GAME CENTRE
Newcastle Basketball is pleased to announce the unanimous approval of a significant update to its constitution at the EGM last Thursday 5 December, following a comprehensive two-year review process.
The updated constitution reflects the positive direction the organisation is heading, ensuring it is better aligned with contemporary standards and practices in governance.
The revision process, which involved consultation with a range of stakeholders, aims to ensure that the constitution remains relevant as the organisation grows and adapts to the evolving landscape of community sport.
SUMMARY OF MAJOR CHANGES:
MEMBERSHIP
To vote at general meetings, individuals no longer need to apply for ordinary membership. Simply registering to play, coach, officiate, or volunteer automatically makes you a member.
Participants under 18 will designate an adult to represent them, and life members and life playing members retain their voting rights.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP
Life membership will no longer be limited to two new nominees per AGM. To qualify, individuals must now demonstrate 15 years of service, up from 10. The approval process remains unchanged, requiring 75% of members present at the AGM.
BOARD COMPOSITION
The board will be reduced from 8 to 6 elected members, with 3-year terms (instead of 2) and a maximum of 6 consecutive years.
Instead of 4 Directors up for election annually, there will be a rotation of 2 per year. The number of appointed Directors will increase from 1 to up to 3.
Additionally, an independent committee will conduct a skills audit and make election recommendations to the membership.
BOARD GOVERNANCE
The constitution will require a Board Charter and Register of Disclosures.
At General Meetings, if votes are tied, the motion will be lost and the chair will not have a casting vote.
At board meetings, in the event of a deadlock, the chair will not cast an immediate vote. The motion will be deferred to the next meeting, and if there is still a deadlock, the chair will then have a casting vote.
COMPANY SECRETARY
The Company Secretary cannot be a Director or employee of BANL and will have a 6-year term limit.
The Board will use a skills matrix to define the role’s required skillset, and the position will be paid.
The updated constitution brings the governance framework more in line with modern-day practices, with a particular focus on clarity around decision-making, roles and responsibilities, and the inclusion of best practice principles in organisational management.
The changes are expected to allow Newcastle Basketball to better serve its members including athletes, volunteers, and the wider community as the sport continues to thrive in the region.
The board would like to acknowledge the vast contribution of all who were a part of the constitution working group and in particular David Reid of Reid Law for providing his invaluable expertise.
