committee
through the Honorary General Secretary.
9.6 After having considered the
evidence submitted by a candidate for the Fellowship,
together with the report, if any, of the assessors
appointed for the particular application, the Fellowship
Committee shall report there upon to the Council.
9.7 The Council, with the unanimous
agreement of the Fellowship Committee, may invite
Members of high standing in the profession to become
Fellows. In such instances the Member concerned shall
not be required to submit an application form.
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Rule 10 - HONORARY FELLOW
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing
Rules, the Council may elect as an Honorary Fellow
any person who has given especially meritorious service
to the Institute or to science or to the profession
of chemistry, and such person shall then be entitled
without subscription to all privileges of membership,
provided, however, that election of Honorary Fellows
may be made only by the unanimous vote of the Council.
10.1 At any one time the number
of Honorary Fellows should equate to approximately
2% of the membership of the Institute.
10.2 Fellows of the Institute and
Branch Committees shall have the right to nominate
Honorary Fellows. In so doing they shall provide the
necessary supporting evidence.
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Rule 11 - DESIGNATIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Members in the designations set out below shall be
entitled to use an approved abbreviation after their
name.
Honorary Fellow............Hon. FNZIC
Fellow................................FNZIC
Member.............................MNZIC
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Rule 12 - REGISTER
The Council may appoint an Executive Officer, and
the Executive Officer or the Honorary General Secretary
shall keep a Register of members containing such particulars
as the Council may from time to time prescribe. All
members shall furnish the Council with all information
required to enable it to compile a record of their
qualifications. No name or designation shall be entered
in the Register save on the authority or a resolution
by the Council recorded in the Minute Books, nor shall
any name or designation already entered therein be
changed save on like authority and as provided for
under the Rules of the Institute.
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Rule 13 - THE COUNCIL
13.1 The management of the Institute
and the custody and control of its funds shall be
vested in a Council which shall consist of a President,
a First Vice-President, a Second Vice-President, a
delegate from each Branch, an Honorary General Secretary,
and an Honorary Treasurer.
13.2 The President, Vice-Presidents,
Honorary General Secretary and Honorary Treasurer
shall be elected annually from nominations made by
Branches, or by any six members, and forwarded to
the Executive Officer by October 31.
13.3 When nominations are called
for, the First Vice-President shall automatically
be nominated for the position of President, and if
the President is re-nominated, the First Vice-President
shall automatically be re-nominated for the office
of First Vice-President. The Second Vice-President
shall automatically be nominated for the office of
First Vice-President.
13.4 The President, Vice-Presidents,
Honorary General Secretary and Honorary Treasurer
shall be Members of the Institute.
13.5 The term of office of President
shall be not more than two years.
13.6 If there be more than one nomination
for the office of President Vice-Presidents, Honorary
General Secretary or Honorary Treasurer, an election
or elections shall be held by postal ballot of all
members. With the ballot papers there shall be included
the names of the members or Branch(es) nominating
the candidate, and there should be brief biographical
notes of the candidates.
13.7 The President shall act as
Chairman of all meetings of the Council. In the absence
of the President the First Vice-President shall so
act, or if neither of these officers be present then
the meeting shall elect its own Chairman. At meetings
of the Council each member of the Council present
shall have one vote. If voting be equal the Chairman
shall in addition have a casting vote.
13.8 The President, Vice-Presidents,
Honorary General Secretary and Honorary Treasurer
shall hold office until the first day of January in
the year following their election to Council. Branch
delegates shall hold office until replaced by resolution
of their Branch.
13.9 The Council shall cause minutes
of the proceedings of the Council, of Committees,
and of General Meetings, to be regularly recorded
in a book or books to be kept for the purpose. Copies
of such minutes shall be forwarded to the members
of the Council, members of Branch Committees, and
the immediate past President at least seven days prior
to the date of the next succeeding meeting at which
such minutes may be adopted.
13.10 In the event of a Branch delegate
being unable to attend a meeting of the Council the
Branch shall have the right to appoint in writing
any other Fellow or Member of the Institute who is
not a member of the Council to act as proxy.
13.11 The Duties of the Council
shall be:
13.11.1 To elect Members,
Fellows, Honorary Fellows and Life members of the
Institute.
13.11.2 To manage and
superintend the affairs and property of the Institute.
13.11.3 To make such
rules as may seem requisite for the furtherance
of the objects of the Institute and to alter, vary
and repeal such rules when deemed necessary.
13.11.4 To consider all
recommendations submitted to it by the Branch Committees.
13.11.5 To appoint a
Fellowship Committee.
13.12 For all meetings of the
Council a quorum shall consist of six.
13.13 A resolution in writing
entered in the minutes and signed by all the members
of the Council shall be as valid and effectual as
if it had been passed at a meeting of the Council
duly called and constituted.
13.14 The Council may from time
to time delegate any of its functions, powers and
duties under the Rules to a committee or committees,
trustee or trustees, and may appoint, suspend or remove
such persons, being members of the Institute, as it
thinks fit, to or from such committee or committees,
or to act or from acting as trustee or trustees and
may prescribe the functions, powers and duties of
such committee or committees, trustee or trustees.
13.15 The Council may appoint officers
and servants of the Institute to carry out specific
duties and may revoke or vary such appointments as
it thinks fit.
13.16 The Council shall have power
from time to time to vary, add to, alter or rescind
any Rule of the Institute by a resolution passed by
a majority of the Council (which majority shall include
at least four Branch delegates or their proxies) present
at any meeting of which notice specifying the intention
to propose such resolution has been given in writing
to every member of the Council and to every member
of Branch Committees at least thirty days before,
but not more than sixty days before, the day of such
meeting.
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Rule 14 - CUSTODY AND INVESTMENT OF FUNDS
14.1 The funds of the Institute
shall be under the control of the Council. The Honorary
Treasurer, or a deputy appointed by the Council, shall
deposit all monies received by the Honorary Treasurer
in the accounts of the Institute to be opened at a
Bank or Banks approved by the Council. Payment of
all accounts approved by the Council shall be made
therefrom by cheque or form signed by the Honorary
Treasurer, or a deputy appointed by the Council, and
one other member appointed by the Council. The Council
shall cause true accounts to be kept of all monies
received and expended by the Institute and shall at
its annual meeting, as defined in Rule 21 , lay on
the table a statement of the financial position of
the Institute during the preceding year, and also
a balance-sheet duly audited by a qualified auditor
covering the same period, copies of which documents
shall be forwarded to all members of the Institute
at least three days prior to such meeting. The Council
may from time to time invest any of the monies of
the Institute not immediately required for any of
its objects in any modes or securities permitted to
Trustees by the Statute Laws of New Zealand. Any such
investment shall be made in pursuance of a resolution
of a majority of the Council which majority shall
include at least three Branch delegates or their proxies.
14.2 Trust Fund The Council may
out of its income pay any surplus monies after making
provision for its ordinary expenditure, into a Trust
Fund upon and subject to the following conditions:
14.2.1 The Trust Fund
shall be in the names of, and administered by three
Trustees, who shall be members of the Institute,
and who shall be appointed triennially by the Council
from amongst the persons who have been Presidents
of the Institute if there are such Past Presidents
able and willing, and if not, then as the Council
may determine.
14.2.2 The office of
Trustee shall be vacated if the Trustee:
14.2.2.1 Ceases to be a member of the
Institute, or,
14.2.2.2 Becomes bankrupt or enters
into a composition with the creditors, or,
14.2.2.3 Becomes of unsound mind or
a protected person under the Aged and Infirm Persons
Protection Act, 1912, or,
14.2.2.4 Resigns office by notice in
writing to the Institute, or,
14.2.2.5 Becomes incapable of personally
carrying out the duties of a Trustee, or,
14.2.2.6 Fails to perform or observe
any of the duties of a Trustee under these Rules,
or,
14.2.2.7 Is suspended or removed by
the Council under provisions of Rule 14.14.
14.2.3 All vacancies
in the Trustees so arising shall be filled by the
Council by appointment for the remainder of the
term of the Trustee whose office so becomes vacant.
Until such vacancy or vacancies shall be filled,
the surviving or continuing Trustees may exercise
and perform all the powers of this Rule vested in
the Trustees.
14.2.4 The Trustees may
meet for the transaction of business. A resolution
in writing and signed by all the Trustees shall
be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed
at a meeting of the Trustees. The Trustees shall
keep a record of all business transacted at meetings
of the Trustees and of all monies received by them
and of their expenditure. The Trustees shall forthwith
after December 31 in each year submit a report in
writing to the Council of the business of the Trustees
during the preceding year and of the assets of the
Trust Fund and shall submit all accounts, vouchers
and securities to the examination of the auditors
of the Institute.
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Rule 15 - FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE
15.1 The Fellowship Committee shall
consist of three Fellows of the Institute, one of
whom shall retire annually by seniority and shall
be eligible for reappointment.
15.2 The duties of the Fellowship
Committee shall be to advise Council on the merits
of applicants for admission to the grade of Fellow
and Honorary Fellow.
15.2.1 To assist in the
assessment of any candidate the Fellowship Committee
shall be provided with confidential reports from
referees nominated by the candidate or the proposer
of the candidate.
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Rule 16 - FINANCIAL
The financial year shall end on the 31st day of December.
The Council shall have the power from time to time
to mortgage or charge all or any part of the property
and rights of the Institute, and to borrow by way
of bank overdraft, mortgage, debentures, or otherwise,
whether secured or unsecured, upon such terms and
at such rates of interest as the Council may decide.
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Rule 17 - AUDITOR
An Auditor (or Auditors) shall be appointed by the
Council but no member of the Council shall be eligible
as an Auditor. The Auditor (or Auditors) so appointed
shall hold office for one year but shall be eligible
for reappointment from year to year. The Auditor (or
Auditors) shall be supplied with a copy of the Balance
Sheet and shall examine it, together with all accounts
and vouchers relating thereto. The Auditor(s) shall
at all reasonable times have access to the books and
accounts of the Institute.
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Rule 18 - PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS
18.1 All communications, correspondence,
reports, minutes, and other papers and all documents
relative to the admission, advancement, suspension
or expulsion of members of the Institute shall be
privileged and confidential and shall not pass out
of the custody of the Honorary General Secretary or
Executive Officer, nor shall any of the contents be
disclosed outside the Council.
18.2 All communications including
referees' and assessors' reports relative to the election
of members may be circulated to the Fellowship Committee
and to Branch Committees, and such communications
shall be privileged and confidential.
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Rule 19 - THE COMMON SEAL
The Common Seal of the Institute shall be in the
custody of the Council and shall not be affixed to
any document except by the authority of a resolution
of the Council. The President (or a Vice-President)
and the Honorary General Secretary shall sign every
document to which the Seal is so affixed.
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Rule 20 - BRANCHES
20.1 Branch territories shall be
as follows:
AUCKLAND The North Auckland Land
District.
WAIKATO The South Auckland Land
District.
MANAWATU The Taranaki, Hawkes Bay
and Gisborne Land Districts, and that part of Wellington
Land District north of the Southern boundaries of
the Provisional One Mile Maps Nos. 152, 153 and 154.
WELLINGTON That part of the Wellington
Land District not included in the Manawatu Branch
together with the Marlborough and Nelson Land Districts.
CANTERBURY The Canterbury and Westland
Land Districts.
OTAGO The Otago and Southland Land
Districts.
OVERSEAS MEMBERS Members resident
or temporarily overseas shall belong to a group administered
by the Executive Officer or Honorary General Secretary.
The headquarters of the Branches shall be as follows:
AUCKLAND BRANCH Auckland
WAIKATO BRANCH Hamilton
MANAWATU BRANCH Palmerston North
WELLINGTON BRANCH Wellington
CANTERBURY BRANCH Christchurch
OTAGO BRANCH Dunedin
OVERSEAS BRANCH the current location
of the NZIC office
20.2 The Council shall on the written
application of ten members asking for the establishment
of a new Branch, obtain the opinion of the members
of the Institute by means of a postal ballot and if
the majority of the votes cast support such a proposal,
the Council shall forthwith create such a Branch which
it shall suitably name.
20.2.1 The minimum number of members
required to constitute a Branch shall be thirty-five.
20.3 The financial year of a Branch
shall end on a day in September determined by the
Branch.
20.4 Each Branch shall in each year,
at such time as the Branch may determine, hold an
Annual General Meeting of its members, of whom ten
shall constitute a quorum, and at such meeting officers
of the Branch shall be elected.
20.4.1 Each Branch Committee
shall consist of a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer
(or Secretary-Treasurer), who shall be Members of
the Institute, and at least four ordinary members.
The Committee shall appoint one of its members as
Delegate to the Council. A Branch may elect the
immediate-past Chairman and the Branch Editor as
additional members of the Branch Committee.
20.4.2 Each Branch shall
elect a Branch Editor and appoint an Auditor, and
shall have power to set up sub-committees.
20.4.3 All members of
the Branch Committee shall retire annually but shall
be eligible for re-election.
20.5 At all meetings of the Branch
Committee four shall constitute a quorum.
20.6 In the event of any office
of a Branch Committee becoming vacant during the year,
the Committee shall have power to co-opt a member
of the Branch to fill the office and the member so
co-opted shall hold office until the next Annual General
Meeting of the Branch.
20.7 The Council may authorise Branch
Committees to form Sections within the Branch. In
such an event, the Council shall approve by-laws to
govern the operation of these Sections.
20.8 Duties of Branch Committees:
20.8.1 To advise the
Council in matters pertaining to the admission of
any members of the Institute when so requested.
20.8.2 To convene local
meetings of the members of the Institute from time
to time at its own discretion or on requisition
by ten members of the Branch, to discuss matters
affecting the interests of its members, and to transmit
the resolutions of such meetings to the Council.
20.8.3 To provide for
conferences and meetings calculated to advance the
cause of chemistry.
20.8.4 To advise the
Council concerning any matter which may affect the
interests of the Institute or its Branches.
20.8.5 To cause to be
compiled a roll of members of the Branch with their
addresses and such other particulars as the Council
may require, a copy of such roll to be deposited
with the Executive Officer and all alterations or
amendments to be promptly notified to the Executive
Officer.
20.8.6 To forward to
the Council a copy of the Annual Report of the Branch,
an audited copy of the Statement of Accounts and
a list of papers read before the Branch during the
year.
20.8.7 To forward to
the Council a list of officers elected at the Annual
General Meeting, including the name of the delegate
to the Council.
20.10 Any Branch may raise funds
by special subscriptions from the members constituting
such Branch and such funds shall be at the absolute
disposal of that Branch.
20.11 Rights of Branch Members:
20.11.1 Any member may
speak at all meetings of the Branch including the
Annual or Extraordinary General Meetings of the
Branch.
20.11.2 Any member may
vote at Annual or Extraordinary General Meetings
of the Branch.
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Rule 21 - GENERAL MEETINGS
Modes of summoning and holding and of voting thereat.
A General Meeting shall mean a meeting to which all
members have been summoned. Ordinary General Meetings
of the Institute shall be held at such time and place
as the Council may from time to time determine. An
Annual General Meeting of the Institute within ninety
(90) days of the end of the financial year, or at
such other time as the Council may from time to time
determine. The Annual General Meeting shall receive
and adopt the Annual Report and Balance Sheet.
Upon receipt of a requisition in writing signed by
any twenty (20) or more members, the Council shall
convene an Extraordinary General Meeting always provided
that any such requisition by members in order to be
effective must clearly state the object or objects
of the meeting proposed to be called. The Council
shall, not less than thirty (30) days nor more than
sixty (60) days before any Ordinary or Extraordinary
general meeting, send to each member either by post
or by notification in the Journal, a notice giving
the day, place and hour of meeting and the business
to be transacted thereat ,but the non-receipt of such
notice by any member shall not invalidate any resolution
passed.
For an Annual General Meeting notice of at least
thirty (30) days giving the day, place and hour of
the meeting shall be given. Such prior notice may
be given in an appropriate issue of the Journal. At
an Ordinary General Meeting thirty (30) members personally
present shall form a quorum with power to act. At
any Extraordinary General Meeting forty (40) members
personally present shall form a quorum with power
to act. If at any General Meeting a quorum be not
present within half an hour after the time appointed
for the meeting, the meeting shall lapse.
The President of the Institute shall preside as Chairman
at every General Meeting of the Institute, but if
the President be not present the First Vice-President
shall so act, and if neither of these officers be
present then the meeting shall elect its own chairman.
If at any General Meeting the whole business appointed
to be done be not completed the Chairman may with
the consent of those present adjourn the meeting from
time to time and from place to place, but no business
shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other
than the business left unfinished at the meeting from
which the adjournment took place.
A motion or an amendment proposed and seconded at
any General Meeting shall be put by the Chairman and
decided by a majority of the members present on a
show of hands. A declaration by the Chairman that
a resolution has been carried or not carried, and
an entry to that effect in the minute book shall be
conclusive evidence that the resolution has been passed
or not without proof of the number or proportion of
the votes recorded for or against such resolution
or amendment unless a division be called for or a
postal ballot be forthwith demanded by not less than
ten members personally present and entitled to vote
at the meeting. A demand for a division or a postal
ballot may be withdrawn. No division, however, may
be demanded as to the appointment of a Chairman or
scrutineers or the adjournment of a meeting.
If a postal ballot be demanded such ballot shall
be taken by sending to each member by post a copy
of the proposed resolution and a voting paper. Such
voting papers shall be sent within fourteen (14) days
and shall be returnable to the scrutineers not later
than twenty-eight (28) days after the day on which
the ballot was demanded. The General Meeting at which
a postal ballot is demanded shall appoint two scrutineers,
one at least of whom shall be a member of the Council
and such scrutineers shall open the voting papers
and report to the Council the result of the voting,
which results shall be deemed to be the resolution
of the Institute in General Meeting and shall take
effect from the last day on which voting papers were
returnable.
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Rule 22 - VOTE
Every member shall be entitled to one vote, provided,
however, that a member is financial (see rule 7.1.3).
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Rule 23 - WINDING UP
The Institute shall be wound up voluntarily whenever
a majority of the members in a postal ballot express
their desire that the Institute shall be so wound
up. Such postal ballot shall be held only after a
resolution in favour of winding up the Institute has
been duly carried at an Extraordinary General Meeting
specially called to consider the advisability of winding
up, such resolution being confirmed at a subsequent
General Meeting called together for that purpose and
held not earlier than thirty (30) days after the resolution
so to be confirmed.
23.1 Disposition of Property in
the Event of Winding Up. If upon winding up or dissolution
of the Institute there remain after the satisfaction
of all its debts and liabilities any property whatsoever
the same shall not be paid to or distributed among
the members of the Institute but shall be given or
transferred to any one or more institutions, associations
or societies whether incorporated or not, whose objects
are similar to the objects of the Institute or to
the Universities of New Zealand as may be determined
by a General meeting of the Institute at or before
the time of winding up dissolution.
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Rule 24 - INDEMNITY OF OFFICERS
No member of the Council and no member of a Branch
Committee shall be personally liable for the acts,
receipts, neglects or defaults of any other member,
officer, or Committee.
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COMMENTARY ON RULES OF ADMISSION
INTRODUCTION This commentary
provides a basis for guidance and advice to persons
interested in seeking membership of the Institute.
It also aims at achieving a consistency of interpretation
and application of the rules.
GRADES OF MEMBERSHIP
1. Member
This grade is awarded to any applicant who has either
a sincere interest in the advancement and application
of chemistry and chemical processes or a determination
to broaden the knowledge of chemistry by education.
It is the primary grade of membership of the Institute.
2. Fellow
The Fellowship provides peer group recognition of
Members who have made a substantial contribution to
their profession and represents the Institutes major
accolade. There are two aspects of Rule 9 which warrant
comment.
(1) Under rule 9a candidate for Fellowship must normally
have had at least five years' appropriate experience
as a Member subsequent to gaining a Bachelors Degree
qualification involving three years of study of chemistry
or biochemistry. The candidate must have shown therein
a substantial measure of ability or achievement. This
may be manifested in various ways: by the quality
of published work; by administrative responsibility
within the profession - head of department or section,
senior officer, research development and industrial
managers; by administrative responsibility arising
from a background of chemistry; principals, cabinet
ministers, general managers, senior directors; by
service to professional, scientific, or community
organisations. In assessing the standard of attainment
all the factors shall be considered, for a Fellow
is essentially one who combines professional authority,
responsibility, and seniority.
(2) Under Rule 9.2.2 entry to the Fellowship is possible
"in exceptional circumstances" for Members
who do not meet the Bachelors Degree criteria. This
applies for Members who meet the criteria for Fellowship
despite having not gained the formal degree education
in chemistry.
(3) Under Rule 9.3.2 direct entry to the Fellowship
is possible "in exceptional circumstances".
This generally applies to applicants who are of the
required standard for Fellowship but have not had
the opportunity of becoming Members.
3. Honorary Fellow
(1) Rule 10 states: "Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary in the foregoing Rules, the Council
may elect as an Honorary Fellow any person who has
given especially meritorious service to the Institute
or to science or to the profession of chemistry, and
such person shall then be entitled without subscription
to all privileges of membership, provided, however,
that election of Honorary Fellows may be made only
by the unanimous vote of the Council." There
is no other guidance given in the Code of Ethics and
Rules beyond the confirmation that the grade carries
the abbreviation Hon.FNZIC and that not more than
approximately 2% of the Institute membership may hold
this grade at any one time.
(2) The Rules and Commentary are explicit on the
high status expected of candidates for Fellowship.
It is implicit that an Honorary Fellow should not
be of lesser stature. This implication is given point
by the words "especially meritorious". Election
requires the unanimous vote of the Council. It is
the only grade with such a provision. There is an
implication that this grade warrants the most thorough
scrutiny. Explicit is confirmation that it carries
"all privileges of membership". There is
nothing, therefore, to preclude such a person from
holding any Institute office.
(3) The rules makes no stipulation regarding the
candidate's background or educational qualification.
The requirement is "especially meritorious service".
(4) Over the years various unwritten precedents became
established. The number of Honorary Fellows was always
limited, partly by the very high standard adopted,
and from the mid-1980s, by tacit agreement to aim
at around 2% of the total membership, a figure that
is now incorporated into the rules (10.1). As the
membership has grown it has become increasingly difficult
to ensure that all members are remembered as potential
candidates. To avoid injustices the custom has grown
up of electing only retired members, and of considering
their candidature only at the time of retirement.
There is no strict procedure laid down for considering
potential candidates. In the past there has been reliance
upon individual reminders of the impending retirement
of distinguished members, but increasingly it becomes
a duty of Branches to bring to the Council's attention
the merits of retiring members and this is incorporated
in the Rules (10.2). However, all Fellows have the
responsibility (Rule 10.2) to nominate appropriately
distinguished candidates. In the first instance the
candidate's name is referred to the Fellowship Committee.
The Branch (or Fellow) needs to fully document the
reasons for submitting the name. It is no longer possible
to assume that all chemists know one another.
(5) In the past those elected have generally merited
consideration because of a broad range of activities,
but the rule is deliberately not specific. Care is
needed to ensure that presidency of the Institute
does not become regarded as either a prerequisite
or an automatic basis for election. Whilst it is customarily
an honour reserved for members, Rule 10 specifically
allows the flexibility to confer the honour on a non-member.
(6) As a result of the care with which previous Honorary
Fellows have been selected those in the grade are
the Institute's most senior and respected members.
Election as an Honorary Fellow is the greatest honour
the Institute can confer.
(7) It is customary for Council to consider nominations
for Honorary Fellow at its meeting in August with
notification at the Annual General Meeting.
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