Announcement of Constitution Drafting Committee and Call for Involvement: Sappers Association (NZ) Inc.

First Announcement

Date 2025-02-07

Latest version: Announcement of Constitution Drafting Committee and Call for Involvement_ Sappers Association (NZ) Inc.pdf

 

Dear Members of the Sappers Association (NZ) Inc.,

We are pleased to announce the establishment of the Constitution Drafting Committee tasked with reviewing and updating our governing documents following the Incorporated Societies Act 2022. This important effort will ensure that the Sappers Association (NZ) Inc. (the ‘Society’) remains compliant with the latest legal requirements and continues to serve the best interests of its members. Our current association Rules (2002, 2003, 2023) will be transformed into a Constitution (2025).

 

1. Drafting Committee Establishment

The Executive Council appointed an initial Drafting Committee comprising two founding members on 2024-12-10 –

• Vail Hubner
• Peter Mellalieu

Both Vail and Peter bring a wealth of experience in governance, legal compliance, and organisational development. They will lead the review process in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

 

2. Purpose of the Drafting Committee

The Drafting Committee is responsible for:

1. Developing a new Constitution that reflects the updated Incorporated Societies Act 2022 requirements.
2. Preserving and integrating our Association’s heritage, mission, and values.
3. Ensuring alignment with the discussion document Sappers Association Mission and Lines of Effort 2024–2026.
4. Ensuring transparency, and accountability.

 

3. Invitation for Nominations and Requests

We welcome:

1. Nominations from members who wish to serve on the Drafting Committee. If you have relevant skills (legal, administrative, operational, or subject-matter expertise) and are interested in assisting, please send a brief note outlining your experience and motivation.
2. Requests to Receive Progress Reports from those who would like to be kept informed at key milestones, even if not joining the committee formally.
3. We propose to engage representatives from the following affiliated and kindred organisations in the committee’s progress
   1. RNZE Charitable Trust and ECMT - Donald (Don) Jones
   2. CO 2 Engineer Regiment c/- RSM Carl Fairburn
   3. RNZ-RSA c/- Stan Bossom (As of 2024 the RNZ-RSA is formally affiliated to SappersNZ)
   4. Kahui St David's - Sappers Chapel, Soldiers Church, Sappers Day c/- Paul Baragwanath
   5. ... plus those you formally nominate to us.

Please submit your expressions of interest or any questions to hsec@sprnz.tidymail.co by 2025-03-01.

 

 

4. Workflow and Timeline

Below is a high-level outline of our plan:

1. Preparation & Legal Review (Commenced 2025-01-31)
   • Reviewed legal requirements of the 2022 Act; 
   • Examined existing SappersNZ Rules.
   • Appoint Drafting Committee and Invite Involvement (Upcoming)
2. Drafting (In Progress. Due 2025-03-01)
   • Structure the draft constitution and produce an initial version. (Completed 2025-02-31)
   • Conduct an internal review with the Executive Council.
3. Consultation & Approval (Upcoming. 2025-03-01 through 2025-06-01)
   • AGM - Report Progress with Constitution 2025 Draft (target date circa 2025-03-15)
   • Prepare a mechanism to facilitate orderly submissions on the new Constitution
   • Member Consultation (In Progress. This Invitation)
   • Final Legal Review.
   • Executive Council Approval.
   • Membership Voting & Formal Adoption.
4. Registration & Implementation (Future Phase. 2025-06-01 through 2025-08-01)
   • File final constitution with the Companies Office.
   • Communicate changes and update all governance processes accordingly.

We anticipate finalizing the new constitution by 2025-08-01, subject to any necessary changes from member feedback and legal review.

 

5. Key Documents and Resources

For those wishing to learn more or contribute, the following resources will guide you:

• Incorporated Societies Act 2022
  Legislation Website

• SappersNZ 2023 Rules
  Access via SappersNZ Portal - Storage, or

2023 - Rules Sappers Association (NZ) Inc.pdf

• SappersNZ Mission and Lines of Effort 2024–2026

Access via SappersNZ Portal - Storage, or
Sappers Association (NZ) Inc Mission and Lines of Effort 2024-2026 v2.1 2024-07-18.pdf

 

• Key Changes: 1908 Act vs 2022 Act
  NZ Companies Office Resource

 

• Draft Constitution 2025

This link will refer to the current draft under consideration

Draft Constitution - Sappers Association (NZ).pdf

 

• Drafting Committee Workflow & Checklist

This link will refer to the latest active workflow.

Drafting Committee Workflow & Checklist.pdf 

 

 If you would like a copy of the latest workflow, please email hsec@sprnz.tidymail.co

 

Thank You & Next Steps

We greatly value your participation in this initiative. This is your opportunity to shape the Sappers Association (NZ) to better serve its membership and fulfil its mission well into the future. 

If you have question or comments, or wish to be involved, please do not hesitate to contact us.

With thanks and kind regards,

Peter Mellalieu
Chair Northern | District Moderator for Auckland (DM Auckland)

On behalf of the Drafting Committee,
Sappers Association (NZ) Inc.

Phone 021 420118

Email chr.nth.sprnz@mail.tidyhq.com

Image

One of four surviving copies of the 1215 Magna Carta. This copy is one of two held at the British Library. It came from the collection of Sir Robert Cotton, who died in 1631. In 1731, a fire at Ashburnam House in Westminster, where his library was then housed, destroyed or damaged many of the rare manuscripts, which is why this copy is burnt.
Copyright holder:    public domain