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Rainbow Wellington postal address is: P O Box 890, Wellington and RW Wellington Patron & Vice Patron Our regular programme of social events includes twice monthly pub nights at gay or gay friendly venues, which are also often our corporate members. We have a couple of dinners, one at Christmas, and one around mid year which has more recently also served to mark the anniversary of Stonewall. Other regular events include visits to galleries, at least one regional vineyard trip a year, and a very popular Lambda night at Wellington’s leading bookshop, Unity Books, where our members of a literary bent review some of the Lambda winners and other notable glbti titles published during the previous twelve months. From time to time we arrange special one off events, sometimes in company with others. Notably in the last few years these have included the twentieth anniversary of decriminalisation, and a night in honour of Sir Ian McKellen. We take up issues of general interest to the glbti community such as human rights and privacy issues associated with insurance, and to do with the opportunity currently denied to donate blood, and we issue statements on public issues as these might arise from time to time. Rainbow Wellington has recently passed the planning and operation of Wellington's annual Gay and Lesbian Fair back to the community. We continue to support Out Wellington Inc., the new and independent committee charged with organising Out in the Square - Wellington's Gay and Lesbian Fair 2008. Out Wellington Inc. are members of the local GLBTIF community who are fully committed to making Out in the Square a highly visible and successful fair for the whole community! To offer Out Wellington Inc. your support, visit www.outinthesquare.co.nz. We are an incorporated society and meet formally annually to meet the legal requirements of that status by electing officers, presenting accounts and so forth, and we have a Board which is elected bi-annually (no pun intended) and which meets monthly. Rainbow Wellington Patron and Vice-Patrons We have over the years asked a number of people prominent in public life, especially in the Wellington area, and who support our aims and objectives, to become a Patron or Vice-Patron of Rainbow Wellington. At present they are all people elected to office in Parliament or local government. They are approved each year at our AGM, and contribute in various ways to the organisation. Recently, it was suggested that we should list them and their contact details on our website. They all agreed to this, so here they are: Patron: Her Worship the Mayor of Wellington, Celia Wade-Brown. Mayor's Office, Level 1, Town Hall, Wellington; phone 801 3102; Vice-Patrons: Grant Robertson, MP (Labour) for Wellington Central. Freepost Parliament, Private Bag 18 888, Parliament Buildings Wellington 6160 Tel: (04) 817 8204 Fax: (04) 439 6473 Grant.robertson@parliament.govt.nz Hon Christopher Finlayson, MP (National) Attorney-General, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Freepost Parliament Private Bag 18 888, Parliament Buildings Wellington 6160 Tel: (04) 817 6808 Fax (04) 817 6508 Hon Maryan Street, MP (Labour) Freepost Parliament Private Bag 18 888, Parliament Buildings Wellington 6160 Tel: (04) 817 9399 Fax (04) 473 6372 maryan.street@parliament.govt.nz Freepost Parliament Private Bag 18 888, Parliament Buildings Wellington 6160 (04) 817 6771 Fax: (04) 817 6489 charles.chauvel@parliament.govt.nz
Freepost Parliament, Private Bag 18 888, Parliament Buildings Wellington 6160 (04) 817 8253 Fax: (04) 817 6003 kevin.hague@parliament.govt.nz Hon Fran Wilde Chair, Greater Wellington Regional Council Business phone: 04 802 0346 REPORT OF THE CHAIR AGM 2012 CHAIRMAN'S REPORT TO THE AGM 2012 This has been another busy and successful year during which we have continued and advanced our programs. Social Pub nights and our two annual dinners have been the mainstay of this program
as usual. We have consolidated and reviewed the list of locales and
arrangements for the former, deleting some and reinstating/ adding Library and
Pollux, and celebrated twenty five years of decriminalisation through the
latter. This had its hiccups but I think most people enjoyed the event. It was
certainly We have also been able to expand and develop our visiting speaker series, mostly on human rights matters and will be continuing with these into the future with a number of interesting prospects in view. Amadee has put a lot of effort into this in particular and I am glad to acknowledge that through this report (not to mention her organising of occasional walking events). Sponsorships We sponsored both Out in the Square and Out-takes again this year. The latter continues to make a healthy come back. We have been able also to make a small one off grant to an organisation which has been starting up in the past year and we trust they will continue to build and develop. We remain a full member of ILGA. Just as a footnote also to our sponsorship of the Outgames last year, we have received some return on our financial support from that highly successful venture and we have earmarked this for subsequent sponsorships. Our relations with the gltbi media have continued to be positive through both gay Express and gaynz.com. Campaigns Our current prime minister John Key continues to ignore us, and to treat
gltbi events and concerns as mainly opportunities for public relations. It is
disappointing to see some within our communities falling for it. It is also
beyond disappointing and verging on the alarming to see the appointment of
Judith Collins as Minister of Justice (and thus as holding the portfolio for
human rights). We have done the same with the other main political parties in parliament
and have already had a response from both the Greens and Labour in that
context. By the time this report is considered we will have met with both and I
can report further verbally. We will be urging them to work co-operatively on
our issues on most of which they share ground. Issues raised have included such
priorities as gay marriage, single gender adoption, homophobic bullying in
schools, and the implementation of To Be Who I Am. On this latter we have urged
those who have taken up specific issues to pursue their concerns through the
Human Rights Notwithstanding the government's lack of enthusiasm for progressing gltbi rights, we have approached Ministers on a range of individual issues which have included: the failure of our representatives to publicly get behind US and British UN initiatives on discrimination against gltbi communities in a significant number of member states; transgender issues regarding the housing of prisoners and the recording of gender on birth certificates; and homophobic bullying. Our issue regarding the blocking of Wifi access on an apparently
discriminatory basis by the McDonald's chain seems to have regrettably stalled
partly over the failure of McDonalds to respond in any positive way to the HRC
mediation process and because it would be hard for us to make the case at the
Human Rights Review Tribunal. This latter is not because a case cannot be made Our efforts to seek a rapprochement with the Salvation Army have continued and we have made significant progress although that has been pretty much under the radar to date. We now have an agreed exchange of views and are working on a joint text to go public by way of a media release. The outcome may surprise some people. We have met with the new chair of the Human Rights Commission by way of a courtesy call and were very cordially received. His background is in disability issues but he seems to have a sympathetic understanding of our concerns and is clearly willing to fill in any gaps he may have in his understanding. Finally in this area it looks as if there is going to be some progress on the blood donation issue with the desired movement among larger metropolitan governments, in Europe in particular, starting to happen. We remain in touch with the Blood Service at their initiative over this. Membership and Patronage Our individual membership remains disappointingly static. Our secretary in particular has to spend far too much time chasing people up and I must repeat what I said last year. Our annual sub is very modest, particularly in relation to what we do for members, and it is something that people should not have to be reminded about. We are also delighted to welcome on board a new vice patron Jan Logie following her election to parliament. Housekeeping We have initiated a review of our objectives and our constitution so that these reflect our current activities and strategic objectives. The changes entailed will be considered during the AGM and, I hope, endorsed. Board membership and attendance has been good and I thank board members for their work and input, especially our secretary Tony Reed who has somehow learned the trick of not needing sleep so that he can work on your behalf. This has added a new terror to opening one's emails but is all to the good for the members. And new blood on the Board is always welcome, of course. Tony Simpson
Financial Report for the year ended 31 Dec 2010 Introduction I am pleased to present my
second annual financial report. Rainbow Wellington’s 2010
accounts report a full year of operations after last year’s 9-month “year”,
occasioned by the change in accounting-year-end from 31 March to 31 December. I express my gratitude to
those who have assisted me to prepare the accounts for the year ended 31
December 2010. Not withstanding that assistance, I take full responsibility for
the accounts as presented. Our Accountant’s report to
the members of Rainbow Wellington on his review of our financial
statements is attached to the annual accounts. Balance
Sheet These accounts report that
the net worth of the organisation has risen from $20,151 at the end of our 1
April-31 December 2009 9-month transition “year” to $24,144 at the end of the
2010 year. The surplus for the year was $3,993. This is in line with the result
from the last full-year result in 2008/09 of $4,074. Items to note from the
“Represented by” section of the Balance Sheet: 1. The cheque account balance was retained at an
historical high to ensure that expected early 2011 payments probably due in
January were being provided for: ILGA subscription, the possible call for
part-payment of our late-2010 offers to sponsor two speakers for the OutGames
(up to $5,000 for each of two overseas speakers) and sponsorship of the March
2011 ‘Out-in the Square’ event ($500). 2. ‘Income received in advance’ represents subscriptions
for the next year received in the current year. This amount becomes income in
the year to which it relates. 3. ‘Creditors’ represents two items: provision carried
over from 2008/09 to cover un-invoiced advertising by Rainbow Wellington
($1,841 – The Board will decide later in 2011 whether this provision should
continue) and the invoice for the ILGA subscription. 4. I draw attention to the Note at the bottom of the
Balance Sheet signalling the effects on the 2011 Balance Sheet of the Board’s
commitment to “up to $10,000” sponsorship of the Wellington 2011 OutGames
speakers (item 3 above). This amount is not represented in the 2010 accounts
because that amount was still an offer-to-sponsor and the timing of any invoice
was uncertain. Income and
Expenditure As reported above, the
surplus of $3,993 is in line with the last 12-month year. Total Income for the
year was $11,695. Total Expenditure was $7,702 Items of note from the
“Receipts” section of the Statement of Income and Expenditure are: 1. The rise in subscription receipts reflects the return
to a full year. The trend line over full-year reports of subscription income
since 2006/07 is a matter of concern. 2. During 2010 Rainbow Wellington hosted a number of events
for members. One event, the function for the US Ambassador, was partially
funded by member contributions. The Board expected this significant event to
make a loss. 3. Monthly bank interest income has been somewhat better
than last year. Items of note from the
“Expenditure” section of the Statement of Income and Expenditure are: 1. There was no expenditure on paid advertising in 2010.
Our profile has remained high, none-the-less, as a result of Rainbow
Wellington’s active programme of advocacy work on behalf of our sector. This
has generated many reports in both the GLBTI and general media. 2. Expenditure on Events-Members exceeded Income on
Event-Members by $387, mainly on account of Rainbow Wellington hosting the US
Ambassador in July. The net income for this member-only event was -$357. The
Board expected that this significant event would 3. The rise in Web Hosting costs was occasioned by
payment of a one-off revamp of our web page. There has been no increase in
monthly web-hosting fees during the year. These remain at the level of previous
years – $44.94/month. Events Items that have had an
effect on the Balance Sheet have been signalled above. Conclusion The Balance Sheet reports
that the Board has maintained careful monitoring of Rainbow Wellington’s assets
and has maintained careful control over expenditure, resulting in continued
growth in the organisation’s net worth. It should be noted, however,
that commitments the Board consciously made at the end of 2010 to the 2011
Wellington Asia-Pacific OutGames because of the significance of that event to
GLBTI communities locally, will have an effect on Rainbow Wellington’s 2011
Balance Sheet. Steve Farrow Treasurer Rainbow Wellington – The Wellington Rainbow Network
Incorporated
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CONSTITUTION |
BY-LAWS
Unlike the Constitution of the Association, these By-Laws can be changed by the Board without approval from the Membership. They are subject to New Zealand law, the Rainbow Wellington Constitution and any directives from General Meetings. |
Constitution
1. NAME
The Association shall be known
as:
Rainbow Wellington - The Wellington Rainbow Network Incorporated
2. OBJECTS
Rainbow Wellington is a non-profit association that aims to communicate with and educate the community at large on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (lgbti) issues by:
1. 1. Promoting a strong and positive sense of community for members of lgbti communities, in particular but not exclusively for those who are members of Rainbow Wellington, by encouraging social interaction, co-ordinating events of interest to them and celebrating our communities.
2. 2. Offering support and encouragement to members of lgbti communities affected by discrimination and prejudice, and pursuing redress of discriminatory issues by engaging in public debate on such issues so that all those in lgbti communities enjoy the human rights available to all New Zealand citizens.
3. 3. Providing financial assistance through grants and donations for individuals and groups undertaking specific activities that advance the causes of lgbti people.
4. 4. Affiliating with and offering support to other organisations pursuing objectives consistent with those of Rainbow Wellington.
3. MEMBERSHIP
6. 1. The Association shall have two classes of members: Corporate Members and Personal Members. Application for membership shall be made to the Board in writing or in such electronic form as the Board shall decide. Every application for membership shall be accompanied by payment of the appropriate subscription.
7. 2. The Board may in its absolute discretion refuse any application for membership.
8. 3. Corporate Membership Any corporate business, professional entity, sole trader or a partnership or any corporate business entity or person who in the absolute discretion of the Board will enhance and further the objects of the Association, may apply to become a Corporate Member of the Association and receive the benefits offered by the Association to such members. All staff and employees of a corporate member shall be entitled to receive and exercise the benefits of membership, except voting rights which may be exercised by one representative only.
9. 4. Personal Membership Any individual who in the absolute discretion of the Board will enhance and further the objects of the Association, may apply to become a personal Member of the Association and receive the benefits offered by the Association to such members. There is only one vote per personal membership.
4. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
1. 1. A member wishing to resign from the Association shall do so by notifying the Secretary in writing of such intention. There shall be no refund of membership fee except at the discretion of the Board for exceptional circumstances.
2. 2. Any member shall cease to be a member upon their subscription remaining unpaid three months after the due renewal date.
3. 3. If in the opinion of the Board it is desirable in the interests of the Association and in the interests of the attainment of the objects of the Association that a member of the Association should cease to be a member, the Board shall be empowered to resolve to expel that member PROVIDED THAT:
1. o before resolving to expel any such member that member shall be given full opportunity at a meeting of the Board to answer any charge or allegation made against that member;
2. o that member shall be advised of the identity of and shall be entitled to examine any accuser;
3. o no other salient factor which forms a basis for the resolution to expel that member is withheld from that member
5. GENERAL MEETINGS
1. 1. There are two sorts of general meetings - Annual and Special. General meetings are open to all members of the Association, but voting rights are restricted to paid up corporate and personal members. Only one vote may be cast of behalf of each membership.
2. 2. An Annual General Meeting shall be held annually no later than the month of June at an exact date, time and place as set by the Board.
3. 3. The Annual General Meeting shall include the following business:
4. 4. Annual General Meeting:
1. o Elections to Board
2. o Approval of Audited Annual Financial Statements
3. o Appointment of Auditor
4. o General Business as notified to the Secretary prior to the meeting
5. o Any proposed amendments to the constitution
6. o Annual Report from Board
5. 5. Notice of the Annual General Meeting shall be sent to all members at least 30 days prior to the AGM.
6. 6. Special General Meetings may be called in one of two ways:
1. o By majority decision of the Board;
2. o Upon written request by 15% of the voting members of the Association.
Such meeting must be held within six weeks of the request with four weeks notice to be given to all members.
7. 7. A special general meeting shall only consider the business for which it is convened which shall be specified by the Board or by the members requesting such Special General Meeting.
6. THE BOARD
1. 1. The affairs of the Association shall be conducted by a management body, known as the Board of the Association, in accordance with this Constitution and the resolutions of members of the Association in General Meeting. The Board shall conduct its affairs using a set of By-laws.
2. 2. The Board of the Association shall consist of no more than ten members elected by the Association, and any co-opted members.
3. 3. Only full (corporate or personal) members may be elected onto the Board. For corporate members, only an individual person is elected as a Board member, not the corporate.
4. 4. Each person shall be elected for a term of two years and shall be eligible for re-election
5. 5. In addition to the ten elected members, the Board at its discretion may co-opt up to two additional members for a term of no longer than 12 months. Such co-options may be renewed at the Board’s discretion.
6. 6. If any elected member resigns from the Board prior to the expiration of their term, the Board may appoint a replacement member for the remainder of the original Board member’s term.
7. ELECTIONS
1. 1. The election for members of the Board shall be conducted annually in accordance with the bylaws of the Association.
2. 2. There shall be five positions on the Board elected annually, or more as long as the total number of Board members is then no more than 10. The results of the election shall be announced at the AGM and those elected will assume office at the conclusion of the AGM and remain Board members until the conclusion of the AGM two years hence.
8. OFFICERS
1. 1. The Board shall annually elect from its own members the officers of the Association. These shall be determined at the first Board meeting following the AGM, but may be reconsidered at a subsequent meeting with the consent of the majority of the Board.
2. 2. The officers of the Association shall consist of the Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and any other officers as the Board sees fit.
3. 3. The Board may recommend to the Annual General Meeting a person or persons to be appointed as Patron (one) or Vice Patrons of Rainbow Wellington. Upon confirmation by the Annual General Meeting they shall be hold such office until the next annual general meeting and while Patron or Vice Patron shall enjoy all the rights of full membership
9. QUORUM
1. 1. The quorum for general meetings is 10% of the financial membership of the Association or 20 Members, whichever is the fewer. The quorum for Board meetings is 40% of the Board members or 4 Board members, whichever is the fewer. If a quorum is not present within thirty minutes of the appointed time, the person chairing the meeting shall adjourn the meeting.
2. 2. Unless those present at the meeting shall determine a date for the adjourned meeting (not earlier than five days from the date of the meeting) the adjournment shall be for a meeting at the same time and place one week from that day.
10. SUBSCRIPTIONS
1.
1.
An Annual membership fee shall be set by the Board for the various
categories of membership.
Such level of fees shall remain in force until amended by the Board.
2. 2. Payment of the annual subscription will entitle the member to membership of the Association from the day their membership is approved by the Board until the next subscriptions are due.
3. 3. Renewal notices shall be sent out in the month prior to the membership falling due.
11. FINANCIAL YEAR
1. The financial year of the Association shall commence
on 1st January and terminate on 31st December, with effect from 1st January
2010.
.
12. BORROWING
1. 1. If at any time the Association at an annual general meeting or special general meeting shall pass a resolution authorising the Board to borrow moneys, the Board shall thereupon be empowered to borrow for the purposes of the Association such amount of money either at one time, or advances from time to time to the maximum so authorised, at such rate of interest and in such form and manner and upon such security as shall be specified in such resolutions.
2. 2. The resolution shall be passed by a majority of fifty-one (51) percent or more of those members present and voting at such meeting.
3. 3. The Association shall take all steps necessary to give effect to such resolution and for the execution by the Association of such agreements, mortgages or debentures as may be required for giving security for such loans and interest.
4. 4. All members of the Association whether voting on such resolution or not and all persons becoming members of the Association after the passing of such resolution shall be bound by such resolution as if they had voted in favour of the same.
13. ASSOCIATION FUNDS
1. 1. The funds and property of the Association shall be under the control of the Board, who may invest, disburse and deal with the same in such manner and for such purpose (not being inconsistent with the objects of the Association) as they shall think fit.
2. 2. The funds of the Association shall be deposited with such Bank as the Board shall determine and all cheques of the Association’s Bank account shall be signed by the Treasurer in conjunction with one other member of the Board.
14. AUDIT
1. 1.
The annual financial statements of the Association must be reviewed at
the end of each financial year and before the Annual General Meeting by a
member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants who is not a
member of the Board of the Association.
2. 2. The Board shall determine the remuneration of the auditor, and shall have authority to fill any casual vacancy of the position of auditor.
15. THE COMMON SEAL
1. 1. The Common Seal of the Association shall be in the custody of the Secretary, who shall affix it to any instrument only pursuant to a resolution of the Board and in the presence of two other Board Members.
16. AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION
1. 1. This constitution may be altered, added to, rescinded or otherwise varied or amended by resolution passed by a two thirds majority of members present at and voting at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting called for the purpose.
2. 2. In the case of a Notice of Motion for amendment of this constitution to be presented at the annual general meeting of the Association, notice of the proposed amendment shall be given in writing to the Secretary of the Association no later than six weeks prior to the end of the financial year in which it is given and the Secretary shall set out such proposed amendment in the Notice of annual general meeting circulated to all members.
3. 3. In the case of a Notice of Motion for amendment of this constitution to be presented at a special general meeting of the Association, notice of the proposed amendment shall be given with the requisition made in writing to the Secretary.
4. 4. Any addition or alteration necessary to conform with any regulation or requirement of the Registrar of Incorporated Societies may be made by the Board without reference to any meeting of members.
5. No
addition to or alteration of or recession of the rules shall be approved if it
affects the non-profit aims, personal benefit clause or the winding up clause.
The provision and effect of this clause shall not be removed from this document
and shall be included and implied into any document replacing this document.
17. MANAGEMENT
1. 1. Subject to limitations made by other clauses of this constitution the Board shall have full power to manage the Association and all its affairs.
2. 2. Any member of the Board absent from three or more meetings of the Board consecutively without due cause shall cease to be a member of the Board.
3. 3. The Board shall meet regularly and shall record all business transacted. Minutes of Board meetings shall be sent to all members of the Board and will be available upon request to any member.
4. 4. Subject to the constitution and any directions from General Meetings the Association shall be managed subject to a set of By-Laws which will be determined by the Board from time to time.
18. CHAIR AND VOTING
1. 1. At all ordinary general meetings, annual general meetings and special general meetings of the Association, the Chairperson, or in their absence a member appointed by the meeting shall take the chair.
2. 2. On a motion or amendment every member shall be entitled to one vote to be exercised in person but not by proxy. Voting shall be by a show of hands, by voice, or in writing. As the meeting shall determine, and in the case of equality of votes the Chairperson shall have a second or casting vote.
19. RECESS OR WINDING UP
1. 1. The Association may go into recess or be wound up voluntarily if at the annual general meeting or at a special general meeting its members pass a resolution requiring the Association to wind up and go into recess.
2. 2. A bare majority will be sufficient at any such meeting of the Association at any time for the purpose of winding up or going into recess.
3. 3. The resolution shall be confirmed at a subsequent special general meeting called for that purpose and held not earlier than thirty (30) days after the date on which the resolution was passed.
4. 4. The Association shall be wound up according the Incorporated Societies Act 1908, Section 24.
5.
5. If
upon the winding up or dissolution of the organisation there remains, after the
satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, this
shall not be paid to or distributed among members of the organisation.
This residual property will be given or transferred to either
another charitable organisation or
body (having objects similar to Rainbow Wellington) or for some
other charitable purpose recognised under New Zealand law.
20. PECUNIARY PROFIT
1.
1.
No member or person associated with a member of the Association shall derive
any income, benefit, or advantage from the Association where that person can
materially influence the payment of the income, benefit or advantage except
where the income, benefit or advantage is derived from:
Professional services to the Association rendered in the course of business
charged at no greater rate than current market rates; or interest on money lent
at no greater rate than current market rates.
2. 2.
Any income, benefit, or advantage derived by Rainbow Wellington shall
be applied to the charitable purposes of the organisation.
By-Laws
1. INTRODUCTION
These By-Laws are written for the establishment of rules regarding the conduct of normal Association business. They are additional to the Constitution of the Association and must be interpreted in accordance with those Articles.
2. CHANGES TO BY-LAWS
These By-Laws may be changed by a two-thirds majority of the Board of the Association. Any motion to change the By-Laws must have been presented to the Board at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which the vote is taken.
3. ELECTION OF BOARD
4. PREPARATION FOR BOARD MEETINGS
5. MOTIONS AT BOARD MEETINGS
6. CONDUCT OF BOARD MEETINGS
1 The meeting shall be chaired by the Chairperson of the Board. In the absence of the Chairperson by a delegated person.
2 The Chairperson may invite observers to attend Board meetings. Their presence must be formally acknowledged by the meeting.
3 Observers may not vote, but may speak to a specific motion at the request of the meeting.
4 The Board may deny attendance to observers for all or part of any Board Meeting.
5 All speakers shall address the meeting through the chair. Speakers shall avoid personalities, impropriety, irrelevance and repetition. Speakers shall confine themselves to the matter under discussion.
6 A Board Member, when speaking, shall not be interrupted except by the person chairing the meeting as conductor of the meeting or by a Board Member raising a point of order. When more than one speaker starts to speak at the same time the person chairing the meeting shall decide who takes the floor.
7 The person chairing the meeting may propose, speak and vote on motions.
8 At the request of any Board Member the names of those voting for and against any motion shall be recorded in the minutes.
7. MINUTES OF BOARD MEETINGS
8. FINANCE
- with a registered bank
- in New Zealand Government or Local Authority stock.
9. REGISTERED OFFICE
The registered office of the Association shall be in Wellington at such a place determined by the Board.
10. COMMUNICATION WITH MEMBERS
Formal communication may be by any of the following methods, as agreed with the individual member. At all times, postal mail must be in a sealed envelope.