"Act" means the Associations Incorporation Act 1991.

"Alternate Delegate" means either a person properly elected by a particular District to represent that District at the Association in the absence of that District's Delegate and on such occasions the Alternate Delegate will be deemed a Officer of the Association.

"Area" means an area approved by the Neighbourhood Watch Inc. (Association) for inclusion in the Program.

"Approved Volunteer" means a person acceptable to the Neighbourhood Watch Inc. (Association) who has

1. made written application to serve the Program in a voluntary capacity in furtherance of the Association's purposes, and
2. completed an Australian Federal Police criminal records check to a standard that is acceptable to the Association and the Australian Federal Police.

"Business Day" means any day on which Australian Trading Banks are open for business in the Australian Capital Territory.

"Delegate" means a person properly elected by representatives of the Areas comprising a particular District to represent that District at the Association for two years (2) years (with such persons eligible for re-election).

"District" means a district determined from time to time by the Neighbourhood Watch Inc. (Association), in consultation with the Areas involved as being representative of a number of Areas.

"Executive Officer" means a member of the Board of Management elected by the Membership of the Association to fill the position of President, Deputy President, Vice President (North or South), Secretary, or Treasurer of the Association in accordance with the Constitution of the Association.

"Financial Year" means a year ending 30 June.

"Immediate Past President" means the immediately retired President of the Association.

"Liaison Officer" means a person nominated by a District or by the Board of Management to represent a particular District, where no District Delegate has been elected.

"Member" means an approved volunteer who is a member of the Association.

"Program" means the Neighbourhood Watch Program of the Australian Capital Territory.

"Public Officer" means an Officer of the Association who has been appointed to carry out the functions of Public Officer of the Association in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

"Regulation" means the Regulations from time to time made under the Act

"Secretary" means the Association's Secretary as elected in accordance with this Constitution.

"Sponsor(s)" means the company(ies) or organisation(s) being the principal sponsor(s) of the Program, being the only company(ies) or organisation(s) entitled to promote itself/themselves as being sponsor(s) of the Program.

"Treasurer" means the Association's Treasurer as elected in accordance with this Constitution.

To promote a sense of well-being, safety, and security in the Australian Capital Territory community.

1. Encourage residents' involvement in the well-being, safety and security of their community.
2. Channel community concerns to the appropriate authorities.
3. Actively assist in the promotion of mutual cooperation and caring between neighbours.
4. Minimize the incidence of preventable crime in the community.
5. Increase the incidence of reporting crime and suspicious activity within the Neighbourhood Watch Area to the Police.
6. Improve the level of personal, household, and community security in the Neighbourhood Watch Area through an ongoing education campaign.
7. Encourage individuals within the community to appropriately identify their property.

4.1.1 an Approved Volunteer

5.1.1 President

5.1.2 Deputy President

5.1.3 Vice-Presidents, North and South

5.1.4 Secretary

5.1.5 Treasurer

5.1.6 Delegate or Liaison Officer to represent each District.

5.2.1 control and manage the business and affairs of the Association,

5.2.2 exercise all such powers and functions as may be exercised by the Association,

5.2.3 have power to perform all such acts and things as appear to the Board of Management to be essential for the proper management of the business and affairs of the Association, which include but are not limited to:

• development and implementation of the strategy of the Program,
• development of policies and procedures for the overall conduct of the Program,
• corporate planning process,
• selection and appointment of sponsors for the Program and the establishment of the terms to cover that arrangement,
• preparation of an annual business plan,
• financial planning for the future of the Program, and
• development and employment of routine management information systems for the Program's day to day conduct, including:
  1. financial reporting against the plan and against agreed budgets,
  2. communication channels and procedures,
  3. annual reporting to the Association, and
  4. monitoring and evaluation of all aspects of the conduct of the Program.

5.2.4 appoint teams for the examination of issues or projects as may, from time to time, be deemed necessary or relevant by the Board of Management, and ensure that these teams report to the Board of Management,

5.2.5 appoint consultants to the Board of Management when deemed necessary; and

5.2.6 have power from time to time to make, alter and/or repeal By-Laws concerning, amongst other things, the general conduct of Members ("By-Laws").

6.1.1 President

6.1.2 Deputy President

6.1.3 Vice Presidents, North and South

6.1.3 Secretary

6.1.4 Treasurer

6.2.1 control and management of the business and affairs of the Association,

6.2.2 all such powers and functions as may be exercised by the Association

6.2.3 performing all such acts and things as appear to the Board of Management to be essential for the proper management of the business and affairs of the Association which include but are not limited to:

• development and implementation of the strategy of the Program
• development of policies and procedures for the overall conduct of the Program
• corporate planning process
• selection and appointment of sponsors for the Program and the establishment of the terms to cover that arrangement
• preparation of an annual business plan
• financial planning for the future of the Program, and
• development and employment of routine management information systems for the Program's day to day conduct, including:
  1. financial reporting against the plan and against agreed budgets
  2. communication channels and procedures
  3. annual reporting to the Association, and,
  4. monitoring and evaluation of all aspects of the conduct of the Program.

6.2.4 appointment of teams to examine issues or projects as may from time to time be deemed necessary or relevant by the Board of Management and ensure that these teams report to the Board of Management.

6.2.5 proposals to the Board of Management, for the alteration and/or repeal of by-laws concerning, amongst other things, the general conduct of Members ("By-Laws").

7.1 The Board of Management will meet not less frequently than bi monthly in each year at such place and such times as the Board of Management may determine.

7.2 Additional meetings of the Board of Management ("Special Meetings") may be convened by any two (2) officers of the Association.

7.3 Fourteen (14) days written notice must be given to the other persons comprising the Board of Management by the Secretary of the Association calling a Special Meeting which notice must also specify the general nature of the business to be transacted and no other business may be transacted at such a meeting.

7.4 Any four (4) officers of the Association will constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of a meeting of the Board of Management.

7.5 No business may be transacted at a meeting of the Board of Management unless a quorum is present and if within half an hour of the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present the meeting will stand adjourned to the same place and at the same hour of the same day in the following week unless the meeting was a Special Meeting in which case it will lapse.

7.6 The President, and in the President's absence, the Deputy President or a Vice President, will preside at all meetings of the Board of Management. If the Deputy President or a Vice President is also absent those present will elect one of their number to preside at the meeting.

7.7 Questions arising at a meeting of the Board of Management will be determined on a show of hands.

7.8 Each officer of the Association present at a meeting of the Board of Management is entitled to one (1) vote and if there is an equality of votes on any question the person presiding at the meeting may exercise a second or casting vote.

7.9 Notice of each meeting of the Board of Management must be served on each officer of the Association) not less than fourteen (14) business days before the meeting.

7.10 In the event of a casual vacancy occurring in the office of an elected member of the Board of Management, the District Board, wherein the vacancy occurs, may elect a member to fill the vacancy and the member so appointed will hold office, subject to this Constitution, until the AGM next following the date of the appointment.

7.11 Service of notices and other documents will be by electronic means where possible.

8.4.1 to confirm the minutes of the previous AGM and of any other general meeting ("Special General Meeting") held since that meeting,

8.4.2 to receive from the Board of Management the audited financial statements of the Association during the previous Financial Year,

8.4.3 to receive and consider the statement submitted by the Association in accordance with section 30(3) of the Act.

8.4.4 to confirm District Delegates and District Liaison Officers to voting positions on the Board of Management.

8.4.5 to elect the Executive Officers.

9.1.1 Nominations of candidates:

1. must be in writing, signed by two Members of the Association and accompanied by the written consent of the candidate (which may be endorsed on the form of nomination); and
2. must be delivered to the Secretary no less than 30 days prior to that year's AGM.

9.1.2 If insufficient nominations are received further nominations will be received at the AGM;

9.1.3 If one person is nominated for each category then the persons nominated will be deemed to be elected.

9.1.4 If the number of nominations exceeds the number of vacancies to be filled, a ballot will be held.

9.1.5 The election of officers will be conducted at the AGM and voting rights are restricted to Members of the Association; and

9.1.6 Nomination of a candidate for election under this article is not valid if the candidate concerned has been elected to another office at the same election.

9.5.1 dies, becomes incapacitated or resigns, or

9.5.2 has disciplinary action taken against him or her under articles in this Constitution, or

9.5.3 absents himself/herself from three (3) ordinary consecutive and properly convened meetings of the Board of Management, without first having been granted leave of absence, or without an apology having been received and accepted for each meeting.

10.3.1 must state the objects of the meeting;

10.3.2 be signed by the Members concerned;

10.3.3 be served on the Secretary; and

10.3.4 may consist of several documents in a like form each signed by the Members concerned.

11.1.1 keep and maintain a register of Members and Volunteers; and

11.1.2 keep minutes of resolutions and proceedings of each meeting of the Board of Management and as well record the names of all persons present at such meetings.

11.1.3 keep minutes of resolutions and proceedings of all General Meetings (AGM and SGM) of the Association.

11.2.1 collect and receive all money due and receivable by the Association;

11.2.2 make all payments authorised by the Association; and

11.2.3 keep correct accounts and books showing the financial affairs of the Association with full details of all receipts and expenditure connected with the activities of the Association.

11.2.4 prepare, or cause to be prepared, and shall present to the Executive, as soon as practicable following the completion of the financial year, a statement of the accounts of the Association setting out the results and the financial position of the Association in respect of that year.

12.1.1 has refused or neglected to comply with the By-Laws and/or this Constitution; or

12.1.2 has been guilty of conduct unbecoming a Member and/or prejudicial to the interests of the Association.

12.3.1 setting out the resolution and the grounds on which it is based;

12.3.2 stating that the Member may address the Board of Management at a Special Meeting (to be held not earlier than fourteen (14) and not later than twenty-eight (28) days after service of the notice);

12.3.3 stating the time, date and place of the Special Meeting; and

12.3.4 informing the Member that he or she may do one or more of the following:

1. attend the Special Meeting;
2. give to the Board of Management before the special Meeting a written statement seeking the revocation of the resolution; and/or
3. not later than twenty-four (24) hours before the date of the Special Meeting, lodge with the Executive Director a notice to the affect that he or she wishes to appeal to the Association at a Special General Meeting against the resolution.

12.4.1 at a Special Meeting held not earlier than fourteen (14) days and not later than twenty-eight (28) days after the service on the Member concerned of the notice under article 12.1 a resolution is made confirming the earlier resolution; or

12.4.2 where the Member concerned exercises a right of appeal to the Association under sub-article 12.3.4 at the resulting Special General Meeting the Association confirms the earlier resolution.

12.5.1 give the Member concerned an opportunity to be heard;

12.5.2 give due consideration to any written statement submitted by the Member concerned; and

12.5.3 by resolution determine whether to confirm or revoke the earlier resolution.

12.7.1 No business other than the question of the appeal may be transacted.

12.7.2 The Board of Management may place before the meeting details of the grounds for the resolution and the reasons for the passing of the resolution.

12.7.3 The Member concerned must be given an opportunity to be heard.

12.7.4 The Members present will vote by secret ballot on the question whether the resolution should be confirmed or revoked.

13.1.1 The parties to the dispute must meet and discuss the matter in dispute, and, if possible, resolve the dispute within 14 days after the dispute comes to the attention of all the parties.

13.1.2 If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute at the meeting, or if a party fails to attend that meeting, the parties must, within 10 days, hold a meeting in the presence of a mediator.

13.1.3 The mediator must be:

1. a person chosen by agreement between the parties; or
2. in the absence of agreement, a person chosen by the Board of Management of the Association.

13.1.4 A member of the Association can be a mediator.

13.1.5 The mediator cannot be a member who is a party to the dispute.

13.1.6 The parties to the dispute must, in good faith, attempt to settle the dispute by mediation.

13.1.7 The mediator, in conducting the mediation, must -

1. give the parties to the mediation process every opportunity to be heard;
2. allow due consideration by all parties of any written statement submitted by any party, and
3. ensure that natural justice is accorded to the parties to the dispute throughout the mediation process.

13.1.8 The mediator must not determine the dispute.

13.1.9 If the mediation process does not result in the dispute being resolved, the parties may seek to resolve the dispute in accordance with the Act otherwise at law.

18.1.1 if served or delivered personally on the recipient or recipients; or

18.1.2 if posted by pre-paid post addressed to the recipient or recipients at his, her or their address as set out in the Register of Members.