CONSTITUTION RFCB

THE RELATIONSHIP AND FAMILY COUNSELLING BOARD INCORPORATED LIMITED

1. NAME

The name of the Society is:

THE RELATIONSHIP AND FAMILY COUNSELLING BOARD INCORPORATED LIMITED
(“the Society”)

2. LEGAL STATUS

2.1 The Society is an incorporated society under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 (NZ).
2.2 The Society is a not-for-profit entity.
2.3 No member shall derive financial gain except for reasonable remuneration for services rendered.

3. PURPOSES (OBJECTIVES)

Founding Purposes

Workforce Development and Professional Recognition

The Board shall promote excellence within the relationship and family counselling profession through recognition of diverse educational pathways, support for professional development, and the advancement of accessible registration pathways that maintain public safety and professional competence.

The Board recognises the valuable contribution of internationally qualified practitioners and shall establish fair, transparent, and evidence-based processes for assessing overseas qualifications and experience in accordance with New Zealand standards.

Advocacy for the Profession

The Board shall advocate for the wellbeing, sustainability and professional recognition of relationship and family counsellors throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

This includes promoting fair remuneration, safe working conditions, workforce retention, professional recognition, and equitable opportunities for practitioners across all sectors.

Supporting Entry Into the Profession

The Board shall work collaboratively with educational institutions, employers, government agencies and industry partners to promote pathways into the profession, including paid internships, supported placements, mentoring opportunities and workforce development initiatives.

Particular attention shall be given to reducing barriers to entry for students, new graduates, Māori, Pacific peoples, immigrants and under-represented groups.

Member-Centred Professional Development

The Board is committed to supporting members in maintaining professional competence through accessible, affordable and meaningful continuing professional development.

This may include peer supervision groups, professional networking opportunities, online learning, workshops, conferences, mentoring programmes and shared professional resources.

The Board recognises that professional regulation should support practitioner growth and competence rather than create unnecessary barriers to practice.

Cultural Responsiveness and Inclusion

The Board acknowledges Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to supporting culturally safe and responsive practice throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Board recognises the diversity of New Zealand communities and shall promote understanding and respect for the cultural, ethnic, religious, linguistic and family traditions represented within Aotearoa.

The Board shall encourage ongoing education in cultural responsiveness and support practitioners to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds while maintaining ethical and evidence-informed practice.

Professional Partnership

The Board shall operate in partnership with its members and the wider community.

The Board recognises that effective professional regulation balances public protection with practitioner support and seeks to foster a collaborative relationship between members, leadership and stakeholders.

 

The purposes of the Society are to:

a. Protect the public by promoting safe, ethical, and competent counselling practices
b. Establish, maintain, and promote standards for relationship and family counselling in Aotearoa New Zealand
c. Develop and uphold a Code of Ethics aligned with New Zealand professional standards
d. Provide guidance, accreditation, and oversight for counsellors (non-regulated profession)
e. Promote culturally responsive practice consistent with Te Tiriti o Waitangi
f. Support professional development and competency frameworks
g. Provide complaints, discipline, and dispute resolution processes
h. Advocate for the counselling profession in NZ

i. Advocate for training counsellors
h. Collaborate with the community, regulatory bodies and professional organisations

l. Understanding and respect for the cultural, ethnic, religious, linguistic and family traditions represented within Aotearoa.

j. Supporting members in maintaining professional competence through accessible, affordable and meaningful continuing professional development.

k. Recognition of diverse educational pathways, support for professional development, and the advancement of accessible registration pathways that maintain public safety and professional competence.

 

 

4. POWERS

The Society has full capacity to:

  • Enter into contracts

  • Employ staff

  • Acquire and dispose of property

  • Develop standards, frameworks, and accreditation systems

(as permitted under the Act)

5. MEMBERSHIP

5.1 Minimum Members

The Society must maintain at least 10 members at all times.

5.2 Membership Categories

  • Full Members (counsellors)

  • Associate Members

  • Student Members

  • Honorary Members

5.3 Admission

Applicants must:

  • Meet competency or qualification criteria

  • Agree to the Code of Ethics

  • Consent to membership

5.4 Register of Members

The Society must maintain a register including:

  • Name

  • Contact details

  • Membership category

6. MEMBER RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS

Members must:

  • Comply with the Constitution and Code of Ethics

  • Act in good faith

  • Maintain professional standards

Members have the right to:

  • Attend and vote at General Meetings

  • Access Society information (as per the Act)

7. GENERAL MEETINGS

7.1 Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Must be held annually and include:

  • Financial reporting

  • Election of officers

  • Strategic updates

7.2 Special General Meetings

May be called by:

  • The Committee, or

  • 10% of members

7.3 Voting

  • Each member has one vote

  • Decisions by simple majority

8. COMMITTEE (GOVERNING BODY)

8.1 Composition

  • Minimum of 3 officers (required by law)

  • Recommended: 5–9 members

8.2 Roles

  • Chair

  • Secretary

  • Treasurer

  • Additional members

8.3 Functions

  • Governance and strategic oversight

  • Ensuring compliance with law and ethical standards

  • Managing complaints and disciplinary processes

9. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Officers must:

  • Act in good faith

  • Act in the best interests of the Society

  • Exercise reasonable care and diligence

  • Avoid reckless or unlawful conduct

(as required under the Act)

10. PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND ETHICS

10.1 The Society shall maintain a Code of Ethics, aligned with:

  • NZ counselling standards

  • Psychological ethical frameworks

10.2 The Society recognises:

  • Public safety as paramount

  • Cultural competence (including Māori models of wellbeing)

10.3 The Society shall develop:

  • Competency frameworks

  • Scope of practice guidelines

(Aligned with NZ Psychologists Board principles of protecting the public and setting standards)

11. COMPLAINTS AND DISCIPLINARY PROCESS

11.1 The Society shall maintain a formal complaints process.

11.2 Principles:

  • Natural justice

  • Fair hearing

  • Transparency

11.3 Outcomes may include:

  • No action

  • Recommendations

  • Suspension

  • Termination of membership

12. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

The Society must maintain internal dispute resolution procedures, including:

  • Informal resolution

  • Mediation

  • Formal hearing

(as required under the Act)

13. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

13.1 Funds must be used solely for Society purposes
13.2 Annual financial statements must be prepared
13.3 Proper accounting records must be kept

14. CONTACT PERSON(S)

The Society shall have at least one and no more than three contact persons, as required by law.

15. ALTERATIONS TO CONSTITUTION

15.1 Amendments require:

  • Special resolution at a General Meeting

15.2 Changes take effect only after registration

16. WINDING UP

16.1 On liquidation:

  • No assets may be distributed to members

16.2 Remaining assets must be transferred to:

  • A not-for-profit organisation with similar purposes

(as required under the Act)

17. TE TIRITI O WAITANGI

The Society acknowledges Te Tiriti o Waitangi and commits to:

  • Partnership

  • Participation

  • Protection

18. INTERPRETATION

This Constitution must be interpreted:

  • Consistent with New Zealand law

  • In alignment with professional ethical standards

  •  

19. CHARITABLE PURPOSES

The Society is established exclusively for charitable purposes within New Zealand, including:

  • Advancing education (training and standards in counselling)

  • Advancing health (mental health and wellbeing support)

  • Benefiting the community (safe counselling practices)

20. NON-PROFIT CLAUSE (CRITICAL FOR CHARITIES)

No member may receive:

  • Financial gain from the Society

  • Any distribution of surplus

Except:

  • Reasonable payments for services

  • Reimbursement of legitimate expenses

21. PERSONAL BENEFIT RULE

Any officer who may benefit financially must:

  • Declare the conflict

  • Abstain from decision-making

22. USE OF FUNDS

All funds must be used solely to:

  • Advance the Society’s purposes

  • Maintain public benefit

23. WINDING UP (CHARITIES COMPLIANT VERSION)

On liquidation:

Assets must go to:

  • Another registered NZ charity with similar purposes