NEA Constitution
(as amended on 20 May 1981, 3 October 1981, 1 October 1982, 25 November 1987, 20 August 1988, 5 August 1989, 2 September 1994, 26 September 2000 and 15 November 2006 )CLAUSE 1 - NAME
The association shall be known as the Nursing Education Association (abbreviated to NEA)
CLAUSE 2 - OBJECTS
The Association aims to promote optimal education and training leadership and development in nursing to further the national health and the growth of the nursing profession.
2.1 Disperse knowledge of latest developments to all members by arranging conferences or study courses and drawing up documents and memoranda.
2.2 Promote research in the nursing education field in South Africa.
2.3 Arrange conferences and the exchange of ideas and information between all concerned.
2.4 Identify problems experienced by nurse educators or problems hindering the training of nurses and to promote the solution of such.
CLAUSE 3 - MODUS OPERANDI
3.1 A National Executive Committee shall be elected every four years and shall co-ordinate and plan the Association’s activities.
3.2 Voting procedure: Written nominations, signed by the proposer, seconder and nominee, (all of whom shall be members), must reach the Secretary before the Annual General Meeting. Applications for postal votes must
reach the Secretary seven days before the Annual General Meeting. Voting is by secret ballot.
3.3 If, in a specific region, the need should arise to establish a regional organisation of the NEA, this may be established with the approval of the National Executive Committee (NEC); where educational discussion groups
are already in existence, such a group may apply to the NEC to be recognised as a regional organisation of the NEA.
3.4 After approval has been obtained from the NEC, members of the NEA in region concerned may elect a Regional Committee.
3.5 Each Regional Committee shall once a year submit an annual report and a financial statement properly checked to the NEC and the NEC shall report to the Annual General Meeting on the finances and activities of the NEA.
3.6 All proceedings and correspondence of the Association shall be conducted in English.
CLAUSE 4 - LEGAL PERSONALITY
4.1 The NEA shall be a legal person with perpetual succession independent of its members and may act as lawful plaintiff and defendant under this designation.
4.2 The NEA may acquire, own and alienate movable and immovable property and may perform all such acts that legal persons are entitled to perform.
4.3 Notices and other documents shall be deemed to be properly served by the NEA if served as such by the Secretary or Treasurer.
CLAUSE 5 – MEMBERSHIP
5.1 Classes of membership:
5.1.1 Membership
Membership follows payment of the membership fees determined at the Annual General Meeting.
5.1.2 Honorary Membership
The NEC may confer honorary membership on any person who renders a distinctive service or promotes the objects of the NEA in a distinctive manner.
5.2 Termination of Membership:
Membership shall be terminated:
5.2.1 upon receipt of a written resignation
5.2.2 upon the death of an individual
5.2.3 upon the disbandment and final liquidation of the organization.
5.3 Duties of Members
5.3.1 Each member shall show a continued interest in the activities and objects of the Association.
CLAUSE 6 - MANAGEMENT
6.1 The National Executive Committee (NEC)
6.1.1 The National Executive Committee shall consist of five members elected by a majority vote by the Annual General Meeting, as well as the previous chairperson and the permanent treasurer, who will be on the Committee ex officio.
6.1.2 The National Executive Committee (NEC) elects a chairperson, vice-chairperson and secretary from its members at its first meeting. The term of office of a NEC is four years.
6.1.3 All members and honorary members shall have a vote and such members may serve on the NEC.
6.1.4 The NEC has authority to fill any vacancy in their midst and the period of the resultant appointment shall be valid until the re-election of the NEC.
6.1.5 The NEC has authority to co-opt members to the Committee on an ad hoc basis.
6.2 Executive of the NEC
The Executive shall consist of the chairperson, the secretary and the treasurer.
CLAUSE 7 - MEETINGS
7.1 General meeting of members
7.1.1 A general meeting of members shall be held at least once a year.
7.1.2 The chairperson and secretary shall officiate ipso facto as chairperson and secretary of such a meeting.
7.1.3 All individual members and honorary members shall have a vote at a general meeting.
7.2 The National Executive Committee (NEC)
7.2.1 The NEC shall meet at least once a year.
7.2.2 At such a meeting half of the NEC members plus one shall constitute a quorum.
7.3 Executive of the NEC
The executive shall meet from time to time as required by circumstances.
CLAUSE 8 - FINANCIAL YEAR
8.1 The financial year shall be from 1 January to 31 December of every year.
8.2 Upon termination of his/her term of office, the treasurer shall hand over to the newly elected treasurer a set of properly checked books.
8.3 The executive shall annually appoint persons to properly examine the books and financial statements of the NEA.
CLAUSE 9 - AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION
The constitution may be amended at any general meeting by a majority of votes of the members present who are entitled to vote.
CLAUSE 10 - DISBANDMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION
The association shall disband if such is decided at a general meeting by a majority of votes of members present who are entitled to vote. Such a decision may provide for the appointment of a liquidator as well as determine his/her remuneration, powers, duties and responsibilities. In the event of the association being disbanded, all assets shall be converted into cash and after payment of all debts and costs attached to such disbandment, the balance, if any, shall be donated to a beneficiary agreed upon at a general meeting by a majority of votes of members present who are entitled to vote.
CLAUSE 11 - INTERPRETATION OF THE CONSTITUTION
If any uncertainty should arise as to the meaning or interpretation of the constitution, the executive shall act as arbiter in deciding the meaning or interpretation of the clause(s) concerned. The decision of the executive shall be sufficient and binding for all concerned.
