SCANZ rules - constitution comparison.xlsx

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
1			Old reference	Was	Functional change	Reason	Notes

2	1	Intoductory rules
3	1.1	Constitution
4	1.1.1	This document is the constitution of the Society for Creative Anachronism (New Zealand) Incorporated (referenced in this constitution as "SCANZ"), incorporated under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022.		New		We refer to a lot of societies in our documents, so it was worth being very clear that where we were talking about SCANZ, we say SCANZ. The new Act has "constitutions", rather then "rules of incorporation"
5	1.1.2	This constitution entirely replaces the rules of incorporation for the Society for Creative Anachronism (New Zealand) Incorporated under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908.		New	The Rules of the Society for Creative Anachronism (New Zealand) Incorporated are replaced with this constitution.	Schedule 1, part 1 s8-10 of the Act provides for societies to replace their rules entirely, including removing entrenched clauses to facilitate reregistration. The entrenched clauses are already covered in the Act as requirements for incorporated societies, so entrenching them is now redundant as we can't be contrary to the Act	While we are providing a line-by-line comparison to the old rules, the changes required to modernise the constitution and align with the requirements for re-registering under the new act mean that amending the rules was a less practical option than full replacement.
6	1.1.3	All rules in this constitution are numbered and lettered (e.g. 1.2.3.a.ii) to facilitate referencing.	Part 1.1.a	All sections of these rules have each paragraph numbered (a), (b), etc, to facilitate referencing.		Numbering updated to what is used.
7	1.2	Context				This section is new to help set the scene that we are part of something bigger, something shared with another organisation, and that we have a whole bunch of structures that are outside of the incorporated society context.
8	1.2.1	The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is an international non-profit volunteer educational organisation comprised of affiliated organisations. The SCA is devoted to the research and re-creation of pre-17th century skills, arts, combat, culture, and employing knowledge of world history to enrich the lives of participants through events, demonstrations, and other educational presentations and activities.	Corpora	New (well, not new - it's Corpora)	None	Scene setting	From the introduction of Corpora
9	1.2.2	SCANZ is the New Zealand instance of this global organisation.		New		To highlight that we are the NZ bit of the SCA.
10	1.2.3	Other instances of this organisation include:
11	1.2.3.a	The Society for Creative Anachronism Incorporated in California, USA (SCA Inc)
12	1.2.3.b	The Society for Creative Anachronism Limited Australia (SCA Ltd)
13	1.2.3.c	and other incorporations in Europe and Canada.
14	1.2.4	SCANZ and any other affiliates within New Zealand or Australia and their territories are the corporate organisations that provide the administration for recreational and educational activities of the shared recreational entity known as the "Kingdom of Lochac", or "Lochac". The other affiliates include SCA Ltd, and any under the auspices of student unions in New Zealand and Australia.		New	None	Explains that we have a shared concept that is the Kingdom of Lochac (the in-game (recreational) side of things.
15	1.2.4.a	This recreational entity has structures and appointments that support participation in the activities that are the organisation's purpose which may be outside of, but are subservient to the requirements and appointments in this constitution.		New	None	Explains that Lochac has a bunch of structures and roles outside of this constitution (eg. all the officers that aren’t officers in an incorporated societies act sense)
16	1.2.5	SCA Inc has a document known as the "Organizational Handbook", that contains the mission and values of the SCA and a section called "Corpora" that lays out the governance of the recreation activities of the SCA.				Explanation of Corpora
17	1.2.6	In order to remain aligned with the international SCA organisation, SCANZ will endeavour to maintain its body of rules in line with the mission and values and with Corpora. SCANZ reserves the right to deviate from Corpora where required by New Zealand law or the interests of its membership.	Part 1.3.a	... It is subject to all of the rules and regulations as embodied in the Organisational Handbook save and except those which are replaced by these Rules, which conflict with New Zealand law, or which are deemed by the Committee to be contrary to the interests of the members of the Society.	We are _not_ subject to all the rules and regulations in the Organizational Handbook or Corpora	This is here to indicate that we don't have to follow the letter of Corpora, though we head in the same direction. Parts of our constitution will supercede what is in Corpora.	Although our rules bound us to the entire Organizational Handbook (including the Introduction, Corpora, Bylaws, Corporate Policies and their Articles of Incorporation), fortunately the Introduction says we only need to follow the Intro and Corpora. The SCANZ/SCA Inc operating agreement says we only need to follow Corpora.
18	1.2.7	From time to time, SCA Inc. will make amendments to Corpora. When this occurs, SCANZ will evaluate what changes will be made this constitution and other policies, if any.	Part 1.3.b	Where policy decisions are received from outside of New Zealand that may run contrary to New Zealand law or the interests of the membership they need not be implemented but instead shall be immediately referred to the committee for a decision. The committee shall examine the policy and either implement the policy, or notify the SCA Ltd and the SCA of problems with the policy and seek to implement a relevant alternative where possible.		Only SCA Inc can implement policy that will affect SCANZ. Kingdom policy is subservient to SCANZ's constitution and policies.
19	1.2.8	Changes to our affiliate organisations' rules and procedures have no effect within New Zealand unless implemented by SCANZ.		New		SCA Ltd changes to policy don't affect SCANZ. SCA Inc changes don’t affect us until we accept them.
20	1.2.9	Changes to policies and procedures held jointly with SCA Ltd must be agreed to by both organisations, or the policy or procedure must be separated by jurisdiction.		New	Joint policies and procedures (most of our handbooks) need to be approved by both board and committee. If there's something that only happens in one country, but not the other, that needs to be separated out.
21	1.2.10	The rules and procedures around SCANZ's activities that are not otherwise covered by the SCANZ constitution, SCANZ affiliation (operating) agreements or SCANZ bylaws or policies are found in:		New	None	Highlights that there are rules that are not in the constitution that we expect ourselves and our people to also follow	Note that this is not actually an order of precedence for these documents. Because we are our own org, our kingdom handbooks are our equivalent to Society Officer Handbooks, approved by the Committee, so become org policy.
22	1.2.10.a	The Corpora of the Society for Creative Anachronism Inc.,
23	1.2.10.b	SCA Inc's Society Officers' policies,
24	1.2.10.c	the document known as the "Book of Laws of the Kingdom of Lochac", and
25	1.2.10.d	The Kingdom of Lochac's administrative handbooks and rules for the various activities and procedures that are regulated.
26	1.3	Definitions
27	1.3.1	In this constitution, unless the context requires otherwise, the following words and phrases have the following meanings:	Part 1.2 a	a. In these rules the following definitions shall apply unless otherwise noted:	None	Updated text to match template
28	Act	means the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 or any Act which replaces it (including amendments to it from time to time), and any regulations made under the Act or under any Act which replaces it.	Part 1.2.a.8	“The Act” is the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 with amendments incorporated.	Includes regulations	Updated text to match template
29	Affiliate and affiliates	means other instances of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) encompassed by an operating (affiliation) agreement, whether directly or indirectly.		New	None	Defines affiliate as we reference them frequently
30	Affiliate member	means a member of one of the other instances of the SCA encompassed by an '''operating (affiliation) agreement''', whether directly or indirectly.		New	None	Defines affiliate member
31	Annual general meeting (AGM)	means a meeting of the subscribing members of SCANZ held once per year which, among other things, will receive and consider reports on SCANZ's activities and finances.	Part 1.2.a.16	“AGM” is an Annual General Meeting of the Society	None	Updated text to match template
32	Baron or Baroness'	means the titular head of a barony and does not mean any real-world nobility.		New	None	Defines the term
33	Barony	A geographical branch of the SCA.		New	None	Defines the term
34	Branch	means any branch of the SCA, as defined in SCA Inc's Corpora.	Part 1.2.a.14	“Branch” is any branch of the Society as defined in section III.C of the Organizational Handbook.	None	Removed reference to the specific chapter and paragraph, as the reference may become out of date. Also updated reference to be to Corpora, rather than the Organizational Handbook, as there is also a III.C in the Corporate Policies section of the handbook that is not about branches
35	Canton	A branch of the SCA that is supported within a barony.		New	None	Defines the term
36	Chair	means the officer responsible for chairing general meetings and committee meetings, and who provides leadership for SCANZ.		New	None	Updated text to match template
37	Chairperson	means the person chairing a meeting, who may or may not be the chair of SCANZ.		New	None	Specifies that there maybe someone acting as chairperson of a meeting that is not the Chair of SCANZ
38	College	means an affiliated branch of the SCA based in an educational institution that is under the auspices of a student union and its rules, not this constitution. They are administered independently of any geographical branch they are within the geographical boundaries of.		New	None	Defines the term, and specifies they aren't under this constitution.
39	Committee	means the governing body of SCANZ, as set out in this constitution.	Part 1.2.a.2	“Committee” is the Committee of management of the Society	None	Updated text to match template
40	Committee meeting	means a meeting of the committee convened according to the process in this constitution.	Part 1.2.a.3	“Committee meeting” is a meeting of the Committee convened in accordance with these rules.	None	Updated to reference "constitution" instead of "rules"
41	Complaint and dispute	have the meanings contained within section 38 of the Act.		New	This may be counter to what is in existing policy - which will be overridden by this constitution	The act is clear on definitions.
42	Constitution	means the rules in this document.	Part 1.2.a.13	“Rules” are the rules for The Society for Creative Anachronism (New Zealand) Incorporated (this document).	None	Updated text to match template
43	Contact details	means a physical or an electronic address used by the person and a telephone number that is used by the person.		New	None	Updated to match definition in Act
44	Corporate officers	means the SCANZ registrar, SCANZ treasurer, and SCANZ diversity, equity and inclusion officer	Part 1.2.a.6	“Corporate Officers” are officers of the Society, appointed by, but not members of, the Committee	Specifies the corporate officers	we have increased the officers of SCANZ beyond just corporate officers
45	Crown	means the titular heads of the recreational entity of the Kingdom of Lochac, and does not mean any real-world royal persons.		New	None	Defines the term, note that they can be same gender identity
46	Crown	The Crown is most commonly a king' and queen, but may be any combination of the two.		New	None
47	Event	means an SCA-sponsored event as defined in SCA Inc's Corpora		New	None	Defines the term
48	Event member	means an individual who has consented to be granted temporary membership with limited privileges for a single event, according to this constitution.	Part 1.2.a.5	“Event-member” is an individual who is not a current financial member, but who has been granted temporary membership with limited privileges for a single event.	None	Updated to note they have to consent, as required by the act
49	Financial statements	has the same meaning as section 6 of the Financial Reporting Act.		New	None	Updated to match definition in Act
50	General meeting	means either an annual general meeting or a special general meeting of the subscribing members of SCANZ.		New	None	Added text to match template
51	Geographical branch	means any branch either of shire or greater status, or of lesser status than shire but occupying a unique geographical area not encompassed by any other branch.	Part 1.2.a.15	“Geographical Branch” is any Branch either of shire or greater status or of lesser status than shire but occupying a unique geographical area not encompassed by any other Branch.	None
52	Greater Officer	means one of the kingdom-level roles defined as a Greater officer in the "Book of Laws of the Kingdom of Lochac". These roles may or may not include officers of SCANZ.		New	None	Defines the term
53	Interested member	means a member who is interested in a matter for any of the reasons set out in section 62 of the Act.		New	None	Added text to match template
54	Interests register	means the register of interests of officers, kept under this constitution and as required by section 73 of the Act.		New	None	Added text to match template
55	King	means one of the pair that comprises the Crown and does not mean any real-world royal person.		New	None	Defines the term
56	Kingdom	A geographical branch of the SCA, ruled by a King and Queen (or combination thereof).		New	None	Defines the term
57	Kingdom-level	means something that supports the Kingdom of Lochac as a whole, not specific branches.		New	None	Defines the term
58	Kingdom of Lochac	means the recreational entity that supports the educational and recreational aspects of SCANZ's purposes, jointly with SCA Ltd'.		New	None	Defines the term - we needed something to differentiate between stuff that is game-side and shared with SCA Ltd.
59	Matter	means -		New	None	Added text to match template
60		SCANZ's performance of its activities or exercise of its powers; or
61		an arrangement, agreement, or contract (a transaction) made or entered into, or proposed to be entered into, by SCANZ.
62	Member	means both subscribing members and event members as defined here.	Part 1.2.a.4	“Member” is an individual registered as a current financial member with the Registrar and whose membership has not been revoked.	We use member when we mean both event and subscribing members		Check all usage to ensure we mean both
63	Notice	to members includes any notice given by email, post, or courier.		New	None	Added text to match template
64	Officer	means a natural person who is:		New	Additional officers have been included - The Crown, Kingdom Seneschal, Kingdom Exchequer and their deputy, B&Bs, Group senenschals and reeves and other account signatories	Added text to match template. We have taken the position that because the disqualifications for officers are primarily about fraud and financial issues, that anyone who makes decisions about expediture, or can execute the payment is an officer. This includes the Council of the Purse. B&Bs are included because of their long-term influence of their groups.
65		a member of the committee, or
66		occupying a position in SCANZ that allows them to exercise significant influence over the management or administration of SCANZ, including any Chief Executive or Treasurer.
67		individuals appointed to roles that facilitate the management and administration of SCANZ, its branches and its activities, listed in relevant section of the constitution.			Some roles within the kingdom met the definition of officer under the Act	We have a much broader definition of who is an officer under the Act, so need to be able to exclude the other officers that don't meet the definition - eg A&S officer, marshals etc.
68	Operating agreement	An affiliation agreement between two instances of the SCA that documents the relationship between the two organisations and describes the mutual rights and obligations of the parties.		New	None	Defines the term
69	Prince or Princess	means the titular heads of a Principality and does not mean any real-world royal person.		New	None	Defines the term
70	Principality	A geographical branch within a kingdom of the SCA, ruled by a Prince and Princess (or combination thereof).		New	None	Defines the term
71	Queen	means one of the pair that comprises the Crown and does not mean any real-world royal person.		New	None	Defines the term
72	Reeve	The treasurer of a branch.		New	None	Defines the term
73	Register of members	means the register of members kept under this constitution as required by section 79 of the Act.		New	None	Added text to match template
74	SCA	The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is an international non-profit volunteer educational organisation comprised of affiliated organisations devoted to the research and re-creation of pre-17th century skills, arts, combat, culture.	Part 1.2.a.10	“The SCA” is The Society for Creative Anachronism Incorporated in California	Now refers to the broader SCA. Added definition for SCA Inc	The SCA is bigger than just SCA Inc, and we needed a term to describe the broader concept.
75	SCA Inc	means the Society for Creative Anachronism Incorporated in California, USA.	Part 1.2.a.10	“The SCA” is The Society for Creative Anachronism Incorporated in California
76	SCA Ltd	means the Society for Creative Anachronism Ltd (Australia).	Part 1.2.a.11	“The SCA Ltd” is The Society for Creative Anachronism Ltd (Australia)
77	SCANZ	means the Society for Creative Anachronism (New Zealand) Incorporated.	Part 1.2.a.1	“the Society” is the Society For Creative Anachronism (New Zealand) Incorporated.	Throughout this constitution, references to "the Society" have been replaced with SCANZ	We often refer to "Society" in terms of what happens with SCA Inc, so we are being specific in referring to SCANZ.
78	SCANZ Registrar	means the officer who maintains the register of members of SCANZ.	Part 1.2.a.9	“Registrar” is the Corporate Officer who maintains the register of Society Members.	Updated references to be clear when we mean the SCANZ registrar as opposed to the Registrar of Incorporated Societies.	Both are mentioned in this constitution, so pays to be clear.
79	Secretary	means the officer responsible for the matters specifically noted in this constitution.		New	None	Added text to match template
80	Seneschal	The person responsible for the administrative oversight of a branch.		New	None	Defines the term
81	Shire	A geographical branch of the SCA.		New	None	Defines the term
82	Special general meeting	means a meeting of the subscribing members, other than an annual general meeting, called for a specific purpose or purposes.		New	None	Added text to match template
83	Subscribing member	means an individual who has consented to become a subscribing member of SCANZ, by following the procedure in the relevant section of this constitution.	Part 1.2.a.4	“Member” is an individual registered as a current financial member with the Registrar and whose membership has not been revoked.	None	We use member to mean both, so need to specify when we mean long-term financial members with voting rights etc
84	Vice-chair:	means the officer elected or appointed to deputise in the absence of the Chair.		New	None	Added text to match template (though we call ours vice chair, rather than deputy chair
85	Working days	mean as defined in the Legislation Act 2019. Examples of days that are not working days include, but are not limited to, the following — a Saturday, a Sunday, Waitangi Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, ANZAC Day, the Sovereign's birthday, Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki/Matariki Observance Day, and Labour Day.		New	None	Added text to match template
86	1.4	The name of the society	Part II, Rules.1
87	1.4.1	The name of the society is "Society for Creative Anachronism (New Zealand) Incorporated" (in this constitution referred to as "SCANZ").	Part II.1.a	The name of the Society is “The Society for Creative Anachronism (New Zealand) Incorporated”	Removed "The" from the name	Not actually registered with "The" in the name.
88	1.5	Charitable status
89	1.5.1	SCANZ is not and does not intend to be registered as a charitable entity under the Charities Act 2005.		New	None	Added text to match template. Mandatory section
90	1.6	The purposes of the society	Part II.2	Objects and purposes	None	Updated to match template
91	1.6.1	SCANZ is a not-for-profit educational, sporting and recreational society whose purposes include:		This Society is a non- profit educational, sporting and recreational Society whose purposes include:	None
92	1.6.1.a	conducting and promoting research into pre-17th century culture and life; and		conducting and promoting research into pre- 17th century culture and life; and	None
93	1.6.1.b	presenting activities and events which recreate the environment of said era, such as, but not limited to, tournaments, jousts, feasts, fairs, dances, classes; and		presenting activities and events which recreate the environment of said era, such as, but not limited to, tournaments, jousts, feasts, fairs, dances, classes; and	None
94	1.6.1.c	actively pursuing and encouraging the recruitment of new members into SCANZ and its affiliates; and		actively pursuing and encouraging the recruitment of new members into the Society; and	Added affiliates	We don't mind which affiliate people join - we may encounter people online from all over the world.
95	1.6.1.d	undertaking such activities as may be reasonably expected in a society of this nature.		undertaking such activities as may be reasonably expected in a society of this nature.	None
96	1.6.2	SCANZ must not operate for the purpose of, or with the effect of -		New		Added text to match template. Mandatory section Ironically, despite a clause that said that we couldn't alter the personal benefit clause, we didn't actually have a specific one (see also 1.8.1). This section makes it very clear what we can do for our members that does not constitute personal gain. We can: Hire our members, as long as we pay what we would have paid if they were any other persom Reimburse members Hardship grants to members (eg discounted event fees) Provide prize money (eg SG's gift to the Crown that attend CF)
97	1.6.2.a	distributing, any gain, profit, surplus, dividend, or other similar financial benefit to any of its members or other individual (whether in money or in kind); or
98	1.6.2.b	having capital that is divided into shares or stock held by its members or other individuals; or
99	1.6.2.c	holding, property in which its members have a disposable interest (whether directly, or in the form of shares or stock in the capital of SCANZ or otherwise).
100	1.6.3	But SCANZ will not operate for the financial gain of members simply if SCANZ -