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NSW TEACHERS FEDERATION
DONATIONS POLICY
11 August 2015
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DONATIONS POLICY
Originally endorsed
13th August 2013 Date of publication
10th October 2013
Updated and endorsed
11th August 2015
Date of publication
11th August 2015
Current status
ACTIVE
To be reviewed
August 2016
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DONATIONS POLICY
Table of Contents GENERAL INFORMATION
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APPENDIX A – NSW TEACHERS FEDERATION FUNDING FOR CHARITABLE
REQUESTS ................................... 5
APPENDIX B – PROCEDURES FOR DONATIONS BY ASSOCIATIONS
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6
APPENDIX C – EXTRACTS FROM AEU NSW TEACHERS FEDERATION BRANCH
RULES ..................................... 8
APPENDIX D - ASSOCIATION DONATION - REQUEST FOR APPROVAL FROM
THE NSW TEACHERS FEDERATION
BRANCH EXECUTIVE
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The NSW Teachers Federation receives a considerable amount of
correspondence from external sources, including
requests for donations, usually from charitable and other
not-for-profit organisations.
Although the requests relate to very worthwhile projects and
programs, many do not sit easily or are not clearly
connected to the objects of the Federation.
Finance Committee will recommend an annual budget for donations
for the following year. This will also be a factor in
consideration by the committee when making recommendations.
Accordingly, the basis for approval of donations will be
determined on the following criteria:
1. The organisation’s activities and programs align to
Federation’s objects under the Rules, values and policies around
trade unionism and public education.
Stewart House and APHEDA-Union Aid Abroad have been identified
as Federation’s “preferred charities”.
Both organisations have clear links to public education.
2. There are other organisations which are based on principles
of social justice and conduct programs and/or campaigns in support
of those principles.
Some of these organisations are supported by Federation through
affiliations, rather than by donation. The
decision to affiliate is determined by Federation Council each
year at its March meeting.
Other requests for donations from those and other organisations,
usually for a specific project, will be received
from time to time.
Those requests will be considered by the Finance Committee with
any recommendation for approval to be
endorsed by Executive.
In considering such requests the Finance Committee will consider
any existing financial contribution from
Federation to the organisation as well as the merits of the
particular program, including the relevance to
improving broader social justice within the community, aligned
to Federation policy.
3. Other organisations or charities seek donations for projects
which promote public benefits, or seek to address disadvantaged
groups or individuals. While the various projects or programs may
be based on social justice
principles, or in the public interest, the organisation/charity
may not be clearly aligned to Federation policy
and principles around public education, or could possibly be in
competition with public education.
This would include charitable groups developed from religious
institutions (eg. Salvation Army, St Vincent
de Paul, Mission Australia, Wesley Mission, Father Chris Riley
Youth Off the Streets, etc.).
There are a number of medical research programs which also seek
financial donations.
While Federation supports appropriate research, it is not in a
position to generally provide financial support
for medical research, even where it relates to children such as
The Children’s Hospital etc.
However, there will be groups of projects or organisations which
have a direct connection to our members and
policies, for example, The Smith Family sponsorships for
disadvantaged students in public schools, and the
Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia.
4. NSW Teachers Federation values its political independence. As
such, no donations will be made to any political party.
5. Requests for fundraising events such as purchase of tables at
dinners will be referred to the Senior Officers file for
consideration, and in line with the guidelines provided to the File
meetings for that purpose. (Appendix A)
6. International aid will be considered on a case by case basis,
recognising the Federation’s affiliation to the national Australian
Education Union. Again, in general the consideration of public
education and trade
union/worker rights will be part of any consideration of a
donation.
7. Other requests for donations will be considered on a case by
case basis, with the criteria of Federation policy (including rules
and objects) and the annual budget allocation forming the basis for
any recommendation.
8. It is important that the decision to make a donation
(including one given to a member in extraordinary circumstances)
complies with Rule 50 of the AEU NSW Teachers Federation
Branch.
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APPENDIX A
NSW TEACHERS FEDERATION FUNDING FOR CHARITABLE REQUESTS
NSW Teachers Federation Policy for funding representatives of
Federation to attend union based events, or events which
seek to raise funds for charities or union matters.
Federation has a long standing commitment to support Stewart
House and APHEDA –Union Aid Abroad as its preferred
charities, both of which align to Federation’s objectives under
its rules, values and beliefs around unionism and public
education.
While there are other organisations and events which are based
on social justice principles, the level of financial support
from NSWTF will not be provided at the same level.
For fundraising events, including lunches, dinners or
breakfasts, levels of financial support are as follow:
1. Stewart House Annual Ball
• Federation funds two tables of 10.
2. APHEDA Annual Dinner
• Federation funds one table of 10.
3. May Day Dinner
• Federation funds one table of 10.
4. Other events, for example; Jessie Street Library lunch, UNHCR
breakfast, the Ernies Awards, etc.
• Federation may provide a proportion of the cost; for example,
fund the full cost for four attendees. In those circumstances, the
total amount allocated could be shared between attendees should
more than four wish to
attend.
5. For conferences, dinners such as ACTU Congress and AEU
Federal Conference, where it is desirable for delegates to
attend.
• Federation will fund half the cost of the dinner (recognising
that the tea/dinner allowance does not extend sufficiently in
regard to the “gap” payment required of delegates attending as
Federation representatives).
6. Approval for individual requests for Federation to fund
attendees at other events will be on a case-by-case basis as a
decision of the Senior Officers. Where the Senior Officers deem
that attendance is in line with Federation
objectives, the funding will usually be approved on the basis
described at point 4.
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APPENDIX B
PROCEDURES FOR DONATIONS BY ASSOCIATIONS
Every year, the NSW Teachers Federation, as a whole, makes
appropriate annual donations to certain charitable
organisations. It is, therefore, not necessary for NSW Teachers
Federation Associations to do the same. It is expected
that most of the moneys paid to Associations, on an annual
basis, are used for the running costs of the Associations.
The Federation’s Rules are very clear about the matter of NSW
Teachers Federation’s Associations making donations
(See Appendix C - Extracts from The NSW Teachers Federation
Branch Rules). When an association does make a decision,
in a meeting, to donate money then specific procedures have to
be followed.
The Procedure For Making A Donation
a) To whom can an association make donations?
On the 13th
August 2013, the Executive endorsed the new NSW Teachers
Federation Donations Policy. A copy of the
policy was sent to all Associations.
• Remember that Stewart House and APHEDA – Union Aid Abroad have
been identified as the Federation’s “preferred charities”.
• Donations may only be given to other charities / organisations
if they meet the criteria as outlined in points 2 and 3 of the NSW
Teachers Federation Donations Policy. This also applies to giving a
donation to a charity /
organisation in lieu of a speaker’s fee.
• Associations are excluded from making “any donation or other
payment from their funds for political objects”. (See Appendix C -
specifically Rule 63 (4) of the NSW Teachers Federation Branch
Rules).
• Under its rules, the NSW Teachers Federation is banned from
using member’s funds for political donations. (See Appendix C –
specifically Rule 46(2) of the NSW Teachers Federation Branch
Rules).
• These rules, therefore, mean that an Association cannot donate
any money in support of any political candidate or party.
• Organisations that are not clearly aligned to Federation
policy and principles around public education, or that could
possibly be in competition with public education cannot be
supported. As a result, no donations can be
made to private schools (independent or church schools).
b) How should a donation be made?
“Associations shall not make any loan, grant or donation from
their funds without having first obtained the
approval of the Branch Executive.” (See Appendix C - NSW
Teachers Federation Branch Rules – specifically 63. (3)).
Associations, therefore, need to ensure that they seek Branch
Executive approval before donating any money. The
procedure for obtaining such approval is as follows:
• An Association meeting has to have carried a motion to request
approval to make a donation. • The Association Secretary needs to
apply, in writing, to the NSW Executive for Financial Approval (to
make the
donation).
• This approval should be sought in the form of a letter (under
the Association’s letterhead) addressed to the NSW Branch
Executive. The template provided can be used (see Appendix D).
• The letter should obtain the following details: - The amount
to be donated - The name of the organisation or charity to which
the money is to be donated. - An explanation about the rationale
for / purpose of the donation. - Any related documents. - Details
of the decision carried at an association meeting to make the
donation (including the date of the
decision).
• The letter can be posted or emailed to NSW Teachers
Federation.
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NOTE:
• Applications for Financial Approval should not be made
retrospectively. Seek approval before making the donation.
• Approval to donate to an organisation over a number of years
cannot be made. Approval should be sought every year.
• No donations to political parties / candidates or to any
organisations outside of the NSWTF Donation Policy’s guidelines can
be made.
• No donations can be made to private schools (independent or
church schools).
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APPENDIX C
EXTRACTS FROM AEU NSW TEACHERS FEDERAION BRANCH RULES
62. PAYMENTS TO ASSOCIATIONS
(1) The Branch Executive provide for the payment of funds to
associations on an annual basis. The payment to
associations in any year shall consist of:
(a) a fixed amount for each association being not less than $100
together with,
(b) amounts calculated by multiplying such amounts as Branch
Executive may consider appropriate for each
Association by the number of financial members of the
association at 31 December in the previous year.
The Branch Executive may fix different per capita amounts for
regional and state-wide associations, but
all regional associations shall receive the same per capita
amount.
(2) (a) Associations shall, within three months of the end of
each calendar year, provide the Branch Secretary
with a financial statement providing details of the income,
expenses, assets and liabilities of the
association as at 31 December.
(b) The Branch Secretary shall ensure that no allocation of
funds is made to an association unless and until
the financial statements for the previous calendar year have
been provided and the Branch Secretary is
reasonably satisfied that the financial statements reflect the
true financial position of the association.
(c) In the event that financial statements, required to be
provided by an association under this sub-rule,
have not been provided by 31 December in the following year,
that association shall forfeit its rights to
receive any monies in accordance with this rule for the calendar
year following the year in respect of
which financial statements have not been provided.
63. EXPENDITURE OF ASSOCIATION FUNDS
(1) The funds of an association may only be applied to further
the objects of the Union and the expenses of its
operation and management.
(2) The Branch Executive shall from time to time adopt
guidelines for the expenditure of association funds.
Associations may expend funds only in accordance with such
guidelines.
(3) Associations shall not make any loan, grant or donation from
their funds without having first obtained the
approval of the Branch Executive.
(4) Associations shall not make any donation or other payment
from their funds for political objects.
46. APPLICATION OF FUNDS
(1) Subject to sub-rule 2, the funds of the Branch may be
applied and used for, or in connection with, any lawful
object or purpose authorised by these rules.
(2) Without limiting the generality of sub-rule 1, the funds of
the Branch may be used to promote public education
through political campaigns to provided that no donations or
other payments shall be made in support of
particular candidates or political parties in elections to
parliament.
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50. LOANS, GRANTS AND DONATIONS
No loan, grant or donation for an amount exceeding $1,000.00
shall be paid unless the Branch Executive has:
(a) satisfied itself;
(i) that the making of the loan, grant or donation would be in
accordance with the Federal Branch
Rules; and
(ii) in the case of a loan - that, in the circumstances, the
security proposed to be given for the
repayment of the loan is adequate and the proposed arrangements
for the repayment of the
loan are satisfactory; and
(b) approved the making of the loan, grant or donation.
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APPENDIX D
ASSOCIATION DONATION – REQUEST FOR APPROVAL FROM THE
NSW TEACHERS FEDERATION BRANCH EXECUTIVE
To the NSW Teachers Federation Branch Executive:
Name of Association
Name of Association Secretary
Name of organisation / charity to which the
money is to be donated
Amount to be donated $
Rationale for, or purpose of, the donation:
Relevant documents are attached (if required) Yes No
The decision to make a request for this donation
was carried at the
Association Meeting on what date?
Date:
Mover:
Seconder:
Vote:
Additional correspondence:
_____________________________________________________________
________________________________
Signature of Association Secretary Date signed
Correspondence is to be sent to:
The Executive
NSW Teachers Federation
Locked Bag 3010
DARLINGHURST NSW 1300
or to [email protected] (Attention: The Executive)
