Does our Constitution allow us to do that? The room goes quiet. The Secretary looks at the President. The President looks at the Secretary. Eventually they find the Constitution in the shared drive — and there's nothing in it about employees at all.

Your Constitution is binding on every member of your organisation whether they've read it or not. Ignorance is not a defence. And most committees are navigating on much shakier ground than they realise.

In the first episode of the Documents Done Right series, Kate H and Kate M cover everything a committee needs to know about the most important document their organisation has.

In this episode:

• Why incorporation gives members real protection — and what the Constitution has to do with it
• Why ignorance of your own Constitution is not a defence — and what the Duty of Obedience actually requires
• The three layers of what goes in a Constitution: mandatory elements, best practice and your own choices
• Why one size does not fit all — and why the model Constitution is a starting point, not a solution
• The mandatory elements every Constitution must cover — and the traps hiding in plain sight
• Membership and voting rights: why calling someone a Member gives them rights and obligations the Constitution must be clear about
• The amendment threshold: why 75% isn't actually required by law
• The plain English test — and a practical technique for rewriting your Constitution without getting overwhelmed by the legalese

Free Essential Elements Checklist from the Committee Companion in the show notes.

Full show notes and free download at thecommitteeroom.com.au