章程 – 新加坡同安会馆

同安会馆章程

第一章：总纲

1 本会馆注册名称为新加坡同安会馆。

2 本会馆的主要地址设在新加坡 069541 邮区，丝丝街 141 号，同安会馆大厦九楼，或经社团注册局批准后的其他地址。

第二章：会员

3 本会馆以联络乡亲感情，谋求会员福利，致力于促进华族文化，社会公益事务与推广寻根活动为宗旨。

4 凡新加坡公民或永久居民之同邑（同安县）人士及其配偶，年满16岁，愿意遵守本会馆章程者，均可申请成为永久会员。申请书须由1名永久会员介绍，1名永久会员赞成，经理事会通过，并根据章程第六款缴纳会费后，即可成为会员。本会馆保留接受申请书之最终决定权。

本会馆会员分为三种：
永久会员：同邑（同安县）人士及其配偶
准会员：母亲为同邑（同安县）人士，但父亲非同邑（同安县）人士
附属会员：非同邑（同安县）人士，但有意为会馆贡献者。

6 会员之义务如下：

所有会员须遵守本会馆章程及议决案；
所有会员须协助一切会务之进行；
会费：

1、永久会员须一次缴纳入会费120元；

2、准会员须一次缴纳入会费200元；

3、附属会员须缴纳第一年入会费20元，此后每年缴纳会费24元，否则将自动丧失附属会员资格。

7 会员之权利如下：

永久会员

1、具有投票/选举权和被选举权；

2、在会员大会上具有动议权、提案权和表决权；

3、享有本会馆之一切权利，包括接受奖助学金和海外参访旅费津贴；

准会员

1、没有投票选举权或被选举权。

2、无权出席会员大会。

3、享有本会馆之其他权利，包括接受奖助学金（非全额）及海外参访旅费津贴（非全额）

准会员之亲生合法子女若缴交规定会费，得保留并承接此权利。

若准会员之母亲为当届理事，该准会员将（在其母亲担任理事任期内）享有本章程条款七（一）3所列明之权利。

附属会员

1、没有投票/选举权或被选举权。

2、无权出席会员大会。

3、没有会馆赋予会员的其他权利。

8 不履行义务之会员，其权利也同时丧失，但具有充分理由者，得具函要求理事会保留其一部分或全部权利，理事会之裁决为最后之决定。

9 本会馆备有会员名册，列明通讯地址，如有迁移者，须主动函告，否则，如失却联络时，责任由会员自负。

10 任何会员在发生下列事项时须自动退会或被会馆剥夺会籍：

会员若丧失心智，或有其他个人原因得自愿申请退会；
会员若违反本会馆章程或言行伤害本会馆名誉，经理事会查证属实，将被剥夺会籍；
会员若因涉及失信欺诈等性质的罪名而被法庭判罪将丧失会籍；
会员若拖欠会费超过两年，在会馆发出通知后没有申请延期缴交，将被视为放弃会籍。

11 凡被开除会籍之会员，其所享之权利，也同时丧失，如有异议者，得请求理事会处理，理事会所作为最后决定。

第三章：组织

12 本会之组织系统如下:

13 本会馆理事会理事须具会员资格，且皆为义务性质。理事会产生方式如下：

会务咨询不超过5人，由理事会推荐具有卓越社会声望，并在领导本会馆会务有杰出贡献者担任。
理事会由29名理事组成：

1、12名理事由上一届理事会从原有理事中选出；

2、12名理事由会员大会投票选出；

3、其余5名理事由当选的24名理事共同推选；

29名理事的任期均为三年。

若条件许可，每一届理事会应有3名从未担任过理事的新成员。

主席不得连续任职超过两届或六年（本条款须经特别会员大会至少75%投票同意方得实行）。

审计员2人，任期3年，期满不得连任，该2名审计员不得兼任理事。其职责包括在其担任审计员期间主要查核本会馆每年账目，并须于常年会员大会上提出报告。若理事会或会员大会提出明确要求，审计员可调查会务中的任何异常情况，并/或另外以书面方式向会员大会作相应报告；
产业信托委员不超过4人，由会员大会委任，任期6年，复选主席及 1-3名委员组成，其职权如下:

1、保管本会馆不动产

2、代表本会馆签署所有契据。除非由会员大会通过授权，产业信托委员个别或集体一概不得将本会馆不动产出售、典押、交换、或以其他无明文规定方式处理。信托委员如有丧失心智，或宣告破产，或因失信欺诈等性质的罪名判刑，或离职一年以上者，自动丧失其信托委员资格，由理事会召开特别会员大会递补。

14 理事会当推举主席一名、副主席四名、各股一名股长及一至二名副股长。各股职员配置如下：

总务股：一正二副（共三名）
财政股：一正二副（共三名）
文教股：一正二副（共三名）
产业股：一正一副（共二名）
外事股：一正二副（共三名）
会员福利股：一正二副（共三名）
商业事务股：一正一副（共二名）
青年股：一正二副（共三名）
妇女股：一正一副（共二名）

担任理事会主席的理事须符合以下任何一个条件：

在理事会服务过至少一届；
若是新当选理事，须获得同届理事会三分之二或更多理事同意。

青年股正副理事年龄在上任时均不得超过40岁。

15 理事会下设常务理事会，由主席、副主席、九股股长共同组成，股长缺席，由副股长一名出任。

16 会馆的运作和日常事务（包括理事会及其所有股、常务理事会、会务咨询团及产业信托委员会）均由秘书处协助处理。秘书处应在理事会的领导下处理相关事务。秘书处由下列人员组成：

秘书长
秘书
做账员 / 会计员

秘书处人员之薪酬（包含月薪及任何花红）须由理事会开会表决通过。

17 理事会主席或各股长出缺时，由副者递补，如副者再出缺，得由理事会选补。

第四章：职权

18 本会最高权力机关为会员大会，其职权如下:

接受及批准理事会之报告，议决案及提案;
接受会员之建议;
修改本会章程及其他条规;
决定会馆的重要事务;
核准去年收支账目之报告;
核准由会员选出之理事，并委任审计员及产业信托委员。

19 理事会之职权如下:

执行会员大会议决案;
办理重要会务;
代表本会对外接洽有关事务;
筹措经费，支配开支。

20 常务理事会之职权如下:

办理理事会议决案或其他由理事会交办之事务;
处理不及召开理事会议决之紧急事件，但处理后须提交理事会追认。

21 理事遇有会务与本人利益有任何关系或冲突时，须自动由会议退出，以避嫌疑。否则有不利于会务者，须负其责。

22 会务咨询，理事会主席及各股股权如下:

会务咨询有指导理事会会务的责任，得以出席理事会议并有投票表决之权利;
主席负责处理对外代表会馆，对内领导会馆的一切会务，以及执行会员大会所交付之议决案;
总务股处理日常会务活动，并协助其他各股之工作;
财政股掌管本会馆财务款项，保管一切财务文件，负责收支事务、处理款项及来往账目，并核对清楚。正财政不得连任或留任财政股职位。
文教股负责促进教育文化事务;
产业股负责处理会馆所属产业之出租、维修、保养、用途、产业税等事务;
外事股负责处理跟国内社团组织及国外社团组织的各种联谊、交流等活动，以及代表会馆参与社区、慈善和各种社会公益活动;
会员福利股负责会员的福利及组织各类康乐活动；
商业事务股负责会馆的商务相关活动，组织会员参加企业联谊和社交活动以便跟国内外商业团体建立关系；
青年股负责推动年轻会员的各种活动;
妇女股负责推动女会员的各种活动。

23 会馆所任用之会计公司和审计公司，须经会员大会委任，每3年更换新公司（除非经由会员大会另行批准不作更换）。

第五章：会议

24 本会馆各种会议如下:

常年会员大会;
特别会员大会;
理事会议;
常务理事会议;
产业信托委员会议;
各股联席会议;
各股会议。

所有会馆之会议（包括本章程第25、26、29和30条所规定之会议）可采取实体会议方式，或电子方式如视讯会议，或视实际情况由理事会决定之方式。无论以何种方式，章程里关于法定人数之条款均一体适用。

25 常年会员大会于每年十一月结束前举行，报告上一年度会务及收支账目，并议决列入议程之事项。法定人数为五十（50）名会员，倘届时人数不足则延缓半小时; 半小时后若仍不足法定人数，则以出席人数不论多寡为法定人数，举行会议。惟该次会议对于现行章程一概无权加以增删修改，亦无权处理相关会馆资产事项。会员如有提案必须于开会员大会前足四个工作天送达秘书处，方为有效。

26 如有会员二十五人以上联名以书面要求召开临时会员大会，理事会须在卅天内召开之。其法定人数与常年会员大会相同。

27 若有二十五名以上之会员联名以书面要求召开临时会员大会，而理事会未按其要求在两个月内召开，则其可依本章程所定之合法程序自行召开。

28 凡召开常年会员大会或临时会员大会，须列明议程于二星期内发出通知，同时并须于报端刊登广告通知，列明日期、时间、地点及议程。

29 理事会最少须于二个月以内举行会议一次，法定人数为三分之一。遇必要时召开临时会议，均须于一星期前发函通知。

30 各种会议法定人数，除另有规定者外，均以其成员半数计算，议决案须由出席者半数以上通过。

31 常务理事会议无定期，得由主席决定召开。

32 产业信托委员会议无定期，依需要由委员会主席召开。

33 各股干事会议无定期，依需要由股长召开。

第六章：选举

34 依据章程第13条，会馆理事会由29名理事组成。其中24名理事每3年须由两阶段选举程序选出。其余5名理事将由当选的24名理事荐举出任。

理事会成员的选举和委任过程如下：

在当届理事会的最后一次例行理事会议（一般在每年的2月至6月间举行），理事会须在理事会之外，票选委任2名选举官（非现任理事）筹办并监督理事会选举事宜。
选举官可酌情委任数名（应为现任理事）成员，组成选举筹备委员会来负责理事会选举的行政事宜。选举筹备委员会拥有可根据情况制定和执行选举条例和程序之权力。秘书处将就所有选务，协助选举官和选举筹备委员会，包括通知所有会员选举筹备委员会的成员名单。
为避免疑义，选举筹备委员会成员可参加理事会选举。
理事会第一轮选举：在选举筹备委员会成立后的2周内，选举官须主持召开会议，邀请所有当届理事会理事，从当中投票选举12名成员担任下一届理事会理事。
理事会第二轮选举：提名：任何想参加理事会第二轮选举的候选人，须有2名永久会员提名；提名人只准提名1位候选人。提名表格须有候选人的同意签名以及2位提名人的签名。若作为提名人的同一名永久会员的名字出现在超过一份提名表格上，则该永久会员所提名的所有表格均以作废论。提名表格须在提名和会员大会通知书所列明的截止日期前，提交到会馆注册会址，并注明由选举筹备委员会和秘书处收件。
如果提名候选人少于12人，则所有候选人自动当选为新一届理事。剩余理事会理事名额，由第一轮选举产生之理事及第二轮自动当选之理事共同举荐。
理事会第二轮选举：投票：若有超过12名候选人被提名，选举官和选举筹备委员会须准备一份含所有候选人的名单和选票（选举通知），并发送给所有拥有投票权的会员。选票须在选举通知所列明的截止日期前，邮寄到或亲自投送到会馆注册会址，并注明由选举筹备委员会和秘书处收件。
任何选票若：（1）在选票收件截止日期后，及/或（2）列有重复选票号码，均以作废论。选票箱须在会馆常年会员大会上开启。得票数最高的前12名候选人将当选成为新一届理事。若干名得票数次高的候选人将成为备选理事。
在第二轮选举的12名理事当选后，所有新一届理事将开会举荐剩余的5名理事。这5名理事不可被委任为常务理事（主席、副主席、九股股长）。
在新一届理事会组成后，29名理事将举行复选，根据章程第22条选举理事会所有职务的担任者。
选举年的常年会员大会须在选举筹备委员会成立后16周召开。理事会理事将在常年会员大会举行后的6周内举行就职宣誓仪式。

在新一届理事会宣誓就职接任前，当届理事会将继续全权负责会务。

35 理事会主席、理事及各股正副股长由理事以秘密投票方式选出。

36 凡票数相同者，应重新投票选出。

37 筹选委员会于选举工作完成时即告解散。

38 本会理事如有损害本会利益之行为或故意不作为，包括损害本会名誉，妨碍本会发展或故意旷职者，理事会将进行调查。一经查明，得由理事会公决，令其自动退职或将其免职。

39 本会理事出缺时，由候补理事得票最多者递任，如无候补理事，即由理事会推荐递任。

第七章：经费

40 本会经费以会员会费、特别捐款、产业收入或理事会议决之其他收入充之。若在一届理事会3年任期期间，出现现款资产（银行之现金存款和定期存款户头）减少30%之情况，理事会须向会员大会报告、解释并提供正当理由。

41 本会费用一次性支出在五千元以下者，理事会主席，或总务与财政两人一致同意，方有权开支；五千元至一万元以下者，须经常务理事会议决方得开支；一万至十万元以下者，须经理事会议决方得开支；十万元以上者，须经会员大会议决方得开支，惟缴付政府部门之各项费用，不在此限。

本条款所规定之金额上限，须以每个活动或项目为准，以免该项开支用小额分散支出之方式，规避本条款之立意。

42 本会与银行来往支票，其凭单须经总务股正副股长中一人批准;支票则须经正副主席一人连同财政股正副股长中一个联署，始为有效。

43 本会收入款项之收据，概须财政股正副股长中一人连同秘书处执行秘书连同签发方为有效。其收入须于二日内存入银行;但财政股股长得贮备不超过五百元之现金; 凡各种开支在一百元以上者均须以银行支票付款。

第八章：附则

44 凡本会职员、理事或会员个人行为均由其个人承担责任，与本会无关（不论法律、财务或其他任何方面）。本会职员、雇员或会员之任何未经本会授权之行为或违法犯罪或不作为行为，本会毋需为其行为负责，除非由理事会表决批准。

第九章：禁止

45 本会馆严禁下列各项:

任何方式之赌博如玩牌九、麻将等，不论有赌注与否，概不得在本会所内进行，至于赌具、吸毒与不正当人物亦在禁止之列。
本会馆公款不得为任何会员缴付其法庭罚款。
本会馆不得企图限制工商业或物价，或任何其他方式加以干预，亦不得从事现行法令所规定之任何职工会活动。
本会馆不得用会馆或本会馆职员、理事、会员等名义开设彩票，无论该彩票是否仅限于会员购买，一律均在禁止之列;除非事先经获当局当局批准。
本会馆不得参与政治，亦不得将公款或会所供作政治用途。
本会馆不得限制、干预商业贸易;不管直接或间接指使会员去控制物价，或是对于商品服务实施影响或控制其折扣或是回扣以危害到消费人的权益。

第十章：会章修改

46 本会馆章程所载各条，如非经会员大会议决并以三分之二或以上之票数通过，概不得增删修改，且于未经社团注册官批准前不得施行。除非另作说明，特别多数应为会员大会参会人数四分之三或以上之票数。

第十一章：会章修改

47 本会馆如欲解散，须召开特别会员大会由会员亲自出席或托人代表出席，或通过邮寄投票，由全体会员人数最少四分之三表决赞同方可进行。（特别多数之定义参看本章程第46条）

48 本会馆如依照上条规定解散时，则本会馆一切合法债务须全数付清，余款则由特别会员大会公决，捐给新加坡慈善总监所指定之慈善机关或团体。

49 解散后须于七日内具函向社团注册官报告。

50 本章程之中文本与英文本若有差异，应以英文本为准。

51 任何理事会成员和秘书处雇员在任期间，在执行本章程所规定之职务时，若面对任何民事或刑事起诉，理事会将根据下列条件作出合理考量，来决定会馆是否用资产担保其免责保障：

官司起于理事或秘书处雇员根据章程执行其职务；
官司胜诉或法院裁决其无罪；及
官司并非起于任何刻意伤害会馆之名誉或利益之预谋行为，或违背会馆或本章程利益之行为。

52 以上条款若无特别说明，均适用于任何性别之会馆人员。

RULES AND REGULATIONS OF TUNG ANN DISTRICT GUILD

CHAPTER 1 GENERAL

1 The name of the Association shall be “TUNG ANN DISTRICT GUILD”.

2 The primary place of business of the Association shall be at 141 Cecil Street #09-00 Singapore 069541, or such address which may change from time to time as the Council may designate, subject to the approval of the Registrar of Societies.

CHAPTER 2 MEMBERSHIP

3 The objects and objectives of the Association shall be to promote good relations among fellow immigrants from Tung Ann District and their descendants, to work for the welfare of members, to promote Chinese culture, community outreach and tracing of ancestry origins.

4 Membership of the Association is open to any Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident of Tung Ann ancestry or the spouse of such person who has attained the age of 16 years, and is willing to abide by the Association’s rules and regulations. An application has to be proposed by a Life Member, seconded by another Life Member, and approved by the Council. After paying the required fees and dues as stated in Article 6, the applicant may then become a member. The Association retains the sole and final discretion in approving and accepting any membership application.

5 Members are classified into 3 categories:

a) Life Members: persons who are of Tung Ann ancestry, or the spouse of such person

b) Affiliate Members: persons whose mother is a Life Member, but whose father is not of Tung Ann ancestry

c) Associate Members: persons who are not of Tung Ann ancestry, but are willing to contribute to the Association.

6 The obligations of members are as follows:

a) All members shall abide by the rules and regulations of the Association;

b) All members shall assist in carrying out the purpose and activities of the Association;

c) Subscription Fees:

(i) A Life Member shall pay a one-time subscription fee of $120.00.

(ii) An Affiliate Member shall pay a one-time subscription fee of $200.00.

(iii) An Associate Member shall pay an initial subscription fee of $20 for the first year of participation. Thereafter, the Associate Member shall pay a renewal yearly fee of $24/year, failing which he or she shall lose all rights of an Associate Member.

7 Members are entitled to the following rights:

a) Life Members

(i) The right to vote / elect, and the right to be elected

(ii) The right to move or propose a motion, and to vote at a General Meeting

(iii) All other rights conferred by the Association, which may include education bursary / scholarship awards and overseas trip subsidies.

b) Affiliate Members

i) No right to vote, elect, or to be elected.

ii) No right to attend, move, propose a motion, or vote at a General Meeting.

iii) All other rights conferred by the Association (which may be subject to the Association’s discretion), which may include education bursary / scholarship awards (partial or reduced).

Such rights of an Affiliate Member shall only persist and be passed down to his or her direct legitimate children, subject to the payment of subscription fees by his or her children.

If an Affiliate Member’s mother is a current Council Member, he or she shall (for the period of his or her mother’s term of office) enjoy such limited rights of a Life Member as stated in Article 7(A)(c).

c) Associate Members

i) No right to vote / elect, or to be elected.

ii) No right to attend, move, propose a motion, or vote at a General Meeting.

iii) All other rights conferred by the Association in its discretion.

8 If a member fails to meet his obligations, he shall lose his rights unless he can offer sufficient reasons in writing to the Council. The Council may deprive him of part or all of his Rights. The Council’s decision shall be final.

9 Every member shall give a postal address to the Association and shall inform the Association in writing of any change of address. If a member fails to do so he shall bear the consequence of his default.

10 A member shall withdraw from the Association voluntarily or be deprived of his membership in any of the following cases:

a) If a member loses mental capacity, or if he has sufficient reasons or cause to apply for withdrawal from the Association voluntarily.

b) If a member infringes the Association’s Rules or endangers the reputation of the Association and the same has been duly proved by facts to the satisfaction of Council, he shall be deprived of his membership by the Council.

c) A member shall lose his membership if he is convicted by a Court of law for any offence of a dishonesty nature.

d) If a member is in arrears with his yearly subscription for over two (2) years and fails to pay same or apply for extension after having been served with a written notice by the Association, he shall be considered as having given up his membership.

11 A member who is deprived of this membership is entitled to call for an appeal to the Council Meeting for a final decision.

CHAPTER 3 ORGANISATION

12 The Association’s organisation chart shall be as follows:

13 All office bearers of the Association shall hold office on an unpaid honorary basis, and be appointed as follows:

a) The Honorary Advisory Panel shall be appointed by the Council, and comprise not more than 5 Honorary Advisory Counsellors, who are reputable individuals with proven contribution to the Society. They must also exhibit outstanding capabilities in leading or advising the Association.

b) The Council shall be formed by 29 members, and comprises:

i) 12 members elected by the existing Council;

ii) 12 members elected at a General Meeting; and

iii) 5 members nominated and opted by the 24 elected Council Members.

All Council Members shall serve a 3-year term. Where possible, at least 3 members of the Council should be newly elected and have not served any prior term in the Council.

The Chairman may only serve as the Chairman of the Association for a maximum of 2 consecutive terms (i.e. in total of 6 years). The 6-year cumulative and consecutive term limit and requirement for the Chairman in this Section may only be amended with the consent of at least 75% of the General Meeting.

c) The Internal Audit Committee comprising 2 Internal Auditors who shall not be Council Members, shall be appointed at a General Meeting. The term shall be 3 years and they shall not be eligible for consecutive re-election.

Their duties shall be primarily to audit the financial accounts of the Association for any specified period within the Internal Auditors’ tenure of office, and present a report at the Annual General Meeting. If expressly required by the Council and/or the General Meeting, the Internal Auditors may, investigate any irregularity in the Association’s operations, and proceed to prepare a corresponding report to the General Meeting; and

d) The Property Trust Committee comprising not more than 4 members shall be elected at a General Meeting. The term shall be 6 years. Where applicable, the members of the Property Trust Committee shall elect among themselves a Chairman. Their duties shall be:

i) To manage the immovable property of the Association; and

ii) To execute and sign any documents and title deeds of the Association. Unless authorised by the General Meeting, the Committee, collectively or individually, shall have no power to sell, mortgage or convey such immovable properties of the Association. Any member, if found to be mentally unsound, bankrupt, convicted by a court of a dishonesty nature, or absent from office for exceeding a year shall be deemed to have lost the right to be a member. The vacancy shall be filled at a General Meeting.

14 The Council shall elect among themselves 1 Chairman, 4 Vice-Chairmen, 1 Section Chief and 1-2 Section Deputy Chief for each of the following 9 Sections. The total members of each Section are as follows:

General Affairs – 3 (1 Section Chief and 2 Section Deputy Chief)
Finance -3 (1 Section Chief and 2 Section Deputy Chief)
Culture and Education – 3 (1 Section Chief and 2 Section Deputy Chief)
Property Management – 2 (1 Section Chief and 1 Section Deputy Chief)
Public Relations – 3 (1 Section Chief and 2 Section Deputy Chief)
Membership and Welfare – 3 (1 Section Chief and 2 Section Deputy Chief)
Business and Corporate Outreach – 2 (1 Section Chief and 1 Section Deputy Chief)
Youth – 3 (1 Section Chief and 2 Section Deputy Chief)
Women – 2 (1 Section Chief and 1 Section Deputy Chief)

In order to qualify for running as the Chairman, the Council Member shall:

a) have served on the Council for at least one (1) past term; or

b) if otherwise, obtained the consent of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the other Council Members for his or her appointment as Chairman.

Youth Section Council Members must be no more than 40 years old at the time of submission of nomination form.

15 The Council shall set up a Standing Committee, comprising of the Chairman. The Deputy Chairmen, and the 9 chiefs of the various sections. In the absence of any Section Chief, the Deputy Chief shall deputise for the Section’s Chief.

16 The administrative operations and daily affairs of the Association (including the Council and its respective Sections, the Standing Committee, the Honorary Advisory Panel and the Property Trust Committee) shall be assisted and managed by the Secretariat. Such work by the Secretariat may be as directed by the Council. The Secretariat shall be employed individuals comprising:

a) Secretary-General

b) Secretariat Members

c) Book-Keeper / Accountant

The remuneration (including monthly salary and any bonus) of the Secretariat shall be determined by voting amongst the Council.

17 In case of the absence of any Council Chairman or Section Chief, the Deputy shall act on behalf. If both the Chairman or Deputy are absent, any member on the Council shall fill the post.

CHAPTER 4 DUTIES AND POWERS

18 The Association’s supreme body shall be the General Meeting of Members, its duties and powers being:

a) To receive and adopt reports, resolutions and proposals from the Council.

b) To receive proposals from members.

c) To amend the Association’s Rules and other regulations.

d) To decide on important matters concerning the Association.

e) To examine and approve the income and expenditure accounts and reports of the past year.

f) To approve Council Members elected by the members and appoint Internal Auditors and Property Trust Committee Members.

19 The duties and powers of the Council shall be:

a) To carry out the resolution of the General Meeting of Members.

b) To handle important affairs.

c) To represent the Association in any external negotiation.

d) To raise funds and to dispose of same.

20 The duties and powers of the Standing Committee shall be:

a) To carry out the resolutions and other matters of the Council.

b) To handle and decide any urgent matter which cannot wait for the holding of a full Council Meeting. Such decision shall be confirmed duly by the Council.

21 In case a Council Member comes upon any matter, in which he has a personal interest (or any conflict of interest, whether actual, perceived, potential or otherwise), he shall voluntarily withdraw from the Meeting in order to avoid misunderstanding; otherwise, he shall be responsible for any loss or disadvantage suffered by the Association.

22 The duties and powers of the Advisory Counsellors, the Chairman and the various Sections shall be as follows:

a) The Honorary Advisory Counsellors shall advise and provide direction to the Council, and have the right to attend and vote in the Council Meetings.

b) In relation to external parties, the Chairman represents the Association. Within the Association, the Chairman provides leadership to the Members, directs activities and carries out all resolutions entrusted upon him by the General Meeting.

c) The General Affairs Section shall handle day to day matters and assist all other Section in their activities.

d) The Treasury Section shall handle the Association’s financial matters, have custody of all financial records, supervise and monitor all the Association’s funds, collect and disburse all money on behalf of the Association, keep an account of all monetary transactions and be responsible for their accuracy. The Honorary Treasurer shall not be eligible for re-election to the same or related post in the Treasury Section for a consecutive term of office.

e) The Culture and Education Section shall undertake to promote educational and cultural activities.

f) The Property Management Section shall undertake full responsibility pertaining to the properties of the Association, including maintenance, repair, usage, letting out, rent fixing and collecting, and government tax payments.

g) The Public Relations Section shall handle public relations involving members and external organisations (including foreign bodies). The Public Relations Section shall also undertake community outreach, charitable and other external social outreach activities.

h) The Membership and Welfare Section shall look after the welfare and affairs of members, and organise recreational activities for members.

i) The Business and Corporate Outreach Section shall undertake to promote the proposed Business Chapter of the Association, and organise corporate outreach and networking activities for members, in order to foster commercial connections with external organisations.

j) The Youths’ Section shall undertake to promote activities for young members of the Association.

k) The Women’s Section shall undertake to promote activities for female members of the Association.

23 The accounting and auditing firms of the Association shall be appointed by the General Meeting, and shall be changed every three (3) years (unless otherwise approved by the General Meeting).

CHAPTER 5 MEETING

24 The Association’s Meetings are as follows:

a) Annual General Meeting of Members.

b) Extra-Ordinary General Meeting of Members.

c) Council Meeting

d) Standing Committee Meeting.

e) Property Trust Committee Meeting.

f) Joint Committee Meeting of various Sections.

g) Meeting of various Sections.

All meetings of the Association (including but not limited to those under Articles 25, 26, 29 and 30) may be conducted either physically, electronically via video-conference, or via such means as may be stipulated by the Council, as may be necessary. In such circumstances, the quorum required by the relevant Article must still be met.

25 An Annual General Meeting shall be held no later than the end of November of each year, to receive the previous financial year’s account and report of the Council, and to elect the office-bearers of the following term, as well as to make resolutions on items on the agenda. Fifty (50) members of the total membership must be present to form the quorum. In the event of there being no quorum at the commencement of the meeting, the meeting shall be adjourned for half an hour, and should the number then present be insufficient to form a quorum, those present shall be considered a quorum but they shall have no power to pass resolutions affecting the existing rules or the properties of the Association.

26 An Extra-Ordinary Meeting of Members shall be called by the Council within 30 days after the joint request in writing by at least 25 members. The quorum for the Meeting shall be the same as that for the Annual General Meeting of Members.

27 If the Council fails to call an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting within two months after the joint written request of over 25 members, then the members themselves can call such a Meeting according to the rules as stated in this constitution.

28 Two week’s written notice shall be given of an General Meeting of Member or an Extra-ordinary General Meeting of Members. Notice in the press is to be given in addition to such written notice. In both cases the agenda, date, time and place of the Meeting are to be given.

29 A council meeting shall be held at least once in every two months, the quorum for which shall be one- third of the Council Members. One week’s written notice should be given. If necessary, emergency Meetings can be held.

30 The quorum for the other meetings not stated above shall be over one-half of the total number of their member, while resolutions are to be passed by a simple majority of votes.

31 The Standing Committee Meeting shall be held at the discretion of the Chairman.

32 A Property Trust Committee Meeting shall be called at the discretion of the Chairman of the Said Committee.

33 The Meeting of the various Sections shall be called by their representative Chairman or Sectional Chief of the Section whenever necessary.

CHAPTER 6 ELECTION

34 The Association shall have a Council of 29 members as stated in Section 13. A two-part election shall be held once every three (3) years for twenty-four (24) Council member positions. The remaining five (5) members shall be co-opted and appointed by the twenty-four (24) elected Council members.

The election and appointment of the Council members shall be conducted as follows:

a) At the last routine or scheduled Council meeting of every term (which may take place any time between February and June), the Council shall nominate two (2) Returning Officers (“RO”) who are not current Council members, to oversee, monitor and supervise the conduct of the Council Elections.

b) The ROs may appoint in their discretion, a number of persons (who shall be current Council members) to form an Election Preparatory Committee (“EPC”) to take charge of the administrative matters relating to the Council Elections. The EPC shall have the power to enact and implement such rules or standard operating procedures from time to time to facilitate the election process. The Secretariat shall assist the ROs and EPC in all matters relating to the Council Elections, including informing all members of the Association of the composition of the EPC.

c) For the avoidance of doubt, members of the EPC may run for the Council Elections.

d) First Part Council Election: Within two (2) weeks after the set-up of the EPC, the ROs shall call and convene a meeting inviting and involving all the current Council members, to vote and elect twelve (12) members, who will be elected and appointed into the next Council.

e) Second Part Council Election – Nomination: A member who wishes to run for the Second Part Council Election shall be proposed by 2 Life Members, who shall only be permitted to propose once. The Nomination Form shall contain the consent and signatures of the member candidate, and his or her 2 proposers. If the name of a member appears as a proposer in more than 1 Nomination Form, all the Nomination Forms with the same proposer shall be invalidated. The Nomination Forms shall be sent to the registered address of the Association and addressed and sent to the EPC and Secretariat by the closing date stated on the Nomination and AGM Notice.

f) If there are less than twelve (12) nominations, all nominated candidates shall be automatically elected as Council members. The remaining positions may be co-opted by such elected Council members of the First Part Council Election, and this Second Part Council Election.

g) Second Part Council Election – Election: If there are more than twelve (12) nominations, the ROs and EPC shall prepare a list of these nominated members and a voting form (“Voting Notice”) and circulate them to every member of the Association who is entitled to voting. The voting forms shall be sent to or personally cast at the registered address of the Association, addressed to the EPC and Secretariat by the closing date stated on the Voting Notice.

h) Any voting form that: (i) is received after the closing date; and/or (ii) carries a duplicate serial number, shall be invalid. The ballot box shall be opened for counting at the Annual General Meeting of the Association. The twelve (12) member candidates with the highest votes shall be elected as Council Members. A number of persons with lesser votes shall be listed as Reserved Council Members.

i) After the election of the twelve (12) Council members of the Second Part Council election, all elected Council members shall convene to co-opt and nominate the remaining five (5) members to form the Council. These remaining five (5) members shall not be appointed as part of the Standing Committee (i.e. Chairman, Deputy Chairmen, and the 9 chiefs of the various sections).

j) After the forming of the Council, the 29 Council members shall vote among themselves, the office-bearers for the sections and roles as stated in Article 22.

k) An Annual General Meeting for an election year shall be held within sixteen (16) weeks from the formation of the EPC. The Council members shall take an oath of office within six (6) weeks from the date of the Annual General Meeting.

The outgoing Council shall not relinquish its duties before the incoming Council takes office.

35 The Chairman and Committee Members of the Standing Committee and the Chiefs and Deputies of various Sections are to be elected by the Council by secret ballot.

36 In the event of an equality of votes, a re-cast of votes will be carried out.

37 The Election Preparatory Committee shall be dissolved after the completion of elections.

38 If a Council Member is found to have caused any detriment to the interests of the Association (whether via an act or omission), including tarnishing the reputation or development of the Association, or purposely neglecting his or duties, the Council may commence investigations and where appropriate, provide a written notice for the Council Member to vacate his or her post, or to relieve him or her of the said position.

39 In the absence of a Council Member, the Reserved Council Member who polls the most votes among the Reserved Council Members shall fill the vacancy.

CHAPTER 7 FUND

40 The Association’s fund shall be derived from subscriptions, special subscriptions, proceeds from property and any other incomes resolved by the Council. In the event that the cash assets (i.e. bank balance and fixed deposit) decrease by more than 30% as between each Council term of three (3) years, the Council shall report, explain and justify such findings at a General Meeting.

41 An expenditure not exceeding $5,000.00 may be approved either by the Chairman or jointly by the Honorary Secretary and the Honorary Treasurer. An expenditure exceeding $5,000.00 but not exceeding $10,000.00 shall be approved by the Standing Committee. An expenditure exceeding $10,000.00 but not exceeding $100,000.00 is to be approved by the Council. An expenditure exceeding $100,000.00 shall be approved only by a General Meeting of Members, unless such expenditure constitutes a payment to Government Departments arising from a post resolution.

The expenditure limits in this Article shall be calculated on a project or event basis, so that bigger expenditures cannot be reduced into smaller denominations in order to circumvent the purpose and intent of this Article.

42 Bank accounts shall be operated in the name of the Association. All cheques for withdrawals must bear the seal of the Association and the signatures of either the Chairman or a Vice-Chairman in additional to that of the Honorary Treasurer or the Honorary Deputy Treasurer. Every voucher must be approved by the Chief or Deputy Chief of the General Affairs Section.

43 Receipt for money received is to be jointly signed by the Honorary Treasurer or the Honorary Deputy Treasurer and the paid Executive Secretary, and the money shall be deposited into a bank named by the Council within two days. The Honorary Treasurer is allowed to keep a sum of cash on hand not exceeding $500.00. Expenditure of over $100.00 is to be paid for by cheque.

CHAPTER 8 ADDENDA

44 The personal conduct of any member, Council Member or employee shall be his or her sole responsibility, and shall have no bearing or implication on the Association (whether legal, financial or otherwise). In the event of any unauthorised, criminal or illegal act or omission by any member, office bearer or employee, the Association shall bear no liability, but upon the direction of the Council, the Association may elect to ratify or adopt the act or omission of such member, office bearer or employee.

CHAPTER 9 PROHIBITIONS

45 The Association prohibits the following:

a) Gambling of any kind, including playing of paikow or mahjong, whether for stakes or otherwise, are forbidden on the Association’s premises. The introduction of materials for gambling, drug taking or of bad character into the Association’s premises is strictly prohibited.

b) The funds of the Association shall not be used to pay the fines of members who have been convicted in Court.

c) The Association shall not attempt to restrict or in any other manner interfere with trade or prices or engage in any trade union activity as defined in any written law relating to trade union for the time being in force in Singapore.

d) The Association shall not hold any lottery, whether confined to its members or not, in the name of the Association or its office-bearers, council or members without prior approval from the relevant authorities.

e) The Association shall not indulge in any political activity or allow its funds and/or premises to be used for political purpose.

f) The Association shall not attempt to restrict or interfere with trade or make directly or indirectly any arrangement with its members which has the purpose or is likely to have the effect of fixing or controlling the price or any discount allowance or rebate relating to any goods or services which adversely affect consumer interests.

CHAPTER 10 AMENDMENTS TO RULES

46 No alteration or addition to these rules shall be made except at a general meeting and with the consent of two-thirds (66.67%) of the voting members present at the general meeting. They shall not come into force without the prior sanction of the Registrar of Societies. Unless otherwise stated, a special majority shall mean 75% or more of the votes at a general meeting.

47 The Association shall not be dissolved, except with the consent of not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the members of the Association expressed, either in person or proxy at a general meeting convened for the purpose, or by postal vote (i.e. a special majority as stated in Article 46).

48 In the event of Association being dissolved as provided above, all debts and liabilities legally incurred on behalf the Association shall be fully discharged and the remaining funds will be donated to charities as determined by the Commissioner of Charities of Singapore, or such equivalent office.

49 A Certificate of Dissolution shall be submitted within seven (7) days of dissolution to the Registrar of Societies.

50 In the event of any conflict between the Chinese version and the English version of these Rules, the English version shall prevail.

51 Every Council Member and staff of the Association shall, for the term of their office, be indemnified, defended and held harmless out of the assets of the Association against any liability incurred by him or her during the term of his or her office in defending any proceeding, whether civil or criminal, PROVIDED THAT the Council reasonably determines that such liability:

a) arises out of or in connection with the proper execution of his or her duties under these Rules;

b) arises in which judgment is given in his or her favour or in which he or she is acquitted; and

c) does not arise out of or in connection with any deliberate act calculated or reasonably expected to cause harm or loss to the Association, or is otherwise contrary to the interests of the Association or these Rules.

52 In these Rules, except where the context requires otherwise, words indicating one gender shall include all genders.