1. NAME

The name of the association is The Suzuki Talent Education Association of Australia (Western Australia) Inc., hereinafter called “the Association”.

2. OBJECTS

The Association is formed as a non-profit organisation to:
2.1 To promote and advance the understanding and application in the field of music of the philosophy and methodology of Dr Shinichi Suzuki.
2.2 To encourage the use of the Suzuki approach to music education in Western Australia by sponsoring or conducting conferences, workshops, lectures, demonstrations, seminars, symposia and other meetings to explain and give instruction and training in the Suzuki philosophy and methodology.
2.3 To disseminate information on the Suzuki philosophy and methodology in Western Australia.
2.4 To maintain and improve the standards, understanding and teaching of the Suzuki philosophy and methodology in Western Australia.
2.5 To accredit teachers in the Suzuki philosophy and methodology and to establish training programmes and assessment procedures for teachers.
2.6 To award scholarships, pay grants or make endowments so as to promote learning in the Suzuki philosophy and methodology.

3. POWERS

The association shall have the following powers to be used at the discretion of the Executive Committee which shall not be restrictively construed but shall be given the widest interpretation:
3.1 To solicit and raise funds so as to permit the Association to further its objects and to promote, conduct, subsidise or sponsor concerts, recitals, musical performances, seminars and workshops of all kinds either alone or jointly with others.
3.2 To purchase, sell, let or hire or loan, music, musical instruments and associated equipment.
3.3 To hire halls, schools and other premises.
3.4 To engage artists, teachers, performers and musicians and to pay expenses in bringing such persons to Australia or from one place in Australia to another, and to engage the services of any persons or company.
3.5 To pay for, subsidise or encourage student exchange and teacher exchanges both within Australia and from overseas.
3.6 To pay or subsidise the fares and expenses in sending one or more representatives to attend any meeting, conference, convention or musical education activity.
3.7 To purchase or by any other means, acquire any real or personal property or any right or interest therein.
3.8 To invest and deal with the money of the Association not immediately required in such manner as may be permitted by law for the investment of trust funds.
3.9 To borrow and raise money in any manner whatsoever and to give security therefore by way of mortgage or charge over all or any of the Association’s assets.
3.10 To join or become a member of any association, company or society formed or to be formed for the encouragement or advancement in the field of music.
3.11 To appoint, employ, remove or suspend such managers, clerks, secretaries, workmen and other persons as may be necessary or convenient for the purposes of the Association.
3.12 To effect policies of assurance on the life of any person to insure any property of the Association or property in which the Association may have an interest, and to take out Insurance to cover the Association against any risk or liability which it might incur.

4. MEMBERSHIP

The Association shall consist of such persons as may be or have been admitted to the Association and whose membership has not been terminated under or by virtue of this Constitution.

5. ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP

Associations
5.1 The Executive Committee shall have the power to admit an Association to membership by resolution of two-thirds majority of those members of the Committee present and eligible to vote at a meeting of the Committee.

Personal Membership
5.2 There shall be seven classes of personal membership viz Teacher Member, Associate Teacher Member, Trainee Teacher Member, Family Member, Honorary Member, Life Member and Friend of the Association.

Teacher Member
5.2.1 A person shall be eligible to become a Teacher Member, where :-
(a) The person is an accredited Suzuki Teacher at the first level, or
(b) The Executive Committee is satisfied that the person has the appropriate qualifications and background that sub-clause (a) ought not to apply in their case.

Associate Teacher Member
5.2.2 A person shall be eligible to become an Associate Teacher Member where :-
(a) The person has satisfactorily completed the introductory teacher training courses prescribed by the Director of Teacher Training and is working towards accreditation as Suzuki Teacher, or
(b) The Executive Committee is satisfied that the person has the appropriate qualifications and background that sub-clause (a) ought not to apply in their case.

Trainee Teacher Member
5.2.3 A person shall be eligible to become a Trainee Teacher Member where the person is working towards accreditation as a Suzuki teacher.

Family Membership
5.2.4 A family shall be eligible for Family Membership when at least one child is enrolled for tuition with a teacher member or associate teacher member.

Honorary Membership
5.2.5 A person shall be eligible for Honorary Membership where the Executive Committee considers that the person is, be meritorious service to the Association, deemed worthy of an honorary membership.

Life Membership
5.2.6 In recognition of outstanding service the Association may appoint persons as Life Members of the Association.
Notice of any motion for such appointment shall be given by the Secretary in the notice convening the Annual General Meeting.
A four-fifths majority of those present and entitled to vote at an Annual General Meeting shall be necessary to pass a motion for the appointment of any person as a Life Member.

Friends of the Association
5.2.7 Friends of the Association are members who are interested in furthering the Association’s
objectives.

6. MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND VOTING ENTITLEMENT

Graduation
6.1 (a) Teachers; and
(b) Associate teachers approved by the Director of Teacher Training;
may put forward students for graduation in the opinion of the teacher or associate teacher, the student is suitably prepared and has held family membership for the current year.

Holding Office and Voting
6.2.1 All teacher, associate teacher, Life members and family members are eligible to vote in
elections and at general meetings of the Association and may hold office except where the
Constitution provides that a particular office should be held by a particular category of
member.
6.2.2 Where the Constitution provides that a particular office should be held by a particular category of member only persons holding that membership category may nominate for that office or vote in that election.

Training and Other Responsibilities
6.3 It is the responsibility of teacher and associate teacher members -
(a) to attend at least one teacher training workshop/seminar each year and complete at least
6 hours Suzuki Method Professional Development annually, unless excused for good
reason by the Director of Teacher Training or Teacher Training Committee: and
(b) to ensure that all Suzuki students enrolled and tutored, should become financial
members of the association and maintain membership for the duration of tuition.

Honorary Members and Friends

6.4 Honorary Members and Friends shall be entitled to attend General meetings with the right to
speak, but not to vote.

7. Disciplinary Action and Termination of Membership

Any person’s membership shall be terminated by any of the following events:
7.1 Resignation or death;
7.1.1 False or inaccurate statements made in the member’s application for membership of the
Association, breach rule, regulation or Bylaw of the Association or breach the Constitution
7.2 Loss of eligibility for membership; or
7.3 The Executive Committee shall have the power to suspend or expel any member of the Association for any of the events in item 7.1 above provided that:
(a) Notice of intention to move the termination of membership shall be sent to the last
known address of the member by certified mail at least twenty-one (21) days before the
Executive Committee meeting at which the motion for termination of membership is to be
dealt with; and
(b) Such motion is carried by a t least a three-fourths majority of those present and entitled to vote at that meeting.
(c) Any member who is expelled, suspended or has their membership terminated shall have
the right to appeal against their suspension or expulsion by presenting their case to a
General Meeting called for such purpose and the decision of the General Meeting shall
be Final.

8. MANAGEMENT

8.1 Subject to this to this Constitution and to policy directions of any General Meeting of
the Association the Executive Committee shall exercise the sole control direction and
management of the Association.
8.2 The Executive Committee shall consist of:
8.2.1 a President
8.2.2 a Vice President
8.2.3 a Secretary
8.2.4 a Treasurer
8.2.5 a Publicity Officer
8.2.6 a Convenor Fund Raising
8.2.7 the Director of Teacher Training
8.2.8 the Immediate Past President
8.2.9 such other persons as may be provided in this constitution
8.3 The election and appointment of members of the Executive Committee shall as nearly as practicable by guided by the following principles:-
8.3.1The balance of membership shall reflect the different instrument groups and will avoid
domination by any instrument group.
8.3.2 There shall be a balance of teacher and family members.
8.3.3 Every substantial group should be seen to have representation.
8.3.4 The President, Vice president and the Immediate Past President may unanimously
agree to appoint up to 2 other members of the Executive Committee in order to
redress any perceived imbalance of representation following the election of officers
or to bring some specially needed expertise to the Executive Committee.
8.4 Only Accredited Teacher Members may hold office in Teacher Training positions.

9. MEETINGS

General Meetings
9.1 The Association shall in each calendar year convene one Annual General Meeting and monthly meetings of the Executive Committee.
9.2 The Annual General Meeting shall be held during the first school term in months of February or March in each year. Meeting days shall be determined by the Executive Committee.
9.3 The ordinary business of the Annual General Meetings shall be:-
9.3.1 To confirm the minutes of the last preceding Annual General Meeting and of any
Special General Meeting held since that meeting.
9.3.2 To direct the Executive Committee on policy.
9.3.3 To transact special business of which notice has been given.
9.4 Additional ordinary business at the Annual General Meeting shall be:-
9.4.1To receive from the Executive Committee, reports upon the transactions of the
Association during the last year.
9.4.2 To receive the Auditors Report.
9.4.3 To elect officers of the Association.

Special General Meetings
9.5.1 The Executive Committee may, whenever it thinks fit, convene a special general
meeting of the Association.
9.5.2 The Executive Committee shall on the requisition in writing of members representing
not less than ten (10) per cent of the total number of members convene a special
general meeting of the Association.
9.5.3 The requisition for a special general meeting shall state the objects of the meeting and
shall be signed by the members making the requisition and be sent to the address of
the Secretary and may consist of several documents in a like form, each signed by one
or more of the members making the requisition.
9.5.4 If the Executive Committee does not cause a special general meeting to be held within
one month after the date on which the requisition is sent to the address of the
Secretary, the members making the requisition, or any of them, may convene a special
general meeting to be held not later than three months after that date.
9.5.5 A special general meeting convened by members in pursuant of these rules shall be
convened in the same manner as nearly possible as that in which these meetings are
convened by the Executive Committee and all reasonable expenses incurred in
convening the meeting shall be refunded by the Association to the persons incurring
the expenses.

Notice of General Meeting
9.6 The Secretary, shall at least 35 days before the date fixed for holding a general meeting of the Association, cause to be sent to each member of the Association at his address appearing in the register of members, a notice by pre-paid post stating the place, date and time of the meeting and the nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting.
9.6.1 The requirements of a sub-clause 9.5 shall be deemed to have met where notice of
the general meeting appears in the Association Newsletter sent in like manner.
9.6.2 No business other than set out in the notice concerning the meeting shall be
transacted at the meeting.
9.6.3 A member desiring to bring any business before a meeting may give notice of that
business in writing to the Secretary, who shall include that business in the notice
calling the next general meeting after the receipt of the notice.
Executive Committee Meetings
9.7.1 The Executive Committee shall meet at such times as the Committee may from
time to time decide. The President or any three members of the Executive
Committee may require the Secretary to give the necessary notice of meeting.

Notice of Meeting
9.7.2 At least seven (7) days notice in writing stating the agenda of each Executive
Committee meeting shall be sent to each officer and Committee member by the
Secretary. By leave of the meeting, business other than that of which notice has
been given may be discussed.

Quorum(s)
9.7.3 A quorum at all General Meetings shall be ten (10). If within thirty (30) minutes
of the time appointed for the meeting, a quorum is not present, the meeting may
stand adjourned for the same day in the following week at the same time and place
or to such other place as the Executive Committee may determine and if at the
adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within thirty (30) minutes of the time
appointed for the meeting, the members then present shall constitute a quorum.

Proxy
9.8 Any member being unable to attend any general meeting or Executive Committee
meeting may by writing or personal telephone call to the secretary appoint another person as his proxy.

Voting
9.9 At any meeting of the Executive Committee the President or any person acting as Chairman shall be entitled to exercise a casting vote and all members shall be entitled to exercise a deliberative vote.

10. OFFICERS (SEE ALSO Clause 8)

10.1 The Officers of the Association shall be the Members of the Executive Committee described in Clause 8.

Election of Officers
10.2.1 Nominations of candidates for election as officers of the Association shall be made in writing, signed by two members of the Association eligible to vote for that office and accompanied by the written consent of the candidate.
10.2.2 Nominations shall be delivered to the Secretary not less than seven (7) days before
the fixed date for the holding of the Annual general Meeting.
10.2.3 Where insufficient nominations are received to fill the vacancies on the Committee, the candidate nominated shall be deemed to be elected and further nominations shall be received at the Annual General Meeting.
10.2.4 Where the number of nominations received is equal to the number of vacancies to be filled, the persons nominated shall be deemed to be elected.
10.2.5 Where the number of nominations exceeds the number of vacancies to be filled, a Ballot shall be held.
10.2.6 The ballot for the election of officers and ordinary members of the Committee shall be conducted at the Annual general Meeting in such and proper manner as the Executive Committee may direct.

Retirement or Dismissal
10.3 Each officer shall hold office until he is no longer a member of the Association or is dismissed by a three-quarter majority of those present or eligible to vote at a General Meeting or until the next election of officers when he shall retire. All officers are eligible for re-election.

Casual Vacancies
10.4 A casual vacancy shall be filled by appointment made by the Executive Committee and each such officer shall hold office until the next Annual General Meeting.

Appointment of Officers
10.5 Teacher training - The Association acknowledges the International Suzuki Association and/or Teacher Trainers for each instrument as nominated by the Executive has the authority to appoint a Director of Teacher Training for Australia and that person has the authority to appoint a Director of Teacher Training for Western Australia. The Director of Teacher training and/or Teacher Trainers shall form a Teacher training
Committee and shall have the power to appoint other accredited teacher members to this committee year by year as required to address any perceived imbalance of representation or to assist with the workload. This committee shall be responsible for the teaching standards and accreditation of teachers and shall convene meetings as required. The Director of teacher Training, if appointed, shall be appointed for a two
year term, renewable by the nominated procedure.

11. OFFICERS - FUNCTIONS

The functions, rights and duties of the Executive Officers of the Association shall mean and
include:
11.1 President
The President shall have the right to preside at all General Meetings and the Executive
Committee Meetings.
11.2 Vice President. In the event of the President being absent, (and in the event of the Vice President being absent, such other Executive member chosen by the meeting) shall have the right to preside at all general and Executive Committee Meetings and shall assume the normal duties and rights of the President.
11.3 Secretary
The Secretary shall conduct the correspondence of the Association and shall have the
custody of all the documents relating to the Association. He/she shall keep full and
correct minutes of all proceedings and shall see to the keeping of records of the
Association. He/she shall provide to the Treasurer such information as the Treasurer
shall require.
11.4 Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping ht register of members of the
Association and shall receive all monies on behalf of the association, give receipts
therefore on the official receipt form of the association and pay such monies into such
account or accounts of such bank or banks approved trustee investment institutions as
the Executive Committee may from time to time decide upon. Such account or
accounts shall be operated upon in such a manner as the Executive Committee may
from time to time determine. The treasurer shall keep the accounts of the Association
and prepare an Annual Statement of Accounts and Balance Sheet of the Association to
the 31st day December each year.
11.5 Publicity Officer
The Publicity Officer shall be convenor of a Publicity Committee which shall be
appointed by the Executive Committee. Acting with the advice of the Publicity
Committee the Publicity Officer shall be editor of the Association Newsletter and shall
generally manage the dissemination of information about the Association.
11.6 Convenor Fund raising
The Convenor Fund raising shall be the principal fund raising officer and shall chair a
Fund Raising Committee that shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

12. AUDITOR

The Auditor shall be an Auditor qualified to practice in the State of Western Australia and shall audit the Annual Statement of Accounts and Balance Sheet and certify them. The Auditor shall have the power at any time to call for the production of all books of accounts, vouchers and other documents relative to the affairs of the Association. He shall be appointed by the members at the Annual General Meeting each year, but a casual vacancy in this office may be filled by the Executive Committee.

13. PATRON(s)

A General Meeting may from time to time appoint, subject to their acceptance, a Patron (s) of
the Association on the recommendation of the Executive Committee.

14. THE COMMON SEAL

The Association shall have a common seal engraved with the name of the Association which shall remain in the custody of the Secretary. The common seal shall only be affixed to any deed, instrument or document by the President (or Vice President acting on behalf of the President) in the presence of the Secretary and shall only be so affixed as directed by the Executive Committee. The Secretary shall keep a record of all documents to which the
seal shall have been affixed.

15. ADDITIONAL POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

In addition to the powers specifically conferred upon it, the Executive Committee shall have:
15.1 Power to appoint committees and delegate to such committees such powers as it deem necessary.
15.2 Generally all such administrative powers as may be necessary for carrying out the objects of the Association in accordance of this constitution.

Branches
15.3.1 The Executive Committee may from time to time provide for the establishment of a branch of the Association at any city, town or other definable area and may determine the powers and authorities thereof.
15.3.2 Only members of the Association shall be eligible to become a member of more than one Branch provided that no person shall be eligible to be a member of more than one Branch at any time.
15.3.3 A Branch may be known by such name as the Executive Committee approve.
15.3.4 The Executive Committee shall have power to formulate by-laws to govern the administration and well being of a Branch and to repeal or amend the same from time to time. Such by-laws shall not be inconsistent with the Rules of the Association.
15.3.5 Where the Executive Committee considers that there are at any time an insufficient number of members of a Branch or that the continued existence of such Branch is not otherwise warranted or in the interests of the Association the
Association may resolve that the Branch be dissolved.15.3.6 Notice of intention to move the dissolution of a Branch shall be sent to the last
known address of the branch by certified mail at least thirty five (35) days before
the General Meeting at which the motion for dissolution of the Branch is to be
dealt with; and
15.3.7 Such motion is carried by at least a three-fourths majority of those present and
entitled to vote at that meeting.
15.3.8 Upon such resolution being passed the Executive Committee shall take control of
all assets, property, books and records of the Branch and shall exercise all powers
which would otherwise be vested in the Branch or its Committee. The Branch
shall thereupon be dissolved and cease to exist.
15.3.9 A Branch shall not enter into any contract in the name of or on behalf of the
Association without the consent of the Executive Committee as conveyed in writing
by the President or the Secretary.

16. INTERPRETATION AND AMENDMENTS OF THE CONSTITUTION

16.1 The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the interpretation of this Constitution. This Constitution and any such interpretation shall be binding on all members and member associations and their members. Any member of the Association
or person aggrieved by the interpretation may, on the giving of one calender month notice, require the Committee at its next meeting to confirm or overrule an interpretation it has given. In the event that the Committee overrules that interpretation, such other interpretation is to take effect as from that date of the
Committee Meeting but without retrospective effect.
16.2 No clause or part of a clause of this Constitution shall be repealed or amended and no
new clause shall be added to this Constitution save and except by a three-quarters
majority of votes of those present and entitled to vote at a General meeting of the
Association.

17. FINANCIAL YEAR

The Financial year of the Association shall commence on the 1st day of January and end on the 31st day of December each year.

18. SUBSCRIPTIONS AND LEVIES

18.1.1 The Executive Committee shall have the power to fix the amount of annual subscriptions. The amount or method of calculation of such annual subscription shall be decided upon by the Executive Committee prior to the 31st day of December in each year, failing which the decision for the previous year shall stand.
18.1.2 The annual subscriptions, joining and rejoining fees, shall be determined each year
by the Committee.
18.1.3 Membership subscriptions shall fall due for payment in each year.
18.1.4 Ninety (90) days grace shall be allowed for payment of subscriptions whereupon
members having paid shall be deemed unfinancial.
18.1.5 Unfinancial members shall be liable to a rejoining fee of an amount set by the Committee from time to time.
18.1.6 The Committee shall determine from time to time in accordance with the requirements of Clause 7 hereof whether unfinancial members shall have their membership cancelled having due regard to the circumstances in each case.

19. INCOME AND PROPERTY

The income and property of the Association shall be applied solely to the promotion of the aims and objects of the Association and no part thereof shall be paid to, transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend bonus or otherwise of pecuniary profit to the members, provided that remuneration may be paid in good faith to officers and servants of the Association or other persons in return for services actually rendered.

20. DISSOLUTION

The Association may be dissolved or wound up by a resolution at any General Meeting called for such purpose provided that such resolution is passed by an affirmative vote of seventy five (75%) of those present and voting. If upon the dissolution or winding up of the Association there remains after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities any property whatsoever the same shall not be paid to or distributed amongst the members of the Association but shall be given or transferred to another association incorporated under the Act which as similar objects and to which income tax deductible gifts can be made as approved by the Commissioner of Taxation and which association shall be determined by the resolution of the members.

INDEX TO CONSTITUTION

SUBJECT CLAUSE PAGE (see sections above)

Accreditation 2.5 1
Admission to Membership 5 2
Associate teacher members 5.2.2 3
Association Meetings 9 4
Association officers 8.2 3
Auditor 12 7
Branches 15.3 7
Casual Vacancies 10.4 6
Common Seal 14 7
Constitution - Interpretation and Amendment 16 8
Convenor Fund Raising 11.6 7
Director of Teacher Training 10.5 6
Dismissal 10.3 6
Dissolution 20 9
Election of Officers 10 5
Election Principles 8.3 3
Executive Committee - Additional Powers 15 7
Executive Committee - Powers 8.1 3
Executive Committee 8.2 3
Executive Committee - Notice of Meetings 9 4
Executive Committee - Quorum 9.7.3 5
Executive Committee meetings 9.7.1 5
Executive Committee - Functions 11 6
Family Members 5.2.4 2
Financial Year 17 8
Friends of the Association 5.2.7 2
Functions of the Executive Officers 11 6
Fund raising 11.6 7
General Meetings 9 4
Graduation 6.1 2
Holding Office and voting 6.2 3
Honorary Auditor 12 7
Honorary Members 5.2.5 2
Income and Property 19 9
Information 2.3 1
Interpretation and Amendment of the Constitution 16 8
Levies and Subscriptions 18 8
Life Membership 5.2.6 2
Management 8 3
Meetings 9 4
Membership 4 1
Membership - Admission to 5 2
Membership - Associations 5.1 2
Membership - Life 5.2.6 2
Membership - Termination of 7 3
Membership Rights, Responsibilities & Voting 6 2
Name 1 1
Objects 2 1
Officers - Election 10.2 5
Officers - Functions 11 6
Officers of the Association 8.2 3
Patron 13 7
Personal Membership categories 5.2 2
Powers 3 1
Powers of the Executive Committee 15 7
President 11.1 6
Promotion 2.1 1
Property and Income 19 9
Proxy 9.8 5
Publicity Officer 11.5 7
Quorum Executive Committee 9.7.3 5
Responsibilities 6 2
Retirement of Dismissal 10.3 6
Rights 6 2
Scholarships 2.6 1
Seal - Common 14 7
Secretary 11.3 6
Special General Meetings 9.5 4
Standards 2.4 1
Subscriptions and Levies 18 8
Teacher Members 5.2.1 2
Teacher Training 10.5 6
Termination of Membership 7 3
Trainee Teacher Members 5.2.3 2
Training Responsibilities 6.3 3
Treasurer 11.4 6
Vice Presidents 11.2 6
Voting - Executive Committee 9.9 5
Voting - Life and Honorary Members 6.4 3
Voting - Entitlement 6 2
Year - Financial 17 8