Club Constitutions

Whether a corporation registered under the Corporations Act 2001, or an incorporated association under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981, your race club must have a set of rules that govern its internal operations. These rules are more commonly known as your club’s ‘constitution’.

The constitution forms a contract between:

• the club and each of its members

• the club and each of its directors or committee members

• the club and its secretary, CEO or managing director, and

• a member and each other member

Your constitution outlines key matters relating to the governance of your race club, including:

• its objects and powers

• member’s rights

• how the board or committee will conduct its affairs

• election or appointment of board or committee members

• conduct of general meetings, including the annual general meeting

It is important that your club regularly reviews its constitution to ensure it accurately reflects how your club is governed, is up to date with any law changes and to ensure it does not conflict with any aspects of the Racing Act 2002 or other Rules of Racing. Race clubs are encouraged to review their constitution at least once every five years.

Any modifications to your club’s constitution need to be passed by a special resolution and must receive the approval of Racing Queensland (RQ).

5 SIMPLE STEPS TO ADOPTING RQ MODEL RULES

RQ has created a template set of rules ('model rules') that may be suitable for adoption by your club.

If, after having reviewed the document, your club decides to use RQ’s model rules as a basis to update its constitution, simply:

1. insert the title of the document or a cover page at page 1 (e.g. “Constitution of ABC Race Club Inc.”);

2. insert the club’s name, code of racing and region in the spaces indicated at rules 2.1 and 2.2;

3. seek RQ’s written approval to amend the club’s rules;

4. propose the adoption of the new rules as a special resolution at the club’s next general meeting (refer to your club's current rules for notice requirements); and

5. if special resolution is passed (by ¾ of the members present at the meeting and entitled to vote on the resolution), complete and lodge an ‘Associations Incorporation Form 8 – Application to register an amendment of rules’ with the Office of Fair Trading and, once registered, advise RQ.

Please contact RQ’s Club Partnerships and Development team (clubdevelopment@racingqueensland.com.au) for questions regarding your club’s constitution.