Bylaws Of The Rotary Club Of Dartmouth ( Club )

Transcription

1 DEFINITIONS In these Bylaws, unless there is something in the subject or context inconsistent therewith: (a) Club means Rotary Club of Dartmouth (b) Registrar means Registrar of Joint Stock Companies appointed under the Nova Scotia Companies Act; Special Resolution means a resolution passed by not less than three-fourths (3/4) of such members entitled to vote as are present in person or by proxy, where proxies are allowed, at a General Meeting of which notice is specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a Special Resolution has been duly given; (c) Officers means those individuals be elected to the position of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer; (d) Rotary Year means the twelve (12) month period commencing July 1st and ending on June 30th; (e) Presiding Officer means the officer entitled to chair a meeting of the Club or of the Board; (f) Board means the members of the Board of Directors of the Club elected according to the procedures set out in these Bylaws. OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS 1.1 Officers and Directors-At-Large The Club shall elect four (4) Officers, namely the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and two (2) Directors-At-Large at the annual General Meeting prior to December 16th of each year in accordance with the procedures in Article II. 1.2 Members of the Board of Directors The Officers and Directors-At-Large, so elected, together with the immediate Past President shall constitute the Board of Directors (collectively called the Board in these Bylaws) for the ensuing Rotary Year commencing July 1st. 1.3 Powers of the Board of Directors The governing body of the Club shall be the Board. The management of the activities of the Society shall be vested in the directors who, in addition to the powers and authorities by these Bylaws or otherwise expressly conferred upon them, may exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Society and are not hereby or by Statute expressly directed or required to be exercised or done by the Society in general meeting. 1.4 Vacancies on Board A vacancy on the Board or any Office shall be filled by action of the remaining members of the Board, subject to Clause Incoming Officers The incoming Officers, each year, shall meet in common with the outgoing Officers, at least twice before July 1st. These meetings are to provide continuity of operation. 1.6 Removal of Officer or Director The Club may by Special Resolution remove any member of the Board before the expiration of his or her term and appoint another person in his or her stead, who shall hold office during the remainder of the term of person whom her or she replaced Bylaws of the Rotary Club of Dartmouth ELECTION PROCEDURE 2.1 Election of Officers and Directors-At-Large At a regular meeting before December 1st in each year, the presiding Officers shall ask for nominations for Officers and Directors-At-Large. The nominations may be presented by a nominating committee or by members from the floor or by both. The nominations so made shall be placed on a ballot in alphabetical order under each office and shall be voted for at the annual meeting called in accordance with Clause 4.1. The candidates for President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer receiving a majority of the 1 P a g e

2 votes shall be declared elected to their respective offices. The two candidates for Director-At-Large receiving a majority of the votes shall be declared elected as Directors-At-Large. Where there is only one candidate for an office that person shall be acclaimed to such office by the presiding Officer. The Vice- President elected in such balloting shall serve on the Board as the President-elect for the year commencing on the first day of July next following the election, and shall assume office as President on the first day of July immediately following the year of service on the Board as President-elect if elected as President in December of the year of service as President-elect. 2.2 Nominating Committee The Nominating Committee shall present a proposed slate of Officers and Directors-At-Large at a regular meeting of the Club to be held any time prior to December 1st of each year. The Nominating Committee shall consist of the President of the Club, the two most recent Past Presidents who continue to be members of the Club and a fourth member of the Club, who is not a current Officer or Director of the Club nor a Past President, appointed by the Board. Any three (3) members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Nominating Committee and the most recent Past President who is still a member of the Club shall act as Chair thereof. 2.3 Vacancy Before July 1st In the event of the transfer, resignation or death of any Officer or Director of the Club before commencing his or her term of office, the Nominating Committee shall reconvene at the request of the presiding Officer to appoint a replacement or to effect any adjustments necessitated by such transfer, resignation or death. Vacancies after July 1st shall be filled according to Clause 1.4. DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND SERGEANT-AT-ARMS 3.1 President It shall be the duty of the President to preside at meetings of the Club and Board and to perform such other duties as ordinarily pertain to the office of President. 3.2 Vice-President and President-Elect It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to preside at meetings of the Club and Board in the absence of the President and to perform such other duties as ordinarily pertain to the office of Vice-President and President-elect. 3.3 Secretary It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the records of membership; record the attendance at meetings; send out notices of meetings of the Club; Board and Club Assemblies; record and preserve the minutes of such meetings; make the required reports to Rotary International, including the semiannual reports of membership, which shall be made to the General Secretary of Rotary International on January 1st and July 1st of each year, and including prorated reports to the General Secretary on October 1st and April 1st of each active, senior active and past service member who has been elected to membership in the Club since the start of the July or January semiannual reporting period, the report of changes in membership, which shall be made to the General Secretary of Rotary International, the monthly report of attendance at the Club meetings, which shall be made to the District Governor immediately following the last meeting of the month; collect and remit to Rotary International subscriptions to The Rotarian; and perform such other duties as usually pertain to the office of Secretary. 3.4 Treasurer It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to have custody of all funds, accounting for same to the Club annually and at any other time upon demand by the Board and to perform such other duties as pertain to the office of Treasurer. Upon retirement from office the Treasurer shall turn over to the incoming Treasurer or to the President all funds, books of accounts or any other Club property.bylaws of the Rotary Club of Halifax Harbourside 3.5 Sergeant-At-Arms 2 P a g e

3 The duties of the Sergeant-At-Arms shall be such as are usually prescribed for such office and such other duties as may be prescribed by the President or the Board, including having the meeting place in order, the gavel and banners in place, guiding visitors to the sign-in desk and assisting with seating. He or she shall maintain order and have members in place at starting time. MEETINGS 4.1 Annual Meeting An annual meeting of the Club shall be held at a meeting held between December 1st and December 15th (both inclusive) of each year which has been designated by the Board as the annual General Meeting of the Club, at which time the election of Officers and Directors to serve for the ensuing Rotary Year shall take place. 4.2 Regular Meetings The regular weekly meetings of the Club shall be held at 7:15 a.m. on Friday of each week, provided that in any emergency or for good cause, the Board may (g) change the regular meeting of any week to a different day of the same week or to a different hour of the regular day, or (h) cancel the regular meeting of any week because it falls on a legal holiday, or because of the death of the Club President, or any epidemic or disaster affecting the entire community. Due notice of any changes in or canceling of the regular meeting shall be given to all members of the Club. 4.3 Special Meetings of Club & Assemblies Special meetings of the membership may be called by the President upon due notice being given to all members. The President shall call at least two special meetings of the Club each year which shall be designated as Club Assemblies. 4.4 Minimum Attendance at Meetings All members excepting an honorary member (or member excused by the Board of this Club, pursuant to article VII, section 3 of the standard Rotary Club Constitution) in good standing in this Club, on the day of the regular meeting, must be counted as present or absent, and attendance must be evidenced by the member being present for at least sixty (60) percent of the time devoted to the regular meeting, either at this Club or at any other Rotary Club. 4.5 Quorum for Club Meetings One-third (1/3) of the membership shall constitute a quorum at the annual, regular and special meetings of the Club. 4.6 Regular and Special Meetings of the Board Regular meetings of the Board shall be held once each month. Special meetings of the Board shall be called by the President, whenever deemed necessary, or upon the request of two (2) members of the Board, due notice having been given. 4.7 Quorum for Board Meetings A majority of the Board members shall constitute a quorum of the Board. FEES AND DUES 5.1 Membership Admission Fee The admission fee payable by an applicant for membership shall be an amount recommended from time to time by the Board and approved by a vote of members of which a majority of two-thirds (2/3) of those in attendance must vote in favor of the recommendation. At least seven (7) days notice shall be given to each member before any meeting at which such vote is to be taken. Such admission fee is to be in addition to the annual dues, both to be paid before the applicant qualifies as a member. Bylaws of the Rotary Club of Halifax Harbourside 5.2 Annual Membership Dues 3 P a g e

4 The membership dues shall be payable within thirty (30) days of being billed and shall be an amount recommended from time to time by the Board and approved by a vote of members of which a majority of two-thirds of those in attendance must vote in favor of the recommendation. At least seven days (7) notice shall be given to each member before any meeting at which such vote is to be taken. METHOD OF VOTING 6.1 Voting The business of this Club shall be transacted by voting by a show of hands except the election of Officers and Directors, which shall be by secret ballot. Each member shall have one vote at a meeting of the Club. Each member of the Board shall have one vote at a meeting of the Board. In the event of an equality of votes, the Chairman of the meeting shall have a second vote. FORMATION OF COMMITTEES 7.1 Standing Committees The President shall, subject to the approval of the Board, appoint the following Standing Committees: Club Service Committees in the following areas: Fellowship; Membership; Program and Speaker; Public Relations; Fund Raising; Vocational Service Committee; Community Service Committee; International Service Committee. 7.2 Additional Committees The President may, subject to the approval of the Board, also appoint such other committees on particular phases of club service, vocational service, community service and international service as deemed necessary. 7.3 Appointments to Committees The Club Service Committees, the Vocational Service Committee, the Community Service Committee, and the International Service Committee shall each consist of a Chair, who shall be named by the President and one or more other members appointed by the Board. Each Committee shall have at least one member who is a member of the Board. 7.4 President Ex-Officio The President shall be ex officio a member of all Committees and, as such, shall have all the privileges of membership thereon. 7.5 Duties and Responsibilities of Committees Each Committee shall transact such business as is delegated to it in the Bylaws and such additional business as may be referred to it by the President or the Board. Except where special authority is given by the Board, such Committees shall not take action until a report has been made to the Board and approved by the Board. Bylaws of the Rotary Club of Halifax Dartmouth 7.6 Continuity on Committees Where feasible and practicable in the appointment of Club Committees, there should be provision for continuity of membership, either by appointing one or more members for a second term or by appointing one or more members to a two-year term. DUTIES OF COMMITTEES 8.1 Club Service Committees 4 P a g e

5 These Committees shall devise and carry into effect plans which will guide and assist the members of this Club in discharging their respective responsibilities in matters relating to Club service. (a) Membership Committee This Committee shall: Consider all proposals for membership from the personal side and shall thoroughly investigate the character, business, social and community standing, and general eligibility of all persons proposed for membership and report their decisions on all applications to the Board; As early as possible, but no later than August 31st of each year, make a classification survey of the community; compile from the survey a roster of filled and unfilled classifications, applying the classification principle; review, where necessary, existing classifications represented in the Club; and counsel with the Board on all classification problems; Review continually the Club roster of filled and unfilled classifications and take positive action to initiate and present to the Board the names of suitable persons to fill unfilled classifications; Devise means for encouraging attendance at all Rotary meetings including attendance at district conferences, intercity meetings, regional conferences, and international conventions by all Club members; Encourage attendance at regular meetings of this Club and attendance at regular meetings of other clubs when unable to attend meetings of this Club; keep all members informed on attendance requirements; Promote better incentives for good attendance; and seek to ascertain and remove the conditions that contribute to unsatisfactory attendance, and; To give prospective members information about the privileges and responsibilities of membership in a Rotary club and to give the members, especially the new members, adequate understanding of the privileges and responsibilities of members. (b) Fellowship Committee This Committee shall promote acquaintance and friendship among the members, promote participation by members in organized Rotary recreational and social activities, and do such work in pursuance of the general object of the Club as may be assigned by the President or the Board. (c) Program and Speakers Committee This Committee shall prepare and arrange the programs for the regular and special meetings of the Club. (d) Public Relations Committee This Committee shall devise and carry into effect, plans to give the public general information about Rotary, its history, object, and scope, and to secure proper publicity for the Club.Bylaws of the Rotary Club of Dartmouth 8.2 Vocational Service Committee This Committee shall devise and carry into effect plans which will guide and assist the members of this Club to engage in vocational service projects. The Chairman of this Committee shall be responsible for the vocational service activities of the Club and shall supervise and coordinate the work of any Committees that may be appointed on particular phases of vocational service. 8.3 Community Service Committee This Committee shall devise and carry into effect plans which will guide and assist the members of this Club in discharging their responsibilities in their community relationships and to devise and carry into effect plans which will guide and assist the members of this Club in working to make the community a better place to live by improving the physical condition of the community and its facilities. The Chairman of this Committee shall be responsible for the community service activities of the Club and shall supervise and coordinate the work of any Committees that may be appointed on particular phases of community service. 8.4 International Service Committee This Committee shall devise and carry into effect plans which will guide and assist the members of this Club in discharging their responsibilities in matters relating to international service and to devise and carry into effect plans which will guide and assist the members of this Club in dealing within the community with 5 P a g e

6 the welfare of human beings of all kinds throughout the whole span of life by providing assistance and support to those in need. The Chairman of this Committee shall be responsible for the international service activities of the Club and shall supervise and coordinate the work of any Committees that may be appointed on particular phases of international service. LEAVE OF ABSENCE 9.1 Application to the Board Upon written application setting forth good and sufficient cause, the Board may grant a member leave of absence excusing that member from attending the meetings of the Club for a specified length of time not to exceed twelve months. 9.2 Effect of Leave of Absence Such leave of absence operates to prevent a forfeiture of membership; it does not operate to give the club credit for the member's attendance. Unless the member attends a regular meeting of some other Club, the excused member must be recorded as absent except that absence authorized under the provision of Article VII, 8.3 of the Standard Rotary Club Constitution is not computed in the attendance record of the Club. FINANCES 10.1 Receipts The Treasurer shall deposit all funds of the Club in a financial institution to be named by the Board Signing Authority Cheques and withdrawals shall be signed by any two of the President, Vice-President, Secretary or Treasurer. Contracts, deeds, bills of exchange and other instruments and documents may be executed on behalf of the Club by any two of the President, Vice-President, Secretary or Treasurer, or otherwise as prescribed by resolution of the Board of Directors Borrowing Powers The borrowing powers of the Club may be exercised by Special Resolution of the members Auditor An auditor shall be appointed by the members at the annual general meeting upon the recommendation of the Board for the ensuing year to examine and report to the Board and the members at the next annual General Meeting the financial transactions of the Club. The auditor need not be a licensed public accountant Fiscal Year The fiscal year of this Club shall be the Rotary Year, namely from July 1st to June 30th. Bylaws of the Rotary Club of Halifax Dartmouth 10.6 Annual Budget At the beginning of each fiscal year the Board shall prepare or cause to be prepared a budget of estimated income and estimated expenditures for the year, which, having been agreed to by the Board, shall stand as the limit of expenditures for the respective purposes unless otherwise ordered by action of the Board Convention Fund The Club may maintain a Convention Fund, the purpose of which shall be to assist the incoming President or other members of the Club to attend Rotary Conventions Charitable Trust The Board may establish, upon approval of the members, a Charitable Trust and register it with Revenue Canada as a Public Charitable Foundation as defined by the Income Tax Act of Canada and be provided with a registration number. All funds or donations received by the said Foundation shall be held 6 P a g e

7 by the Trustees for deposit to the Trust Fund to be administered in accordance with the terms of the Deed of Trust Trustees The Trustees shall be those Officers named in the Deed of Trust, providing such Trusteeship shall be relinquished on vacating such office to a successor for that office, who shall then become a Trustee. METHOD OF ELECTING MEMBERS 11.1 Admission to Membership The subscribers to the Memorandum of Association and the other members of Rotary Club of Halifax Dartmouth at the date of incorporation of the Club as is certified by the Secretary of the Club together with such persons as shall be admitted to membership in accordance with these Bylaws, and none other, shall be members of the Club, and their names shall be entered in the Register of Members accordingly Number of Members For purposes of registration, the number of members of the Club is unlimited Nontransferable Membership The Club shall be non-transferable General Qualifications of Members Membership shall be limited to adult persons of good character and good business or professional reputation Categories of Membership The Club shall have four kinds of membership, namely: (n) active; (o) senior active; (p) past service; and, (q) honorary. The terms and conditions of each category of membership shall be set out in the Bylaws of Rotary International Classifications Each active member of the Club shall be classified in accordance with the member s business or profession. The classification shall be that which covers the principal and recognized activity of the firm, company or institution with which such member is connected or which covers such member s principal and recognized business or professional activity Proposal for Membership The name of a prospective member, proposed by an active, senior active, or past service member of the Club, shall be submitted to the Board in writing, through the Secretary. The Board shall then refer it to the Membership Bylaws of the Rotary Club of Halifax Harbourside Committee which shall consider whether the proposed member meets all the classification and membership requirements of the Club constitution and shall report to the Board. The proposal shall for the time being be kept confidential except as otherwise provided in this procedure Board Approval Required The Board shall approve or disapprove the proposed member within thirty (30) days of receiving the report from the Membership Committee, and shall notify the proposer, through the Secretary, of its decision Members to be Notified If the decision of the Board is favorable, the Membership Committee shall notify all members of the pending approval of the proposed member and if no written objection to the proposal, stating reasons, is 7 P a g e

8 received by the Board from any member (other than honorary) of the Club within seven (7) days following publication of information about the prospective member, that person, upon payment of the admission fee (if not honorary membership), as prescribed in these Bylaws, shall be considered to be elected to membership. If any such objection is received, the Membership Committee shall file it with the Board, which shall vote on this matter at its next meeting. If approved despite the objection, the proposed member, upon payment of the admission fee (if not honorary membership), shall be considered to be elected to membership Notification of Prospective Member If approved for membership, the prospective member shall be informed of the purposes of Rotary and of the privileges and responsibilities of membership (including the kind of membership proposed), following which the prospective member shall be requested to sign the membership proposal form and to permit his or her name and proposed classification (if active membership) to be published to the Club Induction Following such election, the President shall arrange for the new member's induction and further orientation, and the Secretary shall report such action to Rotary International Termination of Membership Membership shall terminate where the Board determines: (r) That a member has failed to pay dues within thirty (30) days after the prescribed time and the Secretary has notified the member in writing that dues are payable within ten (10) days of such written notice and such dues remain unpaid after the expiry of the said; (s) That a member has failed to attend the number of meetings specified in Clause 4.4; (t) On any reason which it deems sufficient, by a vote of not less that two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Board present, at a meeting called for that purpose Member s Notice of Termination In any case, the member shall be given at least ten (10) days notice in writing of such pending action and an opportunity to submit to the Board a written answer. The member shall have the opportunity of appearing before the Board to state the member s case Resignation Any member may resign from the Club by delivering a written resignation to the President or Secretary of the Club, and shall be accepted by the Board provided that all indebtedness of the said member to the Club has been paid. RESOLUTIONS 12.1 Board to Consider Business No resolution or motion to commit this Club on any matter shall be considered by the Club until it has been considered by the Board. Such resolutions or motions, if offered at a Club meeting, shall be referred to the Board without discussion. ORDER OF BUSINESS Agenda for Regular Meetings of Club Meeting called to order. Introduction of visiting Rotarians. Correspondence and announcements. Committee reports if any. Any unfinished business. Any new business. 8 P a g e

9 Address or other program features. Adjournment. AMENDMENTS 14.1 Amendments to the Bylaws These Bylaws may be amended by Special Resolution. No amendment or addition to these Bylaws can be made which is not in harmony the Constitution and Bylaws of Rotary International. MISCELLANEOUS 15.1 Notice Any written notice to members referred to in these Bylaws may be sent by facsimile transmission or other electronic transmission at such telephone number or electronic address as the member has last notified the Secretary in writing. Written notice may also be given by mail or by personal delivery Inspection of Records by Members The books and records of the Club may be inspected by any member at any reasonable time within two days prior to the annual general meeting at the Registered Office of the Club Custody and Use of Seal The seal of the Club shall be in the custody of the Secretary and may be affixed to any document upon resolution of the Board of Directors. ARBITRATION 16.1 Arbitration of Disputes Should any dispute arise between any member or former member of the Club relative to membership or to these Bylaws which cannot satisfactorily settled under the procedure provided for in these Bylaws or in the Bylaws in Rotary International, the indifference shall be settled by arbitration. Each party shall appoint an arbitrator and the arbitrator shall appoint an umpire. Only the members of a rotary club may be appointed as umpire or arbitrators. The decision arrived at by the arbitrators or in the event of their disagreement by the umpire, shall be final and binding on all parties. 9 P a g e