KLA Constitution
KASHWAKAMAK LAKE ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION
(Amended June 7, 2011)
PREAMBLE
The Kashwakamak Lake Association (hereafter the KLA) was formed in July, 2000, replacing the former Lake Kashwakamak West Property Owners’ Association.
The objective of the KLA is to provide an organization through which property owners of Kashwakamak Lake, whether permanent or seasonal, may voice their concerns on issues affecting their health, pleasure, comfort, safety, and security. Moreover, it is the objective of the KLA to provide a forum for the discussion of those concerns and, through its Board of Directors (executive) to take appropriate actions to address those concerns. All members are thus encouraged to communicate with the Association and its Board of Directors so that concerns are identified, possible solutions examined, and appropriate actions taken.
The KLA will actively engage in the promotion of Lake Stewardship in all areas affecting the Lake Kashwakamak environment.
The KLA, through its Board of Directors, shall provide the membership with information which it deems to be relevant and/or useful in helping its members to become better guardians of Kashwakamak Lake. Such information may come from FOCA, from various levels of government, or from a variety of other sources.
The KLA shall promote social activities for its members.
NAME
The Association shall be called the “Kashwakamak Lake Association.”
JURISDICTION
Membership in the KLA is open to property owners, either permanent or seasonal, living on Kashwakamak Lake. Any person who lives in the vicinity of Lake Kashwakamak and does not specifically own lake frontage, but for whom the welfare of the lake is important, may submit a written application to the Board to become a member of the Kashwakamak Lake Association.
MEMBERSHIP
Active membership is limited to one person per registered property on Kashwakamak Lake. An active member carries the right to one vote at any meeting of the members.
Associate membership may be granted to any person designated by a registered property owner. The associate member(s) shall be identified in writing on the membership application. An associate member shall be a regular user of the property registered to the owners making the designation. An associate membership does not carry the right to vote at any meetings of the members but is entitled to all other privileges of membership.
Honorary membership may, from time to time, be awarded by the Board of Directors. An honorary membership is a non-voting membership in recognition of services rendered to the Association.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
An annual general meeting (hereafter the AGM) of the KLA shall be held within the first three weeks of July each year, on a date fixed by the executive of the KLA, for the purposes of receiving reports, electing the executive for the ensuing term, and the transaction of other business.
All members of the executive (Board of Directors) shall be nominated and elected at the AGM. The term of office is two years, with the exception of the immediately preceding President whose term as an executive member shall be extended a further two years. If an elected Director is unable to complete his/her term, the Board may appoint a Director to serve the remainder of the term. Should a member of the executive wish to remain on the Board of Directors in excess of their two year term they will be subject to the nomination and election process.
A minimum of two weeks’ notice shall be given to the members concerning the holding of the AGM.
Twelve voting members shall constitute a quorum for the holding of the AGM.
The nominations and elections of the executive shall be presided over by the immediate preceding President at the AGM.
Each active member will have one vote on each motion put forth to the assembly. Motions shall be decided by a simple majority of votes based on a show of voting cards, as issued to active members.
In electing the executive, where more than the required number of directors are nominated and stand for election, the election shall be by secret ballot.
DIRECTORS
In an effort to achieve proportional representation, and deliver the KLA objectives and current events to all Kashwakamak Lake residents, it is the KLA’s objective to have Directors on the Board from all areas of the lake.
Directors must be a property owner or an appointed family member.
Between AGMs, the general management and control of the affairs, funds and property of the KLA shall be vested in the said executive of the KLA, subject only to this constitution and decisions taken by a majority vote of the active members at the AGM, or other general meetings called by the executive on the same notice and conditions of the AGM.
The executive shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Lake Steward, and an agreed-upon number of additional directors.
Four members of the executive shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of the executive. Motions put forth in the meetings of the executive shall be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast.
Directors shall serve without remuneration, salary or profit. Directors may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
FUNDS
The funds of the KLA shall be in the keeping of the Treasurer, who shall deposit these funds in a chartered Canadian bank or trust company and make payments on behalf of the KLA by way of cheque drawn upon this account, with the exception of petty cash payments for which the Treasurer will account by voucher.
The signing officers are the President, the Vice-President, the Treasurer, and the Secretary. All cheques must be signed by any two of the signing officers.
STANDING COMMITTEES
The executive may appoint standing committees as required: e.g. water levels, water clarity, telephone, pollution, social, lake planning etc.
MEMBERSHIP
Application for membership shall be made to any member of the executive accompanied by the current year’s membership fees.
Only those active voting members whose fees are paid may vote at meetings.
The amount set for annual membership may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote at the AGM.
The Board of Directors may, from time to time, establish a fee to be paid for participation in any activity sponsored by the KLA.
Annual membership dues are due on July 1st of each year.
There shall be an annual audit of the financial operations of the KLA performed each year by two members of the KLA and such audit will be released to all members of the KLA no later than the next AGM.
FINANCIAL YEAR
The financial year for the KLA shall commence January 1st and end on December 31st.
AMENDMENTS
Amendments to the constitution of the KLA may be made at the AGM or other properly called general meetings. For such general meetings (as well as the AGM), members will be given a minimum of two weeks advance notice of the meeting and twelve voting members will constitute a quorum. Amendments must be passed by a two-thirds majority of the voting members present.
RULES OF ORDER
The authority for resolving disputes regarding procedures in meetings shall be Robert’s Rules of Order.
TERMINATION OF THE KLA
If and when the directors deem it necessary to recommend terminating the operations of the KLA, a motion to that effect shall be presented to all paid up members, either at a general meeting or if necessary, by a mailed ballot.
If such a motion is approved by a majority of members, the treasurer is directed to
distribute to the members any audited surplus funds on a pro-rata basis, or to
donate the funds to any approved non-profit local community organizations
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