Constitution or Trust Deed
Constitution or Trust Deed
This is your set of rules. They provide clarity on your vision and purpose and prevent disagreements. When a question comes up, such as ‘Can we spend money on this?’ the constitution provides the answer.
Your constitution is a legal document that is underpinned by New Zealand legislation:
Find summaries and more information here: Sport NZ – Incorporated Societies Act 2022 and Regulations
You need to review your Constitution every 3 years. Having a fresh look at your priorities on a regular basis helps you keep your objectives front of mind.
A constitution can be extremely simple, or you can add as much detail as your group agrees. If you intend to apply for funding, there are elements your constitution MUST have. See here for more information.
*Minor management issues are best included in bylaws, regulations and policies, rather than the constitution.
- See Companies Office Constitution Builder for templates.
- See Citizens Advice Bureau for more guidance on creating your constitution.
- And https://sportnz.org.nz/resources/incorporated-societies-act-2022-and-regulations/ for templates (Need to check these templates and link. Pick one of these templates links).
- Athletics NZ has a good guide for drafting your own constitution: Constitution Template – Club Version A with guidance.
Your constitution and the Integrity code
Consider adopting the Code of Integrity for Sport and Recreation (Integrity Code). Its goal is to create safer, fairer and more inclusive sport and recreation experiences by:
- setting minimum standards for organisations to prevent and address threats to integrity in sport and recreation
- helping to keep children, young people and adults at risk safe
- helping to lift the integrity capability of sport and recreation organisations
- explaining the role of the Sport Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui (the Commission), including when there are serious integrity issues.
Find out more at The Sport Integrity Commission
For a deep-dive into Integrity, take the course on SportTutor: Building integrity together. Currently needs sign-in. And, Sport Integrity – Building integrity together.
