About SAOSWA

Constitution

CONSTITUTION OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN OCCUPATIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS' ASSOCIATION

INTERPRETATION

In this document, unless inconsistent with or otherwise indicated by the context –
  1. Words importing:
    • any one gender includes the other gender;
    • the singular includes the plural and vice versa;
    • natural persons include created entities(corporate or unincorporated) and vice versa.
  2. The following terms shall have the meanings assigned to them hereunder and cognate expressions shall have corresponding meanings, namely:
    • SAOSWA means the South African Occupational Social Workers Association;
    • NEC means the National Executive Committee;
    • SACSSP means the South African Council for Social Service Professions;
    • Branch committee means those ordinary members appointed by the members to represent their branch.
  3. NAME

  4. The name of the Association shall be the South African Occupational Social Workers Association.
  5. LEGAL STATUS

  6. The Association is constituted as a voluntary association.
  7. The Association is a distinct and separate legal entity and body corporate, with the capacity to acquire rights and obligations and have perpetual succession.
  8. All proceedings shall be brought by or against the Association in the name of the Association, and the NEC may authorise any person to act on behalf of the Association and to sign all such documents and to take all such steps as may be necessary in connection with any such proceedings.
  9. NON PROFIT ORGANISATION

    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained:
  10. the Association is not formed and does not exist for the purpose of carrying on any business that has for its object the acquisition of gain by the Association or its individual members;
  11. the income and assets of the Association shall be applied solely for investment and for the promotion of the objects for which it is established;
  12. the Association shall not carry on any trading or other profit-making activities;
  13. no part of the income or assets of the Association shall be paid, directly or indirectly, by way of dividend, donation or otherwise, to any person.
  14. RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

    Membership of the Association:
  15. does not confer upon any member a right to any of the moneys, property or assets of the Association;
  16. confers upon the members the privilege of membership subject to such changes and reasonable restrictions as the NEC may from time to time impose and subject to the constitution of the Association;
  17. a member whose application for membership has been accepted shall be bound by the constitution of SAOSWA, the SAOSWA Code of Ethics and SAOSWA’s standards.
  18. OBJECTIVES

    The objectives of the Association shall be:
  19. To set professional standards and guidelines for practising occupational social workers;
  20. To uphold and promote SAOSWA’s Code of Ethics for occupational social workers;
  21. To support and promote the development of SAOSWA’s members by means of acquiring and sharing the knowledge required to register as a specialist occupational social worker with the SACSSP;
  22. To network as an organisation and maintain on-going communication with other relevant bodies of civil society and government;
  23. To provide leadership in promoting the national and provincial growth and development of SAOSWA and its members in both private and public sector workplaces;
  24. To provide regular opportunities for occupational social work practitioners to network for purposes of support, advice and overall professional growth;
  25. To promote academic research in the occupational social work field;
  26. To market and promote awareness of the contribution of occupational social workers to all stakeholders;
  27. To provide support and on-going education for members who are frequently confronted with ethical dilemmas in a variety of work environments.
  28. MEMBERSHIP TYPES

    There shall be the following membership types of the Association, namely:
  29. Ordinary member: Any person who is registered as a social worker within the Republic of South Africa with the SACSSP may become an ordinary member;
  30. Voting for the National Executive Committee (NEC) and branch committees is restricted to paid up ordinary members ONLY.
  31. Associate member: Any person who is registered as an auxiliary social worker, or student social worker within the Republic of South Africa with the SACSSP, or who is registered in a closely related field, e.g. psychology, may become an associate member;
  32. Associate members shall have no vote in the affairs of the Association;
  33. Associate members are not eligible to be appointed to the NEC.
  34. Honorary Member: Honorary membership is bestowed upon individuals who have made a contribution to the Association which in the view of the NEC deserves to be recognised by the Association;
  35. Honorary members pay no subscriptions and may attend all events as guests of the Association;
  36. Honorary members shall have no vote in the affairs of the Association;
  37. Honorary members are not eligible to be appointed to the NEC.
  38. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS

    Candidates for membership in any category shall be processed as follows:
  39. Applicants complete the membership form which is available on the SAOSWA website;
  40. E2 validates that the applicant is registered as a social worker, auxiliary social worker or student social worker with the SACSSP; in the event of an applicant belonging to a closely related field, E2 refers the application for membership to the NEC;
  41. E2 allocates the applicant as an ordinary or associate member based on the SACSSP status;
  42. Applicant receives a notification and invoice with a request to pay for the membership;
  43. Member becomes active when proof of payment is received by E2;
  44. Member is advised to join the nearest branch.

    MEMBERSHIP FEES

    Annual subscriptions shall be paid by members as follows:
  45. Ordinary and associate members shall pay membership fees as may be decided annually by the NEC.
  46. Membership fees fall due on January 1st each year, and are payable to SAOSWA by 31st March of that year.

    MISCONDUCT OF MEMBERS

    A member of the Association shall be found guilty of misconduct should he/ she in the opinion of the NEC:
  47. Commit any breach of this constitution or the Code of Ethics or the standards of the Association; or
  48. Be guilty of any conduct which places the Association in disrepute.
    Complaints as to the conduct of a member, and the procedure to be adopted, shall be at the sole discretion of the NEC.
    The NEC after following the agreed procedure shall have the power to:
  49. Reprimand and/or censure such member;
  50. Call upon such member to resign;
  51. Terminate the membership of such member.

    MEMBERSHIP TERMINATION

  52. A member may voluntarily resign by submitting in writing a letter to the NEC Secretary.
  53. Membership shall terminate upon failure to submit annual subscription fees by 31st March each year.

    NATIONAL OFFICE BEARERS

  54. The NEC shall bear the final authority and ultimate responsibility for policy. The right to make decisions affecting policy and/or any other matter affecting SAOSWA and/or its members shall be vested in the NEC.
  55. The NEC have the right when dealing with SAOSWA business transactions to open bank accounts, enter into agreements, acquire or dispose of assets, raise borrow or lend money, offer guarantees, institute or defend legal positions relating to the Association.
  56. The NEC shall consist of a chairperson, vice chair-person, secretariat, treasurer and a maximum of five (5) ordinary members.
  57. Ordinary members will receive an electronic call for nominations by no later than the 1st of October in an election year.
  58. Voting for those nominated will take place during November of the election year.
  59. The elected office bearers will appoint a chairperson,vice chairperson, secretariat and treasurer at the first NEC meeting.
  60. The NEC shall hold office for a period of three years after their individual election.
  61. The chairperson is restricted to a single term of office.
  62. All other office bearers are restricted to a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms of office.
  63. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this constitution, an office bearer of the Association shall cease to hold his/her office when he/she ceases to be a member of the Association.
  64. The chairperson is responsible for managing the day to day operations of the Association.
  65. The secretariat is responsible for overseeing the member database, facilitating and documenting NEC meetings.
  66. The treasurer is responsible for the overseeing of all financial management.
  67. Vacancies occurring during the term of office of the National Executive Committee may be filled by co-option.
  68. Members of the NEC are not entitled to remuneration for their work. Direct expenses are refunded in accordance with the expense claims standard operating procedure.
  69. The chairperson of a standing committee shall be a member of the NEC.
  70. The NEC shall meet face to face or electronically at least four (4) times per calendar year.
  71. Written notice of NEC meetings shall be given to all office bearers not later than ten (10) working days prior to the meeting.
  72. Special meetings may be called by the chairperson by written notice to all NEC members not later than three (3) working days prior to the meeting.
  73. A quorum requires the majority of the NEC to be present in person or via electronic means.
  74. If no quorum is present within thirty minutes of the time fixed at any meeting, those present may proceed with the meeting. Any decisions taken at the meeting shall be circula- rised in the minutes within ten (10) working days to all NEC members for ratification by a quorum.
  75. NEC members have one (1) vote each. In case of a split decision the chairperson would have the deciding vote.
  76. Representation on relevant national bodies will be decided by the NEC.
  77. The NEC shall have the authority to appoint service providers to render services to the NEC and members.
  78. The NEC may pay out of the funds of the Association expenses considered by the NEC to be necessary to the promotion of the Association and its objectives.

    BRANCHES

  79. Branches are formed when an interim committee comprising a chairperson, secretary and treasurer approach the NEC with a motivation to establish a new branch; or
  80. The NEC approaches no less than three (3) individuals to establish an interim committee.
  81. Interim committees are required to hold an Annual General Meeting within twelve months of NEC approval to form a branch.
  82. Branch committees consist of a chairperson, vice chairperson, treasurer, secretary and co-opted members.
  83. The branch committee is responsible for the effective functioning of SAOWSA in their area and for implementing NEC policy.
  84. Ordinary branch members will receive an electronic call for nominations by no later than the 1st of October in an election year.
  85. Voting for those nominated will take place during November of the election year.
  86. The elected office bearers will appoint a chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary and treasurer at the first branch meeting.
  87. The branch committee shall hold office for a period of two (2) years after their individual election.
  88. The branch chairperson is restricted to a single term of office.
  89. All other branch office bearers are restricted to a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms of office.
  90. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this constitution, a branch office bearer of the Association shall cease to hold his/her office when he/she ceases to be a member of the Association.
  91. Vacancies occurring during the term of office of the branch committee may be filled by co-option.
  92. Members of the branch committee are not entitled to remuneration for their work. Direct expenses are refunded in accordance with the expense claims standard operating procedure.
  93. The branch committee shall meet face to face or electronically at least four (4) times per calendar year.
  94. Written notice of branch meetings shall be given to all branch office bearers not later than ten (10) working days prior to the meeting.
  95. Special branch meetings may be called by the branch chairperson by written notice to all branch members not later than three (3) working days prior to the meeting.
  96. A quorum requires the majority of the branch committee to be present in person or via electronic means.
  97. If no quorum is present within thirty minutes of the time fixed for any meeting, those present may proceed with the meeting. Any decisions taken at the meeting shall be circularised in the minutes within ten (10) working days to all branch committee members for ratification by a quorum.
  98. Branch committee members have one (1) vote each. In case of a split decision the chairperson would have the deciding vote.
  99. The branch committee will hold an Annual General Meeting during November each year.
  100. Notice of the date, time and place for holding branch Annual General Meetings shall be circulated to members by electronic means thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.
  101. The branch chairperson for Annual General Meetings and for special branch meetings shall be the branch chairperson, or a member of the branch committee appointed by the chairperson.
  102. The NEC shall prepare a report which will be delivered at the branch Annual General Meeting and written into the minutes of the branch Annual General Meeting.

    AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION

  103. The Constitution may only be rescinded, amended or changed by a two-thirds majority of the Association’s voting members represented by electronic means. Electronic notification of any change or amendment to the Constitution will be sent electronically to all ordinary members in good standing. If two-thirds of the responses received from voting members are in support of the proposed amendment or change, the NEC may make the change.

    POLICY AND PROCEDURES

    The NEC is responsible for drafting the standard operating procedures of the Association, including:
  104. Processing membership applications;
  105. NEC meetings;
  106. SAOSWA governance;
  107. Communications;
  108. Financial management;
  109. Service provider agreements. POWER TO SUE AND BE SUED
  110. SAOSWA has the right to sue and be sued in its own name.

    LIMITED LIABILITY

  111. Membership of SAOSWA shall not entitle any person to any proprietary right, title or claim to any interest in any property or assets of SAOSWA, nor shall a member by virtue of such membership incur any liability in respect of any claim or action brought against SAOSWA.

    DISSOLUTION OF SAOSWA

  112. SAOSWA may be dissolved at any time by a resolution passed by a majority of two-thirds of the votes of members received by electronic means.
  113. If, upon winding-up or dissolution of SAOSWA, there remains, after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any assets whatsoever, the same shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of SAOSWA but shall be paid to a body with similar aims and objectives, such body to be decided by the outgoing NEC.