Bylaws of the Alberta Seniors United Now Society

(Revised Jan 13, 2010)

 Article I       

The name of the society shall be Alberta Seniors United Now Society, hereafter referred to as the Society

Article II         Membership and Fees

1.      Membership shall include Albertans who are fifty-five (55) years of age and older, who apply for membership into the Society and have paid the prescribed, annual membership fee.

2.      Associate members shall include Albertans who are under fifty-five (55) years of age, who apply for membership into the Society and have paid the prescribed annual membership fee.

3.      Associate members of the Society shall have the same rights and obligations as regular members of the Society with the exception that Associate members shall not be entitled to vote at general and special meetings of the Society.

4.   Membership fees shall be set from time to time by the Board

            of Directors and approved by the membership. Membership fees are due on or before the anniversary date of the member’s original payment of fees.

5.      Non-payment of fees, thirty (30) days following the deadline for payment, shall result in the member becoming an inactive member and forfeiting all membership rights.  Membership will become active again when dues are paid in full.

6.      Members in good standing shall be entitled to attend all meetings of the Society, to vote, and take part in the affairs of the Society pursuant to Policies, Bylaws and Regulations.

7.      There shall be no voting by proxy.

8.      Any member may withdraw from membership in the Society by giving written notice to the Secretary.  There will be no refund of membership fees.

9.      A member may be expelled from membership for just cause by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at a general or special meeting of the Society.  A letter will be sent to the expelled member explaining the reasons for the expulsion.

Article III        Executive Officers and Directors 

The business and management of the Society shall be conducted by a Board of Directors consisting of no fewer than five (5) and no more than nine (9) members which shall include the following:

                        EXECUTIVE OFFICERS who shall be the

1.      President who shall;

·        preside at all meetings and perform all duties usual to the office of President

·        be an Ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee, attendance at committee meetings will be to offer advice only

·        sign as a signing officer for the Society

·        call meetings of the Society as required

·        arrange agendas

·        provide a report on the state of affairs of the Society at the Annual General Meeting

2.      Vice-President who shall;

·        assist the President in duties as required

·        preside at meetings in the absence of the President

·        sign as a signing officer of the Society

3.      Secretary who shall;

·        keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the Society

·        sign as a signing officer of the Society

·        perform all duties usual to a Secretary

·        keep a record of all members and their addresses

·        be the custodian of the seal of the Society which he shall deliver only when authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors to do so and to such person or persons as may be named in the resolution

4.      Treasurer who shall;

·        receive all monies paid to the Society and shall be responsible for the deposits at whatever bank the Board of Directors may order

·        properly account for all funds of the Society and keep books as may be directed

·        provide a detailed account of receipts and disbursements to the Board of Directors as requested

·        present to the Annual General Meeting of the Society the year-end financial statements pursuant to the review or auditing provisions

·        submit a copy of the year-end financial statements to the Secretary for the records of the Society

·        sign as a signing officer for the Society

·        invest monies of the Society in investments authorized by the Board of Directors, limited to investments that are guaranteed (insured) by the Provincial or Federal government

·        pay all accounts at the directions of the Board of Directors

·        perform all duties usual to the office of Treasurer

5.      Past President shall be available to assist in an advisory capacity to the members of the Board of Directors.

6.      DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS shall be elected by the membership at a general meeting of the Society.

·        the Directors shall act as chairs of the Standing Committees

·        all members of the Board of Directors, including the President, shall have full voting powers

·        five members of the Board of Directors will constitute a quorum at a Board of Directors meeting

·        the Board of Directors shall meet no less than eight (8) times a year

·        all terms of office shall be for two years or until their successors are elected, with one half (1/2) each of the Executive Officers and Directors to be elected on alternate years.

·        no Directors or members of the Society shall receive remuneration for services without the concurrence of the Board of Directors

·        the Board of Directors may appoint acting directors for vacancies of director positions as required until the next election at the Annual General Meeting

·        any member of the Board of Directors of the Society may be removed for just cause by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at a general meeting of the Society.

Article IV       Meetings 

1.      The Annual General Meeting shall be held in the month of April for the purpose of presentation of the audited financial statements of the Society and the election of the Board of Directors.  Annual reports from the Board of Directors will be presented at this meeting.  Failure to hold the Annual General Meeting on this date will not invalidate a meeting otherwise properly constituted.

2.      Members shall be notified at least 14 days in advance of the meeting by mail, telephone, Fax or email.

3.      The Board of Directors may call a general meeting of the Society at any time.  Members shall be notified 14 days prior to the meeting by mail, telephone Fax or email.

4.      The President or Secretary shall call a special meeting upon receipt of a petition of one twentieth (1/20)of the membership stating the reason for calling such a meeting. No subject shall be considered at any such special meeting except that, which is specified in the notice. 

5.      The majority of the Board of Directors and fifty (50) of the general membership shall constitute a quorum at any general or special meeting.

Article V        Committees 

1.      The Standing Committees of the Society shall include, but not be limited by, the following;

·        media & public relations

·        communications

·        membership

·        volunteers

·        advocacy

2.      The Board of Directors shall appoint ad Hoc committees or additional Standing Committees as required.

Article VI       Finance 

1.      Borrowing powers may be exercised only by special resolution being three quarters ( 3/4 ) of those in attendance at a general or special meeting of the Society.

2.      Two signatures by signing officers shall be required on any cheque.

3.      The books and records of the Society may be inspected by any member at such time and place as the Board of Directors may designate.

4.      The fiscal year of the Society shall be January 1 to December 31. 

5.      The accounts and records of the Treasurer shall be audited at least once a year by a qualified accountant or by two members of the Society appointed by the Board of Directors.

Article VII      Nominations and Elections 

1.      A nominating committee of not less than three members shall be appointed by the Board of Directors for the purpose of nominating candidates for positions of Executive Officers and Directors.

2.      At the elections meeting there shall be nominations from the floor.

3.      The results of the elections shall take effect immediately.

Article VIII     Dissolution

In the event of a voluntary dissolution pursuant to the Societies Act, any remaining funds and assets of the Society shall be disposed of by gift to charitable organization(s) or to not for profit organizations in Alberta as determined by the Board of Directors.

Article IX       Amendment of Bylaws

These Bylaws may be amended at any general meeting of the Society by a special resolution of the members by a vote of three quarters ( 3/4 ) of the members present .  The membership shall receive twenty-one (21) days notice in writing prior to this meeting.  The special resolution shall be included in the notice of meeting.

Article X        Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules Of Order shall govern the Society in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Society may adopt.

Article XI       Indemnification 

The Executive Officers and Directors shall be held harmless and indemnified out of the funds of the organization except for charges and expenses occasioned by their own willful neglect.