BvonD News
Holding (or not holding) General Meetings of Members in extraordinary circumstances
The current issues relating to the COVID-19 virus give rise to some difficult problems for many organisations that are required to hold regular meetings of members (including companies and not-for-profit organisations such as societies and charities).
NEW INCORPORATED SOCIETIES ACT – WHAT EXISTING SOCIETIES WILL HAVE TO DO AND BE AWARE OF
This Article is based on what was proposed in the 2015 Exposure Draft Incorporated Societies Bill, but also having regard to some modifications signalled in the Minister’s June 2019 Cabinet Paper. The article will need to be revised after the new statute has been enacted, hopefully later in 2020. In the meantime, existing societies and […]
Constitution-Builder for Society Constitutions
Background The Law Commission’s 2013 Report, A New Act for Incorporated Societies, noted at paragraph 7.58 that: During our consultation we were constantly told of the need for education and guidance for societies in drafting their constitutions and in running societies in general. An internet-based constitution builder tool would provide that guidance and would greatly […]
Essential Record-Keeping for Not-for-Profit Organisations
Introduction Most not-for-profit organisations (societies and charitable trusts, abbreviated to N-f-P’s in these notes) 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 decision-making and record-keeping required in such an organisation. The sections that follow provide a brief guide to […]
Codes of Conduct in Not-for-Profit Governance
Introduction Those involved in the governance of a not-for-profit entity (incorporated society or charity, whether or not incorporated under any statute) have duties and responsibilities: These may be specified in the constitution of the not-for-profit entity, They may be specified in any legislation under which the not-for-profit entity may be incorporated or which applies to […]
Business Numbers – What they Mean for Not-for-Profits
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 the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1908 are eligible to obtain a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN).
New Incorporated Societies Act – Progress?
These notes, prepared by Mark von Dadelszen QSM, provide an overview of the more significant elements of the proposals to replace the Incorporated Societies Act 1908.
Record-Keeping for Not-for-Profit Organisations
Introduction Most not-for-profit organisations (societies and charitable trusts, abbreviated to N-f-P’s in these notes) 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 decision-making and record-keeping required in such an organisation. The sections that follow provide a brief guide to […]
New Zealand Copyright for Musicians[1]
Copyright is a property right that comes into existence automatically in respect of original qualifying works, and it applies to a wide range of items including toilet pan connectors, kiwifruit trays, clothing, and musical scores, with original literary and musical works being expressly listed as such qualifying works (Copyright Act 1994, section 14).
When a Society can Find no Officers
We are quite frequently asked by members of incorporated societies for advice about a problem which is not uncommon – a society which is unable to find anyone willing to stand for office as chairperson, secretary or treasurer, and where the constitution does not outline what should be done in those circumstances (and few society constitution do so).