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Contents:
Name:
AORTA – Astrologers of the Real Tradition of Astrology.
Definition of the acronym
The aorta is the main artery carrying blood (the life force and the red solar energy) from the left ventricle (the Moon, the handmaiden of the Lord rules the left side of the body) of the heart (ruled by the Sun the symbol of God, the Lord of Light).
Mission:
- To create a platform for astrologers of The Tradition for intellectual interaction and to provide opportunities to further study the craft in a flexible and dynamic environment.
- To encourage healthy debate on techniques and texts working from the premise that all members subscribe to the same system in astrology.
- To produce a magazine called The Chamber based on the 4 temperaments, therefore publishing 4 on line magazines per year.
- To promote our South African authors to the international community thereby exposing South African astrologers of The Tradition globally.
- To invite members who are qualified astrologers of The Tradition to present lectures, addressing topics that are of interest, which are exciting and which are well researched. This will enable us to further market South African astrologers of The Tradition locally and internationally.
- To promote astrology of The Tradition and the members of the group to the South African public and media.
- To assist the other organisations and disciplines of astrology in changing the misconceptions about the craft in the eyes of the media and the public.
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Objectives and Stipulations
- While we acknowledge the many other disciplines of astrology, it is obvious that the different disciplines cannot thrive under one roof – when too many hats are worn the focus is lost and a body/group must stand for something in order to achieve the goals set in the first place. There must be a valid reason why people would wish to join a group especially when involved in a craft as misunderstood and maligned as astrology. AORTA will create that reason for astrologers of The Tradition.
- AORTA is dedicated solely to the promotion and growth of The Tradition of astrology and its objective is to grow our craft.
- While we will accept members who are either not astrologers or who practice different disciplines, these members will not be invited to lecture at workshops nor will they be asked to contribute to the magazine.
- A membership application will need to be completed and membership will have to be approved by the board.
- The group is strictly for astrology of The Tradition and the Memorandum is very clear in this regard. The objective is not to please everyone and simply put, if you don't subscribe to the astrology or the philosophy on which it is based, don't join.
- The main goal of the group is to learn more about The Tradition using a platform where astrologers of The Tradition feel secure – where there is no malice or slander as these will not be tolerated. Should this raise its ugly head the membership of that person will be terminated.
- Healthy debate on techniques and texts will be encouraged but this is working from the premise that we all subscribe to the same system in astrology.
- A magazine will be produced based on the 4 temperaments – so 4 magazines per year, and this will commence from September 2009.
- AORTA will manage its own web site which will be used to showcase the group and to market astrology of The Tradition as well as its members, locally and internationally.
- Members will be able to download the magazine from the AORTA section of the web site.
- Each member of the group who is a qualified astrologer of The Tradition will be invited to lecture at events, presenting topics that are of interest to all and which are well researched.
- Two one-day workshops will be hosted annually, providing a minimum of 8 lectures per year.
- All members will be encouraged to write for the magazine – our group constitutes traditional astrology in SA, there is no one else that we can count on therefore we must all contribute. Articles will be marketed by AORTA to international publications.
- Qualified astrologers of The Tradition, who are members, will be able to list their details on the web site and AORTA will market the group in all media appearances and will launch an aggressive media campaign.
- AORTA does not condone the practice of board members not being remunerated for their time and this will be one of the aims of this group when it is in a financial position to address this. The aim will not be to enrich any individual but remunerate persons at market related rates for expertise and time and effort expended.
- There will be complete transparency in all facets of this group – members will at all times know how their money is being spent and what is being done to promote the group to the public. Financial and other results will be provided at members' meetings.
- One of the goals of AORTA will be to market astrologers of The Tradition internationally as speakers – it will therefore be imperative that the topics addressed at meetings are new and exciting and of the highest standard.
- Egos will be left behind and at all times we will remember why this group was initially formed – for the intellectual interaction that is sorely needed and to promote our astrology to the public and our astrologers internationally, in a safe and secure environment. We can only do this if the standard of speakers, topics, articles and conduct are of the highest standard.
- Please note that by joining this group it does not mean that you cannot belong to other astrology groups as well.
- AORTA is a group for adults – if you become a member you will be expected to contribute by attending meetings, paying your fees on time and contributing and sourcing articles for The Chamber.
- AORTA acknowledges that the craft always has, and always will be, bigger than the individual, but it takes individuals to promote and grow the craft.
- Members agree that all financial decisions and any other decisions relevant to the management of AORTA are to be taken by the board and they do not need to be notified of these decisions until the annual AGM.
- All funds accrued by AORTA by way of membership fees, advertising payments, sponsorships, donations and sales of products (The Chamber, downloaded talks, etc) will be used to pay creditors (consultant fees, web site hosting, advertising, promotions, conferences, etc).
- Membership has to be approved by the board and is awarded at its discretion. Membership may be terminated by the board if the conduct of the member does not adhere to the AORTA Code of Conduct and Terms and Conditions of membership, and if the member behaves in a manner that causes ill feeling amongst the group.
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Membership Benefits
- Qualified practicing members will be listed on the AORTA web site as practitioners.
- All marketing and media campaigns conducted by AORTA will be for the benefit of all members as the public will be directed to the web site. This marketing will be conducted on a local as well as an international level.
- A magazine will be published on the web site four times a year which will include content from both local and international astrologers of The Tradition. This magazine will be freely available to all members and is not available to non members.
- All local articles submitted for publication to the magazine will be marketed to international publications by AORTA.
- Two one-day workshops will be hosted during the year, providing a minimum of 8 lectures anually. Access to these workshops is freely available to all members. Members not residing in Johannesburg, South Africa, are able to download the lectures and access the Power Point presentations, thereby enjoying the same benefits as all members. These downloads are not available to non members.
- Membership discounts will apply to conferences and any other events which are organised by AORTA.
- Members will be kept updated on any new developments, published works and matters of interest with regards to astrology of The Tradition both locally and internationally.
- AORTA will market its speakers internationally once this becomes relevant.
- Members will be able to advertise their services/courses via the AORTA newsletter and web site for a fee. The fees for a banner ad on the home page will be ZAR800 for 6 months and ZAR1200 for the year. Newsletters will cost ZAR400 per newsletter and will reach a database of approximately 750 people.
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Status
AORTA is a registered club, registered as follows:
Income Tax Act, 1962 (Act 58 of 1962)
Chapter II: The Taxes
Part I: Normal Tax
30A. Recreational clubs
- For purposes of this Act, ‘‘recreational club‘‘ means any company contemplated in section 21 of the Companies Act, 1973 (Act No. 61 of 1973), society or other association of which the sole or principal object is to provide social and recreational amenities or facilities for the members of that company, society or other association.
- The Commissioner must approve a recreational club for the purposes of section 10(1)(cO) , if—
- that club has submitted to the Commissioner a copy of the constitution or other written instrument in terms of which it is established and which provides that—
- it is required to have at least three persons, who are not connected persons in relation to each other, to accept the fiduciary responsibility of that club and no single person directly or indirectly controls the decision making powers relating to that club;
iA. its activities must be carried on in a non-profit manner;
- it is prohibited from directly or indirectly distributing any surplus funds to any person, other than in terms of subparagraph (iii);
- it is required on dissolution to transfer its assets and funds to any other recreational club which is approved by the Commissioner in terms of this section or to a public benefit organisation contemplated in paragraph (a)(i) of the definition of a ‘public benefit organisation' in section 30(1) which has been approved in terms of section 30(3);
- it may not pay any remuneration to any person which is excessive, having regard to what is generally considered reasonable in the sector and in relation to the service rendered, nor may any remuneration be determined as a percentage of any amounts received or accrued to that club;
- all members must be entitled to annual or seasonal membership; and
- members are not allowed to sell their membership rights or any entitlement in terms thereof;
- the club undertakes to submit to the Commissioner a copy of any amendment to the constitution or other written instrument under which it is established; and
- the Commissioner is satisfied that the club is or was not knowingly a party to, or does not knowingly permit, or has not knowingly permitted, itself to be used as part of any transaction, operation or scheme of which the sole or main purpose is or was the reduction, postponement or avoidance of liability for any tax, duty or levy which, but for such transaction, operation or scheme, would have been or would have become payable by any person under this Act or any other Act administered by the Commissioner.
- Where the constitution or other written instrument under which the club is established does not comply with the provisions of paragraph (a) of subsection (2), it shall be deemed to so comply if a person responsible in a fiduciary position for the funds and assets of such club furnishes the Commissioner with a written undertaking by such club that such club will be administered in compliance with the provisions of this section.
- Where a club applies for approval before the later of 31 March 2009 or the last day of its first year of assessment, then the Commissioner may approve that club for purposes of this section, or for the purposes of any provision contained in section 10 prior to its amendment by section 10(1)(k) of the Revenue Laws Amendment Act, 2006, with retrospective effect.
- Where the Commissioner is—
- satisfied that any recreational club approved under subsection (2) has during any year of assessment in any material respect; or
- during any year of assessment satisfied that any such recreational club has on a continuous or repetitive basis,
failed to comply with the provisions of this section, or the constitution or other written instrument under which it was established to the extent that it relates to the provisions of this section, the Commissioner shall notify the recreational club that he or she intends to withdraw the approval of that recreational club if no corrective steps are taken by that club within a period stated in that notice.
- If no corrective steps are taken by a recreational club as contemplated in subsection (5), the Commissioner must withdraw approval of that club with effect from the commencement of the year of assessment contemplated in subsection (5).
- If the Commissioner has withdrawn the approval of a recreational club, that club must within six months after the date of that withdrawal (or such longer period as the Commissioner may allow) transfer or take reasonable steps to transfer its remaining assets to another recreational club approved in terms of this section or to a public benefit organization contemplated in terms of paragraph (a)(i) of the definition of ‘public benefit organisation' which has been approved in terms of section 30(3) and which club or organisation is not a connected person in relation to that club.
- If the recreational club fails to transfer, or to take reasonable steps to transfer, its assets as contemplated in subsection (7), an amount equal to the market value of those assets which have not been transferred less an amount equal to the bona fide liabilities of that recreational club must for purposes of this Act be deemed to be an amount of taxable income which accrued to that recreational club during the year of assessment in which approval was withdrawn.
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The Board of AORTA
- AORTA was founded by Jacqueline Brook, a professional and practicing astrologer and tutor of The Tradition.
- Jacqueline Brook is the director of AORTA and will retain this position for the duration of AORTA's lifespan.
- The board is appointed solely by Jacqueline Brook and group members do not vote for board members. It is agreed that the members are in accordance with this when applying for membership to AORTA.
- The three appointed board members selected by Jacqueline Brook agree to serve a term of 2 years where after they may accept the invitation to serve another term of office (2 years) should that invitation be extended to them.
- The board will consist of 4 members in total, including the director.
- The portfolios are as follows and job descriptions are defined in a separate document:
- A Director who will attend to communications, marketing, memberships, goals and strategies, finances and overall management of the group.
- Editor of The Chamber
- Sub editor of The Chamber and secretary.
- Events and a general portfolio.
- An annual General Meeting will be held for all members commencing in November 2010.
- A quorum for any decisions to be taken is 3 (three) board members present at any given meeting. If there is indecision the vote of the director will over ride any decisions made.
- Board members wishing to resign from the board will provide one month's notice in writing to the director.
- Board members agree to a code of confidentiality with regards to the documents, policies, finances and all other aspects of AORTA. Should this code of confidentiality be breached the director has the right to request the immediate resignation of the person concerned.
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Finances and Funding
- The director will have sole signing power on the bank account – this is necessary as payments and banking are done electronically and more than one signature becomes restrictive.
- Funding will come from membership fees, conference fees, donations and sponsorships.
- Money will be deposited in a bank account in the name of AORTA which will be held at Nedbank , South Africa .
- Board members will be remunerated for their services according to market related remuneration.
- Contractors for other services such as accounting services will be paid for their services.
- The director will attend to daily, weekly and monthly financial documentation but all tax returns and annual financial reconciliations will be addressed by an external accountant.
- Members agree that all financial decisions are to be taken by the board and members do not need to be notified of these decisions except at the annual AGM. Therefore no permission from members is required to make decisions relevant to the management of AORTA.
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Memorandum Amendment
This memorandum may be amended or changed by the board as and when it sees fit provided there is a quorum in place. Members will be notified in writing via email and at the AGM.
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