CALGARY RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION BYLAWS

Calgary Retired Teachers’ Association Herein referred to as CRTA 

Bylaw 1 Type of Organization 

CRTA is an organization of members who are in receipt of an Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund pension or as otherwise described under Membership. CRTA is incorporated under the Societies Act and is referred to as a Society for legal matters.

Bylaw 2 Parliamentary Procedure 

In procedural matters not dealt with in these Bylaws the rules and principles of parliamentary procedure as stated in “Robert’s Rules of Order” shall govern. 

Bylaw 3 Membership 

Section 1 Voting Members 

1. Upon application and payment of fees, CRTA will accept into voting membership any retired teacher having served or currently residing in the Calgary Region, who is receiving a pension from the Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund. 

2. Upon application and payment of fees, CRTA will accept into voting membership any teacher fifty- five or over, having served or currently residing in the Calgary Region, who will not receive an ATRF pension but who can provide proof in writing of having made pension contributions to ATRF for five (5) or more years. 

Section 2 Affiliate Members 

1.  CRTA may, at its discretion, grant affiliate membership to any individual who is: 

o  the spouse of a retired teacher


o  a retired educator from another educational system or institution in Alberta


o  a retired teacher or retired educator from another province 

o  teachers on extended leave or pending retirement


o  any Senior in the Community who shares the Objects of the CRTA 

2. Affiliate members shall not be eligible to vote or hold office.


3. Affiliate Members may apply to the Board to be considered for full Voting Membership. 

Section 3 Honorary Life Membership 

CRTA may, at its discretion, grant an honorary life membership. Honorary life members will have a vote at a general meeting.  Honorary members are normally 85 years of age or older and have been an active member for 5 or more years.

Section 4 Termination of Membership 

1. Non-payment of fees for six (6) months shall result in the member being inactivated from the membership roster and forfeiting membership rights. 

2. Any member of CRTA may withdraw from membership by giving written notice to the President. There will be no refund of membership fees. 

3. A member, officer or director may be expelled from membership for just cause, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors. Written notice will be sent by registered mail to the last known address of the expelled member. An Appeal may be made to CRTA within six (6) months from the date of expulsion. The appeal decision will be made pursuant to Bylaw 10 Arbitration. 

Section 5 Rights and Responsibilities of Members 

1. Members of CRTA shall have the right to participate in the business affairs of CRTA according to the Bylaws. 

2. Members may submit resolutions to the Board of Directors, or to General Meetings as outlined in Bylaw 7, #6. 

3. Any voting members shall be entitled to attend a General Meeting or a Board of Directors Meeting as an observer and may be allowed to speak at the discretion of the Chair. 

4. Any affiliate member shall be entitled to attend a General Meeting or aBoard of Directors Meeting as an observer and may be allowed to speak at the discretion of the Chair, but may not vote. 

5. Voting members can vote only in person. There will be no voting by proxy.


6. Members are responsible for behaving in accordance with the bylaws and objectives of the society. 

Bylaw 4 Fees 

1. CRTA membership is contingent upon payment of the annual fee.


2. The annual fee shall be determined from time to time by members. 

Bylaw 5 Finances Section 1 Fiscal Year 

The fiscal year shall commence on the first day of May and end on the thirtieth day of April. 

Section 2 Custody of Funds and Property 

CRTA Board of Directors shall make proper provision for the disposition and protection of all funds and property belonging to CRTA. 

Section 3 Audit 

1.  The books, accounts and records of the Secretary and Treasurer shall be audited at least once each year by a duly qualified accountant or by two members of the society selected for that purpose at a General Meeting. 

2.  The audit will be conducted as soon as possible after the conclusion of each fiscal year.

3.   The auditor shall have the right of access, at all reasonable times, to the books and accounts and shall be entitled to require from the Treasurer such information and explanations as may be necessary to complete the annual audit. 

4.  The auditor shall certify by signature and date the accuracy of the financial report. 

5.  The auditor’s report shall be presented at the Annual General Meeting, as soon as possible following receipt of the report by the Board of Directors. 

6.  The books and records of the Society may be inspected by any member of the Society at a General Meeting or at any time, upon giving reasonable notice and arranging a time and place satisfactory to the officer or officers having charge of same. 

7.  Each member of the Board of Directors shall, at all times, have access to such books and records. 

Section 4 Borrowing Money 

Borrowing of money by CRTA must receive approval at a general meeting. 

Section 5 Signing Authority 

All cheques shall bear the signature of two signing authorities as established annually by Board 

Bylaw 6 Management 

Board of Directors: Duties and Powers 

1. Board of Directors shall mean the Board of Directors of the Society. 

2. The Board of Directors shall be elected annually at a General Meeting. 

3. The Board of Directors will be as follows: 

a. The President who shall 

preside at all meetings of the Board, at General Meetings and Special Meetings 

authorize the issuing of the notice for meetings 
co-ordinate the preparation of agendas for Board, General and Special Meetings


be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee butmay not vote or make motions at Committee meetings.

represent and speak for the Calgary Retired Teachers’ Association 

b. The Vice President (2) who shall, in the absence of the President, 

perform the duties of the President 

accept ex-officio roles as assigned by the President

c. The Treasurer who shall 

receive all monies paid to the Society


be responsible for the deposit of monies in whatever Bank, Trust Company, Credit Union or Treasury Branch the Board may order


properly account for the funds of the Society and keep such books as may be directed


present a full, detailed account of receipts and disbursements to the Board whenever requested 

prepare, for submission to the Annual General Meeting, an audited statement of the financial position of the Society 

d. The Secretary who shall 

attend all meetings of the Society and of the Board 


take and keep accurate minutes of the Society and of the Board 


e. Other Directors as defined by Policy shall

attend Board Meetings, General Meetings and Special Meetings 

participate in the work of the Board 

accept responsibilities delegated by the president and/or the Board according to Policy  

manage the affairs of the Society under the leadership of the President and other elected officers

Bylaw 7 Meetings 

Section 1 General Meetings 

1.  There shall be at least one General Meeting in each twelve (12) month period.

2.  A quorum shall consist of twenty five (25) voting members.


3.  Notice of such General Meeting shall be given at least twenty-one (21) days before the date of the meeting. Transmission of such a notice will be by post or electronic means.

4.   A proposed agenda shall be sent to all members along with the notice of meeting. 

5.  Annually, voting members shall:

a.  Elect Board of Directors 

b.  Receive the audited financial reports and other appropriate reports


c.   c. Transact such other business as may properly come before a general meeting 

6. Notice of Special Resolutions and Notice of Motions shall be sent to members at least twenty- one (21) days prior to a General Meeting. Such notices may be sent by post or electronically. 

7. Any voting member in attendance shall have the right to vote on any and all resolutions. 

8. General meetings of the Society may be called at any time by the Secretary upon the instructions of the President or Board of Directors by notice in writing to the last known address of each member or electronically, at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the meeting. 

Section 2 Special Meetings 

1.  A Special Meeting shall be called by the President or Secretary upon receipt of a petition, signed by one-third of the members in good standing, setting forth the reasons for calling such a meeting 

2.  Notice of such a meeting and the reasons for calling it shall be sent by letter to the last known address of each member by mail or electronically at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the meeting.


3.  A quorum for a Special Meeting will be one hundred (100) members.

Section 3 Meetings of the Board 

1. There shall be at least four Board of Directors meetings each year. 

2. Notice of such meetings shall be sent to each member of the Board of Directors.

 3. A quorum shall be six (6) members of the Board of Directors

Bylaw 8. Amendment to Bylaws 

The By-Laws may be amended at any General Meeting by Special Resolution which requires an affirmative vote of not less than 75% of the members in attendance and providing a notice of motion has been given and properly delivered to members at least 21 days prior. 

Bylaw 9 Dissolution 

In the event of a voluntary dissolution pursuant to the Societies Act, any remaining funds and assets of the Society shall be distributed to eligible charitable or religious groups, as determined by the Board of Directors, in consultation with relevant Government Departments (Societies and Gaming). 

Bylaw 10 Arbitration 

In the event of a dispute arising out of the affairs of CRTA between any active or former member(s) of CRTA or Board of Directors member, within six (6) months of the dispute rising under the terms of these Bylaws, the dispute shall be resolved by a single arbitrator appointed pursuant to the Arbitration Act. The decision of the Arbitrator is final and binding upon all parties. 

Bylaw 11 Fiduciary Responsibility 

Fiduciary responsibility is first and foremost the responsibility of all members of the Board of Directors who are to guide, steward, and manage the finances and organization of CRTA.
Members of the Board of Directors must realize they are acting in trust for others and, to that end, must carry out their work according to the highest standards of ethical behaviour. 

Bylaw 12 Remuneration 

Unless authorized by vote at a Board meeting, no officer, director or member of the association shall receive any remuneration for his/her services. 

Bylaws
Calgary Retired Teachers’ Association Incorporated 2006/08/03 Corporate Access Number 5012599154 

Bylaws repealed and replaced 2007/12/12 Filed 13.12.07 Revised 2009/11/06

Amended Bylaw 7 Section 1 #2 A quorum shall consist of twenty-five (25) members  2018/09/26

Amended By-Law 5 Section 1:The fiscal year shall commence on the first day of May and end on the thirtieth day of April.(2019/10/3