(This Constitution will operate as a Working Draft until the Climate and Health Alliance becomes incorporated and adopts Model Rules)
The Climate and Health Alliance accepts that global warming poses grave risks to human health and biodiversity and left unchecked, threatens the future of human civilisation. The Alliance aims to protect and promote health by acting, encouraging and empowering organisations and individuals in the health care sector and the wider community to advocate for effective political, sectoral and community responses to climate change.
OBJECTIVES
The Alliance will act as a national advocate for the Australian health sector by helping develop effective sectoral and national policy and other national-level responses for preventing, mitigating, and adapting to, the health effects of climate change.
It will:
• Advocate for urgent policy action to prevent further global warming and protect the community from the adverse consequences of climate change and environmental damage
• Collaborate with others to identify and remove structural barriers to effective responses to climate change and develop sustainable practices in health care
• Inform health professionals, policy makers, and the community about: the risks posed to human health from climate change; and the solutions available to reduce risks and improve health
• Share information and resources about health and climate issues through a network of individuals and organisations
1. Membership
Membership of the Alliance consists of the following categories:
• Full members: Organisations and individuals who sign the Statement of Purpose (application for membership will require signature in support of the statement)
• Affiliate members: Organisations and individuals who support the Aims and Objectives of the Alliance and do not wish to be full members
• Life members: Organisations and individuals who support the Aims and Objectives and wish to pay an initial fee only
Full membership
By signing the Statement of Purpose, and paying an annual fee, organisations and individuals will:
• be listed as members of the Alliance
• undertake to encourage others to promote action on climate change as a health issue
• undertake to reduce their own individual or organisational environmental impact
• be able to contribute to development and future directions of the Alliance and the issues on which it informs, advocates, shares and collaborates.
• be contacted occasionally with news of important events or publications
Affiliate membership
By completing an Affiliate application form, affiliate members will:
• be listed as affiliate members of the Alliance
• be contacted occasionally with news of important events or publications
2. Governance
The Alliance will be governed by an executive committee elected from the membership. The committee shall be comprised of a chairperson, vice-chairperson, treasurer, secretary, spokesperson and ordinary members. Nominations for these positions will be the responsibility of the committee. The executive committee will meet monthly, through meetings via telephone and video conference.
The committee will be responsible for:
• the general and financial management of the committee
• the development of public statements on behalf of the membership
• all matters in the general interests of the Alliance
• the appointment (as necessary) of auditors and public officer
• nominating a spokesperson or spokespersons to speak on behalf of the Alliance
Any vacancies in the executive committee shall be filled according to the results of a postal vote. The committee shall provide an annual report to the membership.
3. Finances
There will be two types of full membership, organisational and individual. Full membership fees for organisations will be $100 annually and individuals $20 annually. Affiliate membership fees are $50 for organisations and $10 for individuals. Life membership is available for organisations and individuals making a donation of $2,000 and above.
4. Non-profit status
The assets and income of the organisation shall be applied solely to further its objectives and no portion shall be distributed directly or indirectly to the members of the organisation except as bona fide compensation for services rendered or expenses incurred on behalf of the organisation.
5. Dissolution
In the event of the Alliance being dissolved, the amount that remains after such dissolution and the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities shall be transferred to another organisation with similar purposes which is not carried on for the profit or gain of its individual members.
6. Privacy
Membership details are to be used for the purposes of the Alliance only. Dealings of the Alliance shall at all times be consistent with the requirements and obligations of any Commonwealth, State or Territory Privacy Laws as shall be current.
7. Annual general meetings
Annual general meetings shall be held each year on a date and at a time fixed by the executive committee. Members will be given four week’s notice in writing of the date, time and venue of the Annual General Meeting.
The executive committee will provide a statement of accounts from the preceding annual year and an estimate of the receipts and expenditure for the current financial year.
8. Alliance positions
The Alliance will endeavour to ensure that all positions held have the full support of all the members of the Alliance. The Alliance recognises that there will be circumstances in which not all members entirely agree with a position supported by the rest of Alliance members. In these circumstances, the Alliance should make clear that the position is based on the views of the Alliance but may not reflect the full or particular views of all of its members.
9. Refusal of membership
A majority of members of the executive may exclude or expel a member on the grounds that the member’s actions or statements are inconsistent with the aims and purposes of the Alliance.
