This document sets out practical rules for an unincorporated charitable organisation with respect to key management and operational areas such as committee structure, decision-making processes, member registration, contracting and indemnification. Having a clearly-defined set of rules will help your charitable organisation establish transparency, clearly define decision-making processes and prevent future disputes.

This document allows you to clearly define the purposes of your unincorporated charitable organisation and the implications of deviating from these purposes.

This document has been adapted from an ACNC template, with changes made to the formatting of the document. For extensive guidance notes on NFP requirements and on using this constitution, see the ACNC guide.

Use Rules for a Charitable Association if:

• You run an unincorporated charitable organisation

• You are a small, member-based organisation governed by a committee

• You primarily conduct your activities through volunteers

• You have minimal assets and the work you undertake has minimal risk

What do Rules for a Charitable Association cover?

• Adherence to organisational purposes

• The management of funds and assets

• Financial record-keeping

• Committee structure, decision-making processes and duties

• Contracting and indemnification

• Membership, registration, member rights and disciplinary action

• The alteration of rules

Further information

• How to start a not-for-profit organisation

• Conflict of interest policy (charities)