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NEW HORIZONS SOCIETY CONSTITUTION 2002

1. NAME
   Hornby Island New Horizons Society.



2. PURPOSES
   1. To promote and encourage a meaningful program for members of social, educational, creative and physical activities and to provide an opportunity for members to share their life experience with the community at large.
   2. To acquire, own and maintain suitable and adequate premises lor the operation of the foregoing activities and future improvements.
   3. To explore and carry out suitable ways and means of raising funds to achieve the financing of the total operation.
   4. To provide support for the Vancouver Island Regional Library service for the Hornby Island community and also a secure leased space for the Library for as long as required.
   
   
3. LOCATION
   The operations, of the Society are to be conducted chiefly on Hornby Island.



4. NON-PROFIT SOCIETY
1. The Society shall be carried on without purpose of gain for its members. Any profits or other accretions to the Society shall be used for promoting its objectives.
2. The Society shall be a non-profit charitable organization and in the event of winding-up or dissolution of the Society, any money or assets shall be given or transferred to such organizations concerned with similar objectives as this society at the time of dissolution; failing such determination then such assets shall be distributed to a recognized Canadian charitable organization situated in British Columbia.
3. Clauses 4 a and 4 b are unalterable in accordance with section 17 of the Societies Act. The Society was registered as a Charitable Organization by Revenue Canada, December 6, 1977. Taxation registery number is q515232-50. The Society is registered under the Societies Act of British Columbia under the number 13601.

HORNBY ISLAND NEW HORIZONS SOCIETY BY-LAWS - REVISED 2002

1. MEMBERSHIP
1. Any person over fifty years of age interested in the affairs of the Hornby Island New Horizons Society may become a member of the Society upon payment of such fees or annual dues as may be fixed by the Directors of the Society. If one spouse of a couple is over fifty years of age the other spouse will be accepted if over the age of forty-five.

2. The Board of Directors shall determine the day of each year when membership fees are due. A grace period of not more than sixty days shall be allowed for payment of overdue fees.
3. Every member in good standing, having joined the Hornby Island New Horizons Society and paid dues one full meeting prior to being allowed voting rights, shall have the right to participate in and receive the services of the Society without cost or penalty, and according to the rules and regulations of the Society as may be defined from time to time by the Directors.
4. Every person using the facilities of the New Horizons Centre shall ,agree to abide by the house rules set down from time to time by the Directors. Such rules shall be for the safety and maintenance of the buildings and to protect the interests of the members and users of the premises. These premises shall be maintained in such a way that handicapped persons may have easy access to the facilities and be encouraged to use and enjoy them.


2. LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP
   1. Membership in the Society shall cease when annual dues have not been paid for the current year within the specified grace period, but a member may be reinstated upon payment of arrears and the annual dues payable at the time of reinstatement.
   2. A member may be expelled from the Society for non-payment of dues, or for failure to abide by the rules and regulations of the Society.
   
   
3. MEETINGS
1. The Annual General Meeting of the Society shall be held during the month of May. The date to be selected by the Directors.
2. A special meeting of the members of the Society shall be held when requested in writing by not less than seven (7) members in good standing or by a majority of the Directors.
3. Written notice of the Annual General Meeting, or a Special Meeting of the Society shall be given not less than fourteen days before an Annual General Meeting and not less than fourteen days before a Special Meeting. Notices shall be posted on all public notice boards on Hornby Island and at the New Horizons Centre.
4. Every member in good standing shall have the right to vote at all meetings of the Society, but no member shall have the right to be represented by proxy.
5. The quorum for transactions of business at general meetings of the Society shall be ten (10) members in good standing.


4. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
1. The affairs of the Society shall be managed by a board of not less than ten and no more than fourteen Directors, each of whom shall be a member in good standing of the Society.
2. The Directors ofthe Society shall be the subscribers to this Constitution and these By-Laws.
3. The Dircctors shall he elected at the Annual General Meetings of the Society, eaeh Director to hold office for a term of three years, or until his or her successor has been elected and can take office. The Directors and Officers elected at the Annual General Meeting shall commence their duties on June 1.
4. One third of the Directors shall be elected at each Annual General Meeting. At the first Annual General meeting one-third ofthe Directors shall be elected for three (3) years, one-third for two (2) years and the remaining Directors for one year.
5. The membership will select the Executive Committee as follows:
1. After the election of Directors at the Annual General Meeting the full slate of Directors for the upcoming term will be displayed.
2. The members will vote, on a ballot provided, for their choice of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
3. The positions of the remaining Directors shall be determined at a Directors Meeting following the Annual General Meeting.
6. The duties of the officers shall be normal for the position they hold, but neither they or the other Directors shall receive remuneration from the Society, nor shall they profit or otherwise benefit financially from the activities or any transaction of the Society. Three of the Officers shall be designated as signing officers, any two of whom may jointly sign cheques, etc.
7. The quorum for the transaction of business at the meetings of the Board shall be not less than half the total number of Directors.
8. The Directors shall have the authority to fill any vacancy of the Board by appointing a member of the Society to act as a Director until the next Annual General Meeting of the Society.
9. The Board of Directors shall meet at least six times during each calendar year. Special meetings may be held at the request of four directors.
10. The Board of Directors may engage staff as may be required and determine the remuneration and conditions of work of such employees.
11. A Director or Officer may be removed from office when, in the opinion of the Board, that Director or Officer has: failed to carry out the duties of office to the satisfaction of the Board; or has acted in a manner unworthy of the trust placed in the member of the Board by the Society; or has been absent from three consecutive board-meetings.


5. NOMINATING COMMITTEE
1. At its last regular meeting in each calendar year the Board of Directors shall appoint a Nominating Committee comprising five (5) members of the Society, one of whom shall be designated as Chair, not more than two (2) of whom may be directors.
2. It shall be the duty ofthe Nominating Committee to select candidates for the Board of Directors and to obtain a written undertaking of acceptance from each candidate if elected by the Annual General meeting.
3. The Chair of the Nominating Committee shall submit to the Secretary of the Society, not later than the last day of April, the .report of the Committee listmg all candidates for election to the Board.
4. A copy of the report of the Nominating Committee shall be posted together with the notice of the Annual General Meeting.


6. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
1. The Officers of the Society, together with the immediate past president, shall comprise the Executive Committee of the Society. 6.2 It shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee to deal with matters pertaining to the affairs of the Society in the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors.


7. COMMITTEES
1. The Board of Directors shall appoint such Committees as may be necessary to further the objectives ofthe Society or to carry out specific tasks assigned by the Board.
2. Generally, Committee Chairs shall be selected from among the Directors, but the Board may make exceptions to this rule at its discretion.
3. The Board defines the duties of each Committee at the time of its appointment, specifies when a Committee report should be received, and when a committee should be disbanded.
4. The Chair of each Committee shall present a report at the Annual General Meeting.
   


8. FINANCIAL
1. The power to borrow or invest money may be made by the Board of Directors only after its recommendations for such actions have been approved by the members at a general meeting, or at a special meeting ofthe Society.
2. The power of the Board of Directors to authorize expenditures for anyone project shall be limited to Two Thousand Five Hundred dollars ($2500.00). Larger expenditures required for a particular project shall be submitted to members of the Society for approval.


9. AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS
1. An annual financial statement shall be submitted to the members of the Society at every Annual General Meeting.
2. An interim financial statement shall be submitted at a Special Meeting when such a statement is required for the purpose ofthe meeting.
3. Financial statements, audited by a person or persons appointed by the members of the Society, shall be read at each Annual General Meeting.


10. FISCAL YEAR
1. The fiscal year of the Society shall be from the first day of April to the thirty-first day of March (April! .March 31) each year.


11. ALTERATION OF BY-LAWS
1. A By-Law may be altered or deleted by a special resolution' of the members at a general meeting or at a special meeting of the Society. A special resolution shall be passed by a majority of not less than 75% of the members presentat the meeting.


12. MINUTES AND RECORDS
1. Preparation and custody of the minutes of the Society, and of the Board of Directors, shall be the responsibility of the Secretary.
2. Preparation and custody of financial statements shall be the responsibility of the Treasurer.
3. Preparation of records pertaining to the particular activities of the Society shall be the responsibility of the designated Directors, but such records shall be held in the custody of the Secretary.
4. .4 Copies of all correspondence pertaining to the activities of the Society shall be supplied to the Secretary for filing.


13. INSPECTION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS
1. The books and records of the Society may be inspected by members at:
1. The Annual General Meeting b Special Meetings c Any other tinle by appointment with the Secretary or Treasurer as appropriate in accordance with Section 12.


14. SEAL OF THE SOCIETY
1. The Seal of the Society shall be in the secure custody of the Secretary. Its use shall be determined by the Directors.


15. FIRST SUBSCRIBERS
    As required by the Societies Act ofB. C. 1977.

    Hilary Brown
    JeanParnell
    Constance Wyndhanl
    David Gerow
    Lincoln Painter.