Constitution

As accepted on 31 August 1999 and amended on 13 November 2007.

1 Name

1.1 The name of the Network shall be the Asia Pacific Network of Science and Technology Centres, herein after referred to as ‘the Network’.

2 Registered Office

2.1 The Network’s office shall be located at the institution of the Secretary.

2.2 The office may be transferred to another location within the Asia Pacific region by a decision of the Executive Council.

3 Objectives

3.1 The objectives of the Network shall be:

1. To encourage communication, information exchange, staff exchanges and collaboration amongst science and technology centres and other organisations with similar purposes in the Asia Pacific region.
2. To act as a supportive body of informed opinion which can be consulted by members and others on the trends and developments in hands–on, interactive science and technology exhibitions and activities.
3. To encourage and facilitate the exchange of hands-on interactive exhibits between member institutions.
4. To share information on the wide range of activities of science centres including marketing and promotion ideas and experience among member organisations.
5. To promote collaboration with commercial companies and other specialist groups to achieve the common aims.

3.2 The Network will not seek to involve itself in matters more appropriately addressed at a national level. As a regional organisation of science centres and museums dedicated to furthering the public understanding of science and technology, the Network encourages excellence and innovation in informal science learning by serving and linking its members across the region and advancing their common goals.

4. Activities and Services

4.1 Major activities of the Network shall include:

1. organising and circulating hands-on interactive science exhibitions;
2. offering technical assistance to member organisations;
3. operating a support program for new and developing science centres;
4. collecting and disseminating relevant information within member organisations;
5. organising seminars, conferences and workshops for the professional development of staff of member organisations;
6. arrange staff exchanges and skill sharing across the broad range of science centre activities;
7. working together cooperatively on commercial and legal aspects of science centre business e.g. on matters such as copyright, patents, tender documents and contracts.

5. Membership

5.1 Eligibility for membership shall be decided by the Network itself. Local and national science and technology centres or organisations that share the common activities and services of the Network may apply to become a member.

5.2 The Network shall comprise three categories of membership – Full Members, Associate Members and Sustaining Members.

5.3 Full Members are centres of science and technology in the Asia Pacific Region that offer hands-on interactive exhibitions and educational programs to further the public understanding of science and technology.

5.4 Associate members are science and technology centres or institutions outside the Asia Pacific Region, or not–for–profit organisations, associations and government agencies within or outside the Asia Pacific Region, with a strong interest in and support for the objectives of the Network.

5.5 Sustaining members are for-profit corporations, private firms or other organisations within or outside the Asia Pacific Region, with a strong interest in and support for the objectives of the Network.

5.6 Any member may withdraw from membership by giving written notice addressed to the Secretary.

6. General Council

6.1 The purpose of the General Council shall be:

1. To formulate policies of the Network;
2. To receive the report of the Executive Council;
3. To receive the report of the Treasurer, including the recommended budget and the audited accounts;
4. To elect the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer of the Network as well as Councillors of the Executive Council.

6.2 Each Full Member organisation shall nominate one representative to be a member of the General Council and this member shall have one vote.

6.3 The General Council shall meet not less than once every two years. The date and place of the meeting shall be determined, and notice of such meeting shall be sent to all Full Member organisations not less than three months in advance.

6.4 A quorum for a meeting of the General Council shall be 30% of the number of Full Members of the Network.

6.5 Minutes of General Council meetings shall be distributed to all members in all categories of membership.

6.6 A motion shall be deemed to be passed if supported by a simple majority of Full Members of the Network. A motion that receives majority support by those attending a General Council meeting, but less than the simple majority support of Full Members of the Network required, shall be put to Full Members as a postal/electronic vote as soon as practicable after the meeting.

6.7 Between General Council meetings, business may be conducted by Full Members of General Council by post or electronic means. Voting by post or electronic means will be accepted for all elections and resolutions. A motion shall be deemed to be passed if supported by a simple majority of Full Members of the Network.

6.8 Sustaining Members and Associate Members may attend General Council meetings but shall not have voting rights.

7. Executive Council

7.1 The Executive Council shall comprise the President, Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and two Councillors elected by General Council.

7.2 The Executive Council shall normally conduct its business by post or electronic means.

7.3 The Executive Council may coopt additional Council members from the Full Member organisations.

7.4 All officers will hold office from the end of one General Council meeting to the next and will have a maximum of two consecutive terms in office.

7.5 The Executive Council shall implement the policies formulated by the General Council, and organise the activities of the Network.

7.6 Subject to the decisions of the General Council, the management of the affairs of the Network shall be vested in the Executive Council.

7.7 The President will provide leadership for the Network and preside as chairperson of the General Council and the Executive Council.

7.8 The Vice President will assist the President and represent the Network when and as requested by the President.

7.9 The Secretary will maintain records for the Network and will liaise as needed with the President to conduct the business of the Network.

7.10 The Assistant Secretary will assist the Secretary as needed.

7.11 The Treasurer will invoice members, receive and bank monies, send receipts for subscriptions, respond to requests of the Executive Council related to the operation of funds, and provide an audited statement for the General Council meeting.

8. Finances

8.1 An account will be established and maintained by the Treasurer in the name of ‘Asia Pacific Network of Science and Technology Centres’.

8.2 The Treasurer and at least one other member of the Executive Council shall be the signatories of the account. Cheques, bank drafts, bills of exchange, promissory notes and transfers of funds may be signed by any one of the signatories providing that each invoice is accompanied by the endorsement signature of any two signatories.

8.3 The Treasurer shall recommend an auditor to the Executive Council for approval.

8.4 The Executive Council shall present a set of audited accounts to the General Council for acceptance.

9. Joining Fees and Annual Membership Fees

9.1 The Executive Council shall recommend to the General Council joining fees and annual membership fees for different categories of membership in order to raise income to meet the expenditure of the Network.

9.2 Joining Fees are a once-only non-refundable fee. Annual Membership Fees are due on the first day of January each year. New members pay a once-only joining fee plus an annual subscription fee for the first year. Thereafter only an annual subscription is due.

9.3 Full Members who have not paid their membership fees at the time of a General Council meeting, or at the time that a vote is being conducted by post or electronic means, will not be entitled to vote.

10. Executive Council Report

10.1 A report of the Executive Council shall be made to the membership at each General Council meeting.

11. Amendments to the Constitution

11.1 Changes to the Constitution may be proposed by any Full Member organisation and shall become effective if agreed to by a two-thirds majority vote of the General Council.

12. Dissolution

12.1 If the Executive Council by a simple majority decides at any time that, on the grounds of expense or otherwise, it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Network, it shall call a meeting of the General Council. If such a decision shall be confirmed by a two-thirds majority vote of the General Council, the Executive Council shall have the power to dispose of any assets held by or on behalf of the Network. Any assets remaining after the settlement of all debts and liabilities shall be distributed equally among Full Member organisations of the Network.

Accompanying Notes

1. The Asia Pacific Region is, for the time being, defined as including those countries and regions which are no further north than Japan and Korea, no further south than Australia and New Zealand, no further west than Thailand and Indonesia, and no further east than the International Date Line.

2. Full Members of the Network may include centres which are already operational as well as those which are starting up or under development.

3. Joining and Annual Membership Fees are currently set as follows:

3.1 Full Members

Joining Fee: US$100
Annual Fee: US$100

3.2 Associate Members

Joining Fee: US$nil
Annual Fee: US$50

3.3 Sustaining Members

Joining Fee: US$500
Annual Fee: US$500

4. Date of next General Council Meeting: 1 April 2008, National Science Museum, Bangkok, Thailand

5. Term of office for current Executive Council: 2007 to 2009

6. Registered Office for the period 2007– 2009

Contact:
Mr Brenton Honeyman
ASPAC Executive Director
Questacon, Australia
T +61 2 6270 2811
F +61 2 6273 4346
E bhoneyman@questacon.edu.au