Table of Contents
1. Name and Headquarters
2. Legal Status
3. A Non Profit Organisation
4. Purpose of the Association
5. Membership
6. Termination and Suspension of Membership and leave of absence
7. Fellowship
8. Finances
9. General Meetings
10. Officers and Delegates
11. Functions of the Officers
12. Areas and Branches
13. OTASA Council
14. Meeting of council
15. Procedure for Council meeting
16. Functions and Powers of Council
17. Executive committee of the council
18. Committees
19. Liaison between the Association, the Professional Board and HPCSA
20. Procedure for Changing the Constitution and Standing Orders
21. Interpretation
22. Dissolution of the Association
ARTICLE 1 - NAME AND HEADQUARTERS
Name:
The name of the Association shall be Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa (OTASA)
Headquarters:
1. OTASA is the legally constituted body in terms of the Fundraising act. Office staff is appointed as stipulated in the Standing Orders
2. The headquarters of the Association will be situated in Pretoria
ARTICLE 2 - LEGAL STATUS
1. The Association is and shall be a separate legal entity and body corporate, with the capacity to acquire rights and obligations and having perpetual succession.
2. All actions or suits, proceeding at law or any arbitration shall be brought by or against the Association in the name of the Association and the committee may authorise any person or persons 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
ARTICLE 3 - A NON PROFIT ORGANISATION (Registered with the Department of Welfare)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained:
1. 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.
2. 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
3. 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
4. The Association shall not be entitled to carry on any trading or other profit making activities or participate in any business, profession or occupation carried on by any of its members or to provide financial assistance to any business, profession or occupation
ARTICLE 4 - PURPOSE OF THE ASSOCIATION
1. To provide a representative professional organisation for the members of the Profession in South Africa
2. To promote the common interest of members
3. To be a proactive and dynamic organisation which will benefit the members of the Association and the Public
4. To provide an Association that will be able to advance the profession and its service in accordance with the health needs in South Africa
5. To ensure that occupational therapy practice and education is in keeping with the principles of the Primary Health Care approach
6. To promote co-operation between all occupational therapy staff, with the World Federation of Occupational Therapists and with other associated professional bodies
7. To ensure the exchange of information and publications and to promote research
8. To maintain the ethics of the profession
9. To promote representation and achieve close co-operation between the Association, Government departments and National bodies
10. To establish closer relations and association between members, whether professionally, socially or otherwise
11. To consider legislation regarding the profession and related professions and to make representations, if necessary, in connection therewith
12. To frame costs and charges for the guidance of members for work not provided for in any other tariff
13. To mediate between members and adjust and settle differences between them whenever they are called upon by such members
14. To offer the opportunity for the expression of the views of members on matters affecting the occupational therapy profession
15. To acquire any rights or privileges which the Association may regard as necessary or convenient for its purposes
16. To establish standing orders of the Constitution for members
17. To establish and implement rules for the adherence of members to the above standing orders
ARTICLE 5 - MEMBERSHIP
Occupational therapy members refer to therapists and auxiliary staff (including assistants and technicians)
1. Full, Student and Associate Members:
Membership is open to occupational therapy members who meet the Associations requirements for full membership, associate membership or student membership as set out in the Standing Orders
2. Affiliated Membership:
Persons who in the opinion of Council are interested or closely associated with the development of Occupational Therapy may become affiliate members
3. Members are entitled to benefits as stipulated in the Standing Orders
4. New applications for membership must be made as stipulated in the Standing Orders
ARTICLE 6 - TERMINATION AND SUSPENSION OF MEMBERSHIP AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE
1. Membership may be terminated in terms of the provisions of the Standing Orders
2. Student membership will cease if the student member qualifies for full membership, or if the membership is otherwise terminated in terms hereof
3. A member suspected of unethical behaviour, as defined by the Associations code of ethics (Annexure 1) may be asked to appear before the Ethical Committee in order to clarify the complaint. If warranted the Ethical Committee may refer the matter to the OTASA Executive Committee (Exco) who then may refer it to Council, who may terminate or suspend membership, as defined in the Standing Orders
4. Members may resign from the Association in writing
5. Full and associate members may apply annually for leave of absence from the Association
ARTICLE 7 - FELLOWSHIP
Fellowship shall be divided into three classes
1. Honorary: (as stipulated in the Standing Orders)
1.1 The Council has the right to confer honorary membership upon an OT member who:
1.1.1 Has 25 years uninterrupted membership
1.1.2 Has 25 years uninterrupted membership, and who contributed or played any major part in committees or Council at various levels: nationally or regionally
1.1.3 Is an OT or allied health professional whom OTASA wishes to honour for an exceptional contribution to the profession or the Association, or who has achieved national or international recognition for their contribution to health care in general
1.2 One Honorary member may be elected as Honorary Life President of the Association
2. Patrons
The Council may acknowledge as Patrons of the Association such persons of distinction who are in a position to be of assistance to the Association or whom by virtue of the office they hold or have held, would lend status to the office of Patron (as stipulated in the Standing Orders)
3. Fellow of the Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa
The Council may confer an award of fellowship of the Association on a member of the Association who has rendered exceptional service to the Association and / or the profession of Occupational Therapy (as stipulated in the Standing Orders)
ARTICLE 8 - FINANCE
1. Fees established by the Council may only be altered by a vote where notice of such an alteration has been sent to all members of the Association not less then one month before the date of the Annual General Meeting. Adoption of such change is subject to 1/3 (one third) membership acceptance i.e. those present at the meeting together with postal votes
2. Patrons and fellows are exempt from paying membership fees
3. Contributions, donations and all other monies received may be banked, invested and used for the purpose of the Association as determined by the Council
4. The area in which contributions will be collected by, for or on behalf of the Association, and in which its business will be conducted, will be within South Africa
5. The Association is entitled:
5.1 To purchase, hire, or otherwise acquire any movable or immovable property and to erect buildings thereon and to sell, improve, lease or otherwise deal with all or any of the property or assets of the Association
5.2 To maintain and furnish offices, lecture rooms and any other facilities for the use by the Association
5.3 To open banking accounts and operate thereon
5.4 To invest in recognised banking institutions, building societies, government or municipal stocks, monies of the Association not required for immediate use
5.5 To make money available for fellowship, study grants, travel allowances or awards of a similar nature, to members of the Association or such persons (as stipulated in the Standing Orders) as the Council may decide
5.6 The Association will be responsible for the travelling expenses and a subsistence allowance (as determined by Council) for its delegates attending, Council, National and International meetings, on condition that the financial position of the Association is strong enough to bear the expenses. Preference is to be given to the financing of delegates to Council and National meetings before International meetings.
5.7 No member of the Association will, subject to the provisions of clause 5.1 of this Article, have the right to pledge the credit of the Association
5.8 Proceeds of workshops, seminars and courses organised under the auspices of the Association will be levied as stipulated in the Standing Orders
5.9 The Association may raise funds as deemed necessary from time to time
ARTICLE 9 - GENERAL MEETINGS AND VOTING
1 General meetings
1.1 The Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held each year at a place decided at the preceding Annual General Meeting or, in the absence of such decision, as arranged by the Executive
1.2 The meeting referred to in 1.1 will be called the Annual General Meeting and all other general meetings shall be called special meetings
1.3 No business shall be transacted at any meeting unless 10% of members are present excluding student, associate and affiliate members, provided that any changes to the Constitution may only be effected in terms of the provisions of Article 20
1.4 Notice of an Annual General Meeting or Special meeting must be given not less than 14 (fourteen) days in advance
1.5 All notices of meetings shall be in writing
2 Voting Procedure
2.1 Every full member has one vote and in the case of equality of votes, the Chairperson shall have a casting vote in addition to his / her deliberate vote. Members unable to attend a meeting may register their votes by letter to reach the Secretary at lease 24 (twenty-four) hours before the commencement of the meeting
2.2 Students, associate and affiliate members are not entitled to vote
2.3 Honorary Members, and Patrons of the Association will not be entitled to vote unless they hold a recognised occupational therapy qualification
ARTICLE 10 - OFFICERS, DELEGATES AND REPRESENTATIVES
1. Officers
1.1 The officers of the Association shall be the President, Treasurer, Vice-Presidents (number to be decided by Council from time to time), a minute Secretary and such other appointments as Council may deem to be necessary e.g. Council Administrator
1.2 When the office of President falls vacant:
1.2.1 All members will be invited to submit nominations of a new President within 21 (twenty-one) days. The new President as elected by the majority vote, will act as President for the remaining period of office
1.2.2 The appointment of a President will only be effective after ratification by Council
1.2.3 Until the new President has been elected, one of the Vice-Presidents will be appointed by Council
1.3 Nominee for the office of President should preferably be one of the Vice-Presidents, or a member who has served on Council for at least 3 (three) years
1.4 The term of office for the President is 3 (three) years
1.5 The terms of office for the Vice Presidents is 3 (three) years and they will be elected as stipulated in the Standing Orders
1.6 The President, and Vice Presidents are eligible for re-election but they shall not hold the same office for more than 2 (two) consecutive terms
1.7 If a vacancy occurs prematurely for any office other than President, nominations shall be called for from an all member mailing and a new officer elected by ballot of Council Members
1.8 The Secretary and Treasurer will be elected for a period of 3 (three) years, according to the procedure stipulated in the Standing Orders. They will be legible for re-election
1.9 The Officers of the Association may not be office bearers of any Branches or Chairperson of Standing Committees, but may serve in other capacities on such committees
1.10 Only full members are eligible for election as committee members
2. Representatives
2.1 Association representatives to Allied Bodies should be appointed according to the procedure stipulated in the Standing Orders
3. Delegates
3.1 Association delegates should be elected according to the procedure as stipulated in the Standing Orders
ARTICLE 11 - FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
1. The President shall be Chairperson of the Council and will preside at all meetings of the Association and the Council (see Standing Orders)
2. The Vice Presidents will assist the President in the performance of her / his duties and may preside at meetings or undertake other duties in her / his absence. Similarly, any of the officers may stand in for one another (see Standing Orders)
3. The Secretary and Treasurer will carry out duties delegated to them by the Executive Committee or council, in addition to those laid down in the Standing Orders
4. The Honorary Life President and Honorary President may be invited to attend meetings or act as Chairperson at any meeting of the Association
5. Each Exco officer will be a buddy to a branch or branches / sub branches in an area
ARTICLE 12 - AREAS AND BRANCHES
1. Formation of Branches
The country shall be divided into geographical areas to be termed "Areas". These are defined in the Standing Orders. Each area may have one or more Branches of the Association. A Branch may have sub-branches
2. Structure of the Branches:
All members of the Association, who live in a defined area, as well as student members and affiliates, will belong to a Branch. The minimum number of ordinary members in any Branch shall be 4 (four) members
3. Inauguration of the Branches:
The Council may nominate a member who is resident within a defined Area to convene the inaugural meeting of a new Branch
4. Officers
4.1 The officers of a branch are a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and / or Treasurer
4.2 The Branch may elect an Honorary Chairperson for the Branch, who will serve for a term of office to be determined at their General Meeting
5. Administration of the Branch
5.1 The administration of the Branch will be managed by an Executive Committee of the Branch
5.2 The Executive Committee will be the officers of the Branch. The Executive Committee may call meetings together with the Branches representatives of Standing Committees or sub-committees or their appointed alternates, representatives to Allied Bodies and student representatives, with such additional members as may be decided at a General Meeting.
6. Representation on Council
6.1 Each Branch shall be represented on the Council by one delegate
6.2 Members and non-members can apply to Branches for observer status as stipulated in the Standing Orders
7. Branch Annual General Meeting
7.1 Every Branch shall hold an Annual General Meeting not less than 14 (fourteen) days, or more than 3 (three) months before the date of the Annual General Meeting of the Association. Office bearers will be elected at this meeting
7.2 Additional members of the Executive committee may be elected either at the Annual General Meeting or in any other way agreed upon by the Branch in their General Meeting
7.3 The Branch will appoint (re-appoint) a Council delegate at the Annual General Meeting. An alternate, who will attend in the absence of the delegate, should also be elected
7.4 The elected persons i.e. Branch office bearers and the Council delegate, will hold office for two years
7.5 Any member may vote by post to reach the Branch secretary not later than 24 (twenty four) hours before the Annual General Meeting
7.6 The chairperson will submit an annual report on the activities and financial status of the Branch as stipulated in the Standing Orders. The various committees and groups active in the Branch will also report at the Annual General Meeting
7.7 The Chairperson and additional members of sub-committees, will be appointed by the Branch Executive Committee
7.8 All other meetings, apart from the Annual general Meeting, shall be called Special Meetings. The Chairperson may call a special meeting if he/ she sees fit to do so, or upon receipt of a request signed by not less than 1/3 (one third) of the members of the Branch, which specifies the business for which a Special Meeting is required. No business shall be transacted at any meeting of a branch unless 2/3 (two thirds) of all full members are present
7.9 The provisions of clauses 1.4 - 1.5 and 2.1 - 2.3 of Article 9 are mutates mutandis applicable to meetings and procedures at branches
8. Functions of the Branch
8.1 Branches will carry out the work of the Association within the Area of the Branch, both on behalf of the local members and as requested by OTASA Exco and Council
8.2 Branches may raise funds as deemed necessary from time to time, according to the Association's Financial Policy
8.3 Branches will bank, invest and administer funds for the maintenance of the Branch and the benefit of the Association
8.4 Branches will make recommendations to Council regarding the advancement of the Association as a whole
8.5 Branches will actively recruit students and other prospective members
8.6 Branches will promote the educational development of all members by offering courses, workshops and seminars, and will liaise actively with training institutions
9. Liaison between Exco and the Branches
The Buddy system (as stipulated in the Standing Orders) is in place to promote communication and networking between Exco and the Branches
10. Special Interest Groups:
10.1 The Branch shall initiate, develop and assist in the maintenance of Special Interest Groups
10.2 The Association will finance Special Interest Groups upon application, as stipulated in the Standing Orders of the specific interest group
10.3 Attendance of Special Interest Groups by non-members will be subject to payment of an annual subscription fee as set out in the Standing Orders of the specific Interest Group
11. Dissolution of a Branch
11.1 should a Branch decide that they can no longer operate in terms of the Constitution, they may apply to Council for dissolution of their Branch. Upon dissolution of a Branch any funds pertaining to that Branch must be transferred to the Association
ARTICLE 13 - OTASA COUNCIL
1. The Association shall be managed by a Council consisting of the officers of the Association, one delegate from each of the Branches, the Chairperson of each Standing Committee, the WFOT delegate, and other persons named in the Standing Orders. Only a full member of the Association will be eligible to hold any of the above offices
ARTICLE 14 - MEETING OF COUNCIL
1. The Council will meet at least once a year, at a time and place decided by the Council. One such meeting shall be held within the week of the Annual General Meeting of the Association (see Standing Orders)
2. Notices calling all meetings should be sent to members of Council by the Secretary to reach them not less than 14 (fourteen) days before each meeting. No business shall be transacted at any meeting of the Council unless 2/3 (two thirds) of full members are present, representing more than half of the branches
3. Members of the Association are encouraged to attend Council meetings as observers
ARTICLE 15 - PROCEDURE FOR COUNCIL MEETING
1. Voting shall be:
1.1 By a show of hands unless otherwise provided for in these regulations or agreed upon at the meeting
1.2 Counted by one vote for the Executive, expressed through the President, and one vote for each Branch and Standing Committee and WFOT
1.3 The Chairperson may exercise a deliberate vote and shall give a casting vote in all cases of equality
2. The decision of the Council shall be binding on all members of the Association and on all branches and Committees
3. A balance sheet will be laid before the Council at the Meeting preceding the Annual General Meeting (see Article 14.1). This must be preceded by an audit, done by a competent person who has been chosen by the Council. The balance sheet, if adopted by the Council, will be signed and submitted to the Annual General Meeting for approval
4. The President will prepare an annual report on the general state of affairs of the Association for discussion at Council, presentation at the Annual General Meeting and circulation to all members
5. Each Branch and Standing committee will submit an annual report on their activities, including a financial statement, for presentation at Council and the Annual General Meeting (see Standing Orders)
6. Motions of the council
6.1 Motions of the Council shall be classified into five categories as follows:
6.1.1 Procedural motions, motions for the circulation of reports, motions authorising the payment of expenses of members of the Association, and motions admitting members to the Association
6.1.2 Motions embodying recommendations to members
6.1.3 Motions of the Council amending the Constitution
6.1.4 Motions for the council governing finance (except those authorising the payment of travel and subsistence
6.1.5 All other motions
6.2 Implementation of motions
6.2.1 Motions referred to in Clause 6.1.1 hereof shall be immediately binding when passed by Council
6.2.2 Motions referred to in Clause 6.1.2 hereof shall be immediately binding on members but the recommendations therein need not necessarily be acted upon by members
6.2.3 Motions referred to in Clause 6.1.3 hereof shall not be binding upon the Association unless the procedure stipulated in Article 20(1) has been complied
6.2.4 Motions referred to in Clause 6.1.4 hereof shall not be binding upon the Association or its members unless and until they have been ratified by a three quarters majority of the members present at the next Annual General Meeting
6.2.5 Motions referred to in Clause 6.1.5 will be immediately binding when passed by Council and will not require confirmation by members unless at least two members have requested such confirmation at the Council meeting, in which case a member may refuse to confirm any such motion within 8 (eight) weeks of the last day of the Council Meeting at which the motion was passed. If confirmation has been requested and a majority of members do not confirm such a motion it will thereupon cease to be binding. In the absence of notice of non-confirmation, the motion will be confirmed
7. Any motion falling under the ambit of categories 6.1.3 and 6.1.4 above accepted at Council, may be challenged by one third of the votes present within 48 (forty eight) hours. They may demand a Referendum of the Association. The Chairperson will instruct the Secretary to prepare a précis of the subject of the referendum and to dispatch this to all the members of the Association whose names appear on the most recent list in possession of the council, allowing six weeks for replies. The result of such a referendum will be decided by the majority
8. The president may call a Special Meeting either if she / he sees fit to do so, or on receipt of a request signed by not less than one third of the members of Council, which specifies the business of which a Special Meeting is required. This may be done not less than 14 (fourteen) days prior to the meeting. No business may be transacted at a Special Meeting other than that for which such Special Meeting was called, unless by unanimous consent of the members present
ARTICLE 16 - FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF COUNCIL
Subject to this Constitution, the Council shall have power to do anything that will enable the attainment of the purpose of the Association and promote the welfare of its members; The Council will have the power to:
1. Guide the policies and govern the affairs of the Association by informing and enabling Council to:
1.1 Accept new members recommended by the Executive Committee of the branches and when necessary, consider applications for membership about which the Branch Executive Committee may have doubt
1.2 Consider Associate member applications
1.3 Recommend termination or suspension of membership
1.4 Nominate for fellowship (Article 7 (2) (3) and (4)) members of the Occupational Therapy profession or associated professions, as stipulated in the Standing Orders
1.5 Determine and vary the registration and membership fees from time to time as may be deemed necessary, as stipulated in the Standing Orders and subject to ratification by a majority of votes at the next Annual General Meeting
1.6 Ratify the financial policy as submitted by the treasurer
1.7 Appoint such committees, as it deems advisable
1.8 Appoint delegates and alternates to national and international meetings or conferences of the profession or allied organisations
1.9 Adopt Standing Orders
1.10 Ratify a Chairperson for a new Standing Committee
1.11 Ratify the appointment of the President
1.12 Co-ordinate the employment of the office staff and the activities of the office
1.13 Consider granting specific group status to groups of members of the Association who have come together with a special, common, professional interest, provided that any such group's Constitution and Standing Orders contain nothing contrary to the Constitution and Standing Orders of the Association
1.14 Terminate the term of office of any office bearer who acts in any way, which is detrimental (as stipulated in the Standing Orders) to the Association. This can only be carried by a 2/3 (two thirds) Council vote
1.15 Formulate, approve and regularly update position papers stipulated in the Standing Orders
1.16 Consider donations, bequests, endowments and benefits of any nature for the Association from any person or body and from any source whatsoever
1.17 Ratify the raising or borrowing of money from time to time in such manner as the Council may think fit and to mortgage or pledge all or any fo the property of the Association present as well as future
1.18 To become incorporated or registered under Section 21 of the Companies Act of 1973 or any amendment thereof, or under any Act dealing with the incorporation of societies of this kind
1.19 Establish a Code of Ethics for members
1.20 Establish and implement rules for the adherence of members to the Code of Ethics
2. All transactions entered into by and on behalf of the Association must be authorised by a resolution of the Council
3. All contracts concluded and documents signed by the Association will be executed and signed by two members of the Council, one of whom must be the treasurer
ARTICLE 17 - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL
1. The Executive Committee will consist of the President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer and two additional members, as agreed upon by Council
2. The quorum of the Executive Committee is 4 (four) members
3. The Executive Committee has the power to act on behalf of the council in any matter of urgency (except policy) placed before it by the President, or Council, or any of the Branches and Standing Committees (see Standing Orders)
4. The Executive Committee may attend to business at a meeting or by post, telephone, fax or electronically
5. If the Executive is not physically present at a meeting, the majority of the Committee must favour any proposed action. Executive members must confirm their decision on any matter in writing to the Secretary within 10 (ten) days
6. All action taken by the Executive Committee must be reported at the next Council meeting for ratification
7. The Executive Committee will have the power to co-opt members to any one meeting or for any specified period of time, but such co-opted members will not be entitled to a vote
ARTICLE 18 - COMMITTEES
1. Standing Committees
1.1 The Council may from time to time establish such Standing Committees as it deems advisable and may in the same manner define the powers and duties of such Committees. Any such Committee may also be abolished at any time by a resolution of the Council
1.2 Council will elect the Chairperson of a newly formed Standing Committee and Council will also ratify members of such Committees
1.3 The Chairperson of an existing Standing Committee will be elected by the Committee concerned (unless otherwise stipulated in the Standing Orders) at their last meeting before the Annual general Meeting. The appointment will follow verification of Council. The term of office will be 3 (three) years, from the first Council meeting after the Annual General Meeting until the election of the new Chairperson. Any Chairperson is eligible for re-election, but may not hold office for more than 3 (three) consecutive terms of office. No person may be a voting member of such a committee unless she or he is a full member of the Association
1.4 The Chairperson of each Standing committee will report at each meeting of Council and at any other time on the request of the President
1.5 If any existing Standing Committee ceases to function, a new committee will be constituted by Council as proposed in Article 16
1.6 Standing Orders of the Standing Committees to be revised every 3 (three) years
2. Ad Hoc Committee
2.1 The Council and or Exco may from time to time establish an Ad Hoc Committee and define the powers and duties of each such committee
2.2 The Council and or Exco shall appoint the Chairperson and members of any such committee
2.3 Ad Hoc Committees will cease to exist when their tasks have been completed unless the need arises for the Ad Hoc Committee to be transformed into a Standing Committee
ARTICLE 19 - LIAISON BETWEEN THE ASSOCIATION, THE PROFESSIONAL BOARD AND THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS COUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA
1. OTASA has observer status at meetings of the Board in order to promote networking between the two bodies
2. The Association will finance the observer to the Board meetings as stipulated in the Standing Orders
3. The OTASA observer will liaise between the two bodies
4. A representative from the Board will be invited to attend the OTASA Council
5. The HPCSA requests OTASA to obtain input from its members on national issues and to disseminate information when necessary
ARTICLE 20 - PROCEDURE FOR CHANGING THE CONSTITUTION AND STANDING ORDERS
1. Each member of the Association will be notified of an impending amendment alteration or addition to the existing Constitution not less than 14 (fourteen) days before the Annual General Meeting, Council Meeting or a Special Meeting. Any such amendment, alteration or addition shall not be deemed to be passed unless approved by 2/3 (two thirds) of the members present together with postal votes
2. Constitution Standing Orders may be amended by a majority vote at any properly constituted meeting of the council providing at least 14 (fourteen) days notice is given to each member of council of such an amendment
3. If no answer is received it will be counted as a "yes" vote or as approval
ARTICLE 21 - INTERPRETATION
1. In case of doubt as to the interpretation of the Constitution and the Standing Orders of the Constitution, the Council shall be the final arbiter and its decision shall be binding upon its members
2. This Constitution was originally drawn up in English. In any case of dispute or misinterpretation, the English copy should be taken as correct
ARTICLE 22 - DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION
1.1 If at any time it is resolved the Association should be wound up other than by compulsory liquidation, then the Executive Committee shall deal with the assets as follows: -
1.1 Creditors claims will first have to be liquidated
1.2 The balance of assets, whether in monetary form or otherwise, shall then be donated to an association which in the opinion of the Executive Committee has similar objectives to that of the Association and which is authorised to collect contributions in terms of the Non-Profit Organisations Act, 1997 (Act 71 of 1997)
1.3 If at the end of the dissolution process any funds remain and no
association which in the opinion of the Executive Committee has similar objectives to that of the Association and which is authorised to collect contributions in terms of the No-profit organisations act, 1997 (Act 71 of 1997), funds should be channelled into the creation of student bursaries or research
OTASA PRESIDENT
Dr. Kitty Uys
Date revised : May 2004