Resignation to avoid discipline? Complaints were made to the Institution of Professional Engineers of New Zealand Inc (“IPENZ”) against Mr Harding, an engineer involved in the design and construction of the former CTV building in Christchurch which collapsed during the 22 February 2011 earthquake, and also against Dr Reay the principal of the engineering firm […]
The public notices column of a daily newspaper is not the usual place from which to draw inspiration, but a newspaper some years ago provided food for thought about calling general meetings of members of societies. Examples of general meeting notices There were seven such notices in that newspaper – can you spot any problems […]
These notes, prepared by Mark von Dadelszen, provide an overview of the more significant elements of the proposals to replace the Incorporated Societies Act 1908. New and existing societies should be proactive in anticipating the reforms when adopting or revising constitutions. An Exposure Draft Bill was produced in 2015, and a Bill was introduced in […]
Background This article seeks, briefly, to help trustees of a charitable trust or committee members of a charitable society governing the charity more readily to understand the obligations they assume when appointed or elected (and those governing general incorporated societies have similar duties). Before doing so it may be helpful to explain the differences between […]
There is a world of difference between operating an underground coal mine and governing a not-for-profit community organisation, but the two are now connected, even if that may not be immediately obvious. The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 was passed in large part because of the 2010 Pike River Mine disaster, and this […]
Risks relating to Money Laundering or Financing of Terrorism The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML/CFT) is intended to prevent money-laundering by criminals and the financing of terrorism. Societies and charitable trusts (“not-for-profits”) and those providing them with services (such as legal, accounting and banking) are affected by this legislation: The […]
Not-for-Profits and New Zealand Business Numbers The New Zealand Business Number Act 2016 provides that incorporated societies registered under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908, charitable trusts incorporated under the Charitable Trusts Act 1957, friendly societies and credit unions registered under the Friendly Societies and Credit Unions Act 1982, and industrial and provident societies registered under […]
Introduction Most not-for-profit organisations (societies or charitable trusts, abbreviated to NfP in this article) are governed and managed by well-intentioned, honest people, but many of those people lack some or all of the knowledge and skills about the governance, decision-making and record-keeping required in such an organisation. The sections that follow provide a brief guide […]
The issues Problems relating to conflicts of interest, bias and predetermination arise in not-for-profits, not just in local authorities, statutory boards, and commercial entities. People are usually elected or appointed to decision-making positions for one or more of the following reasons: They are believed to have expertise in the area where decisions are to be […]
There’s nowt so queer as folk The phrase “there’s nowt so queer as folk” (which is variously attributed to different parts of the British Isles) describes many of the difficulties people can cause in community organisations People can be difficult in many ways, sometimes deliberately, but often without consciously intending to be difficult. Because many […]
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