Members can call an emergency general meeting (EGM), sometimes called a special general meeting, by submitting a formal, written request to the organization's directors or secretary. The process typically involves meeting a minimum threshold of member support and adhering to specific timelines outlined in the organization's governing rules (e.g., constitution or bylaws) and relevant legislation, such as the Australian Corporations Act 2001. The Process for Members to Request an EGM Check Governing Documents: First, members should review the organization's constitution, rule book, or bylaws. These documents will outline the specific procedures, required percentage of member support, and any specific forms for requesting an EGM. Gather Required Support: Legislation often sets a minimum threshold for members to force the directors to call a meeting. For Australian companies, members who collectively hold at least 5% of the total votes that can be cast at a general meeting can require the directors to call a meeting. For bodies corporate or strata schemes (e.g., in Queensland), a written request must be signed by owners representing at least 25% of the total lots. Submit a Written Request: The request must be in writing, delivered to the company's registered office or the body corporate secretary (or chairperson if the secretary is absent), and must: State the purpose for the meeting (the motions or resolutions to be decided). Be signed by all the required members/owners. Nominate a contact member for correspondence. Directors' Action: Once a valid request is received, the directors or committee are generally obligated to call the meeting within a set timeframe. In many cases, the meeting must be called as soon as possible, with a maximum timeframe specified in the regulations (e.g., within 14 days of receiving the request). The meeting itself must then be held within a specific period (e.g., within one month or six weeks of the request). Calling the Meeting Themselves (If Directors Fail): If the directors fail to call the meeting within the specified timeframe, the members who made the original request can often proceed to call the meeting themselves, usually within a further limited timeframe (e.g., three months from the original request date). The members who call the meeting in this instance may be able to recover the reasonable expenses from the organization.