SOCIETY ACT


CONSTITUTION



1.      The name of the Association is Pacific DAWN: Pacific DisAbled Women's Network hereinafter referred to as the Association

2.      PURPOSES

The purposes of the Society are:

a)      to provide support, information, and resources to women with disabilities in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory;

b)      to establish and  maintain a network of communications between and among disabled and non disabled women in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory;

c)      to educate and raise the awareness of women with disabilities, all organizations dealing with issues affecting persons with disabilities and all organizations dealing with issues affecting women to ensure that equal access to all goods and services is provided;

d)      to reach out and remain sensitive to the unique needs of all women with disabilities including aboriginal women, black women, south Asian women, Asian women and other members of linguistic and ethnic minorities, including French-Canadian women and immigrant women, women in institutions, lesbians, transgendered women, young women,, seniors, single parents, and others in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory;

e)      to provide role models for disabled girls and to encourage and support them as they develop into mature and independent women;

f)      to be a feminist, pro-choice voice of women with disabilities in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory.

g)      to promote research on all issues affecting women with disabilities in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory;

h)      to educate and raise awareness of the general public regarding the needs and concerns of women with disabilities in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory; and,

i)      to work in cooperation, whenever possible, with others who share our concerns for equality and social justice in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory.


3.      WINDING UP

       In the event of winding up or dissolution of the Society, funds and assets of the Society remaining after the satisfaction of its debts and liabilities, shall be given or transferred to such organization or organizations concerned with social problems or organizations promoting the same purposes of this Society as may be determined by the members of the Society at the time of winding up or dissolution.  If effect cannot be given to the aforesaid provisions, then such funds shall be given or transferred to some other organizations, providing however that any such organization referred to in this paragraph shall be a registered charity recognized by the Department of National Revenue, Taxation, as qualified as such under the provisions of the Income Tax Act of British Columbia and the Yukon Territory from time to time in effect.


4.              NON-PROFIT

The purpose of the Society shall be carried out without purposes of gain for its members and any profits or other accretions to the Society shall be used for promoting its purposes.

5.  ALTERABILITY

Paragraphs 3,4 and 5 of the constitution are unalterable.




BY - LAWS

Pacific DAWN: Pacific DisAbled Women's Network


ARTICLE I - CORPORATE STRUCTURE AND SEAL


1.1     Pacific DAWN: Pacific DisAbled Women's Network is a Society incorporated under The Society Act of the Province of British Columbia.

REGISTERED ADDRESS

1.2     The registered address of The Association shall be in such a location within BC of the Yukon, as designated from time to time by 2/3 majority resolution of the Board.


SIGNING OF DOCUMENTS

1.6     All cheques, drafts or orders for the payment of money and all notes and acceptances and bills of exchange shall be signed by any two (2) of five (5) signing officers as designated by resolution of the Board.

1.7     Contracts, documents or instruments in writing, (other than those referred to in Section 1.6), requiring the signature of The Association, will be signed according to policy. All contracts, documents and instruments in writing so signed shall be binding upon The Association without any further authorization or formality.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP


MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION

There shall be three categories of membership in the Society:

�       Active
�       Supporting
�       Sustaining

       2.1      Active Membership

a)      Active membership in the Society shall be open to all women with disabilities and organizations, caucuses, and committees controlled by self-identified women with disabilities resident in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory who subscribe to the objectives of the Society as outlined in the Constitution.

b)      Active members may have voice and vote at all meetings of the Society

c)      The subscribers to the Constitution and these Bylaws shall have the same duties, rights, and responsibilities as any other active member.

d)      It is the duty of each active member, in order to remain in good standing in this Society to comply with the Bylaws of the Society and pay, when due, the annual dues for the current year.

       2.2      Supporting Membership

a)      Supporting membership in the Society shall be open to all women and organizations controlled by women resident in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory who subscribe to the objectives of the Society as outlined in the Constitution.

b)      Supporting members may have voice but no vote at all meetings of the Society

c)      It is the duty of each supporting member, in order to remain in good standing in this Society, to comply with the Bylaws of the Society and pay, when due, the annual dues for the current year.

       2.3     Sustaining Membership

a)      Sustaining membership in the Society shall be open to any individual or organization that supports the objectives of the Society as set forth in the Constitution.

b)      Sustaining members shall not be entitled to attend the meetings of the Society except upon prior invitation by the Chairperson of the meeting.

c)      Sustaining members who attend meetings of the Society shall have voice, at the discretion of the Chairperson, but shall not be entitled to vote.

d)      It is the duty of each sustaining member, in order to remain in good standing in this Society, to comply with the By-laws of the Society and pay, when due, the annual dues for the current year.

2.4     Categories of membership shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board.

2.5     Annual membership dues shall be determined at the Annual General Meeting of The Association.

       (a)     the fees will be determined at the last meeting of the Board before the Annual General Meeting

       (b)     the fees shall be based on a sliding scale for individuals and organizations.

       (c)     the fees shall be waived at the discretion of the Board of Directors

TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

2.6     Membership in The Association shall cease:

(a)     by mailing or delivering his resignation in writing to the Secretary/Treasurer of The Association at the registered address of the Association; or

(b)     on his death or, in the case of an entity, on dissolution; or

(c)     by failure to pay annual membership dues on or before March 31 of the year in which the membership dues are payable.


EXPULSION OF MEMBERS

2.8     Expulsion of Members

a)      If a Member behaves in such a way as to reduce the ability of The Association to achieve its purpose or mission, that Member may be expelled by a resolution passed by not less than a 2/3 majority resolution at a Directors meeting called for that purpose.
b)      A Member who is the subject of a proposed resolution for expulsion shall be given an opportunity to be heard at the Directors meeting before the special resolution is put to a vote.
c)      Such Member shall be notified by double-registered mail that their membership is in question.


ARTICLE III - BOARD OF DIRECTORS


STRUCTURE

3.1     The Board of The Association shall be the governing body of The Association.

3.2     (a)     The Directors may exercise all such powers and shall perform all such duties as The Association may exercise and perform, or as required to be exercised and performed in General Meeting, subject to the provisions of:
               (i)     all laws affecting The Association,
               (ii)    these by-laws, and
(iii)   policy and procedures, not being inconsistent with these by-laws, which are made from time to time by the Directors.

       (b)     No by-law or resolution made by The Association in General Meeting invalidates a prior act of the Directors that would have been valid if that by-law or resolution had not been made.

3.3     (a)     The Board shall be comprised of:
(i)     Women with disabilities who are members of the Society;
(ii)    No more than 15, and no fewer than 3, elected Directors who carry one vote each;
(iii)   the Past President who carries one vote;

(b)     The Chair, Vice-Chair (or 2 Co-Chairs), Secretary, Treasurer, and Member At Large shall be elected by majority vote by the Directors after the Annual General Meeting of the membership and prior to the first scheduled Directors meeting for the year. The Directors may choose to elect 2 Co-Chairs as opposed to Chair and Vice-Chair, should all be agreeable.

(c)     The Chair, Vice-Chair (or Co-Chairs), Secretary, and Treasurer, shall be the Officers of The Association.

       (d)     An Officer must be a Director and ceases to be an Officer when he ceases to be a Director.

AIMS AND DUTIES

3.4     The Board shall be responsible for carrying on the business and activities of the Society in such a way as to fulfil the Society's purposes and objectives as outlined by the Constitution and governed by Policy.

NOMINATING PROCEDURE

3.5     A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the Board and shall consist of not less than one (1) Member of the Board and such individuals as the Board appoints.

3.6     If a member of the Nominating Committee stands for election to a position on the Board, that person will resign from the Nominating Committee. The Board will appoint a replacement.

3.7     The nominating procedure shall be as follows:

(a)     The Nominating Committee will issue a call for nominations not less than three (3) months prior to the Annual General Meeting of the Members of The Association.

(b)     The Nominating Committee will compile a list of nominees and report to the Board of Directors not less than one (1) month prior to the Annual General Meeting of the Members of The Association.

(c)     Consent of a nominee must be obtained prior to her nomination.

(d)     Nominees must be Active members of the Association.

3.8     No person who is presently employed by or is under contract with The Association, or has been employed by or was under contract with the Association during the twelve (12) months preceding the election, may be nominated for a position on the Board.

ELECTIONS FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

3.9     (a)     The Directors shall hold terms of one (1) or two (2) years, to be determined at the first Board Of Directors meeting held after the Annual General Meeting.  The Past Chair(s) shall cease to hold the position and title of Past Chair(s) one year from the date of the Annual General Meeting at which the current Board Of Directors is elected.

(b)     The Chair (or Co-Chairs) will ask the membership to appoint Scrutineers and Tellers.  The Scrutineer will report the results of the election to the Chair (or Co-Chairs), who will announce the results to the membership.

3.10    A term of office shall start immediately following the Annual General Meeting of the Members of The Association, subject to the Director-elect becoming a Member of the Association, signing the Directors Letter of Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement.

ELECTIONS PROCEDURE

3.11    Election for all Directors shall be by one ballot.

3.12    Elections shall be by secret ballot unless there are an equal number of candidates and vacant positions, at which time the candidates shall be declared elected by acclamation.

3.13    In the event of a tie vote, the Scrutineer shall advise the Chair of The Annual General Meeting of the tie vote and the Chair will instruct the Members to vote again.

APPOINTMENTS TO FILL A VACANCY

3.14    If there is a vacancy on the Board, the Board may appoint a person to fill that position for the remainder of the term. The appointee must become a Member of the Association, sign the Directors Letter of Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement.

3.15    Such a Director will exercise such powers and authority and perform such duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board.

3.16    No act or proceeding of the Directors is invalid only by reason of there being less than the prescribed number of Directors in office.

3.17    Any resolution passed by the Board may be vetoed by a resolution at a general meeting of Pacific DAWN, see Article 9.18.(a).

3.18    Minutes of all Board meetings shall be available for inspection by all members.

3.19    Paid employees shall be hired by the Board, shall hold positions on such terms as the Board shall determine and shall be members of the Society.


ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES


4.1     Committees may be appointed by the Board.

4.2     Each such committee shall be chaired by a Member of the Board.

4.3     Terms of Reference defining the responsibilities, authority and reporting procedures of each committee shall be provided by the Board.

4.4     Pre-authorized expenses incurred in the performance of the defined duties of each such committee shall be reimbursed, according to Policy, by The Association.


ARTICLE V - REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS


5.1     No Director shall be remunerated for being or acting as a Director, but a Director may be reimbursed according to Policy for expenses necessarily and reasonably incurred by him while engaged in the affairs of The Association.


ARTICLE VI - CONFLICT OF INTEREST


6.1     Directors and Members of Committees are required to declare, to the Board or Committee, a conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest and will refrain from voting on resolutions concerning the conflict.

6.2     The Board may set, from time to time, conflict of interest guidelines.


ARTICLE VII - FOR PROTECTION OF DIRECTORS, ETC


7.1     Except as otherwise provided in the Act, no Director of The Association shall be liable for the acts, receipts, neglects or defaults of a Director, Officer or employee, or for any loss, damage or misfortune whatever which may happen in the execution of duties of his or her respective office or trust or in relation thereto unless the same happens by or through his or her own wilful neglect or default.

7.2     The Directors of The Association shall not be under any duty or responsibility in respect of any contract, act or transaction, whether or not made, done, or entered into in    the name or on behalf of The Association, except such as have been submitted to and authorized by the Board.

7.3     Every Director of The Association or other person who has undertaken or is about to undertake any liability on behalf of The Association and their heirs, executors and administrators, and estate and effects, respectively, shall be indemnified and saved harmless out of the funds of The Association, from and against:

       (a)     all costs, charges and expenses whatsoever which such Director or other person sustains or incurs, or any action, suit or proceeding which is brought, commenced or prosecuted against him or her for or in respect of any act, deed, matter or thing whatsoever, made, done or permitted by him or her, in or about the execution of the duties of his or her office or in respect of any such liability; and

       (b)     all other costs, charges and expenses sustained or incurred in or about or in relation to the affairs thereof, except such costs, charges or expenses as are occasioned by his or her own wilful neglect or default.


ARTICLE VIII - MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS


8.1     The Directors of The Association shall meet not less than four times each fiscal year at such time and locations as may be determined by the Board.

8.2     The Chair (or Co-Chairs), on the requisition of a majority of the Directors then in office shall convene a meeting of the Directors without delay.

8.3     Where all Directors consent, a Director may participate in a meeting of the Directors by telephone or any other communication medium that permits all persons participating in the meeting to communicate with each other.

8.4     The Directors may from time to time fix the quorum necessary for the transaction of business and unless so fixed the quorum shall be three of the Directors then in office, who must be either the Chairperson, Past Chair, Vice-Chairperson (or Co-Chairs), Secretary, Treasurer or Member At Large..

8.5     Seventy-two (72) hours written notice of each meeting of the Directors shall be given by the President of The Association to each Director by post or electronic means.

8.6     Bourinot's Rules of Order (latest edition) will guide the conduct of the Directors at all meetings.

8.7     Each Director shall have one (1) vote at meetings of the Directors of The Association.

ARTICLE IX - MEETINGS OF MEMBERS


9.1     General Meetings of The Association shall be held at such time and place in accordance with The Society Act, as the Directors decide.

9.2     The Directors, on the requisition of 10% or more of the voting members of The Association, shall convene a general meeting of The Association without delay. The requisition shall

(a)     state the purpose of the general meeting;

(b)     be signed by the member(s) requesting the meeting; and

(c)     be delivered or sent by registered mail to the registered address of The Association, and may consist of several documents in similar form each signed by one or more member requesting such meeting.

9.3     An Annual General Meeting shall be held at least once every calendar year and not more than fifteen (15) months after the holding of the last preceding Annual General Meeting.

9.4     Every General Meeting, other than an Annual General Meeting, is an extraordinary General Meeting. The Directors may, whenever they think fit, convene an extraordinary General Meeting.

9.5     (a)     One month written notice of each meeting of the Members shall be given by the President of The Association to each registered voting Member via post or electronic means.

       (b)     Such notice of a General Meeting shall specify the place, the day and the       hour of a meeting, and in the case of special business, the general nature of the business.

       (c)     The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to, or the non-receipt of a notice by any of the Members entitled to receive notice does not invalidate proceedings at that meeting.

       (d)     Any persons calling a meeting of the membership of the Society pursuant to Article 9.2, shall be responsible for the administration and preparation of the meeting.

       (e)     All costs incurred through the preparation and administration of the Special General Meeting shall be covered by the Society.

       (f)     A quorum for a Special General Meeting shall be fifteen (15) active members.

PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS


9.6     Bourinot�s Rules of order (latest edition) will guide the conduct of Members at all meetings.

9.7     (a)     All business that is transacted at an Annual General Meeting includes:
i.      a report of the activities of the Society for the previous year and the financial statements of the Society

ii.     any new bylaws or changes to existing Bylaws approved by Pacific DAWN in the previous year for approval

iii.    such other materials or information relating to the affairs of the Society as is, in the opinion of the Board, or interest or importance to the members

iv.     items for which the Secretary has received prior notice from members

v.      other business relating to the affairs of the Society which a majority of the members present at the meeting consent to discuss and

vi.     election of new Pacific DAWN Board Of Directors,

vii.    the report of the auditor, if any,

viii.   the appointment of the auditor, if required,

ix.     such other business as, under these by-laws, ought to be transacted at an Annual General Meeting, or business which is brought under consideration by the report of the Directors issued with the notice convening the meeting, and

x.      special business.

       (b)     All business at an extraordinary General Meeting is special business.

9.9     Subject to by-law 9.11, the Chair of The Association, the First Vice-Chair (or Co-Chairs), or, in the absence of both, one of the other Directors present, shall preside as Chair of a General Meeting.

9.10    If at a General Meeting:
(a)     there is no Chair, Vice-Chair (or Co-Chairs), or other Director present within fifteen (15) minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, or
       (b)     the Chair (or Co-Chairs) and all the other Directors present are unwilling to act as Chair, the Members present shall appoint a Chair.

9.11    (a)     A General Meeting may be adjourned from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at an adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place.

       (b)     When a meeting is adjourned for ten (10) days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of the original meeting per Paragraph 9.5(b).

       (c)     Except as provided in this by-law, it is not necessary to give notice of adjournment or of the business to be transacted as an adjourned General Meeting.

9.12    (a)     The Chair of a meeting may move or propose a resolution.

       (b)     In case of an equality of votes, the Chair shall not have a casting or second vote in addition to the vote to which he may be entitled as a Member, and the proposed resolution shall not pass.

9.13    (a)     An Active Member in good standing present at a meeting is entitled to one vote.

(b)     Voting is by a show of hands, unless the Members otherwise decide.
(c)     A simple majority (51%) is required for adoption of regular resolutions.
(d)     Special resolutions of the Society require a three-quarters (3/4) majority and written notification stating the intent of the resolution must be given to all members at least fourteen (14) days in advance of the meeting.
(e)     Meetings of the Society are open to sustaining members at the discretion of the Chairperson.

       9.14 - PROXIES

a)      Every member entitled to vote at a meeting of the members may, by means of a proxy, appoint a person who need not be a member, but must be a woman, as her nominee to attend and act at the meeting in the manner, to the extent and with the power conferred by the proxy.

b)      A proxy shall be executed by a member or her attorney, authorized in writing or by voice with witness, and ceases to be valid three month from it's date.

c)      A proxy shall contain the date thereof and the appointment and name of the nominee and may contain restrictions, limitations or instructions as to the manner in which the proxy is to be used as well as a revocation of a former proxy.

d)      In addition to revocation in any other manner permitted by law, a proxy may be revoked by instrument in writing executed by the member or by her attorney authorized in writing, and deposited either at the office of the Society at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the meeting, or any adjournment thereof; or, with the Chairperson of such meeting on the day of the meeting; or, adjournment thereof, and upon either of such deposits, the proxy is revoked.

e)      The Directors may by resolution fix a time not exceeding forty-eight (48) hours, excluding Saturdays and holidays, preceding any meeting or adjourned meeting of the members before which time proxies to be used at that meeting must be deposited with the Society or an agent thereof, and any period of time so fixed shall be specified in the notice calling the meeting or in the information circular relating thereto.


BY-LAWS

9.15    On request, a Member shall be provided with a copy of the Constitution and By-laws of The Association.

9.16    Amendments to the By-laws of The Association may only be made by 2/3 majority of all votes cast at the Annual General Meeting with the exception of  those changes permitted by Paragraph 9.17(c).

9.17    Written notice of proposed amendments shall be sent to the voting Members of The Association not less than 30 days prior to the Annual General Meeting.

9.18    (a)     A by-law passed by the Board may be repealed, amended, varied or otherwise dealt with by The Association, at any General Meeting or at a Special Meeting called for the purpose.

(b)     When, as provided by the Act, a By-law has been passed, amended or deleted by the Board, the Board shall:
               (i)     set an effective date; and
               (ii)    cause notice of such change to be mailed to Members within twenty-one days of the effective date.

       (c)     The Board shall have the power and authority to make changes to any By-law or Rule relating to grammar, spelling, punctuation, or phrasing as the Board at its discretion deems necessary, provided that such changes shall not in any way affect the substantial meaning or intent of such By-laws or Rules.


ARTICLE X � FINANCIAL RECORDS


10.1    The fiscal year end of The Association shall be March 31.

10.2    The Association will keep proper accounting records in respect of all its financial and other transactions.

10.3    Without limiting Paragraph 10.2, The Association will keep records of the following:

(a)     All money received and disbursed by The Association and the matter in respect of which the receipt and disbursement took place;

(b)     Every asset and liability of the society;

(c)     Every other transaction affecting the financial position of The Association.

10.4    The accounting records shall be kept at the Registered Address of The Association.


ARTICLE XI- BORROWING


11.1    In order to carry out the purposes of The Association, the Directors may, on behalf of and in the name of The Association, raise or secure the payment or repayment of money in such a manner as they decide by 2/3 majority resolution at a meeting of the Directors.

11.2    In particular, but without limiting the generality of Paragraph 11.1, by the issue of debentures. No debenture shall be issued without the sanction of a special resolution passed by a 2/3 majority of the Members.

11.3    The Members may by special resolution restrict the borrowing powers of the Directors, but a restriction so imposed expires at the next Annual General Meeting.


ARTICLE XII- LENDING


12.1     The Directors may, on behalf of and in the name of The Association, lend money in such a manner as they decide, and in accordance with policy, by sanction of a resolution passed by a 2/3 majority at a meeting of the Directors.


ARTICLE XIII AUDITOR


13.1    This part applies only where The Association is required or has resolved to have an Auditor.

13.2    At each Annual General Meeting The Association shall appoint an Auditor by 2/3 resolution to hold office until the next Annual General Meeting.

13.3    The Board shall have the power to fill all vacancies occurring in the office of Auditor.

13.4    An Auditor may be removed by ordinary resolution.

13.5    An Auditor shall be informed forthwith in writing of appointment or removal.

13.6    No Director or employee of The Association shall be Auditor.

13.7    The Auditor may attend Annual General Meetings.


ARTICLE XIV � DISSOLUTION


14.1    In the event of winding up or dissolution of The Association, funds and assets of The Association remaining after the satisfaction of its debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to an organization(s) with similar purposes to The Association as may be determined by the members of The Association at the time of winding up or dissolution. Such organization(s) shall be a charitable organization as prescribed by the Constitution and further shall operate within the province of British Columbia.


ARTICLE XV � DUTIES OF DIRECTORS


15.1    To attend meetings of the Directors and perform such duties as assigned by the Officers to promote the aims and objectives of The Association.

ARTICLE XVI - DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

16.1    The Officers shall consist of a Chairperson, Past Chair(s), Vice Chairperson (or Co-Chairs), Secretary, and Treasurer and shall be elected by the Board of Directors from its membership at its first meeting after the Annual General Meeting of the Society.

16.2    The duties of the Officers of the Society shall be as follows:

a)      The Chairperson (or Co-Chair) shall preside at all meetings of members, directors and the executive officers.  She shall be a member ex officio of all committees.

b)      The Vice Chairperson (or Co-Chair) shall perform the duties of the Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson and shall be responsible for the internal communications between and among Pacific DAWN Members and liaison with organizations with whom Pacific DAWN is linked.

c)      The Past Chair(s) shall bring added continuity and smoother changes from Board to Board.

d)      The Treasurer shall have custody of all monies, obligations and contracts belonging to the Society and be responsible for the preparation of the annual budget and monthly and annual financial statements.

e)      The Secretary shall be the clerk of the Society and be responsible for organizing the recording of the proceedings of all general and special meetings of members and meetings of the directors and the executive.  She shall be the custodian of any seal of the Society and other papers and documents belonging to the Society.  She shall perform such duties as are usually performed by a Secretary.


ARTICLE XVII - REPLACEMENT AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS


17.1    Vacancies in office and on the Board may be filled by the Board on an interim basis, subject to membership at the next general meeting.

17.2    The Society may, by special resolution, Article 9.13(b), remove a Director before the expiration of office and may, by ordinary resolution, appoint another member of the Society in her place.

17.3    An office of the Board shall be considered to be vacant if:

a)      The Director ceases to be a member of the Society, or

b)      The Director is absent from three (3) consecutive meetings of the Board without giving prior notice to the Board.


ARTICLE XVIII - FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE SOCIETY


18.1    The Directors shall present before the members of the Society at the Annual General Meeting, a financial statement showing the income and expenditures, assets and liabilities of the Society during the preceding fiscal year.

18.2    The financial statement shall be signed by two (2) or more Board members

ARTICLE IXX - FISCAL YEAR


       19.1    The fiscal year of the Society shall be from April 1st of each year to March 31st of the following year.


ARTICLE XX - FUNDS


20.1    All funds of the Society shall be deposited in the name of the Society at a credit union to be determined by the Board of Directors.

20.2    The Board Of Directors shall have the power to borrow or raise or secure the payment of money in such manner as the Society shall deem fit without limiting the foregoing, may cause to be signed bills, notes, contracts, and other evidence of security for money borrowed from any person, firm, corporation, or bank, on such terms as the lender may be willing to advance the same, provided that debenture shall not be issued with the sanction of a special resolution of the Society.

20.3    The authorized signatories of the Society shall be the Treasurer and any of the following:

�       Chairperson (or Co-Chair)
�       Past Chair(s)
�       Vice Chairperson (or Co-Chair)
�       Secretary
�       one Project Coordinator per project

20.4    The Society shall have the power to invest its funds only in securities authorized by the Trustee�s Act of British Columbia.
20.5    Every document, cheque, bill of exchange or other order for the payment of money, notes or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidence of indebtedness in the name of Pacific DAWN shall be signed by the Treasurer and any other of the authorized signatories described in Article   20.3.

ARTICLE XXI - MAINTENANCE OF MINUTES AND OTHER BOOKS AND RECORDS

21.1    The Directors shall see that the minutes of members' meetings and the minutes of the Directors' meetings, and all other necessary books and records of the Society required by the Bylaws of the Society or by any applicable statute or law are regularly and properly kept by the Society's Secretary as per Article 16.2(e).

ARTICLE XXII - INSPECTION OF RECORDS OF THE SOCIETY

22.1    The books and records of the Society shall be open to the inspection of the members at all reasonable times at the office of the Society.


ARTICLE XXIII - ALTERATIONS OF THE BYLAWS


23.1    The Bylaws of the Society may only be altered by special resolution Article 9.13(b).


ARTICLE XXIV - INTERPRETATION


24.1    In these By-laws, unless the context otherwise requires,

(a)     �The Association� Pacific DAWN: Pacific DisAbled Women's Network.

(b)     "Director" means a Director of The Association for the time being;

(c)     �Board� means the Board of Directors of The Association for the time being;

(d)     "The Society Act" means The Society Act of the Province of British Columbia from time to time in force and all amendments to it;

       (d)     "registered address" of a member means his address as recorded in the register of members;

       (e)     "term" means a period not exceeding two (2) years.


24.2    The definitions in The Society Act on the date these By-laws become effective apply to these By-laws.

24.3    Words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa.

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