Articles of Association

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

OF

JAMAICA TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION

(AS AMENDED BY ANNUAL CONFERENCE 1991)

A company incorporated under the Laws of Jaimaica and limited by Guarantee.

INTERPRETATION
1. In these Articles unless the context or subject requires a different meaning -

"The Statute" shall mean and include the Companies Law Chapter 69 and every other Law or Act of the Island of Jamaica amending and/or incorporated with and/or substituted for the same and in case of any such substitution the reference in These Presents to the provisions of non existing Laws of the Island of Jamaica shall be read as referring to the provisions substituted therefore in any new Law or Act.

"The Register" shall mean the Register of Members to be kept as requiredby the Statute.

"Month" shall mean calendar month.

"Written" shall include lithographed and typewritten Words which have a special meaning assigned to them in the Statute shall have the same meaning in These Presents. Words importing the singular number only shall include the plural and the converse shall also apply. Words importing males shall include females.

"The Association" or "Parent Association" means the above-named Company.

"Annual Conference" shall be deemed for the purpose of the Companies Law to be an Annual General Meeting of the Association.

"Special Conference" shall be deemed to be an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Association for the purposes of the Companies Law.

"District Association" means a District Association as herein after define in Article 10.

"A Full Member" is a member of tne Association as defined in Article 3

"Recognized Educational Institution" shall be any school, College or University or any other such institution as Conference or General Council may approve from time to time and as listed under Article 8 of these Articles.

"The Council" means the General Council of the Association for the time being as herein constituted.

"The Central Executive" means the Central Executive of the Council for the time being constituted as herein provided.

"Delegate" means a Full Member elected by a District Association (constituted as hereinafter provided) in General Meeting as a delegate to attend and vote at an Annual Conference or Special Conference.

MEMBERSHIP
2. The Association shall consist of Full Members, Life Members, Honorary Life Members, Honorary Members, Associate Members, Student Members. Save and except to Honorary Members, application for membership shall be made on the prescribed form and accompanied by the appropriate fee. Every applicant

3. Full Members shall be teachers in active service in public and private educational institutions/organisations approved by the Association and retired teachers, so however that the admission to membership shall be in the absolute discretion of the General Council. Full Members shall pay the fees prescribed from time to time and are entitled to all the rights and privileges of membership including the right to vote. Full members who continue to pay full fees shall retain membership when on study leave, on secondment, attending Training College or pursuing study courses, at institutions approved by the Association. No teacher on Special Contract shall be accorded Full Membership except he or she was previously a Full Member of the Association. Teachers on Special contract may be accorded Associate Membership.

4. (a) Life Members shall be persons approved as such and paying in a single instalment the equivalent of ten years' annual fees for full membership at the prevailing rate. Life members shall enjoy rights of full members.

(b) Honorary Life Members shall be Full Members on whom Life Membership is conferred as a special honour by the General Council and Conference. They shall not be required to pay fees but shall enjoy all the rights and privileges of full membership.

(c) Honorary Members shall be persons of known sympathy with the aims and objectives of the Association and whose contribution to education identify them as worthy of membership in the Association. Such persons may be invited by the General Council or Conference to Honorary Membership. Honorary members shall not vote or hold office in the Association and shall make only such financial contribution as they voluntarily decide.

(d) Associate Members shall be persons accepted as members on special terms with respect to fees but without the right to vote or hold office. Associate members shall, however have the right to vote on any Committee to which they are appointed or co-opted.

(e) Student Members shall be persons pursuing courses of study in institutions for teacher education or such other institutions as may be approved by the Association. They shall pay such fees as are determined by the Association and enjoy the rights of membership except that of voting.

5. All members shall have equal rights to the services of the Association and to the privileges inherent in being a member of the Association except as otherwise stated in the Memorandum of Association, these Articles of Association or the By-Laws of the Association. They shall observe the professional and ethical standards set by the the Association from time to time and any member violating the accepted principles of the Association or failing to observe its standards, rules, code of regulation shall be dealt with by the Council as it deem fit. Members may be deprived of membership or otherwise disciplined. Persons who have been refused membership or have had their membership suspended, withdrawn, cancelled or forfeited may re-apply for membership.

MEMBERSHIP FEES
6. Fees shall be paid to the Association by its members in accordance with decisions taken from time to time by the Annual or Special Cohference. Fees paid by Full Members, Associate Members and Student Members shall be annual fees payable in advance. Any member who is in arrears in the payment of membership fees for one year shall forfeit his/her membership.

STRUCTURE
7. The Association shall consist of Parish Associations, District Associations, Affiliates, Interest Groups and Student Groups. These shall be formed from members in Recognised Educational Institutions.

RECOGNISED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
8. (a) Primary Institutions comprising Infant, Basic, Preparatory, Primary and All-Age schools and other similar educational institutions as may be recognised by the Council from time to time.

(b) Secondary Institutions comprising Secondary, High, Technical, Comprehensive, Trade and Vocational schools and other similiar educational institutions as may be recognised by the Council from time to time.

(c) Tertiary Institutions comprising Teachers' Colleges and other institutions as may be recognised by the Council from time to time.

9. Parish Associations
(a) Members of the parent Association living or working within a geographical parish shall comprise the membership of a Parish Association. For administrative purposes members from other Parishes may be admitted to membership of a particular Parish Association.

(b)) The Rules and Governing instruments of a Parish Association shall be in conformity with those of the Parent Association and subject to its approval. Copies of these and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Parent Association.

(c) A parish Association shall organize and service District Associations within its jurisdiction, co-ordinate and direct the activities of such associations, offer advice, instructions and protection to teachers within a specified area and act in the professional and educational interest of members within the Parish.

(d) A Parish Association shall make recommendations to the parent Association on matters affecting teachers and education in the Parish.

(e) A parish Association shall have the right to nominate a candidate for the office of President-Elect of the Association.

(f) The Parish Association shall be entitled to elect two (2) representatives to the General Council of whom one shall be named by theParish Association as a member of Central Executive. It shall have the right to revoke the election and/or nomination of any of these representatives at any time and elect others in their places. Such revocations or elections nominations shall be valid and effective only when written notice of the same has been duly certified by the President and/or Secretary of the Parish Associations and received by the Secretary General. Elections of these representatives shall be done at a duly constituted Annual or Special General Meeting of the Parish Association.

(g) The Parish Association shall normally meet at least twice per year.

(h) It shall annually make a report of its activities, financial and otherwise to the Secretary General of the Association.

(i) The Parish Association shall have an Executive Committee which shall have representation from the district associations of the parish.

10. District Associations
(a) A District Association shall consist of at least twenty-five members of the Parent Association from a minimum of five educational institutions. Each District Association shall be approved by General Council. Under special circumstances and with the express approval of the General Council the number of educational institutions may be less than five.

(b) The rules and governing instruments of a District Association shall conform with those of the Parent Association and the Parish Association and shall be subject to their approval.

(c) A District Association shall normally meet at least once per school term.

(d) A District Association shall promote the professional, cultural, social and economic interest of its members.

(e) A District Association shall have the right to nominate a candidate for the office of President-Elect of the Parent Association.

(f) A District Association shall work in close consultation with the Parish Association of which it forms part.

(g) A District Association shall have the right to elect one member to the General Council of the Association.

(h) A District Association shall have the right to name at least one representative to the Executive of the Parish Association.

(i) A District Association shall be entitled to be represented by delegates at the Annual Conference or Special Conference of the Parent Association in the proportion of one delegate for every ten full members but not exceeding a total of fifteen (15) delegates. It shall also be entitled to have half as many observers as delegates to Conference but observers shall not have the right to vote.

(j) A District Association that violates any of the principles, rules or regulations of the Parent Association may be dissolved by the General Council and the matter referred to the Parish Association for further action.

AFFILIATES
11. The Council may recognise as an Affiliate of the Association on such terms and conditions as it deems fit any group of persons who may or may not be members of the Association but whose objectives, activities and procedures are acceptable to the Association. Applications for Affiliation shall be made in writing. An affiliate Group is entitled to representation on General Council by one member without the right to vote.

12. Interest Groups
These shall consist of any group of twenty or more members of the Association who through special interest find it necessary to meet. Such groups may be recognised by the Association. Their objectives, rules and regulations shall be approved by the General Council as a condition of recognition by the Association.

13. Student Groups
Of at least twenty (20)student members in a teacher training institution. The group shall be approved by the General Council. Each Group is entitled to be represented at Conference and on General Council without the right to vote.

ADMINISTRATION
14. The following groups and individuals shall be responsible for the administration of the Association: The Annual Conference, Special Conference, the General Council, Central Executive, the Board of Tnistees, Finance Committee, other Standing and Ad Hoc Committees, Officers and Administrative Personnel as set out in these Articles.

15. Annual Conference
The Annual Conference is the Annual General Meeting of the Association and the supreme authority on all matters.

(a) Composition
It shall consist of the officers and administrative personnel, the General Council, Delegates and observers from District Associations and representatives from student groups and affiliates.

(b) Meetings
The Conference shall normally meet during the third full week in August each year but may be convened at any time and place decided upon by the Conference itself or by the General Council, Central Executive or the President acting on their behalf. Twenty- one days notice at least specifying the place, date, and time of the Conference shall be given to Secretaries of District Associations, Delegates and Representatives for the convening of any Annual Conference. The accidental omission of notice or its non-receipt by Secretaries, Delegates or Representatives shall not invalidate the proceeding of any Annual Conference.

(c) Duties
Without prejudice to other business the Annual Conference shall

(i) Receive and consider the Association's financial statements,

(ii) Auditor's Report, Budget for the ensuing year, the Secretary-General's and the President's Report.

(iii) Invest a President and recognise a President-Elect and Immediate Past President.

(iv) Approve appointments of a General Council

(v) Appoint Auditors

(vi) Transact any other business forming part of the agenda falling within its discretion.

(d) Procedure
The procedure for the conduct of Conference shall be as set out in the J.T.A. Standing Orders (Appendix)

(e) Quorum
The quorum for any Annual Conference shall be not less than 70 delegates of whom not less than 15 shall be members of the General Council. No business transacted by an Annual Confcrence shall be valid unless there is a quorum as set out in these Articles, provided, however, that Conference shall have the power to validate such business within its direction when properly constituted.

(f) Voting
No person other than delegates and members of Council present is eligible to vote at any Annual Conference.

(g) The President and in his absence President Elect or the Immediate Past President in that order may, with the consent of any Meeting and shall if so directed by the Meeting, adjourn any Meeting from time to time and from place to place but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned Meeting other than the business left unfinished at the Meeting from which the adjournment took place.When a Meeting is adjourned for ten days or more Notice of the adjourned Meeting shall be given as in the case of an original Meeting. Save as aforesaid it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjourned meeting or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned Meeting.

(h) At an Annual Conference or Special Conference every question shall be decided in the first instance by a show of hands, and unless a poll be demanded or directed by the Chairman, a declaration by the Chairman that a Resolution has been carried, or not carried, by a particular majority, and an entry to that effect in the book of proceedings of the Association shall be conclusive evidence of the facts without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against such Resolution. Any member present and entitled to vote may demand a poll.

(i) If a poll be demanded or directed in the manner above mentioned it shall be taken at such time and in such manner as the Chairman may appoint and the result of such poll shall be deemed to be the Resolution of the Association in General Meeting. In case of any disputes as to the admission or rejection of any vote the Chairman shall determine the same and such determination made in good faith shall be final and conclusive. In the case of an equality of votes at any Meeting whether upon a show of hands or a poll the Chairman shall be entitled to a second or casting vote.

(j) A poll demanded upon election of a Chairman or upon a question of adjournment shall be taken forthwith. Any business other than that upon which a poll has been demanded may be proceeded with pending the taking of the poll.

(k) Upon a show of hands or upon a poll every person present and entitled to a vote shall have one vote only.

16. Special Conference
Special Conference is any General Meeting of the Association other than the Annual Conference. The Composition shall be the same as that of the Annual Conference of the year in which it is held. The method by which it is convened, the quorum required, special powers and discretion exercisable and procedures shall be similar to those which apply to the Annual conference, provided that in cases of extreme emergency as determined by Central Executive, a Special Conference may be convened on a notice of less than twenty-one days. The business of Special Conference shall be limited solely to the matter or matters on the agenda accompanying the notice convening the meeting. A Special Conference may also be convened at the discretion of the President or the written request of not less than Five Hundred (500) Full members of the Association, or not less than Fifty percent (50%) of the members of Central Executive or the General Council, addressed to the Secretary General not less than 14 days prior to the date proposed for the Special Conference.

17. The General Council
(a) Composition

i. The Officers, Administrative Personnel and Trustees of the Association

ii. Two (2) representatives from each Parish Association

iii. One (1) representative from each District Association

iv. One (1) representative from each Interest Group and each Affiliate Group

v. Two representatives each from members of the Primary andSecondary Levels and one from the Tertiary Level, co-opted if necessary

vi. Fifteen (15) co-options

(b) Powers and Duties
The Council shall have the power between Conference to initiate and implement by a simple majority of members present and voting measures affecting the welfare of the Association, reporting the results of its action to the full Conference.The Council shall have the authority to interpret the regulations of the Association. Without prejudice to other powers and duties, it shall be the duty of the General Council to -

i. Appoint Committees and settle their terms of reference

ii. To receive and consider reports from Officers, Administrative Personnel and Committees.

iii. To examine the budgetary position and the Accounts of the Association
iv. Arrange for the filling of vacancies which may arise within its own body
v. Deal with the discipline of members

vi. Deal with such other matters as may arise from time to time.

(c) Meetings
Regular meetings of the General Council shall be held quarterly on the Saturday following the fourth Friday of the months of March, June, September and November or at such other times as the Council may decide. Special Meetings may be called by the President or at the written request of not less than Fifty per cent (50%) of the members of Central Executive or General Council or by not less than Five Hundred (500) Full members of the Association who are not members of the the Council, for clearly stated reasons. The quorum of a Regular or Special meeting of the Council shall be one fifth of its membership. At least ten (10) days' notice shall be given for the holding of a Regular Meeting of the Council.The rule with respect to the notice for the holding of a Special Meeting may be modified to meet situations of grave emergency. Procedures at meetings of the Council shall follow these laid down in Standing Orders for the Annual Conference.

(d) Tenure of Office Members of the General Council shall hold office from the rise of Conference of one year until the close of the Conference of the year immediately succeeding. Absence without excuse by any member of theCouncil for two (2) consecutive meetings shall forfeit such member his/her seat on the Council and this shall not be restored to him/her except by the decision of the Council.

(e) Vacancies on the Council shall be tilled on the request of the Secretary General by the groups whose representatives are no longer on the Council.

COMMITTEES
18. Committies of the Association shall be:
(a) Standing Committees namely:

(i) A Central Executive
(ii) A Board of Trustees
(iii) A Finance Committee
(iv) A Property and Development
(v) A Salaries and Conditions of Service
(vi) A Disciplinary Committee
(vii) An International Relations Committee
(viii) An Education and Research Committee
(ix) A Professional Advancement and Teacher Welfare Committee
(x) A Resolutions Committee
(xi) A Credentials Committee
(xii) A Primary Committee
(xiii) A Secondary Committee
(xiv) A Tertiary Committee
(xvi) Sports Committee

(b) Ad Hoc Committee as necessary

CENTRAL EXECUTIVE
19. The Central Executive shall be the chief instrument of the Association's policy as laid down by its Annual General Meeting and shall have authority to make decisions and take action on all matter within such policy. As such, all Officers, Administrative Personnel and Committees ar esubject to the authority of the Central Executive acting on behalf of the Annual Conference, Special Conference, and General Council. Decisions and actions taken by the Central Executive shall be reported to the General Council, provided that if such are likely to be controversial, they should only be taken on the advice of the Council or Conference.

(a) Composition
(i) The Officers and Administrative Personnel

(ii) Three (3) Trustees

(iii) One (1) representative from each Parish Association

(iv) Fifteen (15) nominees of General Council

(b) Meetings
There shall be a Regular Monthly Meeting of the Central Executive normally on the fourth Friday of each month or at such other times as it may decide. Special meeting of the Central Executive may be called by the President or on the written request of at least fifty per cent (50%) of its membership. A minimum of seven days notice shall be given for a regular Executive meeting and the quorum at a Regular or a Special meeting of the Executive shall be one fifth of the elected members.Chairmen of Standing Committees shall be nominated by the President from among members of the Executive.

(c) Tenure of Office
A member of the Central Executive shall hold office from the rise of Annual Conference of one year to the close of the Conference of the year immediately succeeding. Absence from three consecutive meetings without reasonable excuse by a member of the Central Executive shall lead to forfeit of the member's seat.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
20. There shall be five (5) Trustees of the Association who shall togethe form the Board of Trustees. Trustees shall be Full or Life Members in good standing.They shall be appointed by General Council, ratified by the Annual Conference and shall hold office at the discretion of the Association until they resign or are removed from office. It shall be the duty of the Board of Trustees to give advice on the disposal of the property of the Association and to be a party to the signing of the cheques for the disbursement of the Association's funds and any document relating to the purchase, sale or transfer of property. Trustees are directly responsible to General Council, acting on behalf of Conference, and are subject to all the limitations attached to membership of the Association. Meetings of the Board ol Trustees may be held at the discretion of the Trustees and the quorum for such meetings shall be three (3).Trustees shall be members of the General Council and of these at least three (3) shall be members of Central Executive. The President, Secretary General and Chairman of the Finance Committee shall be ex-fficio members of the Board of Trustees.

FINANCE COMMITTEE
21. Finance Committee shall consist of seven (7) members of the General Council appointed by the Council together with the Officers, Secretary-General, Finance Officer, Administrative Secretaries and two Trustees. Administrative Personnel shall be advisory and non-voting members of Finance Committee. The Finance Committee shall hold regular monthly meetings and special meeting as circumstances demand, assist in the preparation of the Annual Budget, keep a close watch upon the funds of the Association, make recommendations for the disposal and deployment of such funds and present or cause to be presented reports to the Central Executive and the General Council on the state of the Association's funds at each meeting of these bodies. The quorum for any general or special meeting of the Finance Committee shall be tree (3) members other than the Officers, Administrative Personnel and Trustees. The Finance Committee is not allowed to coopt members.

22. The Property and Development Committee shall comprise the Trustees, three (3) members of Council, the Secretary for Economic Services, one other member of the Administrative Staff and such other persons as it may coopt from time to time. Its duty shall be to provide advice on the management, expansion and development of the Association's property and economic services. It is expected to meet regularly, to keep in touch with Finance Committee and the Association's Economic Services and to present regular reports to Central Executive and General Council on matters within its purview. The quorum for a meeting of this Committee is four (4) members.

23. The Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee shall keep under constant scrutiny and review the salaries and the conditions prevailing in the teaching service, especially as these relate to members of the Association. It shall consist of seven (7) members representing the different sections of the teaching service and have the power to coopt additional members. It shall be the Committee's duty to examine the salary scale of teachers, to relate these to living standards and costs, to seek and discover their effect on the teachers' social- economic life, to collect and collate information on the subject and to make such recommendations and representations as will bring the greatest benefit to the members of the Association. It shall also investigate and make recommendations for improvement in the teachers' conditions of service generally as well as in special cases. Meetings of the Committee shall be held as required and the quorum shall be three (3).

24. Disciplinary Committee
The Disciplinary committee shall consist of seven (7) members elected by the General Council. None of these shall be Officers, Administrative Personnel or Members of the Executive or Council. The quorum shall be three (3). The Committee shall consider all matters of a disciplinary nature referred to it by the Central Executive or Council and report their findings with recommendations to the General Council through the Central Executive.

25. The International Relations Committee shall consist of five (5) persons and has the right of co-options. Matters of a regional and international nature shall fall within its purview and be subject to its advice. The quorum for a meeting shall be three (3).

26. The Education and Research Committee shall consist of nine members and shall have the power of co-option. It shall keep under review the education system, education laws and regulations, assess their relevance, propose improvements and new directions in education and make available to the Association opinions and information designed to assist in making effective representation on educational matters. Quorum for meeting shall be four (4).

27. The Professional Advancement and Teacher Welfare Committee shall consist of nine (9) persons with powers to co-opt. It shall deal with all matters pertaining to the welfare of teachers and the advancement of professional practice. It shall sponsor activities such as courses, workshops and seminars. The quorum for meetings shall be four (4).

28. The Resolution Committee shall consist of five (5) persons. It shall review all resolutions submitted to the Association, reshape where necessary without altering substance thereof and combine resolutions where necessary. This Committee shall follow up all resolutions to their final conclusions. The quorum for meetings shall be three (3).

29. The Credentials Committee shall consist of five(5) persons. It shall be responsible for the examination of the credentials of each delegate elected to attend and vote at meetings of the Annual Conference and Special Conference and to certify whether or these are in order They shall also examine and certify the credentials of members electedto General Council and to attend to any other matter related to the credentials of members as delegated by General Council or Conference. Its members shall act scrutineers at the Annual and any Special Conference. The quorum for meetings shall be three (3)

30. The Primary Committee shall consist of five (5) members of General Council and not more than five (5) co-opted members. The quorum for meetings shall be four (4). The Committee shall consider all matters affecting the Primary level of education.

31. The Secondary Committee shall consist of five (5) members of General Council and not more than (5) co-opted members. Tthe quorum for meetings shall be four (4). The Committee shall consider all matters affecting the Secondary level of education.

32. The Tertiary Committee shall consist of three (3) members of General Council and not more than three (3) co-opted members. The quorum for meetings shall be three (3). The Committee shall consider all matters affecting the Tertiary level of education.

33. The Membership Committee shall consist of fifteen (15) members and not more than five (5) co-opted members. It shall be the duty of this Committee to ensure the highest possible membership in the Association at all times and to see that members are in good financial standing. A quorum shall be nine (9).

34. The Sports Committee shall consist of five (5) members of the General Council and one representative from each Parish Association. The quorum is nine (9). It shall deal with the organisation of National Sports Competition for teachers and students at all levels.

35. The Officers of the Association shall be -

(a) President
(b) President Elect
(c) An Immediate Past President

36. The President is the chief executive of the Association. This Officer shall direct the affairs of the Association, preside at all meetings of Conference, the General Council and the Central Executive, and be a member of all its Committees. The President shall summon or cause to be summoned all meetings of these bodies. In cases of emergency, he may authorise the expenditure of a sum of money not exceeding Two Thousand Dollars (2,000.00) in total from the funds of the Association, reporting the same to the Executive through the Finance Committee at its first meeting after the expenditure. The President shall hold office one year immediately following his/her tenure as President-Elect and continueuntil the inauguration of a successor. If a President is unable to complete his/her term of office, the President-Elect shall act as President.

37. The President-Elect shall normally be elected one year prior to his inauguration as President. He/she shall automatically succeed to the office President of the Association. The President Elect is second in order of precedence among the officers and shall be inaugurated as President at a session of the Annual conference convened for this purpose. In the absence of the President, the President-Elect shall perform such duties as would normally fall within the competence of the President and shall perform such other duties as the Conference, Council, Executive or President may prescribe. The President- Elect is an Ex-officio member of all Committees of the Association. Nominations for the office of President-Elect shall be made by District and Parish Associations normally during the month of June based on current membership list and submitted on the form prescribed for purpose. The names of candidates who accept nominations together with information about their career shall be provided for members. If for any reason the President-Elect is unavailable to assume the office of President the sitting President shall continue as President for another year.

38. The Immediate Past President shall take office for the year immediately following his term as President. He/she shall be third in order of precedence among the Officers. In the absence c the President and President Elect he/she shall perform such dutie as would normally fall within the competence of the President and shall perform such other duties as are assigned to him from time to time by conference, General Council or the President. He/she shall be a member of General Council for the two (2) years immediately succeeding his/her year as Immediate Past President.

ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL
39. Administrative Personnel shall be:

(a) A Secretary General
(b) Administrative Secretaries
(c) Administrative Personnel otherwise designated

The appointment, tenure, duties and responsibilities of Administrative Personnel shall be set out in a contract with the person/persons concerned. Administrative Personnel are advisers at Conference, General Council, Central Executive and Finance Committee and have no vote.

40. The Secretary General is the chief administrative officer of the Association and shall responsible for the carrying out of the policies of Conference and the decisions and directives of Conference, General Council and Central Executive. He/she shall be responsible for the overall administration of the Association and shall coordinate the acLivities of the other secretaries and also the work of the Committees. The Secretary General shall be appointed by General Council.

41. Other Secretaries
These shall carry out such duties and responsibilities as are assigned to them from time to time. They shall be appointed by Central Executive.

FUNDS
42. The funds of the Association shall be classified as:

(a) General Funds
(b) Reserve Funds
(c) Funds otherwise designated by Conference or its agents

43. All funds collected by and for the Association for whatever purpose shall be lodged by the Secretary General or someone delegated by him in a reputable Commercial Bank. All payments shall be made by cheque signed by any two of the following: the President, Secretary General, Chairman of the Finance Committee and one the Trustees of the Association or any other persons appointed by the General Council.

44. The expenditure of funds shall be approved by the Central Executive. The Secretary General or anyone delegated by the Secretary General shall certify the disbursement of all such funds.

45. The Reserve Fund shall normally be 2 1/2 % of the amount collected for membership fee and shall at no time show a cash balance of less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).

46. Separate accounts shall be kept for each of the funds named in Article 42.

47. The funds shall be applied as set out in a Budget presented by the Finance Committee and approved by Conference and shall be subject to both internal and external audit.

48. A Financial Statement shall be presented at each regular meeting of General Council and Central executive, and a Balance Sheet shall be made out in every year and laid before the Annual Conference made up to a date not more than six (6) months before such meeting, together with a copy of the Auditor's report. The Balance Sheet shall be accompanied by a report of the Members of Council as to the state of the Association's affairs and the amount (if any) which they propose to carry to a reserve fund.

49. Notwithstanding the foregoing, funds may be applied to appropriations approved by general Council.

50. Indemnity
The Officers, Administrative Personnel, members of Council, Central Executive, Committees and other persons while acting for and on behalf of the Association shall be indemnified out of the funds of the Association from and against legal action of any kind, unless it be established that such acts arise from wilful neglect or default on their part.

51. The Council may raise or borrow money in accordance with recommendations of the Finance Committee and may secure the repayment of same by mortgage or charge, subject to the approval of the Property and Trustees Committees upon the whole or any part of the assets and property of the Association are not so charged.

DISQUALIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
52. The office of a Member of the Council shall be vacated:

(a) If he makes any composition with his creditor generally or becomes bankrupt
(b) If he be found lunatic or becomes of unsound mind or of such infirm health as to be incapable of managing his affairs.
(c) If he absents himself from two (2) consecutive meetings of Council without reasonable excuse.
(d) If he gives notice in writing that he resigns his office
(e) If he ceases to be a Member of the Association
(f) If removed as a member at an Annual Conference or Special Conference.

53. A member of the Council shall not be disqualified by his office from entering into contracts, arrangements or dealing with the Association nor shall any contract, arrangement or dealing with the Association be avoided, nor shall a Member of the Council be liable to account to The Association for any profit arising out of any contract, arrangement or dealing with the Association by reason of such Member being a party to or interested in or deriving profit from any such contract, arrangement or dealing and being at the same time a Member of the Council provided that such Member disclose to the Council, at or before the time when such contract arrangement or dealing is determined upon his interest therein, or if his interest be subsequently acquired provided that he on the first occasion' possible discloses to the Council the fact that he has acquired such interest.

54. The Members of the Council shall procure a Common seal to be made for The Association and shall provide for the safe custody thereof. The Seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of a Resolution of the Council and in the presence of two Members and the, Secretary General or such other person as the Members of the Couiicil may appoint for the purpose and such Members of the Council and the Secretary General or other person aforesaid shall sign every document to which the Seal of The Association is so affixed in their presence.

ACCOUNTS
55. The Members of the Council shall cause true accounts to be kept

(a) of the sums of money received and expended by the Association and the matters in respect of which such receipt and expenditure take place;
(b) of the assets and liabilities of The Association.

56. The record of accounts shall be kept at the registered office of The Association or at such other place or places as the Members think fit and shall always be open to the inspection of the Members of the Council.

57. The Members of the Council shall from time to time determine whether and to what extent and at what time and places and under what conditions the accounts and records of The Association or any of them shall be open to the inspection of The Association not being of the Council, and no Member (not being a Member of the Council) shall have any right of inspecting any account record or document of the Association except as conferred by Statute or authorised by the Members of the Council or by The Association in Annual Conference or a Special Conference.

AUDIT
58. The Association shall at each Annual Conference appoint an Auditor or Auditors to hold office until the next Annual Conference. The Council may fill any vacancy in the office of Auditor which may arise between Annual Conference.

59. Every Auditor of The Association shall have a right of access at all times to the books and accounts and vouchers of The Association and shall be entitled to require from the Members of the Council and Officers of The Association such information and explanation as may be necessary for the performance of the duties of the Auditors.

60. The Auditors shall make a report to the Annual Conference on the accounts of The Association examined by them and on every Balance Sheet laid before the Annual Conference during their tenure of Office.

NOTICES
61. A Notice may be given by The Association to any District Association or Parish Association or any Committee or Member by advertisement, or personally or by sending it by post to the Secretary of the District Association, Parish Association, Committee or a Member as the case may require at his registered address or to the address, if any, in Jamaica supplied by such Secretary or Member of the Association for the giving of Notices to him/her.

62. No member shall be entitled to have a Notice served on him/her at any address not within Jamaica.

63. Any Member of the Council not having a registered address within Jamaica shall be deemed to have received in due course any notice which shall have been displayed in the Association's office, and which shall remain there for forty-eight hours.

64. All Notices given by advertisement shall be advertised in such daily newspaper as the council shall think proper and shall be deemed to be served on the day when such advertisement shall first appear.

65. Any Notice if served by post shall be deemed to have been served twenty-four hours after the letter containing the same shall have been deemed to have been posted.

66. Where notice extending over any period is required to be given the day of service shall be counted in such a period.

GENERAL
67. All negotiable or transferable instruments and other documents of The Association, excepting cheques, shall be accepted, made, drawn, endorsed, negotiated and signed for and on behalf of the Association by any two members of the Council and the Secretary General or in any other way authorised, from time to time by Resolution of Council.

ADMENDMENTS
68. Amendments of the Constitution of The Association may be carried out by the Annual Conference or a Special Conference only; and these may only be done by Special Resolution submitted to the Association at least three months before such Conference and passed by two thirds majority of delegates present and voting.