Our Structure

CURRENT STRUCTURE OF THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NZ (RAS)

RAS Members

Ordinary Members – are the Member Organisations – A&P Associations – Breed Societies – Kindred Societies – Life Members

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RAS District Councils

Northern, Mid Northern, Eastern, Western, Central, Southern
All Districts have a Chairperson & a Committee elected by those Member organisations (Ordinary Members)  within the District
(Shows that reside there or Breed or Kindred Societies that have their Head Office in that District)

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 RAS Executive

President, Vice President & 4 other persons elected by the Members
Staff – Two people, one full time Administrator and our part time Chief Executive (RAS Head Office)
Note:  At all levels, other than Staff, these people are volunteers

Our Strategy

RAS Strategy November 2022

How are RAS rules made or changed?

1. Each year notice is sent to the Ordinary Members that if they wish to change any rules e.g. RAS Equestrian Rulebook or RAS Showing Rules, they need to submit a remit to RAS Head Office by 15 March. They are encouraged to submit the remit via the District process to see it has support in the first instance.
2. RAS Head Office collates all remits and then sends them on to the Ordinary Members for postal voting by 15 April.
3. Postal votes are returned to RAS Head Office by 15 June and then counted by an independent scrutineer. The results are announced at RAS Conference and take effect as of 1 July of that conference year.

It is the responsibility of the Member Organisations to advise their members (competitors and exhibitors) of proposed changes and get their views on how their organisation should vote.  As a competitor if you wish to propose a change, this change needs to be brought through your local A&P Association or Breed/Kindred Society, and/or through the District channels.

How are changes made to the RAS Constitution?

1. Proposed changes to the RAS Constitution must be with RAS Head Office by 15 March – known as a Notice of Motion
2. Proposed Notices of Motion will be sent to the Member Organisations by 15 April
3. It is the responsibility of the Member Organisations to advise their members (competitors and exhibitors) of proposed changes and get their views on how their organisation should vote.
4. Notices of Motion are voted on at the annual RAS Conference

How are RAS Policies made?

The Executive meets several times a year.  Policies are set at those meetings in consultation with the relevant advisory group (Horse Stewards Council Executive, United Breed Society Executive and the Districts). The policies are to enable the implementation of any rules or regulations that have been passed by the Member Organisations.

RAS Head Office carries out the administration aspects of all facets of the organisation and provides consultation and/or advice when required.