East Coast First People Alliance. Alliance Premier Peuple de la Côte-Est. Constitution

Transcription

1 1 East oast First People lliance lliance Premier Peuple de la ôte-est onstitution 2014

2 2 TLE OF ONTENTS RTILE 1 NME.. 3 RTILE 2 INTERPRETTION. 3 RTILE 3 EFINITION OF THE LLINE... 3 RTILE 4 MISSION N PURPOSES OF E.. F. P../. P.P.. E.3, 4 RTILE 5 Y-LWS.... 4, 5 RTILE 6 OR OF IRETORS 5 RTILE 7 FUNING. 5 RTILE 8 ISSOLUTION OF THE OMPNY LLINE.... 5

3 3 EST OST FIRST PEOPLE LLINE LLINE PREMIER PEUPLE E L ÔTE-EST RTILE 1 NME The name of this ompany will be East oast First People lliance/ lliance Premier Peuple de la ôte-est with its head office in the city of Edmundston N. anada. The business office address follows the current President and any mention of the name lliance in the onstitution or in the by-laws will be interpreted and understood that it means lliance and lliance. RTILE 2 INTERPRETTION Section 4 lliance will mean the East oast First People lliance/lliance Premier Peuple de la ôte-est. Members are any person who qualifies and is accepted for membership in the lliance under rticle 1 of the y-laws of the ompany oard of irectors will mean the persons elected to serve on the oard of irectors defined in rticle 6 of the onstitution. onstitution will mean this onstitution. The y-laws are not included in the onstitution The y-laws will be used as a guideline. RTILE 3 EFINITION OF THE LLINE The lliance will consist of members who accept this onstitution and the y-laws, and who actively support the mission and purposes of the lliance. The lliance is open to all boriginal People as defined by the onstitution anada, 1982, section 35(2) which says: boriginal People of anada includes the Indians, Inuit and Métis of anada. The lliance represents the people of New runswick who identify as aboriginal Metis people. The East oast First People s lliance/ lliance Premier Peuple de la ôte-est is a NTION established as a Non Profit orporation RTILE 4 MISSION N PURPOSES OF E.. F. P.. /. P. P.. E

4 4 The East oast First People s lliance/lliance Premier Peuple de la ôte-est is a nonprofit local organization operated by a oard of irectors accountable to its membership and whose purpose is to promote the social well-being, the culture, the heritage, and the human and legal rights of its members, to represent its members before government, to carry out precedent court actions on behalf of its members, to provide administrative structure and facilities that carry out activities to promote information, education, research, communication and linkages with other groups of similar interest, to purchase or acquire assets solely for the growth of the corporation membership with intent to move forward the cause for recognition of the boriginal Metis people of New runswick. E F G H I J K L To promote the social well-being, the culture, the heritage, the human rights of and the legal rights of its members To form a local organization made up of the members of the lliance. To represent its membership before government and regulatory bodies To fund and carry out precedent setting court actions on behalf of its members, if funding is available. To raise funds to carry out the lliance mission, purposes and objectives and to administer its activities To provide the administrative structure and facilities for carrying out its activities To foster contact communication structure and co-operation with other groups with similar purposes and objectives To carry out workshops meetings, seminars, social activities and information sessions promoting the mission, purposes and objectives of the lliance To do research of any and all matter relating to the mission, the purposes and objectives of the lliance. To acquire, accept, solicit or receive by purchase, lease, contract, donation, gift, exchange, grant, concession, bequest or otherwise and to hold, rent, sell, convey, exchange, lease, mortgage and otherwise dispose of for the purposes of the lliance any real or personal property and any rights or privileges solely for the above mission objectives and purposes and to invest and reinvest any principal or sums in such manner as may from time to time be determined by the oard of irectors and/or (its) members. To carry on any other activity which in the opinion of the oard of irectors and members can be advantageously carried on provided that the said activities are conducted to promote the above stated mission, purposes and objectives and is of a non-profit nature within the legal meaning of the words non-profit. No part of any income will be payable to or otherwise available for the personal benefit of any members. To employ and pay such employees, officers, assistants, clerks, agents and representatives and incur reasonable expenses as may be necessary to achieve these not-profit purposes.

5 5 M To do all other such things as the lliance is empowered to do by Section 4 ( to M inclusive) of the ompany and purposes of the lliance. RTILE 5 Y-LWS The by-laws of the lliance will regulate the: E F G uties and rights of its members Terms of admission of the members Power and function of the oard of irectors, executives, officers and founding members ay to day functioning of the lliance Guidelines of the disposal of the lliance assets on dissolution anking and investments of the lliance reation, powers, function and dissolution of local organizations within the lliance RTILE 6 OR OF IRETORS E President Vice-president Secretary Treasurer One zone director per zone RTILE 7 FUNING lliance will be maintained by the annual membership fees, grants and any other monies earned in the promotion of the lliance mission purposes and objectives The ompany will not issues capital stock. RTILE 8 ISSOLUTION OF THE OMPNY LLINE - The existence of this ompany will be perpetual unless sooner dissolved by the vote of no less than 75% of the members at the duly called meeting of the general membership. - ny real or personal property remaining on liquidation of the orporation, after discharge of liabilities, shall be distributed to one or more qualified donees within the meaning of subsection 248 (1) of the Income Tax ct. The y-laws are annexed to this onstitution document starting at Page 6 s stated above the y-laws are not part of the onstitution.

6 6 Y-LWS TLE OF ONTENTS RTILE 1 Membership 7 RTILE 2 Responsibilities of members 8 RTILE 3 Rights and Privileges of members 8 RTILE 4 Membership fees 8 RTILE 5 oard of directors qualification, tenure and duties 8,9,10 RTILE 6 Removal of a member of the board of directors 11 RTILE 7 Vacancies on the board of directors 11 RTILE 8 Nomination for the board of directors 11 RTILE 9 oard of directors 11,12 RTILE 10 oard of directors duties 12 RTILE 11 Remuneration of the officers 12 RTILE 12 Sub-committees of the oard of irectors 13 RTILE 14 mending the onstitution 13 RTILE 16 anking 14 RTILE 17 Reliability Insurance 14 RTILE 18 Seal the lliance 14 Y-LWS OF THE

7 7 EST OST FIRST PEOPLE LLINE LLINE PREMIER PEUPLE E L ÔTE-EST RTILE 1 MEMERSHIP The members of the lliance will consist of regular and honorary members. In addition the lliance may establish zones within specific geographic areas. Members may also be members of any such zone if they live within the geographic area covered by the zone. Members have to prove their ancestries with the documentation, ex: birth, marriage, licences, and baptism certificates. Regular members: ny person of aboriginal ancestry who has agreed to support the mission, the objectives and purposes of the E.. F. P.. /. P. P... as defined in the constitution and by-laws and who has paid the annual membership dues may become a regular member entitled to all privileges of membership. The children of adult members, whether they are natural or legally adopted, at 14 years old can be members, but do not have rights to vote until 18 years old and are in good standing with the lliance. Members who wish to be removed from the lliance must send a request letter along with his/her identification card to the oard of irectors. The directors must remove his/her file from the lliance files and return the file to the member along with a letter stating that he/she is no longer a member of the lliance. The oard of irectors can expel a member if he/she has been proven to be in default according to the onstitution and y-laws of the lliance. Honorary members There will be honorary membership for those persons whose interests, special Skills or endeavours have supported the EFP/PPE. The names of honorary members will be recommended to the oard of irectors by two or more members in good standing who present with facts to support the nomination. The nomination must be accepted by the oard of irectors by a majority vote. Local /zone membership The criteria will be established by the lliance in accordance with the by-laws and supported by the members. RTILE 2 RESPONSIILITIES OF MEMERS It will be the responsibility of each member to:

8 8 RTILE 3 Support and promote the mission, objectives and purposes of the lliance Encourage other people to become members of the lliance Volunteer time to work for the lliance as a contribution to the lliance RIGHTS N PRIVILEGES OF THE MEMERS E F G H ttend all annual or special meetings of the lliance. ttend all functions such as local meetings, seminars, workshops and public activities. Receive copies of all notices and publications issued by the lliance e selected by the oard of irectors to serve on various Standing and d hoc committees carrying out lliance business. e nominated for and, if elected, to serve on the board of directors. Move or second motions for the consideration of the membership or nominate persons for membership or election on the oard of irectors. Vote on any and all matters requiring only members in good standing One (1) member = one (1) vote Honorary members will receive an honorary certification. This does not incur the rights or privileges of the members In addition to the rights and privileges listed in section 1 of this article, regular members are entitled to receive a certificate of membership (card). RTILE 4 MEMERSHIP FEES The oard of irectors may revise, request a revision or amend the membership fee schedule, but any such change will be approved by the membership at the annual meeting of the lliance before being in effect. The oard of irectors may waive the annual membership fee for anyone in the local membership who is in hardship or need The membership fee of ten dollars ($10) to be paid at this annual general meeting (GM) to the end of fiscal year March t that point a membership fee $10 will be paid at the Fiscal year beginning (pril 1 st ). Those members who do not pay their fee will be put on a list of inactive. RTILE 5 THE OR OF IRETORS QULIFITIONS, TENURE N UTIES ny member who is not in good standing with the lliance and is not of legal age cannot be elected to the oard of irectors. The hairperson (Master of ceremony) when necessary, must be elected at the annual meeting and is for that annual meeting only.

9 9 Section 4 E F G H I J K L M N Section 5 E F G The zone directors must be elected for a term of three (3) years by the members belonging to the respective zone at zone meetings being held in those zones. Only members in good standing and of legal age can vote. member cannot belong to two (2) different zones. The President will be chief executive officer of the lliance and his/her duties include: Presiding over our all board meetings and general meeting asting the deciding votes at meetings in case of a tie. eciding all questions and such decisions to stand unless overruled by a vote not less than 2/3 of the members present Representing the lliance to the public and to any government bodies Serving as an ex-officio member on sub-committees that the oard of irectors may appoint. Supervising the work of all staff and other officers Keeping the membership informed that the President will be elected for a term of three (3) years; that the members will choose the President at the annual meeting. Enforcing the onstitution and the y-laws of the lliance Signing all cheques as one of the signing officers - after approval for payment by a majority of the oard of irectors. Serving as hairperson of all sub-committees appointed by the oard of irectors and co-ordinating the work of such sub-committees ssuming responsibility for all routine correspondence of the lliance Receiving notices of proposed amendments to the onstitution and ylaws and presenting them to the oard of irectors. Maintaining an up-to-date record of all amendments to the onstitution and the y-laws ttending to other duties as may be established from time to time by the oard of irectors. The duties of vice-president ssisting the President Performing the duties of the President at such times as the President is unable to act. arrying out a public relation programs for the lliance. Maintaining an accurate and up to date registry of members, their status, address and their standing as members. ssuring the members receives their certificate of membership The Vice-President will be a signing officer of the lliance. He/she will be elected for a term of two (2) years, the members will vote at an annual meeting.

10 10 Section 6 Section 7 E F G H I J Section 8 The duties of the secretary Keep records of all oard of irectors meetings and general meetings Notify the membership of the date, agenda, time and location of all general meetings at least 30 days before such meetings This position is appointed by the oard of irectors. Treasurer eing a signing officer of the lliance. Receiving, recording, depositing all funds and securities belonging to the lliance ssuming custody of all monies, funds and securities belonging to the lliance This position to be appointed by the oard of irectors. Maintaining all bank accounts in a chartered bank of anada or some other financial institution. Keeping an accurate up to date record of all monies received and disbursed including the reasons for disbursement. Issuing all cheques of the lliance and obtaining the approval of the majority of the oard of irectors for all financial transactions and ensuring that the counter signature of signing officer is on all cheques Having available for inspection at all times for the oard of irectors all books records, and papers pertaining to the finances of the lliance o-operating with any auditor appointed by the oard of irectors to inspect and audit the financial books records and papers of the lliance. Provide a written summary of the finances of the lliance at the oard of irectors meetings and to the membership at all annual meetings. The duties of the directors To attend and participate in regular meetings of the oard of irectors To fulfill appropriate responsibilities on various sub-committees as defined by the oard of irectors. To attend and participate in general meetings of the lliance Section 9 When the terms of the President and/or the Vice-President expire at the same time and that circumstances are such that no other option is available and no election is possible be it that the directors can extend the terms of the President and/or the Vice-President until the next GM. RTILE 6 REMOVL OF MEMER OF THE OR OF IRETORS

11 11 Where a member of the oard of irectors has missed 5 meetings of the board in the course of the year and does not have reasons acceptable to the board, his/her position will be vacant. RTILE 7 VNIES ON THE OR OF IRETORS ny members of legal age and in good standing who is filling a vacancy on the oard of irectors will be understood to be filling that position only until the next annual meeting at which time the office will be filled through the elections by the membership. The vote will be secret if the election is for president and vice-president. vacancy in the office of the President will be filled by the Vice- President until the next annual meeting and a new President will be appointed to the vacancy. ny vacancy at the oard of irectors will be filled by another member of the oard of irectors. RTILE 8 NOMINTION FOR THE OR OF IRETORS oncurrent with notification as to the date of any meeting, members will be informed as to which position on the oard of irectors will be opened to nominations. Nominations may be registered either by mail (in which case the nomination will be received by the secretary) or at the annual meeting provided that: The nominee is a member in good standing. The nominee is also a member in good standing and indicated that he or she is willing to allow his or her name to stand. RTILE 9 OR OF IRETORS oard of irectors meetings will be held at a place and time convenient to the majority of the board no less frequently than once every two (2) months. oard of irectors meetings will be called either by the President or the request of the majority of the oard of irectors, quorum will be a majority of the oard of irectors.

12 12 Section 4 Voting at board meetings will be by a show of hands unless a recorded vote is requested by a board member in which case it will be by secret ballots. RTILE 10 FOUNERS UTIES Section 4 Section 5 uties and rights of the founders. The founders will be the guardians over all the business concerning to the lliance. The founders will have the rights to call special meeting when the founders feel it s necessary to do so, within a timely matters. The decision to call a special meeting will not be disputed by the President or Vice-President or anyone of the executives, which will also include the oard of irectors. Should the founders have reasons to call a special meeting, the oard of irectors and the executives, will not act on any decision made by the board or executive prior to the decision of the special meeting of the members. The founders will not have rights to vote at any board meeting. Section 6 Section 7 The founders will be advised of all meetings and will be allowed to attend the meetings, to follow the progress of the lliance. The founders traveling expenses for attending the meetings will be paid by the lliance in the event funds are available. RTILE 11 REMUNERTION OF THE OFFIERS President, vice-director, secretary and treasurer may be salaried position if funds are available and reasonable expenses will also be paid in the carrying out of their respective duties if funds are available. The directors will receive reasonable expenses for attendance at each board meeting if funding is available. The oard of irectors will suggest the salary and honorarium to be paid; the oard of irectors will approve all expenses paid to the directors. RTILE 12 SU-OMMITTEES OF THE OR OF IRETORS

13 13 The board of directors will create any standing or ad hoc sub-committees as the need arises. RTILE 13 NNUL MEETING. nnual meeting will be held at least once a year at a time and place to be decided by the oard of irectors and within 4 months of the end of the fiscal year of the lliance. Members will be notified of the date, time, location and agenda of such meeting not less than 30 calendar days in advance 2. Notification of a special meeting shall be given to the membership no later than 7 days prior the said meeting. Section 4 Section 5 Other general meetings may be either by the oard of irectors or by petition of at least 5% membership or by the founding members. quorum will be 50 members of the lliance. The quorum will be verified from the register book signed by members. The verification will be made by the chairman of the assembly. Voting at annual meetings will be by a show of hands of members of the lliance who can vote, and who is of legal age. RTILE 14 MENING THE ONSTITUTION Section 4 The onstitution will be amended only at an nnual Meeting of the lliance. Only members in good standing will be eligible to vote on the onstitution. motion to amend the onstitution will be declared passed when not less than 50% + 1 of those voting on the motion vote in favor. ll amendments will be accepted by the ministerial office before being acted upon. RTILE 15 UIT The fiscal year ends for the East oast First People lliance/lliance Premier Peuple de la ôte-est will be March 31. The board of directors will appoint an auditor to review the fiscal account lliance before the annual meeting. RTILE 16 NKING

14 14 The lliance will maintain all bank accounts in a chartered bank of anada, trust company or union and all funds will be deposited in such an institution except funds that may be invested in such securities. There will be four (4) signing officers for the lliance: President Vic-President Secretary Treasurer ny 2 of the signing officers sign all cheques RTILE 17 LIILITY INSURNE RTILE 18 SEL Will be purchased for all executives and oard of irectors if funds are available. Whereas the issue of the seal has never been placed in our constitution and by-laws, it is moved to have the seal clause to be placed under rticle 18.