Articles 11 to 20

Nobody decides alone.

The Society is structured so that authority is distributed, terms are limited, money is watched by more than one pair of hands, and every member has a route to be heard.

Supreme organ

The General Assembly — every member

Executive Committee

Eleven seats, elected by secret ballot

Term of office

Two years, renewable once

Withdrawals

At least two authorised signatories

Article 11

Three organs

The Society comprises a General Assembly, an Executive Committee, and standing committees created by the Assembly.

General Assembly

The supreme decision-making organ. All members. Meets at least once a year at the Annual General Meeting.

Executive Committee

Eleven elected officers responsible for the day-to-day management of the Society.

Standing committees

Six specialist committees, created by the Assembly, carrying the detailed work.

Article 12

The General Assembly

Members voting by show of hands at a General Assembly meeting

The General Assembly is the supreme decision-making organ of the Society. An Annual General Meeting is held at least once every calendar year.

An Extraordinary General Meeting may be convened by the President, by the Executive Committee, or by one-third of active members — so the membership itself can force a meeting without waiting for permission.

Quorum is fifty percent plus one of financially active members.

Powers of the Assembly

Elect members of the Executive Committee.
Approve policies and strategic plans.
Approve budgets and annual accounts.
Determine membership fees and subscriptions.
Approve projects and programmes.
Create committees.
Amend the Constitution.
Admit or expel members.
Authorise major financial commitments.
Dissolve the Society where necessary.

Articles 13 and 14

The Executive Committee

Eleven seats, each with duties written into the constitution. The Committee is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Society and answers to the General Assembly.

Executive Committee officers of the Society seated together

President

Presides over meetings.
Represents the Society.
Supervises implementation of decisions.
Serves as a signatory to Society accounts.

Vice President

Assists the President.
Acts in the President's absence.

Secretary General

Keeps records.
Maintains correspondence.
Prepares meeting agendas and minutes.

Assistant Secretary General

Assists the Secretary General.

Treasurer

Keeps custody of Society funds.
Maintains financial records.
Presents financial reports.

Financial Secretary

Collects dues and contributions.
Maintains payment records.

Welfare Officer

Coordinates welfare programmes.
Manages member support initiatives.
Oversees emergency assistance matters.

Public Relations Officer

Promotes the image of the Society.
Publicises activities and programmes.

Internal Auditor

Examines financial records.
Reports on financial compliance.

Two Advisers

Provide guidance to the Executive Committee and the General Assembly.

Article 15

Elections and tenure

Term of office

Two years, renewable once. Leadership turns over by design rather than by exception.

Method

Elections are conducted by secret ballot.

Threshold

A simple majority of valid votes cast determines the winner.

Vacancies

Where a vacancy occurs before a term expires, a by-election may be conducted at the next General Assembly.

Standing committees

Six committees

Welfare Committee

Coordinates welfare programmes and member support.

Finance Committee

Oversees the Society's financial affairs.

Membership Committee

Handles admissions and member records.

Disciplinary Committee

Hears alleged breaches of the constitution.

Audit Committee

Examines financial records and compliance.

Project Committee

Plans and oversees approved projects.

Articles 16 and 17

How the money is controlled

Six rules govern the Society's finances. They are not internal policy that can be waived — they are constitutional.

Sources of income

Registration fees Membership subscriptions Voluntary contributions Special levies approved by the General Assembly Donations and gifts Grants Sponsorships Fundraising activities Project funding Other lawful approved activities

All Society funds shall be used solely for achieving its objectives.
Accurate financial records shall be maintained.
Annual financial reports shall be presented to the General Assembly.
Withdrawals from Society accounts shall require at least two authorised signatories.
Society accounts shall be audited periodically.
No officer shall use Society funds for personal purposes.

Articles 19 and 20

Discipline and disputes

Grounds for sanction

Misappropriation of Society funds, fraud or dishonesty, bringing the Society into disrepute, repeated violation of the constitution, or acts likely to undermine unity and peace within the Society.

Sanctions available

Warning, suspension, removal from office, or expulsion. No member is expelled without being given a fair opportunity to defend themselves before the appropriate authority.

Mediation comes first

Any dispute involving members is first addressed through mediation by the Disciplinary or Conflict Resolution Committee.

Then the Assembly

Where mediation fails, the matter is referred to the General Assembly for final internal determination.

Articles 21 and 22

Changing or ending the Society

The constitution may be amended only by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting at a duly convened General Assembly. Written notice of any proposed amendment must be submitted at least twenty-one days before the meeting.

The Society may be dissolved only by a two-thirds majority at a General Assembly convened specifically for that purpose. On dissolution, all outstanding debts and liabilities are settled first, and any remaining assets are transferred to a legally recognised non-profit organisation with similar objectives.

No assets are ever distributed among members. The Society is not owned; it is held in trust for its purpose.