SECTION 1 – fiscal year
1. The fiscal year of the society shall be from September 1st to August 31st inclusive.
SECTION 2 – membership
1. Membership is open to anyone interested in the society’s objectives as stated in the constitution.
2. The membership chair may reject any application for membership, with approval of the executive.
3. There shall be 4 membership classes as defined below. All four classes shall be entitled to all privileges except as as noted:
a) Adult Membership – Any person 16 years of age and over.
b) Youth Membership – Any person up to 15 years of age inclusive.
c) Family Membership – Shall include spouses, adults and all children at home.
d) Honorary Lifetime Member – Any person who by outstanding service promotes the objectives of the society. Such memberships may be awarded by the executive by a unanimous vote, excluding the person being voted upon.4. A non-member (visitor) may attend a maximum of two (2) meetings before applying for membership. Upon payment of dues a member is eligible to participate in all OVAS activities.
5. Any member who has not renewed their membership 60 days after expiring shall have their membership revoked. Any members whose actions are deemed detrimental to the OVAS may have their membership revoked by the executive.
SECTION 3 – election of officers
1. At the regular meeting in May the election of officers and committee members for the following year will take place.
2. Any member is entitled to nominate or volunteer for any office. All persons standing for election must be members in good standing of the OVAS.
3. Those elected to the various offices shall assume those duties and any records from the outgoing person at the first executive meeting in September.
SECTION 4 – finances
1. All memberships are effective as of the purchase date and expire on September 30th except for memberships purchased during the month of September which expire on September 30th of the following year.
2. Memberships purchased from September 1st to February 28th (29th during leap year) are as follows: Adult $20.00, Youth $7.00, Family $30.00
3. As of the 2022-2023 Season, there will be no discounted memberships half way through the year. If you renew or purchase a membership at the last meeting (May) of the season then you get next years membership.
4. If additional funds are needed, voluntary offerings may be taken up, or any other proper means of fund raising may be used. No per capita assessments may be made.
5. Any member of the executive may not spend more than $200.00 on behalf of the society, except with prior approval of the executive committee.
6. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate and adequate record of all receipts and expenditures and shall be prepared to report on the state of finances within a period of 30 days of any such request. He/she shall preserve all records of finances.
7. The books of the Treasurer shall be audited as deemed necessary by the executive.
8. It shall be the responsibility of the Treasurer to prepare yearly financial reports and to submit them to the executive and membership at the May regular meeting.
SECTION 5 – rules
1. Executive meetings shall be conducted in an orderly fashion.
2. Decisions to be made by the Executive Committee are to be made by consensus where possible. A minimum attendance (quorum) of 50% of the Officers and 50% of the Chairs is required.
3. If consensus cannot be reached, a motion is to be tabled and voted by the Committee. For the motion to be carried, >50% majority must be attained. In case of a tie, the following tie-breakers will apply:
a) If the majority of Officers are in favour.
b) If still tied, the President will hold the deciding vote.
SECTION 6 – amendment
1. These by-laws may be altered only as follows:
By a majority consensus of the executive committee. If approved by the executive, amendments will then announced at the next general meeting. Any proposed amendments must be approved by two-thirds of the membership in attendance.