We would like to introduce your to our amended CPS Constitution - please feel free to download a copy from here or from our Documents web-page.

• CPS 01/09/2009 CONSTITUTION (187kb PDF) 

Below we have outlined the recent amendments to the CPS Constitution.  Our membership aims to make the CPS a strong voice for all parents, carers and educators of pre-school aged children. Which means that we will seek to make the CPS Constitution responsive to our member's needs.

When we say pre-school - we mean a child prior to the age of compulsory education - which is currently 6 years of age.

Being more open:

• Introducing a new ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP - this is aimed specifically at supporting groups that do not meet the main group definition, for example: P&C Preschool Sub-committees or childcare center parent bodies. The Associate Membership - is there to open up the society ensuring that we include all groups who support pre-school learning and affords an opportunity for both parents and the providers of pre-school aged care and learning to get together, unite and speak with one voice.
  
• Making it easier to join the society - no more formal prescribed membership applications, just write and tell us that you would like to be a member and why (you will need to include the usual details like your address and contact information).  Now these applications can come via: email, snail-mail or by courier pigeon (which ever is easier).
  
• Making it easier for members to renew their membership - the previous Constitution had no mechanism for membership renewal - we've made it easier to renew your membership - simply through attending our AGM or by a written notice within 30 days of our AGM. To make this even easier - you can use the online membership renewal form!
  

• Ensuring the fair election of Executive CPS Councillors - the introduction of a "Returning Officer" to manage the election of Executive CPS Councillors - this ensures that the process is fair and impartial.
  
• Opening up the CPS Council positions to any member of the Society - removing the restriction of regional-based representation and the removing the previous limitation that those CPS Councillors were only drawn only from Parent Associations.
  
• Removing all references to gender specific language - we thought we had done this one last time - but careful scrutiny found three specific uses of gender specific language - they are now gone.
  

• Being able to rearrange the agenda of any General Meeting - affording those present at any General Meeting to rearrange the meeting agenda, to remove items and to include new items that are meaningful and responsive to the membership on the day.
• Being realistic with meeting quorums and content - we have changed our quorum percentage and opened up the opportunity to hold a non-quorate meeting.  This is aimed specifically at those occasions when a quorum is not present - but we still want to discuss things and maintain a point of reference for future meetings.
  

• Reducing the "corporate" language - by introducing more everyday language.
  
• Using email for things - like CPS Council decisions and membership applications and renewals