Concise takeaway

Attendance is not open to the public. Only Council members (as defined in Rule 13) and properly appointed deputies (Rule 19) may attend Council meetings and the AGM. General Club members who are not officers do not have the right to attend.

🟦 Who can attend FMCA Council Meetings?

1. All FMCA Officers

Defined in Rule 15:

• President

• Deputy President

• Secretary & Public Officer

• Treasurer

• Vice Presidents

These are always entitled to attend.

2. Life Members

Rule 13 includes Life Members as part of the Council.

3. Club Officers from each Affiliated Club

Rule 13 is explicit:

“the President, Treasurer, Secretary and Director of Music of each affiliated Club… shall be members of the Council.”

These four positions automatically have the right to attend Council meetings.

4. Deputies (if appointed correctly)

Rule 19 allows deputies only for Club Officers, not for FMCA Officers.

A deputy:

• Must be a Committee member of the same Club (if metropolitan)

• May be from any affiliated Club (if regional)

• Has full rights and powers of the person they represent

This is important: Deputies are allowed only when a Club Officer cannot attend.

5. Committee members of special committees

Rule 37 allows FMCA to create committees. Members of those committees may attend when their committee work is being discussed.

6. No general Club members

The Constitution does not allow:

• Ordinary Club members

• Audience members

• Guests

• Observers

Unless invited by the Council for a specific purpose (Rule 14 allows inviting Patrons, but not general members).

🟧 Who can attend the FMCA AGM?

The AGM is a meeting of the Council, not a public event.

Therefore, attendance is identical to Council meetings:

1. FMCA Officers

President, Deputy President, Secretary/Public Officer, Treasurer, Vice Presidents.

2. Life Members

3. Club Officers from each affiliated Club

President, Treasurer, Secretary, Director of Music.

4. Deputies (Rule 19)

Only if properly appointed.

5. Auditor (for presentation only)

Rule 35(b) requires the Auditor’s Report. The Auditor may attend for that purpose.

6. No general Club members

Unless they hold one of the four Club Officer positions, they cannot attend.

🟩 Governance insight

The Constitution deliberately restricts attendance to ensure:

• Only qualified representatives participate

• Voting integrity is maintained

• Meetings cannot be stacked by Clubs bringing extra members

• AGM stability is protected