CONSTITUTION OF YASPA
Amended 21st March 2025
1. NAME OF THE ASSOCIATION
The name of the Association is YASPA. It is a not for profit organisation run on democratic principles comprising a non-age-restricted committee* and regular members who are aged under 18. The association exists to promote and support social and competitive Scrabble® to the young population of Australia. (* There are some committee roles for which it may be a legal requirement that the person occupying the role be over 18, such roles likely to be, and not limited to, president and treasurer. All nominations must be checked to ensure compliance with governing laws).
2. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of YASPA are:
2.1 To promote and coordinate Scrabble playing activities across Australia focussing on players aged under 18.
2.2 To work cooperatively with other organised Scrabble associations in Australia and to work towards building the broader Scrabble community. Whilst we aim to adopt nationally and internationally accepted standards of play, we reserve the right to modify the rules, but in principle seek to support and uphold standardised Australian rules.
2.3 To provide opportunities for young players across Australia to work towards the level of achievement they choose, whether it be participation in local organised events or to represent Australia in international competitions. For those in remote locations, to ensure that they have the opportunity to connect online with peer Scrabble communities.
2.4 To promote the game of Scrabble generally, emphasising its educational and social values, and the establishment and growth of face-to-face Scrabble training and social groups, supplement with online activities.
2.5 To work cooperatively with other stakeholders: parents, care givers, teachers and educational
bodies, sponsors and community groups.
2.6 To work cooperatively with the relevant state association to hold an annual Australian Junior Scrabble Championship (or Australian Youth Scrabble Championship).
2.7 To encourage interest and involvement of its members in activities within Australia and overseas. This involvement is not just limited to the playing of the game, but in assisting in leadership roles such as mentoring, tournament organisation and management, use of technology and new media, and any other way which members feel they can use their skills to promote the furtherment of competitive Scrabble.
3. POWERS OF THE ASSOCIATION
The association will have powers covered by Part 3 Division 1 of the NSW Associations Incorporations Act 2009 No 7.
4. MEMBERSHIP
4.1 Any person who is an Australian resident and under the age of 18 may become a member of YASPA. Other persons aged under 18 residing overseas may be granted membership of YASPA subject to committee approval.
4.2 A register or membership is to be maintained by the Membership Officer and the President.
4.3 Membership will apply from the date of joining with any annual increase in annual subscription to be determined by the Committee and ratified at the Annual General Meeting. Reduced subscriptions may apply when there are more than one child in a household wishing to join. If a membership is paid in a child’s 18th year (i.e. between 17th and 18th birthday), membership to transfer to the relevant state/territory association subject to approval by the relevant state/territory association.
NOTE: It is not a requirement of committee members to be association members unless they are aged under 18. Only people aged under 18 are permitted to be regular members. Committee members must be a member of a state/territory ASPA association (Note: Subject to CASPA accepting YASPA as an affiliated organisation).
5. COMMITTEE
5.1 The executive committee is to comprise a minimum of 6 people and a maximum of 12 people elected annually. In addition, the committee may have up to 6 Junior Advisory Committee Members, those being junior members who have been nominated for the role and been accepted by the executive. The President and the Treasurer are to be separate people.
5.2 Elections are to be held annually at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held during the month of February or March. The role of President shall not be continuously occupied by any individual for more than 3 years. All roles will be declared vacant at the start of the meeting with the incumbent president having the default role of chairperson at that meeting.
5.3 The committee roles are as follows (The Association reserves the right to create new roles and change roles in the future without necessitating a constitutional change):
* President
* Vice President
* Treasurer
* Secretary
* Membership Officer
* Fundraising Coordinator
* Technology/IT Coordinator
* Publicity Coordinator.
5.4 The constitution allows for committee members who have no specific nominated role, but to be involved with assisting to work towards the association's objectives. These are referred to as “Regular Committee Members”;.
5.5 Junior Advisory Committee Members are members (aged under 18) who are supportive of the objectives of the Association and willing to contribute to ensure that the Association best serves the needs and wishes of its junior members. Under-18 (ordinary) may members liaise with their peer players to advise the members of the executive committee.
5.6 If an elected committee member resigns or is otherwise unable to fulfil their role before the AGM, the executive committee may appoint someone else on the committee to fulfil that role, or to seek from the membership and the broader Scrabble community (ASPA members) someone to fill the role. If it is a non-critical role, it may remain vacant until the AGM. It is permissible for a person to occupy more than one role. The committee shall appoint a Public Officer as required by the NSW Associations Incorporation Act.
6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)
6.1 The AGM is to be held during February or March preferably on a weeknight and using a forum that allows participation by members across Australia (such as an online video conferencing platform). Financial members and existing committee members are entitled to vote on nominations and motions put before the meeting. Notice of the AGM together with an agenda to be distributed to members at least 2 weeks in advance of the AGM. Voting is on a one person one vote basis. A member may appoint a proxy.
6.2 Voting shall be by a show of hands, or a verbal or typed response.
6.3 The quorum at the AGM shall consist of a minimum of 4 members which must include at least 4 existing committee members.
6.4 Nominations for roles on the committee should be received by the Secretary in writing at least one week prior to the AGM. A nomination must be seconded by either an existing committee member or a financial member.
7. FINANCES
7.1 The executive committee via the Treasurer has control of the funds of the Association.
7.2 The Association is a not for profit organisation.
7.3 The assets and income shall be used solely for the furtherance of Under-18 competitive Scrabble in Australia.
7.4 No portion of the funds shall be distributed directly or indirectly to members of the Association except as bona fide compensation for expenses incurred on behalf of the Association.
8. RESPONSIBILITY OF ADULT MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
All adult people involved with the management of the Association, including the committee and the Public Officer, are to maintain working with children clearances that are relevant in the state and territory in which they reside and plan to operate. This register of clearances is to be maintained by the Membership Officer and the President.
9. DISSOLUTION
The Association shall not be dissolved except by approval of not less than 3/4 of the members present, voting at a meeting called for that specific purpose, of which not less than one month’s notice of the proposal of dissolution has been given to all members of the Association.
On dissolution all property of the Association, whether real or personal, remaining after payment of all debts and legal liabilities shall be returned to CASPA.
10. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
All proposed amendments to the Constitution shall be recommended by the committee and may only be repealed altered or amended by resolution of 2/3 members present and voting at the AGM, or at a Special General Meeting of which not less than two week’s notice has been given and provided that such notice contains the substance of the proposed amendment.