"Rotaract Club Constitution"

ARTICLE I - Name

The name of the Organization shall be the Rotaract Club of Kwai Chung.



ARTICLE II - Purpose and Goals

The purpose of Rotaract is to provide an opportunity for young men and women to enhance the knowledge and skills that will assist them in personal development, to address the physical and social needs of their communities, and to promote better relations between all people worldwide through a framework of friendship and service.



The goals of Rotaract are:
  1. To develop professional and leadership skills;
  2. To emphasize respect for the rights of others, based on the recognition of the worth of each individual;
  3. To recognize the dignity and value of all useful occupations and opportunities to serve;
  4. To recognize, practice and promote ethical standards as leadership qualities and vocational responsibilities;
  5. To develop knowledge and understanding of the needs, problems and opportunities in the community and worldwide;
  6. To provide opportunities for personal and group activities to serve the community and promote international understanding and goodwill toward all people.



ARTICLE III - Sponsorship
  1. The sponsor of the Rotaract club is the Rotary Club of Kwai Chung, which, through a committee of not less than five Rotarians, shall provide guidance and have supportive responsibility for this Rotaract Club. The continued well being of this club shall depend on the continued active personal participation of the sponsoring Rotary Club.
  2. The Club shall include in all it's stationary the name of the sponsoring Rotary Club.
  3. The basis of organization shall be young men and women residing, employed, or studying anywhere in the vicinity of the sponsoring Rotary Club. The Club is not a part of, and neither the club nor its members have any rights or privileges with respect to, the sponsoring Rotary Club.
  4. The Club is an non-political, non-sectarian organization.
  5. In the event of that the sponsoring Rotary Club is terminated, the Governor of the Rotary District will seek to install another sponsoring Rotary Club; if one cannot be found within 120 days, the Rotaract Club will be terminated.



ARTICLE IV - Membership
  1. The membership of this club shall consist of young men and women of good character and leadership potential between ages of 18 to 29, who is a student or graduate of secondary schools in Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi District. (On 30th June of the Rotaract year in which a member becomes 30 years old, his/her Rotaract membership will end.)
  2. This Club in consultation with the Rotary Club shall determine the method of electing members of this club.
  3. Each member of this Rotaract Club shall attend at least 60% of the Club's regularly scheduled meetings annually, provided that absence from a regularly scheduled meeting of the Club may be made up as follows; any member absent from a regular meeting of this Club may make up such absence by attendance at a regular meeting of any other Rotaract Club on any day of the two weeks immediately preceding or following the day of absence.
  4. All Rotary Foundation scholars, who are within the age guidelines adopted by the Board for the Rotaract program, shall be eligible for the guest membership during the period of their study in another country.
  5. Membership shall automatically terminate (a) upon failure to meet attendance requirements unless excused by the Board of Directors of this Club for good and sufficient reason or (b) by termination of the Club or (c) on 30th June of the Rotaract year in which member turns 30 years old.
  6. Membership may be terminated (a) upon failure to continue to meet the qualification for membership, or (b) for cause, as determined by this club by vote of not less than 2/3 of all the members in good standing.



ARTICLE V - Meetings
  1. The Club shall meet not less than twice per month, as provided in the by-laws, at the time and place suited to the convenience of all the members.
  2. The Board of Directors shall meet as provided in the by-laws.
  3. Rotary international requires each sponsoring Rotary Club to designate one or more members of its club to attend the meeting(s) of its Rotaract Club(s) at least once a month.
  4. Meetings of the Club and the Board of Directors may be cancelled during holidays or vacation periods at the discretion of Board of Directors, provided that notice is given to the sponsoring Rotary Club and District Rotaract Representative.
  5. Minutes of meeting of the Club and Board of Directors shall be provided to the Chairman of the sponsoring Rotary Club's Rotaract Committee within two weeks after each meeting is held.



ARTICLE VI - Officers and Directors
  1. The officers of this Club shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and such other officers as may be provided in the by-laws.
  2. The governing body of this Club shall be the Board of Directors composed of the President, Immediate Past President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and additional Directors whose number shall be decided by the Club, all to be elected from the members in good standing. Rotary International and its members shall subject to the provisions of this constitution and policy establish all decisions, policies and actions of the Board and of the Club.
    The Board of Directors shall have general control over all officers and committees and may, for good cause, declare any office vacant. It shall constitute a Board of Appeals from the rulings of all officers and actions of all committees.
  3. Elections of Officers and Directors shall be held annually prior to 1st March by methods compatible with local customs and procedures, but in no case shall more than simple majority of the members present and in good standing be required for elections. All Rotaract Club Presidents and District Rotaract Representatives who reach the age of 30during the term of office may serve one additional year as Immediate past President or Immediate District Rotaract
    The term of office of all Officers and Directors shall be one year. No provision shall be made for a term of office shorter than one year except with the written permission of Rotary International.
  4. All incoming Rotaract Club Officers, Directors, and Committee Chairman shall be provided with leadership training from the District Rotaract Committee (composed of Retractors) in conjunction with the R.I.District Rotaract Committee (composed of Rotarians).



ARTICLE VII - Activities and Projects
  1. Within the limits prescribed in section 1 of Article III, this club shall be responsible for planning, organizing, financing and conducting its own activities and shall itself supply money, manpower, and creative imagination necessary thereto, accept in case of joint projects or activities undertaken in co-operation with other organizations, such responsibilities shall be shared with such other organization(s).
  2. This Club shall undertake among it's activities at least 2 major service projects annually, one to serve the community and other to promote international understanding, and each shall involve all or most of the members of the Club.
  3. This Club shall provide for a Professional Development program for its members.
  4. It is the responsibility of the Club to raise the funds necessary to carry out the program. It shall not solicit or accept more than occassional or incidental financial assistance from the sponsoring Rotary Club, nor shall it make general solicitations from Rotary Clubs other than its sponsoring Rotary Club or from other Rotaract Clubs; nor shall it solicit financial assistance from individuals, businesses, or organizations, in the community without giving something of value in return. All funds raised for service projects must be expended for that purpose.



ARTICLE VIII - Committees
  1. There shall be provided in the by-laws of this Club the following standing committees; Club Service, International Service, Community Service, Professional Development, Finance and such other standing committees as may be deemed necessary or convenient for the administration of the Club.
  2. The President, with the approval of the Board, may appoint such special committees, as he may deem necessary, citing their duties at the time of appointment. All such special committees shall lapse upon the completion of their duties, upon discharge by the appointing President, or with the end of his term of office, which ever occurs first.



ARTICLE IX - Fees and Dues
  1. Each Rotaract Club or its sponsoring Rotary Club upon organization shall be required to pay an RI Rotaract Organization fee equivalent to US$20 with their "Rotaract Club Organization List" which will cover Rotaract dues payment for the first Rotary year or part of a year.
    All Rotaract Clubs which fail to remit annual RI Rotaract dues shall be terminated on an annual basis.
  2. Any fees, dues, or assessments on the membership of the Club shall benominal and shall only be for the purpose of the meeting the administrative costs of the Club. Funds for the activities and projects undertaken by the Club shall be raised apart from such fees, dues or assessments. The Club should keep proper accounts and records of all financial transactions.



ARTICLE X - Acceptance of Constitution and By-laws

Every member of the Club, by acceptance of membership, thereby accepts the principles of Rotaract as expressed in its purpose and goals and agrees to comply with the constitution and by-laws of this Club, and on these condition alone is entitled to the previleges of the Club. No member shall be absolved from the observance of the constitution and by-laws on the plea that copy of them has not been received.


ARTICLE XI - Standard By-laws

The Club shall adopt the "Standard Rotaract Club By-laws", together with such amendments as are not inconsistent with this constitution and which may be deemed necessary or convenient for the government of the Club, provided that such amendments are adapted in accordance with the amendment procedure prescribed in the "Standard Rotaract Club By-laws".




ARTICLE XII - Rotaract Emblem
  1. The Rotaract emblem shall be preserved for the exclusive use and benefit of Rotaract Club member. Each member of this Club shall be entitled to wear or otherwise display the Rotaract emblem in a dignified and appropriate manner during the period of membership. Such entitlement shall be relinquished upon termination of membership or termination of this Club.
  2. When displayed by individual Club members, the emblem may be used without further information. When the emblem is used to represent the Club, the name of the Club should appear with the emblem.



ARTICLE XIII - Duration

This Club shall exist so long as it continues to function in accordance with the provisions of this constitution and policy relating to Rotaract established by Rotary International, or until it is terminated (a) by this Club upon its own determination and action, (b) by the sponsoring Rotary Club upon withdrawl of its sponsorship, after consultation with the District Governor and District Rotaract Representative, or (c) by Rotary International for failure to function in accordance with this constitution or for other cause. Upon termination of this Club, all rights and privileges relating to the Rotaract name and emblem shall be relinquished by the Club and by its members individually and collectively.




ARTICLE XIV - Administration

The constitution shall only be amended by a special resolution passed by 75% majority of the members attending the meeting in a special general meeting convened by 21 days' notice subject to approval of the amendment(s) by the Rotary International (if acquired).All amendments to the "Standard Rotaract Club Constitution" adopted by the Board of Directors of Rotary International shall automatically amend the constitution.






"By-Laws of the Rotaract Club of Kwai Chung"

ARTICLE I - Elections

  1. Election for the offices of president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and directors shall be held annually prior to 1 March. A Rotaract club year is the same as a Rotary club year. Those elected shall take office on 1 July.
  2. Nominations of officers shall be made in writing. Candidates shall be voted upon at the regular meeting following the meeting at which nominations are made. Voting shall be by secret ballot. Those candidates receiving a majority of the votes of the members present and in good standing shall be elected.
  3. In addition to president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer there shall be 7elected directors.



ARTICLE II - Duties of Officers

Voting Method
Official Duties
  1. President: The president shall preside at all regular and special meetings of the club and the board of directors. He shall, with the approval of the board, appoint all standing and special committees and, in the event of a vacancy in the board of directors, shall, with the approval of the board, fill such vacancy by appointment until the next regular election of the club. He shall be an ex officio member of all committees. He shall maintain communication with the sponsor club and the district Rotaract representative to ensure they are continually informed of all actions taken by the club.
  2. Vice-President: The vice-president shall succeed to the office of president in the event or removal of the latter for whatever cause, and, in the absence of the president, shall preside at all meetings of the club and of the board.
  3. Secretary: The secretary shall maintain all club records, He shall keep minutes of all the meetings of the club and board of directors, and provide copies of such to the chairman of the sponsor Rotary club's Rotaract committee.
  4. Treasurer: The treasurer shall have custody of all club funds, maintaining all necessary records and depositing all such funds in a bank approved by the board of directors. He shall report on the club's financial status at each meeting of the club and shall hold all records available for inspection by any club member. All disbursements shall be by check and with the signature of two authorized officers.



ARTICLE III - Meetings

Quorum
Requirement
  1. Meetings of the club shall be not less than twice a month, and meetings of the board not less than once a month, at a time and place suited to the convenience of the membership.
  2. A majority of the members in good standing shall constitute a quorum at any regular or special meeting of the club. Any four members of the board, one of whom must be the president or vice-president, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the board.



ARTICLE IV - Fees and Dues

Fees and Dues
  1. The admission fee for new members shall be $30. Annual dues shall be $120 per member
  2. All fees and dues must be paid before a member will be considered in good standing.



ARTICLE V - Committees

Committee Duties

The president, with the approval of the board of directors, shall appoint the following standing committees:
  1. Club service: This committee shall be responsible for attendance, membership, programs, fellowship, public relations, and such other matters as may be deemed appropriate.
  2. International service: This committee shall be charged with primary responsibility for enhancing knowledge and understanding of worldwide needs, problems, and opportunities and developing activities to give service for promoting international understanding and goodwill toward all people.
  3. Community service: This committee shall have responsibility for enhancing knowledge and understanding of community needs, problems and opportunities, and for formulating and developing appropriate activities for serving the community (including the university community).
  4. Professional development: This committee shall be responsible for developing a program designed to provide information about a wide cross-section of businesses and professions and to stimulate awareness and acceptance of high ethical standards in business and professional life.
  5. Finance: This committee shall devise ways and means of financing any and all club activities requiring funds, in cooperation with the appropriate committee.

The international service and community service committees shall each have the duty of initiating and planning one major activity in its field each year which shall involve all or most of the club membership.




ARTICLE VI - Amendments

  1. These by-laws may be amended by majority vote of the members in good standing at any regular or special meeting of the club at which a quorum is present, provided notice of intention to call such a vote is given at least fourteen days earlier at a meeting of the club at which a quorum is present, and provided such amendment is approved by the sponsoring Rotary club.
  2. Nothing in these by-laws shall contravene any provision of this club's constitution.








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