The Constitution

What the Constitution Covers

• Articles I and II define the Association, its name, its aim, its six objectives and its motto.
• Article III sets out who may be a member, the three categories of membership, how to register, and the rights and responsibilities that follow.
• Articles IV and V establish the governance structure — the Executive Committee, the committees of the Association, every office with its duties and eligibility criteria, the nomination and voting procedure, handover, and the three-year tenure.
• Article VI governs meetings: general meetings held at least quarterly, Executive Committee meetings, expanded and emergency meetings, and what constitutes a quorum.
• Article VII governs finance: dues, the Association's bank account and its three signatories, the requirement that two of the three sign any withdrawal, the budget and fiscal year, the Scholarship Fund, donated funds and Ventures.
• Article VIII covers the Homecoming and other programmes.
• Article IX sets out members' privileges — awards, certificates, and the Association's support at weddings, bereavements and other celebrations.
• Articles X and XI cover rights, property, non-discrimination, indemnification, the code of conduct and the disciplinary process.
• Articles XII to XV govern amendment, bylaws, dispute resolution, dissolution and effective dates.

Amending the Constitution

Any subscribing member may propose an amendment, by informing the Secretary of the Executive Committee six months before the next General Meeting. Amendments are tabled at a General Meeting and require a two-thirds majority of members present to pass, with the proposed amendment published beforehand with the notice of the meeting.