Complying with your society's rules
How your society should be run
One of the requirements of being an incorporated society is that you have a set of rules stating clearly how the society should be run.
The Incorporated Societies Act 1908 sets out what must be covered in your constitution or set of rules including —
- the society’s 'objects' (its purpose)
- its membership
- how meetings are held
- the appointment of officers
- use of the society’s ‘common seal’
- how the rules can be altered
- the control of funds and property, and
- how to wind up a society.
It's important to adhere to your society's rules. They should be followed at all times.
If you want to change the way your society operates, then the rules can be updated at any time, as long as it’s done in the way the existing rules specify.
What if your society is not being run in line with its rules, or legislation?
A society may experience internal problems or disagreements about how it is being run, or the way in which its rules are being interpreted or applied. These problems must be dealt with by the society itself.
We cannot intervene in disputes or provide interpretations of rules. The Incorporated Societies Act 1908 does give us certain powers to investigate alleged breaches of the Act, but not breaches of a society's rules.
Viewing incorporated societies’ rules
All incorporated societies’ rules can be viewed online, for free.
Search for societies
Other guides in
Running your incorporated society
- Your responsibilities as an incorporated society
- Holding meetings
- Restrictions on money-making activities
- Entering into contracts
- Records you should keep
- Using our Constitution Builder tool to draft or revise a society’s rules
