THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
SEPARATION PARTY OF ALBERTA
INDEX
1. NAME AND PRINCIPLES
2. DEFINITIONS
3. MEMBERSHIP
4. CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATIONS
5. CANDIDATE RECRUITMENT, SELECTION AND DEVELOPMENT
6. PROVINCIAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
7. THE LEADER
8. THE DEPUTY LEADER
9. THE INTERIM LEADER
10. LEADERSHIP REVIEW
11. LEADERSHIP NOMINATION
12. LEADERSHIP SELECTION PROCESS
13. PROVINCIAL CONVENTIONS
14. POLLS, PETITIONS, REFERENDA AND VOTING
15. FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION
16. OFFICES
17. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
18. POLICIES
19. ENFORCEMENT AND INTERPRETATION OF THE CONSTITUTION
20. SCRUTINEERS
21. NOTICES
SCHEDULE A - CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION
1. NAME
2. DEFINITIONS
3. OBJECTIVES
4. MEMBERSHIP
5. DONATIONS
6. VOTING
7. MEETINGS
8. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
9. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
10. CANDIDATE SELECTION
11. NOTICES
12. REPORTING
13. AMENDMENTS
14. FISCAL YEAR
15. BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT
16. DUTY TO UPHOLD
17. REGULATIONS AND BYLAWS
18. LIABILITY
1. NAME AND PRINCIPLES
(a) The name of the Party shall be the SEPARATION PARTY OF ALBERTA, herein referred to as SPA.
(b) The Principles and Policies of the SPA are those established through the Constitution process contained in a separate document entitled DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES.
(c) The objectives are to:
(i) facilitate a peaceful and orderly separation of Alberta from Canadian Confederation and form an independent nation with our own Constitution founded on a true democracy where the will of the people shall prevail; and
(ii) provide an organizational framework within which Members can effect change and gather public support for its policies.
2. DEFINITIONS
(a) Constituency Board of Directors means the collective of the Directors selected by a Constituency Association to manage the affairs of the said Constituency Association, subject always to the provisions of this Constitution and to direction from the Constituency Association;
(b) Candidate means a Member chosen by a Constituency Association, subject to the endorsement of the leader, deputy leader or interim leader, to represent SPA in a provincial election or by-election subject to Article 5 herein and Article 10 of Schedule A;
(c) Constituency Association means the collective of all Members who are ordinarily resident in one of the provincial electoral districts of Alberta where such Members have applied for and been granted recognition as a SPA Constituency Association by Provincial Council and such recognition has not been withdrawn according to Article 4 herein;
(d) Provincial Convention includes general and special meetings of Members that are open to all Members for any purpose provided for under the provisions of this Constitution, save and except for the Leader Selection Process;
(e) Delegate means a Member chosen by a Constituency Association to represent said Constituency Association at a Provincial Convention;
(f) Director means a Member in a specific Constituency Association elected by that Constituency Association to sit on the Board of Directors;
(g) Leader means the Leader of the SPA selected in accordance with Article 7 herein;
(h) Majority or majorities means 50% plus 1 of the eligible membership;
(i) Provincial Board of Directors or Provincial Directors means the body of Members, selected by their peers pursuant to Article 6 herein, subject always to the provisions of this Constitution and to motions approved at any Provincial Convention or by Referenda.
3. MEMBERSHIP
(a) Membership in the SPA is open to all Albertans who are Canadian citizens or landed immigrants, who are sixteen (16) years of age or older, who have been ordinarily resident in Alberta for at least six (6) months and who support the Principles of the SPA and agree to abide by its Constitution and Policies.
(b) Eligible persons who apply for Membership in the SPA shall become Members (herein known as Members) upon payment of the appropriate fee to the Party and entry on the Membership List at the Provincial Office.
(c) Constituencies shall be responsible for forwarding Membership Forms and remittances to the Provincial Office on a timely basis.
(d) The conditions for Membership established within this Article shall be clearly stated on the application form.
(e) Membership in the SPA shall be terminated without refund in the following cases:
(i) failure by the Member to pay the applicable fee;
(ii) resignation by the Member submitted in writing to the SPA;
(iii) for just cause, including conduct judged improper, unbecoming, or likely to adversely affect the interests or reputation of the SPA as determined by the Provincial Board of Directors of the SPA, in its sole discretion, after consultation with the Members Constituency Association Executive.
(f) Memberships in the SPA shall be in increments of one (1) year periods and may be renewed for further periods upon payment of the applicable fee.
(g) A Member whose dues are in arrears by not more than sixty (60) days shall, upon payment of the applicable fee, be considered reinstated as a Member in good standing retroactive to the expiry date of the Membership.
(h) All Provincial Board of Directors and Directors of Constituency Associations must be Members. If a Membership is terminated subject to this Article, this condition is no longer being met and the position shall be deemed vacant.
4. CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATIONS
(a) Members shall be organized according to their residence in the provincial electoral districts of Alberta. Members temporarily residing outside of Alberta shall be assigned to the provincial electoral district in which they vote in provincial elections.
(b) The Constituency Association Constitution set forth in Schedule A appended hereto and which is incorporated into and forms a part of this Constitution, shall be the Constitution of all Constituency Associations.
(c) Where there are at least three (3) Members resident in an electoral district they may apply to obtain SPA recognition as a Constituency Association of the SPA by making application to the Provincial Board of Directors, including a copy of the minutes of the founding meeting, a list of the Officers and Directors of the interim Constituency Association and such further information as the Provincial Board of Directors may require.
(d) Where the number of Members of the SPA residing in the provincial electoral district in which the Constituency Association was formed becomes fewer than three (3) Members, the Provincial Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may withdraw recognition whereupon it shall cease to be a Constituency Association and any funds or other assets of the Constituency Association shall be transferred to the Provincial Office to be returned to the Constituency Association upon future recognition except funds to cover legitimate liabilities such as outstanding invoices, loans, etc. as recorded in the audited accounts of the Constituency Association.
(e) The affairs of each Constituency Association shall be under the control of its Members, acting through their Board of Directors, who shall be responsible to ensure that the affairs are conducted in a manner consistent with the Constitution of the SPA, and not prejudicial to the interests or well-being of any other Constituency Association, or of the SPA.
(f) Membership lists are to be used for SPA purposes only. No other use is permitted unless authorized in writing by the Provincial Board of Directors.
(g) The Provincial Board of Directors may call a meeting of any Constituency Association if it believes that it is necessary to do so, with notice of the meeting consistent with this Constitution.
5. CANDIDATE RECRUITMENT, SELECTION AND DEVELOPMENT
(a) Each Constituency Association shall have the exclusive right to select their official candidate of the SPA at a general meeting of the Members of the Constituency Association. The Provincial Board of Directors may not appoint candidates where there is no recognized Constituency Association.
(b) The Provincial Board of Directors, on approval of two thirds (2/3) of its full membership, has the right to nullify the selection of any candidate where such nullification is, in its absolute discretion, in the best interests of the SPA. Where the Provincial Board of Directors proposes to nullify the selection of a candidate, the Secretary shall notify the candidate and the Constituency Association in writing within seven (7) days of the decision, which notification shall contain a statement of the reason for the proposed nullification. The candidate and no more than three (3) authorized representatives of the Constituency Association shall have the right to be heard by the Provincial Board of Directors or its representatives within seven (7) days of the receipt of the Board's decision, before a final and binding decision on nullification is rendered. Where the Provincial Board of Directors nullifies the selection of a candidate, the Constituency Association shall select a new candidate.
(c) The Leader shall not withhold the endorsement of a candidate selected by a Constituency Association except in compliance with this Article.
(d) The Provincial Board of Directors shall oversee the development and implementation of such rules and procedures to ensure fair and effective candidate recruitment, selection, training, and the organization and implementation of effective campaigns.
(e) No person shall be considered for selection to be a candidate for a Constituency Association until and unless that person has signed the following affirmation: I have read, understand, and do hereby affirm my personal commitment to the official Principles and Policies of the Separation Party of Alberta and to its Constitution.
6. PROVINCIAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(a) The Provincial Board of Directors of the SPA shall consist of the following Members:
| (i) |
the President - Donna Ferolie; |
| (ii) |
the Leader of the SPA - Interim Leader R.B. (Bruce) Hutton; |
| (iii) |
the Deputy Leader; |
| (iv) |
the Chief Financial Officer; |
| (v) |
the founding Members of the SPA, namely,
Donna Ferolie - President, Founding Committee Rep, Calgary, Alberta
R.B.(Bruce) Hutton - Interim Leader, Founding Committee Rep, Central Alberta
P. Kozun - Secretary, Founding Committee Rep, Edmonton, Alberta
Ron Duffy - Founding Committee Rep, Central Alberta
J. Koch - Founding Committee Rep, Central Alberta
who shall cease to be Directors at the Provincial Convention in 2005; and
|
| (vi) |
five (5) resident Members from recognized Constituency Associations being one each from (a) North of Edmonton, Alberta; (b) Edmonton, Alberta; (c) south of EDMONTON and north of Calgary, Alberta; (d) Calgary, Alberta; and (e) south of Calgary, Alberta who are qualified for representation on the Provincial Board of Directors. |
(b) The following shall not be members on the Provincial Board of Directors:
(i) Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta;
(ii) Senators;
(iii) employees or contractors of the SPA;
(iv) employees of Members of Parliament and MLAs.
(c) No more than three (3) months, but not less than two (2) months prior to a Provincial Convention, the Provincial Board of Directors shall set a voting date, at which time each region shall hold a mail-in ballot for the election of members to the Provincial Board of Directors. All Members at the time of the mailing will be entitled to vote.
(d) Candidates for the Provincial Board of Directors must be Members in good standing and must file nomination papers no later than one (1) month prior to the date on which the vote is to be taken.
(e) Following each Provincial Convention, Provincial Directors shall elect from their numbers a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The Leader, Deputy Leader and Interim Leader may not be elected to the position of President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer of the SPA.
(f) Candidates seeking election to the Provincial Board of Directors, in accordance with this Article, shall be elected by the preferential/alternative vote method by the Members in the region in which that candidate ordinarily resides. In the event that there are the same number or fewer candidates standing for election than vacant positions, each Member present and voting shall mark yes or no opposite the name of each candidate on the ballot. Only the candidate receiving more affirmative than negative votes will be declared a Provincial Director.
(g) The Provincial Board of Directors shall, from their numbers or Members of the SPA, establish such committees as necessary for the proper and effective operation of the Party. Each committee shall be accountable to and report to the Provincial Board of Directors. Before any meeting of any committee of, or established by the Provincial Board of Directors, there shall be an opening quorum of a majority of the members thereof.
(h) The term of office for all Provincial Directors, except the Leader, Deputy Leader or Interim Leader shall run from 3:00 P.M. on the last day of the Provincial Convention following their election until 3:00 P.M. on the last day of the next Provincial Convention. No Provincial Director, except the Leader, Deputy Leader or Interim Leader shall serve more than three (3) consecutive terms.
(i) The Provincial Board of Directors, on approval of two thirds (2/3) of its membership, may appoint Members to the Provincial Board to fill any vacancy or replacement between Provincial Conventions.
(j) The Provincial Board of Directors, on approval of two thirds (2/3) of its full membership, may remove Provincial Directors where their conduct is judged improper, unbecoming or likely to adversely affect the interest or reputation of the Provincial Directors or the Party at a meeting called for such purpose.
(k) The Provincial Board of Directors may remove any Provincial Director where their conduct is judged improper, unbecoming or likely to adversely affect the interest or the reputation of Provincial Directors or the Party, upon receipt by the Secretary from two thirds (2/3) of all recognized Constituency Associations in Alberta represented by that Provincial Director, where the said Constituency Associations have held a General Meeting for the stated purpose of debating this matter and the request has been approved by a majority vote of eligible Members in attendance.
(l) The Provincial Board of Directors shall meet at the call of the President, or the Leader, Deputy Leader or Interim Leader (as the case may be) or upon written request to the Secretary of at least three (3) Provincial Directors. A meeting shall be deemed to take place when the Provincial Directors participate in a telephone conference that permits all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other. All members so participating shall be deemed to be present at the meeting and shall be included in the quorum. These provisions relating to meetings by telephone conference shall apply to each committee established by the Provincial Board of Directors.
(m) The minutes of the Provincial Board of Directors meetings shall be provided to Provincial Directors and to the Presidents of each recognized Constituency Association within 30 days following the meeting. The voting of Provincial Directors on motions shall be recorded in the minutes of meetings together with the Directors names, as follows:
In Favour
Against
Absent
with the exception that where a motion names a person or persons for a position on the Provincial Board of Directors or on staff, the vote will be by secret written ballot and only the number of votes falling into these three categories will be recorded. There shall be no abstentions from voting on any motion whether by a Provincial Director or committee member, unless a majority of the members of the Provincial Directors and any committee in attendance shall deem it appropriate.
(n) The Provincial Board of Directors shall abide by the Principles and Policies, goals and objectives of the Party and shall act in the interest of all Members, not just the jurisdiction from which they were elected and, subject always to the provisions of this Constitution, to motions passed at any Provincial Convention or by referenda.
(o) Provincial Directors, after filing nomination papers to seek the nomination as a Candidate in an upcoming provincial election or by-election, shall take a leave of absence as a Provincial Director and can only resume Provincial Directors duties when they are no longer a contender for the candidate selection, the election or by-election, as the case may be.
(p) The Provincial Board of Directors shall decide and advise all Constituency Associations whenever they are authorized to implement compressed time lines dealing with Candidate Recruitment and Selection.
(q) The Provincial Board of Directors, in conjunction with the Provincial Caucus, will create a Liaison Committee with equal representation from both organizations. The committee will elect its own chairman and the Leader, Deputy Leader or Interim Leader (as the case may be) will be an ex-officio member. The intent of the committee is to ensure a close and harmonious working relationship between the Partys grassroots members and the Parliamentary Caucus.
(r) The President of the Provincial Board of Directors shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Party.
(s) No person shall be considered for selection as a candidate for the Provincial Board of Directors until that person has signed the following affirmation: I have read, understand and do hereby affirm my personal commitment to the Official Principles and Policies of the Separation Party of Alberta and to its Constitution.
7. THE LEADER
(a) There shall be a Leader of the SPA who shall, subject to this Constitution, be responsible for the overall direction of the Party including the following:
(i) responsibility for the organization and administration of the Provincial Caucus;
(ii) together with Caucus, will endeavour to promote and implement the Principles and Policies of the SPA;
(iii) set the strategic direction for the SPA, in consultation with the Provincial Board of Directors and Caucus; and
(iv) carry out these duties in accordance with this Constitution.
(b) At every Provincial Convention the Leader, the Deputy Leader or the Interim Leader (as the case may be) shall carry out an accountability session with the delegates.
(c) The Leader of the SPA may be suspended from the Provincial Board of Directors by a unanimous vote of all the Provincial Directors. The Leader is not allowed to vote on the issue. The suspension shall remain in effect until all problems are resolved to the unanimous satisfaction of the Provincial Directors. If the situation that caused the suspension cannot be resolved in fifteen (15) days from the date of suspension, and the Leader submits his or her written resignation, the Deputy Leader shall take the Leaders place, but if there is no Deputy Leader the Provincial Directors shall appoint an Interim Leader. If no resignation is forthcoming from the Leader, the Provincial Board of Directors shall call a Special Membership meeting. If the Leader is not reinstated by the Membership, the Deputy Leader shall take the Leaders place, but if there is no Deputy Leader the Interim Leader will be elected at the Special Membership meeting and a Leadership Convention date shall be set that is within six (6) months from the date of the Special Membership meeting. If the Leader is reinstated, the entire Provincial Board of Directors will immediately submit their resignations and they will not be eligible for re-election to the Provincial Board of Directors or to function as a Leader, Deputy Leader or Interim Leader or be an elected representative for the SPA for a period of ten (10) years.
8. THE DEPUTY LEADER
The Leader of the SPA shall choose a Deputy Leader from the Membership of the SPA as soon as possible after his election as Leader.
9. THE INTERIM LEADER
(a) Upon the death, retirement or resignation of the Leader, and until the completion of the leadership election, the Caucus and Provincial Directors shall jointly elect an interim Leader who shall be recognized as the Leader of the SPA.
(b) If there is no Caucus, then the Provincial Directors shall select the interim Leader.
10. LEADERSHIP REVIEW
(a) At each Provincial Convention and only at such meeting, the delegates shall be asked by secret ballot: Do you wish to have a leadership election? In the event that a Leadership Election has been held within a 90 day period prior to a Provincial Convention, this vote will not be taken at that Provincial Convention.
11. LEADERSHIP NOMINATION
(a) In the event that more than fifty (50%) per cent of the votes cast in the Leadership Review are in the affirmative, or upon the death of the Leader or public announcement of the Leaders intention to resign, the Provincial Board of Directors shall within six (6) months call for a leadership election.
(b) The date of voting in a leadership election shall occur at the earliest convention date but not earlier than three (3) months and not later than six (6) months after the date on which the Provincial Directors called for such leadership election.
(c) In the event that the Provincial Board of Directors has called a leadership election, such election shall respect the principle that each eligible Member of the Party shall have the right to one (1) vote in the election of the Leader.
(d) Only those who have been Members for at least thirty (30) days immediately prior to the effective date of voting in a leadership election are eligible to vote.
(e) The Provincial Board of Directors shall make rules and regulations for the leadership election, and shall appoint:
(i)five (5) Members to act as the Leadership Election Organization Committee one of whom must be from the Provincial Directors;
(ii) a Chief Election Officer; and
(iii) a Returning Officer for each of the provincial electoral districts to administer the leadership election.
(f) Each candidate for Leader must be nominated in writing no later than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the first ballot of the leadership election by a minimum of one hundred (100) Members who shall come from no fewer than forty (40) recognized Constituency Associations. At the date of the nomination the candidate must be a Member of the SPA, a Canadian citizen and a resident of Alberta for three (3) consecutive years immediately prior to the nomination meeting, duly proven by documentation.
(g) The election of a Leader shall be by secret ballot.
(h) The Provincial Board of Directors may determine reasonable spending limits for a leadership contest.
12. LEADERSHIP SELECTION PROCESS
(a) The principle of one (1) eligible Member, one (1) vote, through direct election, shall apply.
(b) Balloting shall be by direct voting at polling places established within each Constituency. The Chief Election Officer appointed by the Provincial Directors may, in his discretion, allow for larger geographically dispersed constituencies to have more than one (1) polling station and allow certain constituencies to co-locate polling stations. In the event that eligible Members are unable to vote at polling stations, the SPA shall provide alternate voting procedures.
(c) Ballots shall be so designated that each voter will indicate their choice for their preferred candidate.
(d) If a candidate receives more than fifty (50%) per cent of the total valid ballots cast, that person shall be declared the Leader.
(e) If there are three (3) or more candidates and no candidate receives more than fifty (50%) per cent of the valid ballots cast, a second ballot shall be held between the two (2) candidates who received the most votes.
(f) In the event a second ballot is required, the Provincial Board of Directors shall have made provision in advance for a second ballot to be conducted no sooner than five (5) days and no later than fourteen (14) days from the date of the first ballot.
(g) In order to receive a ballot, a Member must produce current membership in the Party as well as further identification as proof of residence in the provincial electoral district where the Member votes.
(h) The Provincial Board of Directors shall make provision for a non- refundable Leadership Nomination Fee of not less than $1,000 that must accompany a candidates nomination form and to be provided in the form of a certified cheque or bank draft payable to the SPA.
(i) The Provincial Board of Directors may make provisions for Members to vote in a place other than the provincial electoral district where a Member ordinarily resides, as long as the Member is participating in a SPA-sponsored leadership event.
13. PROVINCIAL CONVENTIONS
(a) The Provincial Convention of the SPA shall be a meeting of the persons referred to in this Article. Subject to the provisions of Article 14 with respect to referendum voting by the Membership, the Provincial Convention shall be the supreme governing body of the Party, subject only to the authority of this Constitution and the Membership as a whole.
(b) A Provincial Convention shall be held once every two (2) years, at a time and place determined by the Provincial Board of Directors. The Provincial Directors may provide that persons referred to in this Article, though not present at the place of the Provincial Convention, may communicate with those present through the use of appropriate telephonic and computer technology and shall be deemed present at the place of the Provincial Convention.
(c) At least ninety (90) days written or electronic notice of a Provincial Convention shall be sent to all Members as recorded at the Provincial Office. In the event of interruption of postal service, notice shall be sent by courier, facsimile or other computer technology to the President of each recognized Constituency Association.
(d) A Provincial Convention shall be held forthwith after written request for same has been sent to the Secretary from one quarter (1/4) of all recognized Constituency Associations, where said Associations have held a General Meeting for the stated purpose of debating this matter and the request has been approved by a majority vote. Forthwith shall mean as soon as reasonably possible, but in any event not later than one hundred and eighty (180) days after the receipt by the Secretary of the minimum number of written Constituency Association requests as herein provided.
(e) At the time of notifying the Members of a Provincial Convention, the Provincial Board of Directors shall appoint committees which may include:
(i) a Provincial Convention Committee;
(ii) a Nominations Committee;
(iii) a Credentials Committee;
(iv) an Awards Committee; and
(v) a Provincial Resolutions Committee.
(f) All delegates entitled to vote at each Provincial Conventions must be Members. Any Member in good standing (who is not a delegate) who pays the registration fee and and attends the Provincial Convention is allowed to vote at the Provincial Convention.
(g) From the membership records maintained at Provincial Office sixty (60) days in advance of each Provincial Convention, the number of delegates entitled to vote at each Provincial Convention shall consist of the following:
(i) each recognized Constituency Association shall be entitled to the number of delegates identified on the chart below, provided that they are selected at a meeting of the Association;
(ii) Provincial Directors; and
(iii) Party MLAs.
|
|
|
Members |
Delegates |
|
Members |
Delegates |
|
|
|
Up to 40
41 - 80
81 - 120
121 - 160
161 - 200
201 - 240
241 - 300
301 - 400
401 - 500
501 - 600
601 - 700
701 - 800
801 - 900
901 - 1000
1001 - 1100 |
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15 |
|
1101 - 1200
1201 - 1300
1301 - 1400
1401 - 1500
1501 - 1600
1601 - 1700
1701 - 1800
1801 - 1900
1901 - 2000
2001 - 2100
2101 - 2200
2201 - 2300
2301 - 2400
2401 - 2500
2501 and up |
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 |
14. POLLS, PETITIONS, REFERENDA AND VOTING
(a) The Provincial Board of Directors may conduct non-binding polls of the Membership of the Party.
(b) Proxy voting within the Party is NOT permitted.
15. FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION
(a) The financial affairs of the SPA shall be managed by the Treasurer or Chief Financial Officer subject to this Constitution.
(b) When acting within the scope of their authority, no Provincial Director shall be liable for any debts, actions, claims, demands, liabilities or commitments of any kind made by the Party, and in particular the Party shall indemnify and hold harmless each such Director and Officer against any such debt, action, claim, demand, liability or commitment whatsoever.
(c) No Member shall commit the Party to any indebtedness of any kind, either for goods, services or otherwise. Any Member committing the Party in contravention hereof shall save harmless and indemnify the Party against any claim, demand, action, debt or cause of action which may arise as a result of such unauthorized commitment. Annual audited financial statements of the Party shall be automatically made available to each Constituency Association.
(d) The SPA through its Provincial Board of Directors shall offer remuneration to the Provincial Board of Directors in such amount or amounts as the Provincial Directors shall deem reasonable.
(e) The Provincial Board of Directors shall offer remuneration to the Leader, Deputy Leader or Interim Leader of the Party in such amount or amounts as the Provincial Directors and the Leader, Deputy Leader or Interim Leader shall deem reasonable.
16. OFFICES
(a) The Party shall maintain a Provincial Office at such location or locations as the Provincial Board of Directors shall determine.
17. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
(a) The Provincial Board of Directors, or any committee or task force established by the Provincial Directors or by a Provincial Convention, or a Constituency Association on approval of a majority vote of the Members at a duly constituted meeting of the Association called for that purpose, among others, may propose amendments to this Constitution. An amendment proposed by a Constituency Association, together with copies of the notice and the minutes of the meeting where it was passed, shall be presented to the Secretary of the Party.
(b) All Constituency Associations shall receive all Constitutional Amendments to be debated at the Provincial Convention not less than thirty (30) days prior to the Provincial Convention. If one hundred (100) Members in good standing submit a Constitutional Amendment in writing to the Provincial Office at least sixty (60) days prior to the Provincial Convention, the Membership shall vote on that amendment at the Provincial Convention.
(c) All members in good standing may vote on any Constitutional amendment by regular mail, courier, facsimile, and other electronic technology as approved by the Provincial Board of Directors. Voting will be on a one member one vote basis and a two thirds (2/3) majority of ballots cast is required to pass any amendment to the Constitution. Members at the convention will vote on an such amendment by show of hands.
18. POLICIES
(a) Policies of the Party are contained in a document entitled Declaration of Principles and Policies which sets out the high level and short term, medium and long range policy directions of the Party.
(b) A Provincial Resolutions Committee shall create a grassroots Policy Development Process which shall include time lines leading up to each Provincial Convention. Such process will allow for all Constituency Associations to receive all Policy Resolutions to be debated at the Provincial Convention not less than thirty (30) days prior to the Provincial Convention.
(c) All policies placed in the Declaration of Principles and Policies shall be reviewed prior to each Provincial Convention through the Policy Development Process.
(d) The Leader, Deputy Leader or Interim Leader and the Caucus are bound by the Declaration of Principles and Policies as determined by the Members of the Party.
(e) All policies may be amended at a Provincial Convention in accordance with Article 13 provided the majorities required within that Article are achieved.
(f) Between Provincial Conventions, Interim Principles and Policies shall be determined by the Leader, Deputy Leader or Interim Leader and Caucus (if there is one) in consultation with Provincial Directors provided that such Interim Principles and Policies shall be consistent with those established in accordance with this Constitution. Final approval of Interim Principles and Policies shall occur at a Provincial Convention.
19. ENFORCEMENT AND INTERPRETATION OF THE CONSTITUTION
(a) The Leader, Deputy Leader or Interim Leader and Provincial Directors shall uphold and enforce the provisions of this Constitution.
(b) Between Provincial Conventions, the Provincial Board of Directors shall be the final authority on the interpretation of this Constitution. In interpreting this Constitution, any conflict or ambiguity in its terms shall be resolved by giving preference to the provision or interpretation which best reflects the policies and principles set out in the Declaration of Principles and Policies.
(c) This Constitution governs the affairs of the SPA and, in the event of any conflict between this Constitution and any other Party or Constituency Association document, this Constitution shall prevail.
(d) All matters not specifically covered in this Constitution are within the purview of the Provincial Board of Directors acting reasonably which has the capacity to act with full authority, subject to subsequent ratification, nullification or amendment by the Membership. Opportunities for Provincial Convention delegates to discuss, amend, ratify or nullify acts of the Provincial Board of Directors must be provided at Provincial Conventions.
(e) The Board of Directors shall comply with the provisions of the Societies Act of Alberta, any amendments and the bylaws of the Separation Party of Alberta Association incorporated under the said ACT.
(f) A Constituency Board of Directors may be suspended from office by a unanimous vote of the Provincial Board of Directors. The suspension will remain in effect until all problems are resolved to the unanimous satisfaction of the Provincial Board of Directors. If the situation that caused the suspension cannot be resolved in fifteen (15) days from the date of suspension, and the Constituency Board of Directors refuses to submit their written resignation, the Provincial Board of Directors shall call a Special Constituency Meeting to resolve the situation that caused the suspension. If necessary a replacement Constituency Board of Directors will be elected at that Special Meeting.
(g) Upon ceasing to hold office, all Directors and Officers shall, within five (5) days of any request, deliver to their successors or to the Provincial Board of Directors, all records, books, financial statements, materials and property in their possession which belong to the Association, or Party failing which such Director or Officer shall be subject to a penalty of $100.00 per day payable to the SPA for each day the documents are not delivered.
20. SCRUTINEERS
(a) Any nominee or candidate for elected office within the Party may appoint a scrutineer for the purposes of that election.
21. NOTICES
For all matters requiring notice under this Constitution:
(a) Notices may be given in one or more of the following ways with the effective date indicated:
(i) by regular mail, effective three (3) working days after the date of posting with appropriate proof of posting;
(ii) by facsimile, appropriate telephonic or computer technology, effective from the date of transmission;
(iii) by personal delivery, effective on the date of delivery to the recipient;
(iv) by bulk mail, effective five (5) days after delivery to the post office; and
(v) by courier, effective one (1) day after the date of delivery to the courier.
(b) Notices to the Party, or the Provincial Board of Directors, or to the Secretary of the Party, shall be addressed to the Provincial Office of the Party and marked to the attention of the appropriate recipient.
(c) Notices to a Member shall be sent to the Members address according to the most recent Party records.
(d) Notices to Constituency Associations shall be addressed to the Associations President, Secretary or other Executive Officer designated by the Association.
(e) Any notice required by this Constitution shall be deemed given if reasonable compliance has been achieved and no material prejudice has resulted.
SCHEDULE A
ATTACHED TO AND FORMING PART OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE SEPARATION PARTY OF ALBERTA.
CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION
There are many Articles within the SPA Constitution which relate to Constituency Associations and should be reviewed.
1. NAME
The name of the Association is the SEPARATION PARTY OF ALBERTA (insert name of Constituency) CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATION.
2. DEFINITIONS
In this Constitution:
(a) Annual Term means the period of time between two consecutive Annual General Meetings;
(b) Annual General Meeting means a specific meeting of a Constituency Association at which the Directors and Officers of the Association are elected by the Members in attendance, to manage the affairs of the Constituency Association until the next Annual General Meeting;
(c) Association means the Separation Party of Alberta (insert name of Constituency) Constituency Association;
(d) Board of Directors or the Board means the collective of the Directors selected by a Constituency Association to manage the affairs of the said Association, subject always to the provisions of this Constitution and to direction from the Constituency Association;
(e) Candidate means the person selected by the Members of the Association as the SPA candidate for election to the provincial legislature;
(f) Director means any Member of the Board of Directors of the Association;
(g) Executive Committee means the committee by that name established under Article 9 hereof;
(h) Filing Requirements means those documents that the SPA deem necessary to have been filed prior to becoming a declared nominee;
(i) Majority means fifty (50%) percent plus one;
(j) Member means a Member of the SPA who ordinarily resides in the provincial electoral district in which the Association has been formed;
(k) Nominee means a person standing for selection in the Constituency to become the SPA candidate for election to the Alberta Legislative Assembly;
(l) Officer means a Member holding the position of President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer of a Constituency Association;
(m) SPA or the Party means the SEPARATION PARTY OF ALBERTA;
(n) Returning Officer means a Member approved by the Party to supervise the election of a candidate at a meeting of the Constituency Association called for that purpose and in accordance with Article 10 hereof.
3. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Constituency Association are:
(a) to support the Principles, Policies and Objectives of the SPA, and to maintain an effective constituency organization for that purpose;
(b) to select a candidate to represent the SPA in the constituency for each provincial election and by-election;
(c) to assist and promote the election of the candidate of the SPA in the constituency for each provincial election and by-election;
(d) to raise money and maintain a fund to support the Association and to assist candidates in provincial elections and by-elections;
(e) to recruit membership to carry out the Objectives, Principles and Policies of the SPA and the Constituency Association;
(f) to assist the SPA in developing policies and election platforms.
4. MEMBERSHIP
(a) Membership in the Association is all Members of the SPA pursuant to Article 3 of the SPA Constitution, who are ordinarily resident in the Constituency Association.
(b) Membership in the Association shall cease if a Member ceases to be ordinarily resident in the provincial electoral district or is terminated pursuant to Article 3 of the SPA Constitution.
(c) Eligible persons who apply for membership in the SPA shall become Members (herein called Members) upon payment of the applicable fee to the Party and entry on the Membership list at Provincial Office.
(d) Constituencies shall be responsible for forwarding Membership forms and remittances to Provincial Office on a timely basis.
(e) A Member whose dues are in arrears by not more than sixty (60) days shall, upon payment of the applicable fee, be considered reinstated as a Member in good standing retroactive to the expiry date of the Membership, with the exception of Membership requirements leading up to a Provincial Convention.
5. DONATIONS
Any person who does not wish to be a Member of the Party may make a donation to the Party and be entitled to receive an official receipt for such donation.
6. VOTING
(a) Only Members may vote on matters coming before a General Meeting of the Association. To pass, Motions require a majority vote of persons present and voting. In the event of a tie vote, the President shall cast the deciding vote.
(b) Only those who have been Members for at least thirty (30) days immediately prior to the date of voting shall be entitled to vote on the election of Directors and Delegates to any Provincial Convention. Only Members of the Association in good standing shall be qualified to stand for election for Directors or Delegates.
(c) Only those who have been Members for at least thirty (30) days immediately prior to the effective date of voting shall be eligible to vote for the selection of a candidate for election to the Alberta Legislature.
(d) Voting on matters set out in Article 6(b) and (c) of this article shall be by secret vote.
(e) The Board of Directors may appoint a Nomination Committee in relation to the elections referred to in Article 6(b). The Nomination Committee should strive to identify and recruit qualified persons for each position and may recommend certain persons to the voters. Nominations for the positions in Article 6(b) shall not close until nominations from the floor have been called.
(f) A meeting for the election of delegates and alternates pursuant to Article 6(b) should be held at least sixty (60) days prior to the commencement date of a Provincial Convention.
(g) Proxy voting with the SPA is NOT permitted.
7. MEETINGS
(a) Meetings of the Association shall be convened by the Executive Committee as required.
(b) In each twelve (12) month period, the Association shall hold at least four (4) meetings of its Board of Directors, not less than one (1) meeting per quarter, and at least one (1) General Meeting of its Members per year.
(c) The Secretary shall, within forty five (45) days of receipt by the Secretary of a written request signed by not fewer than twenty five percent (25%) of the Membership, convene a meeting of the Association.
(d) The Provincial Board of Directors may call a meeting of the Association if it believes that it is necessary to do so, with notice consistent with this Constitution.
(e) Notice of all meetings shall state the matters to be dealt with at the meetings. No matters shall be dealt with at a Membership or Provincial Directors initiated meeting until those stated in such request have been dealt with.
(f) A quorum at meetings of the Association shall be either twenty (20) Members or one half (½) of the Membership, whichever is the lesser. Should a quorum not be present within one half (½) hour of the time called for the meeting, that meeting, other than a meeting called by the Secretary pursuant to a request under Article 7(c), shall be set over to the same time and place one (1) week later, if possible.
(g) Meetings of the Association should be held within the boundaries of the provincial electoral district unless a majority of the Board of Directors vote to hold the meeting elsewhere.
(h) The Association shall, in each calendar year and no later than fourteen (14) months from the last Annual General Meeting, hold an Annual General Meeting at which the following business shall be conducted:
(i) report by the Board of Directors;
(ii) presentation of financial statements;
(iii) election of Directors and, where applicable, Officers;
(iv) other business as required.
(i) In the event of a provincial election or by-election falling within the allotted period, an Annual General Meeting may be postponed for up to ninety (90) days. The Provincial Board of Directors will decide and advise all Constituency Associations whenever they are authorized to implement the compressed time lines dealing with Candidate Recruitment and Selection.
(j) The Executive Committee shall formulate all rules, regulations and procedures to be followed at all meetings of the Association which are consistent with this Constitution.
8. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(a) The affairs of the Association shall, subject to the provisions of the SPA Constitution and direction from the Members, be managed and directed by a Board of Directors.
(b) The Membership at a Meeting of the Association may pass a by-law, pursuant to Article 17, to establish districts within the Association which may stipulate that a certain number of Directors come from each established district.
(c) Directors shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting from the Members.
(d) The Board of Directors shall consist of:
(i) the Directors; and
(ii) the SPAs Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from the provincial electoral district. If there is no elected SPA MLA from the provincial electoral district, the Board shall include the constituency candidate for election to the Provincial Legislature and his inclusion shall terminate if he or she is not elected to the Alberta Legislature.
(e) Only Members who ordinarily reside in the provincial electoral district for at least thirty (30) days immediately prior to the election of the Board of Directors shall be qualified to stand for election as a Director.
(f) The total number of Directors shall not exceed seven (7).
(g) Notwithstanding sub-paragraph (f), the Board of Directors may appoint up to three (3) additional Members to the Board as circumstances may warrant.
(h) The term of office of the Directors is one (1) annual term.
(i) If a Director ceases to hold office, the Board may appoint a replacement Director from its Membership.
(j) A Director appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed from office at a meeting called for that purpose on approval by not less than two thirds (2/3) of the Directors present and voting.
(k) A Director elected by the Members at a Meeting of the Association may be removed from office at a meeting of the Board of Directors called for that purpose on approval by not less than three quarters (3/4) of the full Membership of the Board of Directors.
(l) The Board of Directors may remove a Director who has missed three (3) consecutive regularly scheduled Board meetings unless a reasonable explanation is given which is acceptable by the Board.
(m) In the event that there are the same number or fewer persons standing for election than vacant Director positions, each Member present and voting shall mark Yes or No opposite the name of each person on the ballot. Every person receiving more affirmative than negative votes, and only those persons, shall be declared a Director. Any Candidate receiving more negative than affirmative votes may not be appointed to any vacancy on the Board of Directors.
(n) Meetings of the Board shall be promptly called by the Secretary at the direction of the President or at the written request for a meeting signed by at least three (3) Directors.
(o) The Board of Directors shall appoint such committees as are required for the efficient operation of the Association.
(p) A quorum of the Board of Directors shall be three (3) Members.
(q) Board Members shall vote either in favour or against any motion or matter coming before the Board.
(r) No person shall be considered for selection as a candidate for the Constituency Board of Directors until that person has signed the following affirmation: I have read, understand and do hereby affirm my personal commitment to the Official Principles and Policies of the Separation Party of Alberta and to its Constitution.
9. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
(a) The daily affairs of the Association shall, subject to the provisions of the SPA Constitution and the direction from the Board of Directors, be managed and directed by an Executive Committee, which shall be comprised of the President, Vice President(s), Secretary and Treasurer or Chief Financial Officer.
(b) The Officers of the Association shall be elected each year either by the membership of the Association at the Annual General Meeting or by the Board of Directors from within their numbers. If the Officers are to be elected by the Board of Directors, the election shall take place within fourteen (14) days of the Annual General Meeting.
(c) The Officers of the Association shall be:
(i) a President who shall prepare the agenda and preside at all meetings of the Association, the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, who shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nomination Committee and Candidate Selection Committee, and who shall ensure that all communications sent to them by Provincial Office that pertain to specific matters shall be distributed in a timely manner;
(ii) one (1) or more Vice Presidents, who shall have such duties as the Board shall assign, one of whom shall assume and perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President;
(iii) a Secretary who shall have custody of all official Association records, documents and all regulations of the Association, other than financial, and who shall prepare and maintain minutes of meetings of the Association, the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, call meetings upon the direction of the President or request of Members as laid out in this Constitution, and perform other secretarial duties as the Board may direct;
(iv) a Treasurer or Chief Financial Officer who shall administer the financial affairs of the Association and keep or cause to be kept all such books of account and financial records as may be required to properly reflect the financial affairs of the Association.
(d) If the Officers of the Association are elected by the Board of Directors, an Officer of the Association may be removed from that position at a meeting of the Board of Directors called for that purpose on approval of two thirds (2/3) of the full membership of the Board of Directors.
(e) If the Officers of the Association are elected by the Membership, an Officer of the Association may be removed from that position at a meeting of the Association called for that purpose on approval of three quarters (3/4) of the Membership present and voting.
(f) Upon ceasing to hold office, all Directors and Officers shall, within five (5) days of any request, deliver to their successors or to the President or Vice President(s) of the Association, all records, books, financial statements, materials and property in their possession which belong to the Association, failing which such Director or Officer shall be subject to a penalty of $100.00 per day payable to the Association for each day the documents are not delivered.
(g) If an Officer ceases to hold office, the Board of Directors may appoint a Director to fill the position for the unexpired term.
(h) The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the President or upon written request to the Secretary of at least three (3) other Executive Committee members.
(i) A quorum of the Executive Committee is a majority of its members.
(j) Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held either in person or simultaneous telephone attendance or by a combination thereof.
(k) All actions of the Executive Committee shall be recorded and the actions taken since the previous meeting of the Board of Directors shall be presented for ratification to the next meeting of the Board of Directors.
10. CANDIDATE SELECTION
(a) No fewer than three (3) months prior to a prospective Candidate Selection Meeting, a Candidate Selection Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors, and shall be comprised of two (2) Directors plus up to three (3) other Members and shall appoint a Chairman from its number. Individual Committee members must sign a pledge not to become a Nominee and not to promote or oppose any Nominee.
(b) The Candidate Selection Committee shall:
(i) organize and administer a candidate recruitment, nomination and selection program;
(ii) conduct a thorough search to find the best available Nominees to seek selection as the candidate to represent the constituency in the Alberta Legislature in accordance with SPA guidelines;
(iii) require the calling of a General Meeting of the Association for the purpose of selecting the Candidate (the Candidate Selection Meeting); and
(iv) provide opportunities for the dissemination or publication of the platform and priorities of the Nominees.
(c) A Meeting Committee may be appointed by the Board of Directors whose function shall be to organize the Candidate Selection Meeting(s) as directed and approved by the Board of Directors, but will work closely with the Candidate Selection Committee to ensure that all their needs are met. Individual Committee members must sign a pledge not to become a Nominee and not to promote or oppose any Nominee(s).
(d) Any member of the Board of Directors after filing nomination papers to seek the nomination as a Candidate in an upcoming Provincial election or by-election, shall take a leave of absence as a Director and can only resume Board duties when the Director is no longer a contender for the Candidate Selection or the election or by-election, as the case may be.
(e) All Nominees shall be notified of and invited to attend meetings of the Board as a guest until the Candidate has been selected.
(f) Except in the case of a by-election, the Candidate Selection Committee shall, no more than one (1) year but not less than two (2) months prior to the prospective Candidate Selection Meeting:
(i) declare the start of the official campaigning period for the Nominees;
(ii) release a copy of the Associations Membership list to each Nominee who has met the Filing Requirements and has been interviewed and accepted by the Candidate Selection Committee as a potential nomination candidate; and
(iii) provide opportunities for all Nominees to state their platforms and promote their candidacy.
(g) At a Candidate Selection Meeting, no business other than the selection of a Candidate shall be conducted until after the vote for the Candidate has been held.
(h) A person seeking nomination as a Candidate shall present to a member of the Candidate Selection Committee, before nominations are closed, a nomination paper signed by not fewer than ten (10) Members who are entitled to vote on the selection of a Candidate. The nomination paper shall also be signed by the Nominee indicating acceptance of the nomination and support of the Principles and Policies of the SPA. Every Nominee must have been a Member for at least thirty (30) days immediately prior to the date of the Candidate Selection Meeting, have a paid up membership extending to at least the latest possible date of the forthcoming election and be eligible to sit as a member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly.
(i) Nominations shall close at 5:00 P.M. fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the Candidate Selection Meeting or, when multiple Candidate Selection Meetings are to be held, at 5:00 P.M. fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the first such meeting.
(j) At Candidate Selection Meetings, a Returning Officer approved by the SPA, shall:
(i) supervise the voting and vote counting;
(ii) declare and announce the winner; and
(iii) destroy the ballots on the fourteenth (14th) day following the meeting.
(k) Before the vote is taken, each Nominee shall be given equal time to address the meeting. The time allotment shall be determined by the Candidate Selection Committee and communicated to all Nominees in advance, and may be used by the Nominee or the Nominee and their introducer as the Nominee may choose.
(l) On the ballot, the Nominees shall be named in alphabetical order.
(m) In order to receive a ballot, a Member must establish current membership in the SPA, as well as further identification as proof of ordinary residence in the provincial electoral district where the Member votes.
(n) Ballots shall be marked in secret by eligible voters. With the approval of the Returning Officer, any SPA approved voting method(s) may be used.
(o) The Board of Directors, after consultation with the Candidate Selection Committee, shall pass a resolution determining whether the Candidate will be selected by either:
(i) a sequential ballot, where, if after the first vote no Nominee receives more than fifty (50%) per cent of the valid votes cast, then the Nominee receiving the least number of votes shall withdraw and another vote shall be taken. This process shall be repeated until one (1) Nominee receives more than fifty (50%) per cent of the valid votes cast. A Nominee receiving over fifty (50%) per cent of the valid votes cast shall be the Candidate; or
(ii) a single preferential transferable ballot wherein the voters numerically rank the Nominees in the sequence of their choice.
(p) The Board of Directors may determine that more than one Candidate Selection Meeting should be held for a particular provincial election or by-election (the Multiple Candidate Selection Meetings) whereupon the following rules and procedures shall apply:
(i) The Board of Directors, after consultation with the Candidate Selection Committee, shall decide the number of meetings to be held and the location, date and time of each such meeting;
(ii) The same general rules and procedures as relate to a single Candidate Selection Meeting shall apply to each Multiple Candidate Selection Meeting;
(iii) Ballots at all Multiple Candidate Selection Meetings held shall be identical;
(iv) At these meetings, voting shall be by way of a single preferential transferable ballot;
(v) No person shall vote at more than one (1) Candidate Selection Meeting in any election or by-election;
(vi) All ballots cast shall be deposited by voters into sealed ballot boxes, and following the voting at each meeting the integrity of those ballot boxes shall be maintained unopened by the Returning Officer;
(vii) Votes for all Nominees are cumulative, and if no Nominee receives more than fifty (50%) per cent of the vote on counting the first choices marked on the ballots then the Nominee receiving the lowest number of first choice votes shall be dropped from the contest and their ballots shall be added to those of the remaining contestants according to their second choice and this process shall be repeated until a Nominee receives more than fifty (50%) per cent of the total number of valid votes cast in the election.
(q) In the event that there is only one Nominee, that person shall be the SPA Candidate, provided that each Member present (at the Candidate Selection Meeting) and voting marks Yes or No opposite the name on the ballot and that no more than fifty (50%) per cent of the eligible voters cast negative votes.
(r) In the event of an unanticipated provincial election or by-election, the time periods in Article 7(a), (f) and (i) and Article 10((b) may be abrogated by a resolution passed by the Board of Directors. The Provincial Board of Directors will decide and advise all Constituency Associations whenever they are authorized to implement the compressed time lines dealing with Candidate Recruitment and Selection.
(s) Memberships sold during the Candidate Selection process must be turned in to the President or the Candidate Selection Committee or their designate within the time parameters established in Article 6(b) and such Membership application forms must be signed by the applicant.
(t) For the purposes of this Article, a mail-in ballot may be used in those provincial electoral districts identified in the Alberta ELECTION ACT, and by other Associations if circumstances warrant with the approval by the Provincial Board of Directors, provided that the procedure for any proposed mail-in ballot is approved by the Provincial Directors.
(u) The Candidate Selection Committee shall interview each person seeking nomination as a candidate within seven (7) days of the filing requirements being met. In conducting such interview(s), the Committee shall satisfy itself as to the character and support of SPA Principles, Policies and Objectives of each person seeking nomination. The Candidate Selection Committee shall have the right to disallow the candidacy of any person, subject to the appeal of such decision to the Provincial Directors.
11. NOTICES
(a) Notice of any meetings of the Association, together with notice of dates, times and locations of meetings, and items to be dealt with thereat shall be given by, or under the direction of the Secretary to each Member of record by one (1) or more of the following methods:
(i) mailing a copy of such notice to the Members address of record;
(ii) personally delivering a copy of such notice;
(iii) mailing to the Members address of record a copy of a Constituency Newsletter which prominently displays such notice;
(iv) causing such notice to be published in a newspaper or newspapers having general circulation coverage throughout the entire Constituency Association;
(v) oral communication to each Member; or
(vi) appropriate telephonic and computer technology.
(b) Notice of Meetings of the Association shall be given to all Members not fewer than seven (7) days and not more than thirty (30) days prior to the day on which any such meeting is to be held.
(c) Notice of Board of Directors meetings shall be given to all Directors by either the President or the Secretary not fewer than seven (7) days prior to the date of the meeting. Notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors may be waived with the approval of three quarters (3/4) of the Directors.
(d) Notice of District meetings, where applicable, shall be given by the Secretary of the Association or by the Director elected by the District to all Members of record ordinarily residing in the District not fewer than fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the meeting.
12. REPORTING
(a) Copies of the following shall be provided to Provincial Office by each Association within thirty (30) days of the holding of an Annual General Meeting:
(i) the names of the Directors and Officers with their mailing addresses, telephone and facsimile numbers and email addresses (if any), any change in the Officers makeup or personal information to be forwarded in a timely fashion on an ongoing basis;
(ii) the minutes of the Annual General Meeting; and
(iii) the annual financial report of the Association.
13. AMENDMENTS
(a) This Constituency Association Constitution may be amended only in accordance with Article 17 of the SPA Constitution.
14. FISCAL YEAR
(a) The fiscal year of the Association shall be a maximum of a twelve (12) month period recommended by the Board of Directors and approved by the Members at a meeting of the Association.
15. BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT
(a) In the event of a legal change to the boundaries of a provincial electoral district, one person from each Constituency Association so affected and one person appointed by the Provincial Board of Directors shall meet to decide the fair division of assets of the affected Constituency Associations and the transfer and co-ordination of Membership lists.
16. DUTY TO UPHOLD
(a) It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to uphold and enforce the provisions of this Constitution.
17. REGULATIONS AND BYLAWS
(a) The Constituency Association may pass regulations and bylaws with respect to the operation of the Association so as not to conflict with this Constitution or the SPA Constitution. Copies of such regulations and bylaws must be kept by the Secretary in the Constituency Association files and copies thereof shall be sent to Provincial Office in a timely manner.
18. LIABILITY
(a) When acting within the scope of their authority, no Director of a Constituency Association shall be liable for any debts, actions, claims, demands, liabilities or commitments of any kind made by the Constituency Association. The Constituency Association shall indemnify and hold harmless each such Director against any such debt, action, claim, demand, liability or commitment.
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