Bylaws
| ARTICLE I | DEFINITIONS |
| ARTICLE II | MEMBERSHIP |
| ARTICLE III | ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS |
| ARTICLE IV | DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS |
| ARTICLE V | TERMINATIONS |
| ARTICLE VI | MEETINGS |
| ARTICLE VII | VOTING AND PRIVILEGES |
| ARTICLE VIII | DUES |
| ARTICLE IX | REMUNERATION |
| ARTICLE X | AUDIT, INSPECTION OF BOOKS AND ACCOUNTS |
| ARTICLE XI | ORDER OF BUSINESS |
| ARTICLE XII | ALTERATION OF BY-LAWS |
| ARTICLE XIII | BORROWING POWERS |
| APPENDIX A | AIMS AND OBJECTIVE |
| APPENDIX B | CODE OF ETHICS |
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
1. The Electrical Inspectors Association of Alberta will be referred to as the Association through out these by-laws.
2. Electrical Safety Codes Officer (Inspector) shall mean any person appointed or authorized to enforce the rules and regulations contained in the Canadian Electrical Code, the Alberta Safety Codes Act, and other applicable rules and regulations.
3. "Active Member" shall mean an Electrical Safety Codes Officer of the Electrical Inspectors Association of Alberta in good standing.
4. "Associate Member" shall mean any individual or representative of an organization or corporate body, associated with the electrical industry whose application of membership has been approved by the Executive Committee.
5. Where the word "Member" is used it shall mean "Active Member", "Member", "Life Member", "Honorable Member", or "Associate".
6. "Executive Committee" or "Officers" shall mean the President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer of the Association.
7. "Board of Directors" or "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Association.
8. The word "Chapter" shall be included and shall mean a regional body of the Electrical Inspectors Association of Alberta, with territorial or area boundaries convenient and decided upon by the Board of Directors and ratified by the general membership.
9. A Certified Electrical Inspector is any person who holds a valid and subsisting Certificate issued by the E.I.A.A.
10. "Extra-ordinary resolution" means a motion to change the Aims and Objectives, Code of Ethics or By-laws.
11. "He" refers to either the male or female gender.
ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP
1. Any Electrical Inspector or Electrical Safety Codes Officer may apply for Active Membership by written application to the Secretary of the Association. Such applications must be presented to and considered by the Executive Committee at its first regular meeting following the application.
2. Any person, or organization, that is eligible for membership under the definition of "Associate Member" may make written application to the Secretary of the Association for membership. Such application must be presented to, and considered by the Executive Committee at its first regular meeting following the application.
3. "Life Membership" shall include the privileges of membership without payment of the annual membership fee. Life membership may be conferred upon any member after recommendation to the Executive Committee, and two-thirds majority vote at a General Meeting. Such members shall be granted all privileges of membership, with the exception of voting powers.
4. "Honorary Membership" may be conferred upon any person after recommendation to the Executive Committee and a two-thirds majority vote at a General Meeting. Such members shall be granted the privileges of membership, with the exception of voting powers. Payment of the annual membership fee shall not be required.
5. The acceptance, or rejection, of membership applications by the Executive Committee shall be binding, except there will be the right of appeal at the first General Meeting following a rejection.
ARTICLE III
ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
1. The Board of Directors shall consist of:
(a) President
(b) Vice-Presidents
(c) Secretary
(d) Treasurer
(e) Immediate Past President
(f) Chapter Directors
(g) Education Committee
(h) Safety Code Council Representative
(i) Representatives to Other Recognized Organizations.
2. The President and Vice-Presidents shall be active members of the Association. The Secretary, Treasurer and Directors may be Active or Associate members and shall have voting privileges at all E.I.A.A. Meetings.
3. The Officers and Directors, excluding the Education Committee and Representative to Other Organizations, of the Association shall be elected by the Active members at an Annual Meeting and shall service for a term of two (2) years.
4. Nominations for Office may be submitted to the Secretary prior to the Annual Meeting and further nominations may be accepted from the floor.
5. A Director shall be elected by the members at a Chapter Meeting and shall service for a term of two (2) years.
6. With the exception of the Secretary, Treasurer, the Education Committee and Representative to Other Organizations, no officer may hold one office for more than two (2) consecutive terms.
7. The Office of "Secretary" and "Treasurer" may be combined.
8. Any vacancy in the Executive Committee shall be filled at the next Executive Meeting.
9. In the event of a vacancy as a result of resignation, death, or removal, the Board is empowered to fill the vacancy by appointment for the remainder of the term. Such appointment is to be approved at the next General Meeting with a two-thirds majority.
ARTICLE IV
DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
1. President
The President shall be an ex-officio member of all Committees. He shall, when possible, preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Board.
2. Vice- Presidents
In the absence of the President, a Vice-President shall preside at meetings and shall be Chairman of the Nominating Committee. In the absence of the President and Vice- Presidents, the members present at a meeting may elect a chairman. A Vice-President shall receive and process all applications for certification and follow all procedures adopted by the Association.
3. Secretary
It shall be the duty of the Secretary to attend all meetings of the Association and of the Board, and to keep accurate minutes of the meetings. In the absence of the Secretary, an officer shall discharge his duties. The Secretary shall have charge of all the correspondence of the Association and be under the direction of the President and the Board. The Secretary shall keep a record of all the members of the Association and their addresses end all notices of meetings. The Secretary shall have charge of the Seal of the Association. The seal when used shall be authenticated by the signature of the Secretary and the President. In the event of death or inability of either to act, a Vice-President shall have authority.
4. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall receive all monies paid to the Association and shall be responsible for these deposits. He shall properly account for the funds of the Association and keep an accurate financial ledger. He shall present a full detailed account of receipts and disbursements of the Board whenever requested. A duly audited statement shall be prepared by the Annual Meeting, and a copy shall be submitted to the Secretary. The Treasurer shall file the annual report with the appropriate agency noted in Article X (2). The Treasurer shall send notification of annual duties in accordance with Article III.
5. Immediate Past President
The President shall assign his duties.
6. Chapter Directors
The Director, or his alternate, shall chair all Chapter Meetings. The Directors shall have through nomination and election or in special circumstances by appointment, officers and assistants, to conduct Chapter Meetings and activities. Directors shall conduct at least one Chapter Meeting per year.
7. Education Committee
The Education Committee shall consist of three active members elected by membership at large at the Annual General Meeting. This committee will define training needs and develop the required courses or seminars to fulfill these needs. This committee has the power to appoint additional members to assist with the development and presentation of courses and or seminars. The Annual Technical Conference shall be under the responsibility of the Education Committee.
8. Safety Codes Council Representative
The Safety Codes Council Representative and Alternate Member shall represent the interest of the E.I.A.A. Safety Codes Council Representative and Alternate Member shall be elected by the membership at large at the Annual General Meeting. The Alternate Member shall attend the Safety Codes Council Meeting, if the Representative is unable to attend these meetings. These members shall be acceptable to the E.I.A.A. membership, the Safety Codes Council and the Minister of Municipal Affairs.
9. E.I.A.A. Organization Representative
The E.I.A.A. Representatives to other organizations shall represent the interests of the E.I.A.A. The Membership Fees shall be paid by the E.I.A.A.
10. Board of Direction
The Board shall, subject to the by-laws or direction given it by majority vote at any properly constituted meeting, have full control and management of the business and affairs of the Association. Meetings of the Board shall be held as often as required. A special meeting may be called by the president on the written request of any two (2) members of the Board. Any four (4) members shall constitute a quorum. Directors or members may serve on Committees as directed by the President. The selection of the members that serve on a Committee must be ratified at the next General Meeting.
ARTICLE V
TERMINATIONS
1. Any Director may be removed from office by special resolution at a General Meeting for any just cause, provided such member is given the opportunity to have a proper hearing prior to the consideration of the special resolution. Such member's responsibilities will be suspended pending the outcome of the special resolution.
2. The affected Director may appeal, at which time an Arbitration Board, consisting of one representative chosen by the Board of Directors, and a representative chosen by the Director, and a Chairperson that the two representatives will elect, will consider that case. The decision will be final.
3. Any officer or director may be removed from office if he is absent from any three consecutive meetings without regrets.
4. Any Director may resign from the Board by submitting such request in writing to the President.
ARTICLE VI
MEETINGS
1. This Association shall hold an Annual Meeting on or before the 31st of March in each year, of which due notice shall be given to all members.
2. The Board shall hold meetings as often as necessary but at least twice a year.
3. Meetings of the Association may be called at any time by the President or Board, by notice in writing to the last known address of each member, postmarked thirty days prior to the date of such meeting. A Special Meeting shall be called by the President upon receipt of a petition signed by one third of the members in good standing. This petition shall set forth the reasons for having called such a meeting.
4. Ten active members in good standing, of which two (2) shall be from the Executive Committee, shall constitute a quorum at any Annual or General Meeting.
5. Two members shall constitute a quorum at a Chapter Meeting.
ARTICLE VII
VOTING AND PRIVILEGES
1. Any active member, who has not withdrawn from membership, been suspended, or expelled, shall have the right to vote at all Association meetings. All associate members in good standing shall have the rights to vote on all E.I.A.A. matters conducted at the Chapter level, unless the associate member is an Elected Officer as outlined in Article III (2).
2. Votes may be cast in person or be proxy. No active member may cast more than three (3) proxy votes.
3. Completed proxy vote forms must be presented to the attending Secretary before the meeting is called to order.
4. A simple majority vote in favor shall be required to pass any motion, except as provided in Articles II (3), (4), VI (6) and XII(3).
5. The Officer presiding in the chair shall, in the event of a tie vote, cast the deciding vote.
6. Any member, who has been deemed to have contravened the Aims and Objective, Code of Ethics, or By-Laws of the Association, may be suspended or expelled on the recommendation of the Board of Directors and a two-thirds majority vote on such motion presented at a properly constituted meeting.
7. Any member may withdraw his name from the membership of the Association by submitting to the Secretary, in writing, his desire to do so.
ARTICLE VIII
DUES
1. The yearly membership fee for Members shall be as set and approved by the Association.
2. The yearly membership fee shall be paid within thirty (30) days following the date of the Annual General Meeting.
3. Any member six months in arrears with annual membership fees shall be automatically suspended, but may be re-instated by the Board of Directors after such fees are paid to date.
4. New members will be charged an initiation fee in addition to their membership fee.
5. A reinstatement fee will be levied against members more than one-year delinquent in their annual dues.
6. The yearly membership fee shall be paid to the Association Treasurer.
ARTICLE IX
REMUNERATION
1. No expense shall be incurred in the name of the Association until the Association, and/or the Executive Committee has approved it.
2. No expenses in excess of the financial resources of the Association may be incurred
3. All accounts shall be approved by the Association or the Executive Committee and shall be paid by cheque, signed by the Treasurer and one of the other signing officers of the Association.
4. No officer or member of the Association shall receive remuneration for his services, unless authorized by the Association.
ARTICLE X
AUDIT, INSPECTION OF BOOKS AND ACCOUNTS
1. The books, accounts and records of the Secretary and Treasurer shall be audited at least once each year by a duly qualified accountant or by two members of the Association elected for that purpose at the Annual Meeting. A complete and proper audited statement of the books for the previous year shall be submitted at the Annual Meeting of the Association. December 31 in each year shall be the end of the fiscal year for the Association.
2. Audits shall be submitted to the appropriate agency having jurisdiction.
3. The books and records of the Association may be inspected by any member of the Association at the Annual Meeting or at any time upon giving reasonable notice and arranging a time satisfactory to the officer of officers having charge of same. Each member of the Board shall have access to such books and records.
ARTICLE XI
ORDER OF BUSINESS
1. Robert's Rules of Order shall be used to govern the meetings.
ARTICLE XII
ALTERATION OF BY-LAWS
1 The By-Laws are to be reviewed, by a special By-Laws review committee, appointed and under the direction of the Executive, every four years.
2. The Aims and Objectives, Code of Ethics or By-Laws of the Association may be altered or amended by an extra-ordinary resolution, presented at any fully constituted meeting.
3. Any alteration of the Aims and Objective, Code of Ethics, or By-Laws shall require a three-quarters majority vote to gain approval.
4. At least thirty (30) days notice in writing shall be given to the members of the Association before conducting a vote on an extra-ordinary resolution to be presented at any fully constituted meeting. The extra-ordinary resolution shall be included in this notice.
5 All such notices of motion shall be presented to the Secretary at least sixty (60) days in writing.
ARTICLE XIII
BORROWING POWERS
1. The Association shall not borrow or raise money through the issue of debentures or the like.
APPENDIX A
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
a) To be an Association for Electrical Safety Codes Officers in the Province of Alberta.
b) To co-operate in the formulation of standards for the safe installation and use of electrical materials, devices and appliances.
c) To promote the uniform understanding and application of the Canadian Electrical Code, and other applicable rules and regulations.
d) To promote co-operation between the Public, Safety Codes Officers, Accredited Agencies and the Electrical Industry.
e) To collect and disseminate information relative to the safe use of electricity.
f) To represent the Electrical, Safety Codes Officers, in all matters which are dealt with nationally and internationally by the electrical industry.
g) To co-operate with national and international organizations in furthering the development of the electrical industry.
h) To unite persons socially who are involved in the Electrical Industry.
I) The Electrical Inspectors Association of Alberta shall be non-political and nonsectarian.
APPENDIX B
CODE OF ETHICS
We the Electrical Safety Codes Officers, engaged in electrical inspection work for the people whom we serve, and as members of the Electrical Inspector's Association of Alberta, strive to adhere to the following principles:
To the best of our ability, we shall conduct all operations under our control, in such a manner as will provide safe electrical installations In the Interest of safety to life and property.
In performing this service, we will act within the bounds of applicable legislation and within the field of orderly procedure.
We shall endeavor to extend our technical and professional knowledge. Procedures we advocate are based upon well-grounded information.
We will strive to enforce the Electrical Code Regulations and related Legislation in fairness and without bias.
We shall not accept remuneration or favor for the services we render other than from our employer.
We shall strive to improve the public appreciation of the services in achieving safe electrical Installations.
We shall assist the electrical trade in the promotion of safer design, by facilitating an understanding of Electrical Codes.
We shall at all times, serve the public in a courteous manner.
We discourage exaggerated, unfair, or untrue statements concerning electrical installations and those engaged In this field. In accordance with this principle, we shall assist our associates as well as the general public, in obtaining a true understanding of this industry and its relationship to Human well being.
We shall not disclose confidential information without consent.
These Bylaws revised October 2005
The Bylaws Committee consisted of the following members:
Gordon Block (Chairman)
John Hazelwood
Don Letcher