McGill.CA / McGill University Retiree Association

Constitution and By-Laws
Amendments to the By-laws adopted - December 2021

 

Article 1: Name

  1. The name of the Association is the McGill University Retiree Association / Association des Retraité(e)s de l’Université McGill (MURA/ARUM) hereinafter referred to as the Association.
  2. Definitions: In this Constitution and in all by-laws of the Association, unless the context requires otherwise,
    1. By-law means any by-law of the association that is, from time to time, in effect.
    2. Board and Executive mean the Board and Executive of the Association.

 

Article 2: Purpose

  1. To encourage and promote a spirit of community amongst members of the Association, and through engagement in Association activities, to provide retired members with an ongoing link to McGill University;
  2. To represent members’ interests and concerns in discussions with the University in areas such as but not limited to staff benefits;
  3. To offer assistance and advice to the University regarding activities and initiatives which are consistent with the purposes of the Association.

Article 3: Membership

  1. Regular Member. Membership in the Association is open to all McGill University retirees.
  2. Associate Member. Any person who is the spouse or partner of a regular member is eligible to become an Associate Member. Associate members are not eligible to vote on matters related to Association business.
  3. Affiliate Member. Retired employees of other universities, retired employees of McGill University affiliated institutions, organizations, and entities, and employees of McGill University nearing retirement may apply for Affiliate Membership in the Association. Acceptance will be considered on a case by case basis by the Board.
  4. Access to the membership list shall be limited to members of the Executive and select Board members as may be required by their Board responsibilities. Other use of the list must be approved by the Executive.

Article 4: Administration

  1. The Association shall be administered by an Executive Committee and a Board.
  2. Including 5 members of the Executive, the Board shall consist of a minimum of 11 and a maximum of 13 regular members. Ideally, the make-up of the Board will be such that there is at least one former member of each of the four major McGill employee groups (MAUT, MUNASA, MUNACA and SEU).
  3. In the normal last year of the mandate of the President, a President-Elect position shall be created. Should the President-Elect come from outside the existing Board, the Board shall be expanded to a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 14 members to include the addition of the President-Elect for the year at issue. Should the President-Elect come from outside the Executive, the Executive shall be expanded to six members to include the President-Elect.
  4. The Executive shall consist of:
    1. President and Chair of the Board
    2. Vice-President (Internal)
    3. Vice-President (External)
    4. Treasurer
    5. Immediate Past President
    6. President-Elect when required in conformity with Item 3. above.
  5. Beyond reimbursement of travel and office expenses at a rate approved by the Board, no member of the Executive or Board of the Association shall receive remuneration for his or her service.

Article 5: Changes to the Constitution and By-Laws

  1. A notice of motion for changes (enactments, repeals or amendments) to the Constitution or By-Laws may be proposed either by the Board or by regular members. In the case of proposals from the membership they must be delivered in writing or by email to the Vice-President (Internal) over the signatures of at least 5 regular members in good standing. The proposed changes, together with information detailing supporting reasons must be distributed by the Vice-President (External) to all regular members of the Association.
  2. When a vote takes place at a general meeting the proposed changes must be sent to regular members at least 30 days prior to the meeting at which they will be considered. In the case of a vote by ballot, ballots will be sent by email or mail to all regular members and shall include a notice that only ballots received by the Vice-President (Internal) before a specified date will be counted. The counting shall be at least 30 days after the mailing of the ballots.
  3. The adoption of a proposed change to the Constitution requires the affirmative votes of at least two-thirds of all regular members voting.
  4. The adoption of a proposed change to the By-Laws requires the affirmative votes of a simple majority of all regular members voting.

Article 6: Non-Profit Status

The Association does not have as its purpose financial gain for its members. Any profits or other accretions to the Association shall be used in promoting the purposes of the Association. In the event of the dissolution of the Association all its remaining assets, after payment of liabilities shall be distributed to a not for profit fund approved by the Board.

Amendments to the By-laws adopted - December 2021
BY-LAWS

By-Law 1: Responsibilities of the Executive

The Executive Committee is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Association. Specifically,

a. The President shall:

  1. Preside at all meetings of the Executive, Board and at General Meetings;
  2. Prepare and circulate an agenda for each meeting;
  3. Assign duties to members of the Board;
  4. Call upon members of the Association to assist in the Association’s operation;
  5. Exercise general supervision of all affairs of the Association and ensure that policies and actions approved by the Board or membership are implemented;
  6. Be an ex-officio member of all committees

b. The Vice-President (Internal) shall:

  1. When necessary, assume the duties of the President;
  2. Oversee the operation and actions of committees and chair committees as directed by the President;
  3. Receive requests from the membership for changes to the Constitution and By-Laws;
  4. Perform such other duties as requested by the President.

c. The Vice-President (External) shall:

  1. Conduct all correspondence of the Association;
  2. Issue notices of meetings of the Board and for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and other general meetings;
  3. Issue notices of annual membership fees due in September of each year for the next calendar year;
  4. Keep minutes of all meetings of the Board and of general meetings of the Association;
  5. Have custody of all records and documents of the Association;
  6. Maintain the Membership List;
  7. On behalf of the Association, maintain communication with relevant external bodies including CURAC.

d. The Treasurer shall:

  1. Maintain records of all financial transactions in a format that is appropriate for an official audit;
  2. Arrange all disbursements and ensure that these disbursements are endorsed by at least two members the Executive, excluding the Past President and the President-Elect, following which endorsement, official financial transactions may be processed with a single signature from one of the four Executive members, excluding the Past President and the President Elect;
  3. Ensure that a bank account is maintained at a financial institution approved by the Board and that all income received by the Association is deposited in that account
  4. Submit a budget to the Annual General Meeting for the fiscal year April 1st to March 31st of the following year;
  5. Recommend to the Board the name of a person qualified to conduct an annual financial review;
  6. Submit to the Annual General Meeting an independent financial report for the past fiscal year April 1st to March 31st;
  7. Submit financial reports to the Board at its request;
  8. Submit annually a list of Association officers and other require d information pursuant to the requirements of the Registraire des entreprises, Québec.

e. The Past-President shall:

  1. Advise the President and Executive, and fulfill such other duties as may be assigned by the President.
  2. Receive nominations for Executive and Board positions and oversee the selection process;

f. The President-Elect shall:

  1. Assist the President in the accomplishment of his/her duties,
  2. Become familiar with all ongoing business of the Executive and the Board.

By-Law 2: Responsibilities of the Board

The Board is responsible for governing the Association by supporting and assisting in the work of the Executive and by:

  1. Establishing policies that permit the Association to fulfill its purpose and meet its objectives by the most effective means and within the framework of the Constitution and By-Laws;
  2. Confirming that proper and sufficient accounts are kept of the funds, receipts and expenditures of the Association.
  3. Proposing the level of annual membership dues;
  4. Establishing such committees, standing or ad hoc, as deemed necessary by the Board;
  5. Reviewing the composition and terms of such committees;
  6. Proposing and amending by-laws;
  7. Appointing annually three members of a Nominating Committee;
  8. Overseeing the production and updating of Association communication channels such as newsletters, the website, and social media sites;
  9. In the event that a position becomes vacant before the end of a term of office, appointing a Board member to fill an Executive position or a regular member to fill a Board position.

By-Law 3: Meetings of the Executive

  1. The Executive Committee meets as often as is deemed necessary. The agenda shall normally be disseminated to the Executive one week before a meeting but this requirement may be waived by the members attending the meeting.
  2. Voting procedures shall be the same as for the Board.
  3. Two members plus the President or Vice-President (Internal) shall constitute a quorum of the Executive Committee meeting.

By-Law 4: Meetings of the Board

  1. The Board shall meet at least twice annually at the call of the President or at the request of three members of the Board. The agenda shall normally be disseminated to the Board two weeks before a meeting but this requirement may be waived by the members attending the meeting.
  2. Five members of the Board plus the President or Vice-President (Internal) shall constitute a quorum.
  3. An affirmative vote of a majority of the members present shall be required for the resolution of any question. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson shall cast the deciding vote.

By-Law 5: Meetings of the Association

  1. Annual General Meeting: The Annual General meeting of the Association shall be held each year between May 15th and June 20th at a time and date determined by the Board, and at an accessible location on campus to be determined by the Executive. The purpose of the meeting shall be for the sitting Executive to report to members on the affairs of the Association, for the announcement of the names of the elected incoming Executive and Board, to receive financial statements, and to transact any other relevant business.
  2. Special General Meeting: A special general meeting of members may be convened upon approval of the Board provided two-thirds of the Board are in favour of calling such a meeting or upon a written request to the President from fifty regular members of the Association. This request must set out the nature of the business proposed for the special meeting.
  3. Notice of an Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting shall be sent to members at least 30 days prior to the date of the meeting. This notice will set forth the date, time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special general meeting, will include the nature of the business proposed for it.
  4. All members of the Association are entitled to be present and to be heard at any meeting of members. Any other person may be admitted or entitled to speak on the invitation of the President of the Association.
  5. Every regular member shall be entitled to one vote.
  6. At any meeting fifty regular members shall constitute a quorum. If a quorum is not present and decisions requiring the approval of the membership are outstanding, the Chair will order a ballot of the membership.
  7. The President, or in the case of her/his absence the Vice –President (Internal) shall chair all meetings.
  8. With the exception of changes to the Constitution, at any meeting of members, every motion shall be decided by a simple majority. In the case of a tie vote, the Chair shall be entitled to cast the tie breaking vote.

By-Law 6: Election of the Executive

  1. Only regular members in good standing may be elected to the Executive.
  2. Members of the Executive shall serve a three-year term commencing at the Annual General Meeting at which they were elected to the date of the Annual General Meeting three years hence. Members of the Executive may not hold the same position for more than two consecutive terms. The Board of Directors may agree to have a member of the Executive, who is about to complete his/her consecutive terms, serve another new term (on the Executive and Board), in the best interests of the Association. In that circumstance, said member may stand for re-election again.
  3. Each year, by November 15th, a Nominating Committee of three regular members shall be appointed by the Board. They will prepare a list of candidates for any terminating Executive positions and report this to the Past President by February 1st. There shall be at least one nomination for each vacant office. The nominees must acknowledge their willingness to accept office if elected.
  4. The Nominating Committee shall also be responsible for the search of the prospective President-Elect to serve in the normal last year of the mandate of the President.
  5. By March 1st the Vice-President (External) shall send a notice to every regular member of the Association, containing:

i.) A list of the current Executive;

ii.) A list of nominations from the Nominating Committee;

iii.) Notification that further nominations may be submitted to the Past President under the signatures of five regular members. The nomination must include notice that the nominee is eligible to stand for office and consents to serve. Nominations in writing will be accepted by the Past President up to and including April 1st.

f.) If there is no more than one nomination for each office, the nominated slate of officers will be acclaimed at the Annual General Meeting.

g.) If there is more than one nomination for any office, voting will occur by ballot, ballots being distributed to all members by the Vice-President (External) at least 30 days before the Annual General Meeting.

h.) Ballots received one week before the Annual General Meeting will be counted by the Past President and a scrutineer appointed by the Board. Those elected will be decided by a simple majority. Results of the ballot will be announced at the Annual General Meeting.

By-Law 7: Election of the Board

  1. Members of the Board shall serve a three-year term commencing at the Annual General Meeting at which they were elected to the date of the Annual General Meeting three years hence. Members of the Board may serve up to a maximum of two consecutive terms unless subsequently elected to the Executive of the Association in which case the member may serve in this new role for the term designated in the by-law governing the term of Executive positions. 

    In addition, the Board of Directors may agree to have a member of the Executive, who is about to complete his/her consecutive terms, serve another new term (on the Executive and Board), in the best interests of the Association. In that circumstance, said member may stand for re-election again.
  2. Each year, by November 15th, a Nominating Committee of three regular members shall be appointed by the Board. They will prepare a list of candidates to fill any terminating Board positions, and the President-Elect when required, and report this to the Past President by February 1st. The nominees for the vacant Board positions must acknowledge their willingness to sit on the Board if elected.
  3. By March 1st the Vice-President (External) shall send a notice to every regular member of the Association, containing:
    1. A list of current Board members;
    2. A list of nominations from the Nominating Committee;
    3. Notification that further nominations may be submitted to the Past President under the signatures of five regular members. The nomination must include notice that the nominee is eligible to stand for office and consents to serve. Nominations in writing will be accepted by the Past President up to and including April 1st.
  4. If there is only one nomination for each vacant position, the newly nominated Board members will be acclaimed at the Annual General Meeting.
  5. If there are more nominations than vacancies, voting will occur by ballot, ballots being distributed to all members by the Vice-President (External) at least 30 days before the Annual General Meeting.
  6. Ballots received one week before the Annual General Meeting will be counted by the Past president and a scrutineer appointed by the Board. Successful candidates will be decided by a simple majority. Results of the ballot will be announced at the Annual General Meeting.


By-Law 8: Membership Dues

Regular Membership in the Association is contingent either on payment of a membership fee, the exact amount to be determined and approved each year for the succeeding year at the Annual General Meeting, or on a membership fee waiver. Fee waivers may be provided to former members of employee groups that have negotiated fee waiver agreements with MURA. Membership fees will be payable annually by September 1st.

Associate Members do not pay dues.

Affiliate Members pay the Regular Member Fee

By-Law 9: Association Activity Fees

Events and activities organized by the Association by, or on behalf of members are normally expected to be self-financing. The Association will not be liable for financial shortfall incurred by members during the exercise of activities. However, certain events (such as, but not limited to, the Annual General Meeting), upon approval of the Executive, may be financed completely or partially by the Association.

By-Law 10: Indemnification Insurance for Board Members

The Association shall, on an annual basis, purchase insurance which protects a Board member from all costs charges and expenses whatsoever that a Board member sustains or incurs in or about any action, suit or proceedings which are brought or prosecuted against him/her for actions taken in connection with the duties of his/her office, except cost incurred because of his/her own wilful neglect or default.

Appendix to By-Laws
Benefits and Limitations of Associate and Affiliate Membership

Associate and Affiliate Members:

  1. Receive the Communiqué and Newsletter if they so request.
  2. Pay the Regular Member charge to attend MURA/ARUM functions.
  3. Are not eligible for reduced charges at the Currie athletics facilities.
  4. Are not entitled to vote or sit on the MURA/ARUM Board.

 

 

 

 

 

Back to top