7.       Expulsion of member

7.1       Subject to these Rules, the Board may by resolution:

(a)        expel a Member from the Association;

(b)        suspend a Member from Membership of the Association for a specified period; or

(c)        fine a Member in accordance with the Regulations, if the Board is of the opinion that the Member: (i) has refused or neglected to comply with these Rules; and/or (ii) has been guilty of conduct unbecoming a Member or prejudicial to the interests of the Association.

7.2       A resolution of the Board under rule 7.1 does not take effect unless the Board, at a meeting held not earlier than 14 and not later than 28 days after the service on the Member of a notice under rule 7.3 confirms the resolution in accordance with this clause.

7.3       Where the Board passes a resolution under rule 7.1 the Secretary shall, as soon as practicable, cause to be served on the Member a notice in writing:

(a)        setting out the resolution of the Board and the grounds on which it is based;

(b)        stating that the Member may address the Board at a meeting to be held not earlier that 14 and not later than 28 days after service of the notice;

(c)        stating the date, place and time of that meeting; and

(d)        informing the Member that he may do one or more of the following: (i) attend that meeting; (ii) give to the Board before the date of that meeting a written statement seeking the revocation of the resolution; (iii) not later that 24 hours before the date of the meeting, lodge with the Secretary a notice to the effect that he/she wishes to appeal to the Association in general meeting against the resolution.

7.4       At a meeting of the Board held in accordance with rule 7.2, the Board:

(a)        shall give to the Member an opportunity to be heard;

(b)        shall give due consideration to any written statement submitted by the Member; and

(c)        shall by resolution determine whether to confirm or revoke the resolution.

7.5       Where the Secretary receives a notice under rule 7.3, he/she shall notify the Board and the Board shall convene a general meeting of the Association to be held within 21 days after the date on which the Secretary received the notice.

7.6       At a general meeting of the Association convened under Rule 7.5:

(a)        no business other than the question of the appeal shall be transacted:

(b)        the Board may place before the meeting details of the grounds for the resolution and the reasons for the passing of the resolution;

(c)        the Member shall be given an opportunity to be heard; and

(d)        the Members present shall vote by secret ballot on the question whether the resolution should be confirmed or revoked.

7.7       If at the general meeting:

(a)        two-thirds of the Members vote in person or by proxy in favour of the confirmation of the resolution, the resolution is confirmed; and

(b)        in any other case, the resolution is revoked.