CONSTITUTION OF
THE PAN - MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATION OF CANADA
Citizens
and residents of Canada, immigrants from Macedonia, Greece and descendants of
persons whose origins are of Macedonia, Greece, are hereafter uniting with
common bonds, common memories, feelings of affection, love and dedication to
that part of Greece and with a glorious history and tradition of epic struggles,
sacrifices and toil of their fathers for the preservation of the Greek culture
and Greek heritage.
For a
multitude of years they have striven, with separate organizations, clubs and
brotherhoods, to maintain, in their adopted fatherland, their common ideals and
traditions, grant mutual assistance and support to their members and their old
compatriots in the villages, townships and cities from where they hail by
various acts of philanthropy and charity.
Conscious,
finally, of the tremendous power that is derived from unification and
collaboration and desirous of the implantation of such power for more effective
and enlightened philanthropic and charitable deeds, they have decided to
incorporate into one unified organization with the following precepts.
ARTICLE 1
NAME OF THE ASSOCIATION:
The organization shall be
known with the name of "Pan-Macedonian Association of Canada", established on
November 14, 1993, its application for registration submitted on the 10th of
February, 1994 and approved according to the Federal laws of Canada on the 18th
of June 1994, with headquarters in the city of Toronto, Ontario.
ARTICLE 2
AIMS OF THE ASSOCIATION:
The Pan-Macedonian
Association shall have the following aims:
1. To support by all moral
and material means, institutions and organizations of religious, educational,
social and philanthropic nature in Canada and in Macedonia, Greece.
2. To promote the social
well being public hygiene and education of the residents of Macedonia, Greece.
3. To cultivate friendly
and educational relations between the Greek people and those of Canadian
democracies.
4. To compile and
distribute information regarding the land and the residents of Macedonia, Greece
and to enlighten the public via publications, lectures, exhibitions and other
means.
5. To attend to all other
projects for the advancement of philanthropic and educational benefits to the
residents of Macedonia, Greece and the members of the Association.
6. To cultivate bonds of
friendship, develop solidarity and mutual aid and the mutual support among the
members of the Association.
7. To realize the aims and
principles of the Association is the obligation of the National Executive
Council, the Districts, Chapters, the Societies, which are under its
jurisdiction, and all the members of our Association.
ARTICLE 3
MEMBERSHIP:
A. Enrolment Qualifications
and Acceptance
1. Persons from Macedonia,
Greece, their spouses and children who are living in Canada, abiding by the
Constitution and laws of the countries in which they live and who are willing to
conform with the Constitution and Regulations of the Association and who are of
legal age according to the law of the area of their residence, are accepted as
members of the Association.
2. Persons whose origins
are from other areas of Greece, except Macedonia, and meet the requirements as
set forth in Paragraph 1, Article 2, may enroll as members on the approval of a
Chapter's or Society's Administrative Council. These members, once they have met
their membership dues obligations for three years, shall have the right to be
elected as officers of a Chapter or Member-Society and the National Executive
Council.
3. Participants in the
Macedonian Struggle and their descendants from the whole of Greece.
4. Honorary Members of the
Association are declared by the recommendation of the President of the National
Executive Council and with the consent of three-quarters (3/4) of the delegates
at an Association's Convention. Such honored persons may be of Greek or any
other ethnic background and who have contributed important services toward the
realization of the aims and pursuits of the Association.
5. Benefactors of the
Association are declared those Societies, Organizations, Institutions and Clubs
that have donated the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) and over to the Pan
Macedonian Association of Canada as well as individuals with the sum of five
thousand dollars ($5,000) and over.
6.
Contributors of the Association are declared those Societies,
Organizations, Institutions and Clubs that have donated the sum of five thousand
dollars ($5,000) and over to the Pan Macedonian Association of Canada as well as
individuals with the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) and over.
B. Expulsions
1. Expulsion of the member
may be carried out only at an Association's Convention with the consent of three
quarters (3/4) of the delegates and by secret ballot. The motion to expel a
member must be made by the following:
a. The President of the
Association or the President of the Chapter or the Society to which the member
belongs, on his/her own initiative, or by recommendation of the Constitution
Overseeing Committee and after a decision of the National Executive Council
whereby, by clear evidence, the accused member willfully undertook activities
and action contrary to and in violation of the Constitution of the Association,
the Constitution of the county in which the member's Chapter or Society is
headquartered, or proceeded with activities which attacked the honor,
reputation or the good name of the Pan-Macedonian Association or those of the
President of the Association. The accused member shall have the right to defend
himself/herself at the National Executive Council and in front of the Convention
and shall receive a copy of the National Executive Council's decision.
b. The President of the
Association, with the approval of the National Executive Council, may suspend
the membership of members who are accused of violating the Constitution or the
Regulations and until such time as the convening of the immediately following
Convention which shall consider the matter and arrive at a final decision.
c. The Constitution
Overseeing Committee may charge any member or official of the Association of
violating the Constitution and Regulations and the decisions of the Conventions
to the National Executive Council or at the Convention.
ARTICLE 4
CHAPTER AND MEMBER-SOCIETY
ORGANIZATIONS:
1. The Association is
comprised of Chapters, established for that purpose in Canada and of Societies
originally organized by Macedonians, who came from the same city, village or
eparchy of the area, henceforth known as Member-Societies of the Pan-Macedonian
Association. Each of the as Member-Societies formed to represent one certain
village, town, city or district of the region of Macedonia.
2. Chapters will abide,
under all circumstances, by the present Constitution and the Chapter
Regulations. Member-Societies will abide by the present Constitution only in so
far as it concerns their relations with the Association, maintaining otherwise
their internal and financial independence according to their own Constitutional
Charters and Regulations.
3. Youth Chapters and
Member-Societies, composed by unmarried members up to the age of 28 years old,
and in addition, meeting the qualifications as mentioned in Article 3, A.
Enrolment, and Paragraph 1. Youth Chapters and Members-Societies shall be
represented in the National Convention by the President or Vice-President of the
Chapter or Member-Society and an additional representative delegate as elected
by the membership of the Chapter or Member-Society.
4. Ten or more persons,
residing in one area may organize a Chapter and be recognized as such by a
majority vote of the National Exec. Council of the Association after submitting
an application and a list of the members' names and with the approval of the
next Convention according to Article 3.
5. Recognition and
acceptance of a new Chapter or a Member-Society must be approved by the consent
of the two thirds (2/3) of the votes of the legitimate delegates at the next
Convention and when the Chapter or Member-Society is recognized and accepted
into the Association, it may also be expelled from the Association, for reasons
referred to in Article 5 of this Constitution, by a three quarters (3/4) of the
vote's consent of the delegates to the Convention.
6.
A good standing Chapter or Member-Society of the Association is one that
meets its obligations with the Association each year and continuously. Chapters
or Member-Societies affiliated with the Association which have neglected or
avoided their obligations to the "Association" for one or more years, will have
the right of participation in the Convention, provided they settle their
obligations of the current year and those of two (2) years they have failed.
Except for other circumstances addressed to by other Articles or Regulations.
7. A Chapter or
Member-society which has terminated its affiliation to the Association of its
own initiative and a Chapter or Member-Society which has been expelled by
decision of the Convention, may return to the ranks of the Pan-Macedonian
Association in the following fashion:
a. The Chapter or
Member-Society must submit an application for reinstatement and secure approval
of three quarters (3/4) of the delegates of the immediately following
Convention. A provision necessary for the examination, study and discussion of
the application shall be:
b. Erasure and disavowal
of the reasons which caused the expulsion, its conformation to the Constitution
of the Association and annulment of the actions or decisions contrary to the
Association's Constitution and,
c.
Settlement of all past due financial obligations of the seceded or
expelled Chapter or Member-Society for all the years prior to the submitting of
the application. In the event of a rejection by the Convention, all deposited
funds shall be returned to the rejected Chapter or Member-Society.
7.
Basis for a seceded or expelled Chapter's or Member-Society's financial
obligations to be paid shall be the fiscal year immediately prior to the
secession or expulsion and the payment of the financial obligation shall be for
each year equal, at least, to the fiscal one prior to the secession or expulsion
by the same Chapter or Member-Society, except if, in the meantime, there was an
increase in the number of members, in which case the amount to be paid shall be
based upon the increased membership.
ARTICLE 5
ASSOCIATION SOURCES OF INCOME
The Association's sources of
income is derived as follows:
1. Dues contributions of
Chapter-Members and Member-Societies as follows:
a. Set annually membership
fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each Member - Association plus five Dollars
($5.00) annual fee for each of its member.
b. Each member of the
Youth Chapters or Member-Societies must pay three dollars ($3.00) as an annual
dues contribution to the Association.
c. Each Youth delegate to
the Conventions shall pay 50% of the adult delegate's fee for his/her
registration.
2. Donations of members
and friends of the Pan-Macedonian Association.
3. Each Convention
Organizing Committee must pay to the Association the sum of twenty dollars
($20.00) for each registered delegate.
5. Financial obligations
paid by Chapters and Member-Societies to the Association represent those of
members, Chapters and Member-Societies for their immediately preceding fiscal
year that begins on January 1st and ends on December 31st.
ARTICLE 6
ANNUAL CONVENTION
The National Convention of
the Representatives of the Chapters and Member-Societies and the Officers of the
Pan-Macedonian Association of Canada convenes once a year and continues until
the termination of the Convention's business but never for more than six days.
The place and date of the deliberation commencement is set two years in advance
by the corresponding Convention.
ARTICLE 7
CONVENTION COMPOSITION
The National Convention is
comprised of persons having one (1) vote each:
1. The representatives of
the Chapters and the Member-Societies.
2. The members of the
Executive Committee of Chapters, Member-Societies and Youth Chapters and
Member-Societies.
3. Officials of the
National Executive Council, including the Past Presidents of the Association,
who comprise the Advisory Committee.
ARTICLE 8
DELEGATES
1. The right of
participation in a National Convention is conferred only on the representatives
of the Chapters and Member - Societies who are in good standing with the
Association and have fulfilled their obligations to the Association by the 1st
of June of each year.
2. Each Chapter and
Member-Society elects its representatives at a regularly scheduled meeting.
Members who are in good standing with their Chapters and Member-Societies and
who are members for at least 6 months, except for a newly established one, have
the right to be elected delegates to the Convention.
3. The election of
delegates to the Convention must take place before the Convention and their
names must be forwarded to the National Office before the Convention.
4. Delegates must be
provided with the proper credentials signed by the legally elected Presidents
and Secretaries of the Chapters, Member-Societies, or the Association and be
able to prove that they are members of Chapters and Member-Societies in good
standing with the Association.
5. Each Chapter and
Member-Society has the right, in addition to the members of the Executive
Committee, to one delegate for every 15 members, or a fraction thereof, provided
that the fraction has a minimum of 8 members.
6. Each Chapter and
Member-Society may elect alternative delegates who will substitute for the
regular ones in case of absence.
7. To exercise his/her
right to vote in the elections to the National Executive Council, a duly elected
delegate must have registered in the lists of the Credential Committee not later
that 5 p.m. of the preceding to the elections day, as set forth by the
Convention Organizing Committee.
ARTICLE 9
CONVENTION OPENING
1. A three (3) member
Credential Committee is appointed by the Executive Committee of the National
Executive Council for the verification of the delegates credentials.
2. An appeal may be
submitted by delegates declared ineligible by the Credentials Committee, through
the Officers of the Convention to the Constitutional Committee which examines
the case and is obligated to present its findings to the first regular scheduled
meeting of the Convention for a final decision.
3. The President of the
Association calls the meeting to order and declares the Convention open for
business. The Secretary of the Credentials Committee reads the list of the
Assembly members followed by the election of Convention Officers: President,
Vice-President, two Secretaries - one each for the Greek, English or French
languages. Members of the Executive Committee of the National Executive Council
are prohibited from being elected as Officers of the Convention.
4. Convention meetings and
those of the National Executive Council are conducted by the directions of the
present Constitution and by Robert's Rules of Order.
5. The Minutes of the
Convention including any Statements, Reports, Declarations etc. must be
forwarded to the Convention President for his/her signature, before October 30
of the Convention year. Hence, the minutes must be mailed to the Chapters and
Member-Societies on or before December 3rd of the same year.
ARTICLE 10
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
1. The Convention
President appoints the following committees:
a) Resolutions; b)
Auditing; c) Expansion; d) Budget; e) Publicity and Proclamations; f)
Grievance; g) General Welfare Aims; and h. Convention.
2. The Convention
President may merge two or more of the above Committees for a better
coordination of services.
3. The Convention
President appoints a Constitutional Committee in the event one is needed.
4. The President of the
Association may appoint persons who will undertake to introduce to the
Convention proposals for the development, welfare and progress of the
Association. The regular Constitutional Overseeing Committee must approve
proposals dealing with the Association’s Constitution and the Chapter
Regulations.
ARTICLE 11
REPORTS
Members of the National
Executive Council except for the Past Presidents must report at the beginning of
the Convention's official business. The reports must be in writing and copies
deposited with the Convention's Officers.
ARTICLE 12
CONVENTION AUTHORITY
1. The National Convention
exercises the legislative authority of the Association. It amends the
Constitution and Chapter Regulations. It designates new Districts and changes
the boundary limits of each District. It supplies by vote funds for the benefit
of the Association's aims and sets the financial obligations of Chapters and
Member-Societies. In general1 it makes decisions targeting the progress of the
Association and a better fulfillment of its aims.
2. A three-quarters (3/4)
consent of the present delegates and a three-quarters (3/4) consequent approval
of the Chapters and Member-Societies is required for the adoption of an
addition, abolishment or amendment of an article to the present Constitution as
inscribed in paragraphs 3,4 and 5, Article 13.
3. The approval of the in
good-standing Chapters and Member-Societies shall be requested by the President
of the Association immediately after the conclusion of the convention and not
later than the 31st of August and by registered mail.
4. Chapters and
Member-Societies must convey their balloting results within three months and not
later than the 30th of November of the same year. Each Chapter and
Member-Society is entitled to one vote.
5. Chapters and
Member-Societies that fail to respond within the prescribed time shall be
considered as approving of the decision.
6. Additions, abolishment
or amendments of Articles of the Constitution voted upon by the Convention and
approved by Chapters and Member-Societies are in force effective on the 1st of
January of the following year.
7. The National Office
must inform the Chapters and Member-Societies of the voting result within the
month of December and of the same year.
8. No proposal to change
the Constitution shall be accepted if it has not been submitted to the regular
Constitutional Committee at least three (3) months prior to the Convention.
ARTICLE 13
ADMINISTRATION
The Association's National
Executive Council is comprised of two (2) Boards headed by the President of the
Pan Macedonian Association of Canada. A) The Administrative Board and B) the
Executive Committee.
A. The Administrative Board
composed as follows:
1.
Alternate President of the Association
2.
District Governors
3.
Youth President
4.
National Secretary of the Association
5.
National Treasurer of the Association
6.
Legal Advisor
7.
Past National Presidents of the Association
B. The Executive Committee
is composed of the following:
1.
National President of the Association
2.
Alternate National President
3.
Youth President
4.
National Secretary of the Association
5.
National Treasurer of the Association
6.
Legal Advisor of the Association
All of the members of the
Administrative Board except for the Association’s Past Presidents are elected by
secret ballot by the delegates of each National Convention. The Administrate
Board approves a program for the year, which is followed by the Executive
Committee administering the Association on its behalf.
2. District Governors,
composed and representing the following administrative districts:
District 1 - Eastern
Provinces: Comprised of the Provinces of New Found-land, Nova Scotia, New
Brunswick, and Quebec.
District 2 – Central
Ontario: Comprised of the area of Metropolitan Toronto
District 3 - South - Western
Ontario: Comprised of the geographic areas of Kitchener / Waterloo, Hamilton,
London Ontario and Windsor Ontario.
District 4 - Western Canadian
Provinces: Comprised of the Provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon.
All District Governors are
elected by the membership of their district and approved by each National
Convention by secret ballot if necessary. Governors are exclusively dealing with
the Chapters and Member-Societies, strives for membership increase, enrolling of
new Member-Societies and establishing of new Chapters.
ARTICLE 14
COMMITTEES
All committees composed of at
list four (4) Correspondents of each of the four (4) Districts of the
Association. Each District President from within his/her District appoints the
members of this Board.
1. CONSTITUTION OVERSEEING
COMMITTEE: To uphold the Constitution and report to the National Executive
Committee and to the National Conventions any constitutional wrong -doing by any
of the members of the Association.
2. NATIONAL ISSUES
COMMITTEE: In co-operation with the President of the Association at all times,
the duties of the National Issues Committee are:
a) To promote the
Association's positions on the Macedonian Issue in cooperation with of other
Canadian organizations to lobby the Canadian Parliament, committees and
officials of the Canadian government.
b) To maintain contacts
with the Media (Press, Radio, TV., etc.) and to handle all national issues of
Greece with emphasis of the Macedonian Issue.
c) To analyze and study the
current situation of the realm of the Association and to prepare a study and a
long-range plan for the future of the Pan - Macedonian Association of Canada,
including improvements of financial means.
d) To respond to anti-Greek
publications.
3. INTERNET COMMITTEE: To
organize, maintain and oversee the World Web Home Page of the Macedonians In
Canada and of the Pan-Macedonian Association of Canada and its affiliate
organizations.
4. EDUCATIONAL
COMMITTEE: To organize and coordinate efforts with Chapter Presidents in order
to promote and present Lectures, Art Exhibits, Panel Discussions, Symposium etc.
5. FUND RAISING
COMMITTEE: To collect funds to support the treasury of the Pan-Macedonian
Association
6. HISTORY COMMITTEE: To
record and document the history of the Pan Macedonian Association
7. PUBLICATION COMMITTEE:
To establish and organize Publications such as Magazines, Newsletters,
Newspapers to promote the Association’s goal, events.
8. SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE:
To bestow scholarships annually. 1) to high school student; 2) to student of
post-graduate studies specializing in the history of Macedonia.
9. YOUTH COMMITTEE: To
assist the Youth Chapters and to promote continued involvement of the Youth into
adult committees and adult Chapters. To assist with the promotion of the Youth
membership.
10. COMPLAINS COMMITTEE:
To collect and report all membership complains to the Executive Committee for
actions to be taken.
11. REGISTRY OF CANADIANS
FROM MACEDONIA, GREECE:
ARTICLE 15
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
8.
All members of the National Executive Council and of both Boards except
the Association's Past Presidents are elected each year during the National
Convention by the attending and registered delegates to the Convention by secret
ballot.
9.
District Governors may be elected from good standing members of the
Association, even as candidates in absentia if and when they have sent a written
declaration of their candidacy's acceptance on being elected to a particular
District. In the event of an absence of District delegates on election time, a
District Governor is elected by the National Executive Council with the
consultation of Chapter and Member-Society of the District.
10.
In case of death, resignation, suspension of an official of the National
Executive Council or for whatever reason of a vacancy in an office of the
National Executive Council, except for the President of the Association, the
replacing person shall be elected by the entire National Executive Council, and
he/she shall enjoy the same rights and respect as his/her predecessor.
11.
Members of Chapters and Member-Societies who have no right or are
otherwise ineligible to be elected as officials of said Chapter or
Member-Society to which they belong, do not have the right to be elected as
officials of the National Executive Council.
12.
Members of the Executive Committee have no right to be re-elected in
their office for a fourth consecutive term.
13.
Indispensable condition for the election to the office of the President
of the Association is the successful previous service to two (2) other offices
of the National Executive Council, one (1) of which must be that of the
Executive Committee and not earlier that eight (10) years prior to his/her
election.
14.
No one may be elected to an office of the National Executive Council if
he/she is not a member of the Pan-Macedonian Association for two years
immediately before his/hers election and if the Chapter or Member-Society to
which he/she belongs is not in good standing with the Association.
15.
Officials of the National Executive Council shall have the right to vote
and perform their duties throughout their term of offices, except when the
official is under suspension, even if their Chapter or Member-Society is not in
good standing with the Association, however they shall not have the right to
re-election until the Chapter's or Member-Society's settling of its obligations
with the Association.
16.
The newly elected officials will take, in the absence of a clergyman, by
the Convention's President, the following oath:
"I (name of official) swear
that I will faithfully serve in the office to which I was elected and that I
will protect and defend the Constitution and the Regulations of the
Pan-Macedonian Association. God is my witness."
ARTICLE 16
MEETINGS
1. The National Executive
Council meets at least six (6) times during its term of office. The first
meeting takes place immediately after the Convention and not later than the
month of September. The President of the Association, in cooperation with the
Executive Committee, presents to the National Executive Council, at their first
meeting, the program of activities and projects for their approval. The program
is formulated on the basis of the decisions taken at the National Convention.
The last meeting takes place at least one month prior to the Convention.
2. Copies of the minutes of
the National Executive Council and Executive Committee of the National Executive
Council meetings should be sent to all the officials of the National Executive
Council and to all Chapters and Member-Societies immediately after each meeting.
2. The President of the
Association may call special meetings of the National Executive Council.
3. Decisions taken by mail
regarding written proposals may be taken when submitted to the members of the
National Executive Council by the President of the Association.
4. Eight (7) members of
the National Executive Council, present in a meeting, constitute a quorum.
5. The President of the
Association may invite representatives of Chapters and Member-Societies of the
Association as well as Presidents of Committees of the Pan-Macedonian
Association to the meetings of the National Executive Council, where the
representatives take part in the discussion on matters relating to the Chapters
and the Member-Societies and the Committees they represent and have the right to
submit motions on matters relating to the Chapters and Member-Societies they
represent, as well as the assigned projects and provinces of the Committees they
represent. The above named representatives will have the right to vote in the
National Executive Council meetings ONLY on the motions submitted on the floor
of the meeting, pertaining to their respective Chapters and Member-Societies or
the Committees they represent.
ARTICLE 17
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
MEMBERS
A. DUTIES
1.
President of the Association:
A.
Chairs the meetings of the National Executive Council and of the
Executive Committee and is the head of the two (2) Boards of the National
Executive Council.
B.
Supervises and enforces the effective application of the Constitution and
the Regulations by the Chapters, Member-Societies, officials, and members of the
Pan-Macedonian Association and has the exclusive right to state and define by
communications the aims and pursuits of the Association.
C.
Represents, with the approval of the Executive Committee, the Association
before Governmental and Religious authorities, diplomatic representatives of
foreign countries and missions of any nature. Participates as a self-appointed
member in all Committees, which are appointed by the Convention, by the National
Executive Council and by the Executive Committee. Is empowered to suspend
temporarily and with the consent of the members of the National Executive
Council, members of the Association for violating the Constitution, Regulations
and actions contrary to the aims and principles of the Association.
D.
Directs the Treasurer of the Association to issue checks for expenses and
other payments that have been voted upon by the delegates to the National
Convention. All checks shall be signed by the President of the Association and
consigned by the Treasurer of the Association or in his/her absence, by one of
the other members of the Executive Committee.
E.
Appoints with the consent of the Executive Committee, a capable Executive
Secretary of the Association and other staff members for the normal operation of
the Central Office with a salary set forth annually by the delegates to the
Convention. (If the Associations finances permit it.)
2.
Alternate President of the Association:
A.
Takes over the duties of the President of the Association in the event of
his/her death or resignation and substitutes for him/her in the event of
sickness or absence.
B.
Assumes whatever task may be assigned to him/her by the President of the
Association or by the National Executive Council. Is the head of the Board of
Governors and is the link between the President of the Association, the National
Office and the Governors.
C.
Heads the Association's endeavor to enroll new members, Chapters and
Member-Societies. Is present at the District Conventions and, in general,
strives for the progress of the Chapters and Member-Societies and their
expansion. Is in communications, by correspondence and various other means, with
the Governors, Chapters and Member-Societies issuing directions in so far as the
compliance of the Constitution and Regulations are concerned, and for the
well-being of the Association. Reports to the President of the Association
regarding the outcome of the meetings. Is a member of the Executive Committee.
3. Youth Vice-President:
Supervises the Youth Chapters and Member-Societies. Recommends measures for the
progress of the Youth and the increase of its membership. Is a member of the
Executive Committee.
4. Secretary of the
Association: Keeps the minutes of the National Executive Council and of the
Executive Committee and conducts the correspondence with the collaboration of
the President. Communicates by correspondence and other means with the Officials
of the Association and oversees the normal operation of the National Offices of
the Association. Dispatches to the Vice President of the Association copies of
correspondence between National Office and District Chapters and
members-Societies. Is a member of the Executive Committee.
5. Treasurer of the
Association: Is responsible for the financial affairs of the Association and for
the adherence to the budget and submits an annual report from the Association,
of income and expenses signed by a Certified Public Accountant. Receives from
the Secretary of the Association or the Executive Secretary all collected moneys
and deposits such in a bank designated by the National Executive Council.
Consigns with the President of the Association, or in his/her absence, with
another Official of the Executive Committee the checks for payment. Is a member
of the Executive Committee.
6. Legal Advisor of the
Association: Renders his/her opinion upon questions presented to him/her dealing
with the interpretation of Articles of the Constitution, Regulations, decisions
of the National Convention and Association obligations to third parties. Is a
member of the Executive Committee.
7. District Governors:
Each District Governor heads the Chapters and Member-Societies of his/her
district and follows their regular operation by contact and visitations,
visiting them according to their needs at least two (2) or three (3) times a
year unless he/she receives a directive to do so form the President of the
Association or an invitation from the Chapter or Member-Society. Calls for
District deliberations and meetings at least twice a year for the discussion and
decision making on various District matters. In addition to the officials of
Chapters and Member-Societies, their regular members may be invited and
participate in these District meetings which have been called by the District
Governor. Submits a written report to the National Offices, a list of names of
the newly elected officials of member societies.
8. Past Presidents of the
Association: They compose the Advisory Committee of the Association. Participate
in the National Executive Council meetings, inform and advise the President of
the Association and guide him/her on their own initiative or on his/her request
for information, advise or direction.
B. Qualifications:
1. President of the
Association: Qualifications required for the office of President:
a.
Speak both languages - Greek and English.
b.
Not having a criminal record, or engaged in anti-national activities
against the countries of Greece and those in Canada.
c.
Irreproachable, moral, with national and religious principles and family
traditions, character.
d.
Fully versed with the Association's Constitution, Charter Regulations and
aims and pursuits of the Association.
e.
Previous service of two (2) or more years within the National Council.
2. Alternate President,
Secretary and Treasurer of the Association:
Qualifications required for
election of these offices:
a)
Same as for the President of the Association with the exception of not
having a previous service of two years in the National Council as for the
National President
b)
Prior service of at least one term in any official capacity of Member
Society Council.
3.
Legal Advisor of the Association: Qualifications required for the office
of Legal Advisor:
4.
Youth Vice-President and District Presidents: Qualifications required for
the office of Youth Vice -President and District Governors:
a.
Irreproachable, moral, with national and religious principles and family
traditions, character.
b.
Not been sentenced for any crime, abuse or anti-national activities
against the countries of Greece and those in Canada.
C. Compensation:
1. No official is
recompensed of his/her services; however, an official may, except for the
President, Treasurer and Alternate President of the Association, undertake the
Executive Secretarianship, in which case recommendation is allowed for his/her
service.
2. Expenses for
representation and activity of the Association incurred by the President and
Alternate President of the Association shall be paid, provided they are
justified and during the performance of their duties, with the maximum limit of
two thousand dollars ($2,000) for the President of the Association and one
thousand dollars ($1,000) for the Alternate Presidents per annum, and for each
Governor the sum of five hundred dollars ($500.00) per annum.
ARTICLE 18
1. Executive Committee:
a. The Executive Committee
administers on behalf of the National Council of the Association. It manages the
National Offices, is occupied with the administrative service of the
Association, correspondence, Chapter and National Office relations, treasure and
financial obligations, safekeeping of books and archives, legal relations,
public relations, appointment of Committees and every aspect of general nature,
administrative, organizational and office services.
b. Enters into agreements
or contracts with individuals, companies, or societies for the implementation of
the aims of the Association according to the Constitution and the decisions of
the National Conventions.
c. Provides direction to
the Chapters and Member-Societies as to the methods of action for the attainment
of the Association's aims.
2. Advisory Committee:
a. Composed of the Past
Presidents of the Associations.
b. Duties of the Committee
are addressed in Article 18, Paragraph 9 of this Constitution.
3. Constitutional
Overseeing Committee:
a. Composed of three (3)
members elected in each Convention and for one year. All members of the
Committee must be well versed in the Association's Constitution, must have
served in the National Executive Council for at least one term of office or have
served in at least three Constitutional Committees.
b. Duties of the
Committee:
i) Collects proposals and
recommendations for the modification of the Constitution. Prepares plan of
change, addition, removal of Articles of the Constitution and dispatches the
Committee's drawn-up plan to the Chapters and Member-Societies at least three
months prior to the commence of the Conventions so that the membership may be
aware of the proposed changes and be in a position to vote.
ii) Oversees the compliance
of the Constitution and the decisions of the Conventions and of the National
Executive Council and of the Officials of the National Executive Council and of
the Chapters and Member-Societies of the Association. Charges every violation of
any Official of the National Executive Council or member of the Association or
Chapter and Member-Society to the National Executive Council and the National
Conventions.
ARTICLE 19
CHAPTER AND MEMBER SOCIETY
OBLIGATIONS
All Chapters and
Member-Societies are under the authority of the National Executive Council and
are obligated to regularly fulfill their financial and other obligations as set
forth in the Constitution and the Regulations, and conform to the decisions of
the National Convention and the directives of the National Executive Council.
ARTICLE 20
CONSTITUTION TEXT VALIDITY
The present Constitution
should be published in three languages – Greek, English and French. In the event
of a disagreement or misinterpretation between the Greek, English or French
texts, the English one shall be deemed to be valid.
ARTICLE 21
DISSOLUTION
In the event of a
voluntary or compulsory dissolution of the Association, all personal and real
estate assets of the Association are dissolved to the International Foundation
of Alexander the Great.
ARTICLE 22
FISCAL YEAR
The Association's fiscal
year begins on January 1st of each year and ends on December 31st of the same
year.
ARTICLE 23
OTHER CHAPTERS
1. A Chapter in Greece may
be established by repatriating compatriots who must meet the required
qualifications as prescribed in the Constitution.
2. The Chapter-at-Large
shall be administered and represented by the National Executive Council. The
National Executive Council shall set dues contributions and the income shall be
allocated to the publications of the Pan-Macedonian Association.
ARTICLE 24
RATIFICATION AND ENFORCEMENT
OF THE CONSTITUTION
Revised at the 1st Annual Convention
of the Pan-Macedonian Association of Canada in July of 2001, Litochoro,
Katerinis
Adopted by the membership October 2, 2001
Printed November 18, 2001.