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Queen's University
 

    Retirees' Association of Queen's
     Constitution

    1. Name

        The name of the Association is Retirees' Association of Queen's.

    2.  Mission

        To represent and promote the interests of the members, to provide opportunities for interaction among Queen's retirees, and to facilitate their continuing engagement with the University. 

    3. Objectives

       

    a. To provide:

          i. timely information on University activities, events and facilities open to retirees

         ii. an avenue for information, when necessary, between the university and retirees, and for

            presenting retirees' concerns

        iii. the means for arranging social and other activities for former colleagues and fellow workers

        iv. information on major changes in University organization, administration, technology, academic

            and personal development, policies and goals

         v. any other activities of interest to a group of members
       

    b. To encourage continuing interest and support of Queen's activities and goals including

        volunteering and participation in research projects 

    4. Membership

       

    Open to all Retirees from the University staff, non-academic and academic (active and adjunct) and to anyone who has had a significant association with Queen's with or without remuneration. Membership is also open to spouses, surviving spouses and partners, whether or not they have worked at Queen's. Associate membership is available to persons within 5 years of retirement. There will be a modest annual fee for membership.

     

    5. Organization

        a.  Council: The Council shall consist of 18 Association members, with approximately equal numbers from the non-academic staff and from the academic staff, elected at the annual general meeting. One half the members of the Council shall be elected each year, for a term of two years.  
        b.  Officers: Shall be elected from the Council by members of the Council for a term of one year: President; Vice-President; Treasurer; Secretary; Principal or delegate (Ex-Officio) 
        c.  Executive Committee: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, with other members as determined by the Council. 

    6. Meetings of Members

        a.  Each year an Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be convened by the Executive Committee. All members and associate members shall be given at least 21 days notice by mail (or email where appropriate) of the date, time and place of the AGM.  
        b.  A special meeting of the members may normally be convened: 
     
       i.  by the Council or by the Executive Committee giving at least 30 days notice by mail (or email where appropriate) of the date, time and place of the meeting; 
      ii.  by a written request signed by at least 20 members sent to the President; within 14 days of the President receiving the request, the Executive Committee shall convene the meeting giving at least 30 days notice by mail (or email where appropriate) of the date, time and place of the meeting. 
        c.  A special meeting of the members may also be convened by the Executive Committee, when it considers a particular matter to be of an urgent nature, by giving 15 days notice to the members and including in the notice a brief description of why the matter is considered urgent. 
        d.  A quorum for meetings of the members is 50.  
        e.  Only members may vote at meetings of members. Voting shall be by raised hands, unless a majority of those present agree to a secret ballot in respect of any matter.  A simple majority of members present and voting shall be sufficient to carry any motion unrelated to the Constitution.
        f.  In the event that a procedural question or questions should arise at a meeting, the chair of the meeting shall refer to Bourinot's Rules of Order for guidance in resolving any issue. 


     7. Nominations, Elections and Terms of Office

        a.  Each year the Council shall form a Nominating Committee consisting of the Immediate Past-President [or the President until there is an Immediate Past President] and two members elected by the Council. The Nominating Committee shall recommend a slate of nominees to the Council for its approval at least six weeks before the Annual General Meeting. When approved by the Council, the slate of nominees shall be included in the notice to members of the AGM. 
        b.  Members may make additional nominations for the Council at the Annual General Meeting, in which case the election shall be by secret ballot. 
        c.  The term of office: 
     
     

     i. 

    		 for members of the Council, shall be two years, and they may be re-elected for not more than a total of three terms.  
     

     ii. 

    		 for the elected officers, shall be one year, and they may be re-elected for not more than a total of four years, exclusive of any partial term served to fill a vacancy. 
     

    iii. 

    		 If during his or her term, an elected officer resigns or is unable to complete the term of office, the remaining members of the Executive Committee may recommend a member of the Council to fill the vacancy, and obtain consent from the Council by mail (or email where appropriate), or at the next meeting of the Council.  

    8. Amendments of the Constitution

        a.  Members of the Council may propose and pass Amendments to the Constitution by a two-thirds majority vote at Council meetings. The Council shall include the text of any Amendment passed by the Council in the notice of the next General Meeting. Such Amendments passed by the Council shall take effect only if ratified at a General Meeting of members by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting in support of the amendment. 
        b.  Members of the Association may propose Amendments to the Constitution if the proposal is signed by at least five members and sent in writing to the RAQ office, to be considered at the next meeting of the Council. Whether or not the Council votes to support the proposed Amendments, unless they are withdrawn by those proposing the Amendments, the Council shall include the text of such Amendments to the Constitution in the notice of the next General Meeting. Such Amendments shall take effect only if ratified at a General Meeting of members by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting. 
        c.  The Council or the Executive Committee shall give at least 30 days notice by mail (or email where appropriate) to members of the date, time and place of the meeting to consider Amendments to the Constitution. 

    9. By-laws and other motions

        a.  Members of the Council may propose and pass by-laws and amendments to by- laws and other motions by majority vote at Council meetings. By-laws and amendments passed by the Council shall take effect as stated in the by-law, but unless ratified at the next General Meeting of members by-laws shall cease to be effective. The Council shall include the text of by-laws passed by the council in notice of the next General Meeting. 
        b.  Members of the association may bring forward a notice of motion, including by-laws and amendments to by-laws, on any subject relevant to the objectives of the Association, by submitting the notice of motion to Association office at least 30 days before the General Meeting, so that it may be circulated to the membership in advance of the Meeting.  
        c.  Motions to pass a by-law or delay a vote shall take effect if at least 50% of the members present and voting support the motion. 

    Approved: RAQ Annual General Meeting, April 26, 2004

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