Constitution and Bylaws Senior Citizens Association of BC Branch #49 Powell River, BC Updated April 2008 Updated October 2012 Ratified April 2013 Updated October 13, 2015
SENIOR CITIZENS' ASSOCIATION OF B.C.BRANCH #49 POWELL RIVER, B. C. The name of the Society is the "Senior Citizens Association of BC, Branch #49, Powell River, BC. 1. The purposes of the Society are to protect the rights and interests of pensioners under the Old Age Security and Assistance Act, and to promote the well-being of senior citizens through community participation and social activities, however, not to own, manage or operate a social club. 2. The purposes of the Association are: A. To stimulate public interest in the welfare of the Senior Citizens of Canada for pensions and a social security that provide the means to ensure housing and living conditions that meet the seniors' needs for comfort and security. B. To protect the rights and interests of pensioners under the Old Age Security and Assistance Acts. C. To cooperate with pensioners' organizations in British Columbia and other provinces of Canada and with other individuals and groups for the purpose of promoting the pensioner movement. D. To operate as charitable institution, without purpose of gain for its members with any profits or other accretions to the Society to be used solely to promote its objectives, for the purposes of: I. constructing, providing, maintaining, leasing, owning and managing a facility to benefit the senior population of the Powell River area; II. providing mental and physical stimulation to the senior population of the Powell River area with workshops and social gatherings These provisions contained in this paragraph 2 are alterable. 3. In the event of the dissolution of this Society, all the assets of this Society shall be used for the Seniors of this area. This provision is unalterable. Page 2 of 8
BYLAWS Part I - INTERPRETATION 1. In these bylaws, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, "Branch" refers to this Society, namely Senior Citizens' Association, Branch #49, Powell River, B.C. 2. In these bylaws the words female and male persons are interchangeable. Part II - MEETINGS 1. The Executive meeting of the Branch shall usually be held prior to the General meeting. 2. The regular General Meeting of the Branch shall normally be held the second Tuesday of each month, except for July and August. 3. Notice of a special meeting may be called by the President or ten percent (10%) of the paid up members. The notice shall state the time, date, place and the general nature of the business to be dealt with and no other business will be dealt with at this meeting. This notice must be given fourteen (14) days in advance. 4. The first Annual General Meeting of the Society shall be held not more than fifteen (15) months after the date of Incorporation and after that an Annual General Meeting shall be held at least once in every calendar year and not more than fifteen (15) months after the holding of the last preceding Annual General Meeting. 5. A notice will be given to the members by public advertising two weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting. 6. Roberts Rules of Order shall be the recognized guide where the Branch or Provincial Constitution and Bylaws do not govern. Page 3 of 8
Part III - MEMBERSHIP 1. Any person of age 50 and over may become a voting member of the Branch on acceptance of application and payment of membership dues. Non-voting membership shall be available to any person who supports the aims of the organization. Hereafter the dues will be payable by January 1 st each year. 2. Application for membership may be refused by the Executive stating the reason, in writing. Membership may be cancelled by the Branch Executive for just and sufficient cause, in writing. Appeal may be made to the Branch Executive and further appeal may be made to the Provincial Executive. 3. Members of the Society are the applicants for Incorporation of the Society. 4. Every member shall uphold the Constitution and comply with these Bylaws. 5. The amount of the annual membership dues shall be set by the Branch and shall include the per capita dues as set by the Provincial Annual General Meeting. 6. A person shall cease to be a member of the Society:- a) Upon delivering their resignation, in writing, to the Secretary of the Society or by mailing or delivering it the address of the Society, or b) on their death, or c) on their membership being cancelled 7. All members are in good standing except a member who has failed to pay their current annual membership fee by January 1 st, or any other subscription or debt due and owing by them to the Society, and they are not on good standing so long as the debt remains unpaid. Page 4 of 8
Part IV - ELECTION OF OFFICERS. 1. The annual election of officers shall normally take place in December at which time the Branch shall elect as the Executive: President Vice President Secretary Treasurer 5 Directors 2. The immediate past President shall be a member of the Executive until replaced by a new past President or until such time as he gives notification of wishing to resign from said office. 3. The Past President, in respect of his experience, shall have a vote on the Board of Directors. 4. To vote at the Annual General Meeting a person must have been a member in good standing by November 1st of the current year. 5. Any member over 50 in good standing is eligible for any office in the Branch. 6. Nominations may be made from the floor. In the case of a member being nominated, who is not present at the meeting, the member making the nomination must have the signed written acceptance of the nominee, to present to the meeting. 7. No person shall hold office in more than one Branch, except as a temporary measure. 8. Any officer may be removed for cause by a majority vote of the Executive. The members must make the final decision. Appeal may be made to the Provincial Executive. 9. Branch Officers assuming office on the first of January shall receive, from the retiring Officers, all documents and keys pertaining to their respective offices. 10. A majority vote of the members present is required to elect any Officer. Officers are elected for a term of one year. 11. Standing Committee Chairmen may be appointed to serve on the Executive. 12. The quorum of the Executive shall be 50% plus one. 13. The quorum of any general meeting shall be 10% of the general membership, but never less than three persons. 14. No member shall, hold the office of President for more than two consecutive terms. Part V - EXECUTIVE Page 5 of 8
1. The President shall preside at all business and executive meetings. He shall supervise the duties of the Executive members. He shall represent the Branch before other bodies. He shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. He appoints all committee chairmen. 2. The Vice President shall assist the President and shall preside in his absence. 3. The Secretary shall record the Minutes of all regular meetings, which shall be read or circulated at the regular monthly meetings. The Secretary shall conduct the Branch correspondence. The Secretary shall maintain all records and documents of the Society except those required to be kept by the Treasurer. 4. The Treasurer shall receive and bank to the credit of the Branch all monies paid to the Branch and make disbursements. He shall keep books covering receipts and disbursements. The financial statement shall be available to all members at the monthly and annual meetings. The annual statement may be audited by an auditor approved by the membership. Signing officers shall be any two of the following:-president, Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary 5. The Executive shall, as soon as practicable after the beginning of the new year, present to the General Meeting an Annual Financial Statement of receipts and disbursements examined and approved by the Branch Auditors, a copy of which shall be sent to the Registrar of Companies and appropriate government agencies. Part VI - BORROWING 1. In order to carry out the purpose of the society the directors may, on behalf of and in the name of the Society, raise and secure a loan by encumbering Branch property. 2. No loan or debenture shall be issued without the sanction of a special resolution or arranged without it first having been proposed using a notice of motion and 75% of the members present voting in the affirmative. 3. The members may by special resolution restrict the borrowing powers of the directors, but a restriction imposed expires at the next Annual General meeting. Page 6 of 8
Part VII - EXECUTIVE 1. The President shall announce, at the first meeting of the year, his appointments of Chairmen for each committee necessary to carry on the activities of the Branch. Each Chairman shall have the privilege of selecting members of his committee, which shall consist of at least three members. 2. In case of a vacancy occurring in any office, the Executive shall appoint a member of the Branch to serve the remainder of the term. 3. The Executive shall meet regularly before the time of the Branch meeting and make recommendations to the Branch as to the disposal of the business to come before the Branch. The Executive shall act in an advisory capacity on all matters pertaining to the Branch welfare and prosperity, outline its policies and submit suggestions for approval. 4. Recommendations put forward by the Executive shall require a majority vote of the members present at a general meeting. 5. The Executive shall not spend any sum in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) without the approval of the general meeting. This figure is to be reviewed in January of each year. 6. Any member of the Executive who fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the Executive shall no longer be considered a member of the Executive unless a good reason for continued absence can be given. 7. Branch bylaws may be changed by Notice of Motion with at least 75% of the members present voting in the affirmative. The bylaws must be submitted to the Provincial Executive, Registrar Of Companies and Canada Revenue Agency. 8. The Branch Secretary shall follow the Provincial bylaws regarding membership and per capita fees. 9. The Branch may elect delegates to represent them at the Annual Convention of the Senior Citizens Association of BC. Branches will be allowed one delegate for the first 100 members plus one delegate for each additional 100 members, or part thereof. PART VIII - ORDER OF BUSINESS 1. Call to order. Reading of Minutes of last meeting. Business arising from the Minutes. Correspondence. Treasurer's Report. Committee Reports Unfinished Business. New Business. Adjournment. Page 7 of 8
Part IX - COMMITTEES 1. Finance Committee. The Treasurer shall be Chairman. The Executive as a whole shall constitute this committee. In January all Committee chairpersons may present to the Executive and the General meeting, an operating budget for approval. No goods are to be purchased or contracts agreed to, that exceed Part 7 Item 5, without first having the approval of the Executive and General meeting. 2. All other committees shall be formed, as required, from the Executive and the general membership. Each committee will report to the Executive, as requested. Part X - Voting 1. Voting is by show of hands unless standing vote is required by the Chairman or the membership. 2. A secret ballot may be requested by regular motion from the floor. Part XI - GENERAL 1. This Branch is a branch of the Senior Citizens' Association of British Columbia and subject to the Constitution and Bylaws of that Society. 2. There shall be no subsidiary organization of the Branch. 3. The books and records of the Branch may be inspected by any member in good standing, if reasonable notice is given. 4. The Branch may acquire property and accumulate funds. In the event of the Branch forfeiting or surrendering its charter, all records and assets of the Branch shall become the property of the Provincial Association. The Provincial Executive shall settle outstanding accounts of the said branch, using only funds and assets of the Branch. 5. In the event of outstanding debts exceeding assets of the Branch, such debts shall be settled on a pro rata basis. 6. Any remaining funds or property shall be used to the benefit of seniors living in the area where the Branch was located. 7. The Provincial Association shall not be responsible for costs incurred by the Branch or its members. 8. The term member in good standing can properly be applied only to those who hold a valid membership card for the current year. Page 8 of 8