In terms of the regional branches, I’ll be inclined to vote for the second option where every branch has equal weighting. I don’t see the point in making temporary changes to the constitution that will need to be updated later. Let’s make one change that is future-proof, while we’re still fairly small and flexible. The Auckland branch should be no different to the other branches, the structure should be egalitarian so that there is no perception of bias towards any branch.
Each branch can maintain its own gear pool and bank account and have its own committee. Branches can lend each other funds for projects, with the coordination of the President, so even if some are wealthier the others can benefit. Each branch can experiment independently with approaches to marketing, funding, etc, and the approaches that prove successful can be adopted by other branches. The outstanding question is then whether a central bank account is also needed, for funding activities that benefit all the branches such as national marketing, a national publication, national infrastructure such as the society website and Diatribe, etc. Where would the funds for that central account come from, given that it’s individual branches who will usually make the income?
I’d also suggest that the role of overall President of the society should be an elected role that any member of the society can be voted into, regardless of whether they also hold another position in the committee(s). I don’t see why it would have to be a committee member, so I’d like to propose that aspect of the proposal either be dropped or another option added. As the society expands and the role of President becomes more demanding, it may become desirable for the President to not be burdened with additional duties. However, if the President is allowed to hold another position as well, rather than being required to, that’s more flexible.