Constitution

CONSTITUTION AND RULES. 1998

Name and Address:
1. The name of the organization shall be "The South African Institute of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning".
2. The headquarters of the Institute shall be in the Republic of South Africa at one of the centers of the Institute, to be determined by Council from time to time.
Territory:
The operations of the Institute are to be conducted principally in the Republic of South Africa.
The objectives of the Institute shall be:
1. To advance and promote the arts and sciences of refrigeration, air conditioning and the allied arts and sciences.
2. To encourage scientific research and the study of principles and methods in the fields of refrigeration, air-conditioning and the allied arts and sciences.
3. To promote the unrestricted dissemination of knowledge and information amongst members by the holding of meetings, the publication of papers and other appropriate means.
4. To assist in educational activities (not including the conduct of any school or institution of learning) and to encourage the adoption and maintenance of high standards of the instruction and technical and professional training in the fields of refrigeration, air-conditioning, and the allied arts and sciences.
5. To co-operate with governmental agencies and with universities, colleges, schools and other organizations and groups having the same or similar objectives and purposes.
6. To procure and maintain the recognition of the professional status of air-conditioning and refrigeration engineers.
7. To assist in the formation of regional centers and to regulate, operate and control these under the direction and at the pleasure of the Institute.
8. To do any and all things necessary or proper in connection with, or incidental to, any of the foregoing.
Income and Property:
1. the Institute shall receive, acquire, hold and maintain any property, movable or immovable, without limitation as to the amount or value, of any of the Institute's objectives, by way of bequest, gift, purchase or lease, to invest or reinvest funds to control the income there-from and expend or otherwise dispose of all or any portion of its funds and property, including the income, interest or principal.
2. No officer, or member of this Institute shall receive or be lawfully entitled to receive any part of the net earnings thereof or any pecuniary profit from the operations thereof, except such reasonable compensation for services in effecting one or more of its purposes as the Council may determine.
3. No regional center shall subject the Institute to any financial or other obligation, except such as the Institute may voluntarily assume.
4. In the event of dissolution of the Institute, the Council shall dispose of its net assets, in trust, to further the purpose herein, without preference in favor of any contributor or any member or officer of the Institute.
5. Every honorary officer of the Institute and every other member of the Council and every official of the Institute for the time being and their heirs, executors and administrators shall be indemnified by the Institute and it Shall be the duty of the Council out of the funds of the Institute to pay all costs, losses and expenses which any of them may incur or become liable to our reason of any contract entered into or action or deed done by him/her as such officer or official in the discharge of his/her duties.
6. No honorary officer of the Institute or other member of the Council were official of the Institute shall be liable for the acts, receipts, neglect or defaults of any other such honorary officer or member of the Council or officer or official for joining in any receipt or other action for conformity for any loss or expense happening to the Institute through the insufficiency or deficiency to title to any property acquired by order of the Council for or on behalf of the Institute, for the insufficiency or deficiency of any security in or upon which any of the monies of the Institute shall be invested, or for any loss or damage arising from bankruptcy or insolvency or torturous act of any person with you any money, securities or effects shall be deposited or for any loss or damage occasioned by error or judgment or oversight on his/her parts, or for any other loss, damage or misfortune whatever, which may happen in the execution of the duties of his/her office will in relation thereto unless the same happened through his/her dishonesty.
MEMBERSHIP
Grades of Membership:
The membership of the Institute shall consist of the following grades:
1. Honorary Fellow
2. Fellow
3. Member
4. Associate
5. Student
Of these Honorary Fellows, Fellows and Members shall be corporate members.
Abbreviations
Each honorary fellow shall be entitled to the use after his/her name of the initials Hon. F.S.A.I.R.A.C.
Each fellow of the initials F.S.A.I.R.A.C.
Each member of the initials M.S.A.I.R.A.C.
Classification of Members:
1. Honorary Fellows - An Honorary Fellow shall be a person distinguished in science, industry, commerce or public service, or a person eminent by his work connected with refrigeration or air-conditioning in foreign lands, whom the Institute desires to honor. An Honorary Fellow shall have all the rights and privileges of corporate membership.
2. Fellows - A candidate who applies for transfer to the grade of fellow shall,
  1. have been a member of the Institute for 10 years, and
  2. be proposed and seconded by Fellows of the Institute.
3. Members - A candidate for admission or transfer to the grade of member shall,
  1. Possess an Engineering Degree from a university, college or institution of learning approved by Council and have had three years relevant experience in a responsible position in the air conditioning and refrigeration industry or allied field.
  2. Possess any other degree from the foregoing institutions of learning in subjects approved by Council and have had four years relevant experience in a responsible position in the air conditioning and refrigeration industry or allied field.
  3. Process an appropriate technical qualification in subject's approved by Council and have had five years relevant experience in and responsible position in the air conditioning and refrigeration industry or allied field.
  4. Possess a lesser qualification approved by Council and have had 10 years relevant experience in a responsible position in the air conditioning and refrigeration or allied field. Level of responsibility shall be supported by two referees, on the forms prescribed by Council; one being a corporate member of SAIRAC and the other being a present, or previous, employer of the applicant.
4. Associates - A candidate who is actively engaged or associated with the air conditioning and refrigeration industry or allied field and be committed to the interests of the industry.
5. Students - A candidate under the age of 25 who must be studying full-time for a degree or diploma in subjects related to the air conditioning and refrigeration industry or allied field, or be an apprentice in training in the industry.
Annual Subscription:
1. The annual subscriptions for the various classes of membership shall be determined by the Council from time to time. Subscriptions are payable, in advance, one or before the 30th day of June in each year.
2. Subscriptions in Arrear: Any member whose subscriptions are three months arrear, having been notified by the Treasurer during that period and having been given a final warning by the Center Committee shall cease to be a member at shall remain liable for arrear subscriptions stopped.
3. Entrance Fee: At the discretion of the Council, an entrance fee may be imposed on old new members.
4. Temporary Exemption from Annual Subscriptions: The Council may exempt from year-to-year, from the payment of his/her annual subscription a member who due to ill health, advanced age, or other efficient cause, is unable to carry on his/her subscriptions. The Council may also exempt any such individual from the payment of any subscriptions which may be in arrear.
5. Permanent Exemption from Annual Subscriptions: a member who has reached the age of 60 years and who has been a member of the Institute for a period of not less than 20 years, may be exempted from the annual subscription of the Institute on application to and at the discretion of the Council. A member having reached the age of 65 years shall be exempted from the payment of further annual subscriptions on application to the Council.
6. Reinstatement and Readmission without Fees: the Council, it finds good reason to do so, may reinstate under such conditions as it may prescribe, a member whose name has been removed from the register of the Institute under the provisions of rules 14 or may, in special circumstances, exempt from the payment of an entrance fee a candidate for membership who has previously been a member of the Institute.
Membership of a Center:
Membership of a Center of the Institute shall be automatic for all members residing within 200 km of that Center.
Proposal of Candidates:
1. Candidates for election to membership of the Institute shall be proposed and seconded by corporate members and supported by one other corporate member on the Institute's application form.
2. In exceptional circumstances, application for membership forms may be submitted without a proposer, second or supporter.
Admission:
Any member may apply for admission to a higher grade in similar manner to admission for membership, requiring a proposal and second or to such application.
Application for Membership:
1. The application shall first be considered by the appropriate Center Committee, who shall forward its recommendations to the Council. The Council's approval or request for reappraisal shall be returned to the Center Committee and the election confirmed or the application reappraised. Applications without a proposer, second or supporter can, however, be submitted direct to the Council.
2. Council may award honorary fellowship by unanimous vote.
Eligibility:
The eligibility of any candidate in any class of membership shall be decided by the Council.
Exclusion, Expulsion or Suspension:
The Council may, by unanimous decision, exclude any person from membership or expel or suspend any member's, if it deems this action to be in the interest of the Institute. The Council shall not be obliged to give reasons for its actions.

ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT

Management Vested in Council:
Subject to the power is given to the Center Committee in terms of this constitution, or authority of the Council, the management and control of the Institute shall be vested in the Council of the Institute.
Center of the Institute:
To carry out the objectives of the Institute more effectively, Centers of the Institute shall be established with the consent of the Council. A Center shall not be established with less than 25 members and no Center shall be established within 200 km of an existing Center (see section 9), unless otherwise determined by the Council.
Name of Center:
A Center shall be distinguished by the name of the town or area in which its meetings are normally held.
Each Center shall be controlled by a Center Committee as defined in section 37 hereunder.
Powers and Duties of Council:
The powers and duties of the Council of the Institute, in addition to such powers and duties specifically detailed elsewhere in these rules, shall include:
1. The prosecution of the objectives of the Institute on a national basis.
2. The determination of the Institute policy.
3. The consideration of all membership applications and the classification of members.
4. Providing assistance in the establishment of new Centers and guidance to existing Centers.
5. The publication and distribution of the Institute's Journal and communications.
6. The maintenance of the register of the member is issuance of membership certificates.
7. All other powers necessary to the management of the Institute.
8. The submission of copies of minutes of all meetings to the Center Committee's.
Powers and Duties of Center Committees:
The Powers and duties of the Center Committees, in addition to such powers and duties specifically detailed elsewhere in these rules, will include:
1. The prosecution of the aims of the Institute on a local basis, with the consent of the Council.
2. Receiving and considering of applications for membership and submittal of these applications to the Council with the Committee's recommendations.
3. The arrangement of technical programs, social functions, and other local activities.
4. The submission of copies of minutes of all meetings to the Council.
No Center Committee shall publish or communicate to any party who is not a member of the Institute, any matter which purports to represent the policy of the Institute, without the express permission of the Council.
Officers:
Officers of the Institute shall be:
1. a President;
2. a vice President;
3. a Treasurer, who shall be a member or an employee of the Institute;
4. a secretary, who shall be a member or an employee of the Institute.
The Council of the Institute:
The Council of the Institute shall consist of:
1. The officers specified in section 21 above;
2. The immediate past President;
3. The chairman holding office in each Center shall be a member of Council;
4. the Council may appoint as life vice President of the Institute such members (not exceeding six in number) as they may deem fit in recognition of conspicuous service to the Institute, who shall be permanent members of the Council.
Council Meetings:
The Council shall meet at least once a year. The first meeting shall be held as soon as is conveniently possible off to the annual general meeting. Four members shall constitute a quorum. Council meetings shall be called at the instance of the President.
Tenure of Office
1. The tenure of office of the Council shall be one year and shall terminate at the conclusion of the Institute's annual general meeting. The retiring officers of Council are eligible for reelection.
2. Under normal circumstances, no President shall remain in office for more than one year, be elected Vice President automatically assuming the office of President.
3. At the Council meeting prior to nomination Council reserve the right, by a majority vote, to invite the President and/or Vice President to continue in office for a second year.
4. If by circumstances beyond his control, the President cannot fulfill his term of office, the Vice President assumes such office and Council, by majority vote, elects from its members a vice President for the remaining term of office.
ELECTION OF President AND VICE-President
Nominations:
Not later than eight weeks prior to the Institute's annual general meeting, the Institute Secretary shall send out notices to all corporate members inviting nominations for the post of the office of Vice President. Such nominations must be proposed and seconded by corporate members and must be endorsed by the nominee to the effect that he accepts nomination.
Closing Date:
The closing date for receipt of nominations by the Institute's Secretary shall be three weeks after the date of the notice inviting nominations.
Ballot Papers:
Not later than three weeks prior to the Institute's annual general meeting, the Secretary shall post to each corporate member a ballot paper listing the nominees. The ballot paper shall be numbered consecutively but the Secretary shall on no account whatsoever record in any way the number of the ballot paper issued to any member.
Return of Ballot Papers:
Each corporate member shall make a cross to indicates his choice against the name one nominee for the position of vice President against the names presented. The ballot paper shall not be signed or in any way indicate the identity of the member. It shall be enclosed in a plain envelope and shall reach the Secretary prior to the commencement of the annual general meeting.
Counting of Votes:
The corporate members present at the annual general meeting shall appoint two scrutineers, who shall receive the ballot envelopes from the Secretary, together with a statement of the number of ballot papers issued. Before counting votes the scrutineers shall ascertain that no duplication of ballot paper serial numbers occur. After counting the votes, the scrutineers shall reports the results to the chairman of the meeting.
Appointment of Treasure:
The treasurer shall be appointed by the Council at its first meeting.
Appointment of Secretary:
The Secretary shall be appointed by the Council and its first meeting.
Replacement of Council member:
If they Council member is unable to attend a particular Council meeting, the Center Committee may nominates an alternative to attend that meeting.

CENTER COMMITTEE
Composition:
The Center Committee shall consist of:
1. A chairman and a vice chairman, who shall be corporate members.
2. The immediate past chairman
3. Four Committee members, who shall be corporate members, and who shall be elected by the corporate members.
4. Three Committee members, who shall be corporate members, or Associates, and who shall be elected by the non-corporate members.
5. The Committee shall appoint from its members an honorary secretary and an honorary treasurer, or alternatively an employee.
Increase or Decrease in Numbers:
With the approval of the Council, the number of Committee members elected in terms of section 37 (c) and (d) may even be increased or decreased.

Committee Meetings:
The Committee shall meet approximately once per month. The appropriate Center shall decide its own quorum.

Tenure of Office:
The tenure of office of the Committee shall be one year and shall terminate at the conclusion of the Center annual general meeting. The retiring Committee shall be eligible for reelection.

ELECTION OF CENTER COMMITTEE

Nominations:
1. The honorary secretary of each Center Committee shall call for nominations at least four weeks prior to the annual general meeting of the Center. Nominations must reach the honorary secretary before the commencement of the annual general meeting and must be endorsed by the nominee to the effect that he/she accepts the nomination.
2. Nominations for the position of chairman and vice chairman and for the four Committee members representing the corporate members shall be proposed and seconded by corporate members. Persons eligible for election of Chairman or Vice Chairman shall be members of the previous Committee.
3. Nominations for the three Committee members representing the non-corporate members shall be proposed and seconded the non-corporate members.
Elections:
Voting shall be by ballot at the annual general meeting of the Center.
1. Chairman and Vice Chairman. All members present at the meeting shall have the right to vote.
2. Four Committee members representing corporate members. Only corporate members shall have the right to vote.
3. three Committee members representing the non-corporate members. In the non-corporate members shall have the right to vote.
Scrutineers:
The meeting shall appoint to scrutineers to count the votes.

Vacancies:
In the event of a vacancy on the Committee during its tenure of office, the Committee may co-opt a member to fill the vacancy.

MEETINGS

Annual General Meetings:
1. The annual general meeting of the Institute shall be held at the earliest convenience date after 30th June in each year, and such time and place as may be determined by the Committee. The corporate members present shall constitute a quorum.
2. The annual general meeting of each Center shall be held at the earliest convenience date after the 30th June in each year, at such time and place as may be determined by the Committee. The corporate members present of Center shall constitute a quorum.
Notice of Meetings:
A notice shall be sent to every member concerns at least 10 days prior to each annual general meeting, specifying the time and place of the meeting, but non-receipt of such notice by any member shall not invalidate the proceedings of the meeting.

Extraordinary Meetings:
An extraordinary meeting of a Center or of the Institute shall be convenient on written request from five corporate members, in the case of a Center, or 10 corporate members in the case of the Institute. The subject shall be circulated to all members are prior to the meeting. one third of all corporate members, in the case of a Center or 20% of all registered corporate members in the case of the Institute, shall constitute a quorum.

Notice of Motion:
Any corporate member may bring forth a motion at a meeting by giving written notice thereof to the Secretary at least five days prior to the meeting.

Chairman:
1. At a meeting of a Center the Chairman or vice chairman shall preside. If both the Chairman and vice chairman are absent, a chairman shall be elected by the corporate members present.
2. At a meeting of the Institute, the President or vice President shall preside. If the President or Vice President are absent, a chairman shall be elected by the corporate members present at the meeting.
Voting Procedure:
1. Council meetings. Every motion shall be decided by simple majority provided prior notice of such a motion had been given to all Council members. In this case, voting by proxy shall be acceptable. In all cases, the President shall have a casting vote, in addition to that possessed by him in his capacity as a Council member.
2. General meetings. Except in the case of constitutional changes, every motion of a meeting shall be decided by a show of hands of the corporate members unless five corporate members request that the voting be done by secret ballot. If voting is done by show of hands, the chairman's declaration as to the result shall stand, unless a poll be requested by two corporate members present. In all cases, the chairman shall have a costing vote, in addition to that possessed by him in his capacity as a corporate member.
Amendments to Constitution:
Any parts of the Constitution and rules may be amended, canceled or superseded, if agreed to buy at least two thirds of the registered corporate members who have exercised their right of voting by postal ballot.

Finance:
Annual subscriptions and entrance fee, as laid down by counsel, shall be paid by members of a Center to the Treasurer of that Center.
Each Center Treasurer shall keep accounts, which shall be made up to the 30th June in each year. Such accounts, when duly certified by two Committee members of the Center, Shelby presented to the national treasurer of the Institute. In order to be able the counselor to carry outs its functions under clause 19, a percentage of subscription fees are to be paid to Council, such percentage to be determined by Council.

The Institute Treasurer:
The Institute Treasurer shall keep true accounts which shall be made under to the 30th June in each year. Such accounts, when duly certified by auditors appointed at an annual general meeting, shall be presented at the next annual general meeting of the Institute, together with the Treasurer's report.

By-Laws:
The Council shall be in power to frame by-laws which shall not be inconsistent with the Constitution.

General:
All members shall receive the Institute's communications and a copy of the Constitution and rules. A copy of the list of members shall be made available on request.

Certificate:
All members shall receive a certificate of membership but all certificates issued shall remain the property of the Institute and must be returned by any member who resigns or whose name is removed from the register of members, upon receipt of notice requiring the member to do so.

Resignation:
A member of any grade desiring to discontinue his/her membership of the Institute's shall tender his/her resignation, in writing, to his/her Center Committee. Such resignation shall not absolve him/her from any indebtedness to the Institute. a member's name shall be removed from the register as from the date's on which his/her resignation becomes effective.

Official language:
The official language of the Constitution is English.

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CONSTITUTION AND RULES. 1998

Name and Address:

Territory:

The objectives of the Institute shall be:

Income and Property:

MEMBERSHIP

Grades of Membership:

Abbreviations

Classification of Members:

Annual Subscription:

Membership of a Center:

Proposal of Candidates:

Admission:

Application for Membership:

Eligibility:

Exclusion, Expulsion or Suspension:

ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT

Management Vested in Council:

Center of the Institute:

Name of Center:

Powers and Duties of Council:

Powers and Duties of Center Committees:

Officers:

The Council of the Institute:

Council Meetings:

Tenure of Office

ELECTION OF President AND VICE-President

Nominations:

Closing Date:

Ballot Papers:

Return of Ballot Papers:

Counting of Votes:

Appointment of Treasure:

Appointment of Secretary:

Replacement of Council member:

CENTER COMMITTEE

Composition:

Increase or Decrease in Numbers:

Committee Meetings:

Tenure of Office:

ELECTION OF CENTER COMMITTEE

Nominations:

Elections:

Scrutineers:

Vacancies:

MEETINGS

Annual General Meetings:

Notice of Meetings:

Extraordinary Meetings:

Notice of Motion:

Chairman:

Voting Procedure:

Amendments to Constitution:

Finance:

The Institute Treasurer:

By-Laws:

General:

Certificate:

Resignation:

Official language: