Prince George Photographic Society

1 Name

The name of the Society is "Prince George Photographic Society", hereinafter referred to as "the Society".

2 The Purposes of the Society are:

1. To advance the art and science of photography in the Prince George area.
2. To provide educational programs for photographers of all levels of achievement and experience.
3. To provide opportunities for members to display their work in various settings.
4. To provide opportunities for members to comment on or critique displayed work.
5. To provide opportunities for members to participate in photographic exhibits and contests.
6. To affiliate with photographic and arts organizations.
7. To lease, rent, purchase, sell or otherwise dispose of such premises, equipment and services as are required to carry on operations.
8. To raise funds to support the purposes of the Society.

3 Member-funded Society

1. This society is a member-funded society. It is funded primarily by its members to carry on activities for the benefit of its members. On its liquidation or dissolution, this society may distribute its money and other property to its members..

1 Membership

1. Membership shall be open to any person who applies for membership in the form approved by the Executive Committee and who pays the annual fee.
2. Lifetime Membership may be conferred on a current or former member by ordinary resolution of a General Membership Meeting. Lifetime members shall be exempt from payment of the annual fee and shall have voting privileges.
3. Honorary Membership may be conferred on any person by ordinary resolution of a General Membership Meeting. Honorary members shall not have voting privileges.
4. The membership year shall run from July 1 to June 30 of the following year.
5. The annual membership fee shall be established from time to time by the Executive Committee and shall be subject to ratification by ordinary resolution at a General Membership Meeting.
6. Membership fees are due September 1. A continuing member who fails to pay the annual membership fee by January 1 of the following year ceases to be a member.
7. The Executive Committee may remove any member for cause. The Executive Committee may offer to meet with a member prior to a decision to remove that member. A member who has been removed may appeal the decision of the Executive Committee to a General Membership Meeting provided that notice of the appeal is given to the Secretary no less than 15 days prior to the meeting at which it will be considered. The General Membership Meeting shall determine the appeal by secret ballot.
8. The Executive Committee may reinstate a member following an application for reinstatement from a member who has been removed for cause.

2 Executive Committee

1. The Officers of the Society shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
2. The Immediate Past President shall be a member of the Executive Committee and shall serve for a period of one year.
3. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers, the Immediate Past President, and no fewer than four additional Directors.
4. The Officers and Directors shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
5. The number of additional directors to be elected in excess of four shall be determined by ordinary resolution at the Annual General Meeting.
6. The term of the Executive Committee shall be from the date of the Annual General Meeting to the date of the Annual General Meeting in the following year.
7. The Executive Committee may appoint a member to fill a vacant position.
8. All members of the Executive Committee must be members of the Society.

3 Duties of the Executive Committee

1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Society. The Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in her/his absence.
2. The Secretary shall maintain minutes and all records with the exception of financial records. The Secretary may make the minutes available in writing or by e-mail.
3. The Executive shall appoint a member to maintain a register of members with name, phone number, e-mail address and membership fee status.
4. The Treasurer shall maintain all financial records and collect and administer the Society's funds.
5. The Treasurer shall prepare an annual financial report consisting of a financial statement showing income and expenditure and a balance sheet showing assets and liabilities. This report shall be presented to the Annual General Meeting.
6. The Executive Committee may assign any Director or member such duties as are from time to time necessary.
7. The Executive Committee may establish a Committee to act or report on any matter. At least one member of such a Committee shall be a member of the Executive Committee.
8. The Executive Committee shall prepare and file such documents and reports as are required under the Society Act of British Columbia.
9. The Executive Committee shall take any proposal to borrow money to a General Membership Meeting in the form of a recommendation requiring approval by ordinary resolution.
10. The Officers shall have signing authority for the Society. Cheques must be signed by any two of the four signing authorities.

4 Meetings

1. The Executive Committee shall meet from time to time at the call of the President or at the call of any three members of the Executive Committee.
2. A schedule of General Membership Meetings shall be established from time to time by the Executive Committee and shall be subject to ratification by ordinary resolution at a General Membership Meeting. The Executive Committee may vary the meeting schedule when necessary.
3. Any member may make nominations to the Executive Committee at the first or second meeting in the membership year.
4. The Annual General Meeting shall be the second meeting held in the membership year.
5. When an election is necessary, election to the Executive Committee shall be by secret ballot.
6. The Executive Committee may organize workshops, field trips and other activities in addition to General Membership Meetings.
7. A quorum of any General Membership Meeting shall be 25% of the total membership or ten (10) members, whichever is less, and must include one of the Officers.
8. All business of the Society shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order when not in conflict with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Society.

5 Finance

1. The fiscal year shall run from July 1 to June 30 of the following year.
2. The annual financial report of the Society shall be audited by a member appointed at a General Membership Meeting. The auditor shall not be a member of the Executive Committee. The auditor shall report to the Annual General Meeting.

6 Affiliation

1. The Society shall maintain an annual affiliation to The Canadian Association for Photographic Art (CAPA).
2. The Society may maintain an annual affiliation to the Prince George and District Community Arts Council.

7 Amendments

1. Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws shall require a 2/3 vote of members present at a General Meeting provided that the number of members present is greater than 25% of all members. Notice of the amendment must be proposed in writing in the form of a special resolution and must be provided to the Secretary. The Secretary shall notify all members of the proposed special resolution by e-mail or mail no less than 30 days prior to the General Meeting at which it will be considered.

8 Non-profit Organization

The Society shall be carried on without purpose of gain for its members and any profits or other accretions to the Society shall be used for promoting its purposes.

9 Winding Up

In the event that the Society should at any time be wound up or dissolved, the remaining assets after payment of all debts and liabilities shall be turned over to one or more organizations in Canada as the members may determine by ordinary resolution or, failing that, by ordinary resolution at the final meeting of the Executive Committee.