BYLAW CHANGES – FEBRUARY 2015

Please note that Definitions and Interpretations are now accounted for as the first bylaw, as well as new bylaws were added into this which resulted in the order of all the bylaws to follow numbers greater than their original. Refer to the name of the bylaw to keep track. As well, the format has changed from a numerical categorization to a numerical and alphabetical one.

The revisions listed below will be based off of the original bylaws and the new copy of the bylaws will have all the amendments already revised into it.

CONSTITUTION HAS BEEN ADDED.

1. The legal name of the society shall be the Student Association of the British Columbia Institute

of Technology; thereinafter shall be referred to as the British Columbia Institute of Technology Student

Association (BCITSA).

2. The purpose of the Association is as follows:

(a) to promote, establish, and manage a balanced program of extracurricular and co-curricular

activities, and services, to enhance student life at the Institute;

(b) to represent student interests before the Institute and any other stakeholder;

(c) to promote a vibrant and collaborative community within BCIT;

(d) to promote student representation at all levels of decision making at the Institute, and on all

other entities that affect the student body.

3. The operations of the Society are to be carried at the British Columbia Institute of

Technology in the district of Burnaby, in the province of British Columbia.

4. Dissolution of the Association is as follows:

During the winding up period of dissolution of the British Columbia Student Association, any assets

remaining after the satisfaction of its debts and liabilities shall be transferred to the British Columbia

Institute of Technology to be held in a trust. At such time a student society is established at the British

Columbia Institute of Technology, which meeting the criteria of a student association under the Society

Act of British Columbia, any assets held in a trust shall be transferred to the new student association.

INTERPRETATION

The interpretation section was designated as Bylaw 1.

Definitions of Satellite campuses were included, differentiation between executives, councillor, executive director, resolution of council, special general meeting and the different types of Resolution of Council.

Added:

“Act” shall mean the Society Act of British Columbia, as amended from time to time.

Changed the name of the “Association Director” to “Executive Director”.

“BCIT or Institute” shall mean the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

“BMC” shall mean the BCIT Marine Campus.

“Chair” shall refer to the executive board member that is a representative of a particular school or

campus; there are seven (7) chairs; Chair of Aerospace Campus, Chair of the School of Business; Chair of

the School of Energy; Chair of Downtown Campus; Chair of Transportation, Construction and the

Environment; Chair of Health Sciences, and Chair of Computing and Academic Studies.

“Councillor” shall mean the appointed student constituents of each school that sits on the BCITSA

Council.

“DTC” Shall refer to the Downtown Campus.

“Honorary Member” shall mean a member of the Association that holds full speaking rights at General

Meetings, but does not have the right to vote in elections, referenda, or meetings.

“Ordinary Resolution” shall have the same meaning as given to it in the Act.

“Special General Meeting” shall have the same meaning given to it in the Act.

“Student” shall mean students enrolled at BCIT.

“Two-thirds (2/3) Resolution of Council” shall mean a resolution adopted at a Council Meeting where

there are at least two (2) votes in favour for every one (1) vote opposed.

“Three-quarters (3/4) Resolution of Council” shall mean a resolution adopted at a Council Meeting

where there are at least three (3) votes in favour for every one (1) vote opposed.

1. In these bylaws, the feminine gender and the plural shall be interpreted as the masculine and the

singular and vice-versa, as per the context requires.

BY LAW 1 – MEMBERSHIP

Bylaw was changed from bylaw 1 to bylaw 2. The following changes were made:

Sub-section 2.6 details how members in good standing can become members in bad standing, sub-section 7 details how a member in bad standing can become in good standing.

Honorary members’ terms and condition with the Association were changed.

Terms of membership were amended to include that members must be students at BCIT.

1. Members shall comprise of all students of BCIT (full and part-time) who:

(a) have paid the required student activity fees for the current period; and

(b) are current students at BCIT

2. Honorary members shall be all persons who have been designated as such, by a two-thirds (2/3)

resolution by Council.

3. The rights and obligations of the members of the Association shall be as stated in these Bylaws.

4. All members shall be considered to be in good standing unless:

(a) the member ceases to meet the any requirements outlined in bylaw 2, or

(b) by a two-thirds (2/3) Resolution of Council.

5. A member may be placed in bad standing or expelled by means of a Special Resolution, provided the

following:

(a) a notice of the Special Resolution is delivered to Council, including the reasons for the previous,

(b) the member in question will be allowed to make a statement to the Members present at the meeting

before the Special Resolution voted upon.

6. All honorary members shall be considered to be in good standing unless:

(a) a two-third (2/3) resolution of Council is passed, stating the honorary member is no longer in good

standing with the Association; or

(b) an ordinary resolution.

A member in bad standing may be placed in good standing by an ordinary resolution.

BYLAW 2 – Organization Chart

New Organization chart added.

BYLAW 3 – GOVERNING BODY OF THE ASSOCIATION, MEMBERS & ELIGIBILITY

3.3.3 To conduct all meetings of the Association according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

BYLAW 4 – Duties of the members of council

4.1.1.1 ELIMINATE. ATC COUNCILORS SHOULD ALWAYS BE PRESENT AT ALL COUNCILOR MEETINGS

Change 4.1.6 - . “Receive a meeting fee for each meeting attended, paid on a monthly basis.”

4.1.2 SAME AS 3.3.7 SHOULD BE ONLY IN ONE PLACE. Eliminated

4.1.5.1 Eliminate “ATC candidates are not required to site on an Association...”

Add 4.2.14 Be responsible for a proper transition, which includes meeting with their successor and having a transition session with them.

Add By-Election procedure Should an executive be elected in a by-election they shall assume office on the declaration of by-election results until May 31st of that year

4.2.8 Executives shall, Mandatory, meet at least once per month over the summer.

The Duties of Executive Members of Council:

(a) The President of the Association shall:

5.3. Be responsible for overseeing the negotiations and contractual agreement with the Student Association Health and Dental service provider.

4.3.1.2 Assume the role of Chief Returning Officer should the Vice President of Student Affairs not be able to fulfill the role.

4.3.1.13 Set & Hold Exec Meetings < ADD

ADD > 4.3.1.14 Be responsible for overseeing the negotiations and contractual agreement with the Student Association Health and Dental service provider.

Changed > 4.3.2.3 Ensure that Executive and Councillors receive the Agenda and associated materials from all Council Meetings.

Move 4.3.2.7 (Be the Executive Member responsible for all Association employees. He/she will also be responsible to call special Executive meetings to deal with business, employees and/or management related issues.) To President: 4.3.1.15

Add > 4.3.3.4 Liaise with Ministry and Government officials regarding issues which affect BCIT:

Including the U-Pass program negotiation processes and service and inquiries at all levels of said program.

4.3.3.5 Represent the BCIT Student Association of British Columbia Institute of Technology through:

4.3.3.5.1 By the Annual BCITSA election, the VP External becomes the Association representative on the BCIT Alumni Board.

sit as the director representative for BCITSA on the Alliance of British Columbia Students, unless appointed as Office of said alliance, the Vice-President External can appoint another Executive as director of the Alliance of British Columbia Students for BCITSA.

4.3.4.4 Preside as Co-chair of the Clubs Committee (See Bylaw 7). TAKE OUT

4.3.4.5 Assume role of CRO (Bylaw 11) <ADD

4.3.4.6 Liaise with Aboriginal Services <ADD

4.3.4.7 laisse with International Services<ADD

4.3.4.8 liaise with Disability Services <ADD

4.3.6.1 is the same as 4.2.3, ELIMINATE 4.2.3

4.3.6.2 ADD > “elected and trained.”

BYLAW 5 –SET REPRESENTATIVES/”Class Representatives” < ADD

a. ADD > under 5.1.1

i. All Set Representatives must attend a training session held by respective schools in beginning of

school year.

Change >

ii. The Committee shall have monthly meetings. A delegated student shall take Set

Representative’s place if absent.

BYLAW 6 – COUNCIL MEETINGS

MADE“COUNCIL MEETING”, “AGM” AND “SGM” AS THEIR OWN BYLAWS

All sub-sections were amended.

Meeting attendance was made mandatory, with an exemption clause.

Quorum was changed (previously quorum was the same for all meetings).

Excessive or consecutive absences clauses were included (see sub-section 6.8 through 6.10.

BYLAW 7 – Annual General Meeting

This sub-section was created. Previously all meetings of Council were detailed under one bylaw.

All sub-sections were amended.

Quorum for Annual General Meetings was changed.

Notice of meeting was amended to 13 days instead of 14 days.

Sub-section 7.7 was included.

BYLAW 7 – STANDING COMMITTEES

This sub-section was created. Previously all meetings of Council were detailed under one bylaw.

All sub-sections were amended.

Quorum for Special General Meetings was changed.

Notice of meeting was amended to 13 days instead of 14 days.

BYLAW 10 – STANDING COMMITTEES

Club Committee

Amendment made to 7.1.1 to ensure that the clubs committee will always meet;

7.1.1 The Vice President Campus Life shall chair and the Vice President Student Affairs shall co-chair the Clubs Committee. In the case Vice President Campus Life cannot chair the Committee, Vice President Student Affairs will chair the Committee.

7.1.6 The Vice President Campus Life will report at Council Meetings following each Clubs Committee meeting any appropriate information. In the case VP Campus Life cannot report at Council Meeting, VP Student Affairs will report to Council Meeting

Student Spaces Committee

7.2.1 The Chair of School of Construction shall chair the Student Spaces Development Committee, and the co-chair shall be appointed by him. < ADD

7.2.2 The Committee shall be made up of two (2) executives, including the co-chair and four (4) councilors. The Director or designate shall sit as an exofficio member of the Committee.

Bylaw Committee

7.3.1 The Vice President Finance and Administration shall chair the Bylaw Committee, and the co-chair shall be determined by Council. <(No co-chair needed for small group)

BYLAW 8 – Elections and Appointments

8.2 The elections of the ATC Chair shall be conducted annually in the first week of April. Eliminate -

Should be the same as the rest of the school

8.3 The Vice President Student Affairs shall serve as the Chief Returning Officer, hereinafter referred to as the CRO, and shall chair the Election Committee, and shall be responsible for the administration and conduct all elections. including ATC elections. Eliminate INCLUDING ATC ELECTION

8.4.2 The Elections Committee, chaired by the CRO or Vice President Student Affairs shall be composed of:

a. Deputy Returning Officer, a member of the executive team

b. Two (2) Councillors

8.4.1 Council shall vote for the Elections Committee members by resolution for the duration of the annual election. <( Call for volunteers usually instead of vote.)

8.4.4. The Elections Committee shall reach decisions by consensus. If no consensus can be reached, the Committee shall bring the issue(s) in question to the CURRENT Executive for ratification.

8.4.4. The Elections Committee shall reach decisions by consensus. If no consensus can be reached, the Committee shall bring the issue(s) in question to the Executive for ratification. With the exception of those running for re-election.

8.4.5. No Committee members shall be allowed to run for office.

8.5.1. The Notice of Elections shall be posted at least two (2) weeks prior to the opening date for

nominations in the official Association publication and will include the following:

8.5.1.5 The dates, times and locations of campaign speeches REMOVED

8.6.1.5 ATC candidates must be full-time students within Level 1 or 2 of first term. - Minimum of 12 months left in his/her consecutive study period. As of June 1 st

8.8.4 All campaign materials must be taken down from all buildings by 5:30pm on the day after the release of election results.

8.9.4 Candidates shall not campaign within 10 meters of a polling station. REMOVE

8.9.5 Vote count should occur immediately upon the closing of the voting system.

8.9.5.1 ATC count is done by the ATC DRO who shall then report to the CRO. REMOVE

8.9.10 Any candidate running uncontested for a position in a general election or by-election must be declared elected by a majority vote in the form of a yes-no vote. <(ADD IN)

REMOVE > 8.6.1.5 ATC candidates must be full-time students within Level 1 or 2 of first term.

8.10 Elected Executives [Change to Executive]

8.10.1 Elected Officers shall attend the Association Executive orientation as scheduled by the Association Director Correct name and attend, if possible, Council meetings, as guests, to familiarize themselves with the affairs of the Association.

8.11.2 Each School shall be represented by at least one Councilor from that School. The ATC and DTC

chairs shall also be represented by at least one councillor.

8.11.5 The Aboriginal Councilor shall be selected by the Chair of the School of Computing and Academic

Studies. REMOVE and bring into 8.11.4.

(a) Added: 8.6.1.6. DTC candidates must have a minimum of one course at the downtown campus in

addition to meeting BCIT full-time requirements for the duration of their time in office.

BYLAW 10 - Referenda

All sub-sections this bylaw were amended, included or deleted.

Means to call for a referendum were changed.

The details of how a referendum is passed were amended for clarity.

1. Referenda shall be a process that asks the student members a specific question that will address a

specific issue. Two types of referendum can be conducted: binding and plebiscite.

2. A referendum or plebiscite for the Association shall be called by the President upon:

(a) a Resolution of Council; or

(b) matters relating to increase or addition of membership fees; or

(c) by means of a duly signed petition by at least members (1,000) members; such petition must be brought

forth, in person, to Council by at least 50 of the signing Members of such petition, and passed by a

three-quarters (3/4) resolution of Council.

3. Council shall have the authority to bring forward a referendum or plebiscite question to the Members.

The question shall address a specific issue for the approval and/or feedback of the Members, and follow

the election processes of the Association.

4. A referendum of the Association, subject to these bylaws, be acted upon, given:

(a) a majority, or great percentage of the votes cast support the referendum question; and

(b) the number of votes cast is a minimum of one hundred and fifty (150) votes (not including blank votes).

BYLAW 10 – CONDITIONS OF OFFICE AND IMPEACHMENT

CHANGE OFFICERS TO EXECUTIVES

Change 10.1.3 AND 10.1.4:

(a) If at any meeting of the Council, a vote of non-confidence is moved against an Executive of the

Association and the motion is carried by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those voting.

(b) If an Executive fails to fulfill his/her duties and the motion carried by two-thirds (2/3) majority of

those voting.

BYLAW 12 – FUNDS

12.1.1 All fees for admission to the Association are to be collected by BCIT at the time of payment of student fees.

12.2.2 Capital asset acquisitions in excess of $5,000 must be approved by the Executive and reported to Council.

12.2.3 Disbursements shall be in the form of cheques drawn on the Association approved bank account; two signatures must be on each cheque. The Vice President Finance & Administration or the President together with the Association Executive Director or the Controller.

12.2.4 (REMOVE SINKING FUND)

BYLAW 13 – AUDITORS

13.3 The auditors shall make an annual report each, for the fiscal year ending May 31st, to the members of the Association, and the report shall include:

13.3.2 Whether in their opinion the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of BCIT Student Association.

BYLAW 14 – BORROWING POWERS

14.1.1 Subject to the provisions contained in the most current Societies Act of British Columbia…

BYLAW 16 – CLUBS

16.1 The Vice President Campus Life shall oversee and provide assistance to all Clubs and report to the Executive and Council.

REMOVE 16.2.2 AND 16.3

16.2 Formation of Clubs

16.2.1 Any group of students proposing to form a Club shall make an application to the Vice President Campus Life.

Constitution Info has been edited out

Cut out 16.2.2; 16.3; 16.4.1-2 (put into Policy)

Numbers will need to be changed

Cut out 16.4.4-5

16.8 Other than designed political clubs, no organization in the Association shall become or allow it to become an instrument in partisan politics.

16.8.1 Any such deemed by the Council to be or to have been improperly acting in interests of a political party (or comparable organization) shall be liable for suspension of its clubs charter. The Council may restore such clubs charter only if and when the Council is satisfied that the organization concerned will service the purposes and only the purposes for which it was organized. < NO CHARTER --- TAKE OUT BYLAW

BYLAW 17 – AMMENDMENTS OF THE CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

17.1.1 Refer to bylaw 8 and 9

BYLAW 19 – RECORDS

19.3 The member wishing to inspect books, records and documents of the Association pursuant to Bylaw 19.2 shall first make an appointment to do so in person at the offices of the Association, provided such appointment time is mutually and reasonably convenient for the attendance at such appointment of two members of the Executive; the Controller or EXECUTIVE Director, and the member wishing to make such inspection.

19.4 All documents shall be the copyright of the Association and shall not be reproduced without expressed written consent of Council.

Grammar; “express written” means writing really quickly. “Expressed written” means “in writing”

20.1 The Association shall have the power to make such regulations, as it may deem necessary or advisable, concerning the activities of the Council, its Clubs, and members and to repeal, vary, alter, or amend the same, in such a manner, as it may seem fit. Such regulations shall be made by a resolution at Council meetings.

Add commas to make grammatical sense.