1.         Identification

This Branch shall be known as the Alberta and Northwest Territories Command, Devon {Alberta} Branch No. 247 of the Royal Canadian Legion and shall hereinafter be referred to as the Branch.

2.         Membership

Branch Membership shall be comprised of Ordinary, Life, Associate and Affiliate-Voting members who qualify in accordance with the General By-laws of the Royal Canadian Legion.

3.         Affiliate Non-Voting Membership

Any non-Canadian citizen or non-Commonwealth subject from an Allied nation who qualifies in accordance with the regulations set forth in the General By-laws of the Royal Canadian Legion may become affiliated with the Branch, as a non-voting member, provided he/she is willing to support the aims and objects of The Royal Canadian Legion.

These members shall have the same rights as all other members except the rights to vote and hold office. A member admitted under this Section is not permitted to apply for voting status unless otherwise qualified.

4.         Entitlement to Vote or Hold Office

a)         Only Ordinary, Life, Associate and Affiliate-Voting members shall be entitled to vote or hold office.

b)         No person shall be nominated for an office in the Branch unless he/she is present at the Nominating meeting or has signified in writing his/her willingness to accept such office.

c)         No person shall stand for any elected office or Executive position unless he/she is a Member in good standing of the Branch.

5.         Initiation

Before receiving his/her initial membership card every new member shall be initiated according to the procedure set forth in The Royal Canadian Legion Ritual and Insignia Manual.

6.         Complaints and Discipline

a)         The procedure for lodging complaints against members and the subsequent disciplinary action shall be in accordance with Article III of the General By-laws of The Royal Canadian Legion.

7.         Annual Dues

a)         Every member shall pay annual dues in the amount established at a General Meeting of the Branch.

b)         At the discretion of the Branch Executive Officers, special consideration, in regard to payment of dues, may be given to members whose circumstances warrant such consideration.

8.         Executive Committee

a)         The Executive Committee shall be made up of the: Branch Executive Officers, Immediate Past President, Service Officer, Standing Committee Chairpersons, and such other members as may be required to properly operate the Branch.

b)         The Branch Executive Officers shall comprise the elected positions of President, 1^st. Vice President, 2^nd. Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer and shall be elected by secret ballot, each year, during the November General Meeting.  They shall assume their duties on the 1^st. day of January following.

c)         Additional members of the Executive Committee may be elected, or may be appointed by the incoming President, in consultation with the Branch Executive Officers.

d)         Should a vacancy occur in any Branch Executive Officer position, such vacancy, may be filled by holding a By-election.

9.         Meetings

a)         A General Meeting of the Branch shall be held on the 2^nd. Wednesday of the months of May, September, and November or should this not be practicable, on such other day of the month as established by the Branch Executive Officers.  Prior Notice of any change in meeting dates, shall be given to the general membership.

b)         Order of business at General Meetings shall be as suggested in the Royal Canadian Legion Ritual and Insignia.

c)         Executive Meetings shall be the 1^st. Wednesday of the month or at the discretion of the President.

d)         An Annual General Meeting shall be held in February of each year.

10.       Standing Committees

a)         The Branch Executive Officers shall appoint a Chairperson for each Standing Committee at the first meeting following the election of the Branch Executive Officers.

b)         Each Standing Committee Chairperson shall select the members of his/her committee.

c)         Each Standing Committee Chairperson shall present a written report to the President at General meetings who will turn it over to the Branch secretary for incorporation in the minutes.

11.       Duties of Executive Committee

a)         Duties of the Branch Executive Officers shall be as set forth in the Installation Ceremony and in the Branch Manual.

b)         Duties of the other members of the Executive Committee shall be assigned by the Branch Executive Officers.

12.       Quorum

a)         At General Meetings TEN (10) of the voting members shall constitute a quorum for financial matters.

b)         At Executive Meetings THREE (3) Branch Executive Officers plus 1 other Executive Committee member shall constitute a quorum.

13.       Attendance at Executive Meetings

Any Branch Executive Officer or other member of the Executive Committee who, without just cause, is absent from 3 consecutive meetings may cease to hold office and the vacancy of a Branch Executive Officer position shall be filled as set forth in Section 8(d) of the Branch By-laws or a vacancy for a non-elected position shall be filled by appointment, by the President, in consultation with the other Branch Executive Officers.

14.       Nomination and Elections of Officers

a)         At the May General Meeting a Nomination Committee consisting of the Immediate Past President and two (2) other Members, shall be established to seek out Members who qualify for and are willing to stand for office.

b)         The Nominating Committee will present its proposed slate of candidates at the September General Meeting and nominations will be accepted from the floor.  At this General Meeting there will be 3 calls for nominations from the floor.

I.          Nominations from the floor will be accepted at the General Meeting in September.  All Members so nominated must be present or have signified in writing, their acceptance of such nomination.  The nominating form shall be signed by the nominee and two voting members.

II.         All nominees proposed by the Committee shall complete a nomination form which shall be signed by the nominee and two voting members.

III.       Final call for nominations will take place at the September General Meeting.

c)         No person shall stand for any elected office unless he/she has been a member, in good standing, of the Branch for at least one year.

d)         No person shall stand for the Office of President of the Branch unless he/she has served, at least one term, on the Executive Committee.

e)         No member who is a full time or regular part time paid employee of the Branch shall be eligible to hold any Executive position in the Branch.

f)          The Advance Poll for voting for all candidates for Office shall take place on the Friday and Saturday immediately prior to the November General Meeting.  This poll will be open for 2 consecutive hours on each of these days, such hours to be established by the Branch Executive Officers.  The final polling date shall be on the date of the NOVEMBER GENERAL MEETING between the hours of 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm.

g)         A Returning Officer and Deputy shall be appointed to be custodians of all ballots including those of the Advanced Poll and shall count all votes and announce the results on completion of the final voting.

h)         A date for the official Installation of Officers and Executive Committee shall be set as soon as possible following the election, but not later than ninety days following the election.  The Officers and Executive Committee will, however assume their duties on the first of January.

15.       Financial

The Treasurer shall be responsible for all Branch monies and shall maintain accurate and business records of all financial transactions concerning the Branch, in accordance with the General By-laws of the Royal Canadian Legion, sections 131, 132 and 133.

16.       Amendments to Branch By-laws

a)         These By-laws shall not be altered, amended varied or added to except by Notice of Motion.

b)         Such Notice of Motion must be given in writing, at the General Meeting prior to the one at which it is to be considered.

c)         Any such motion must be approved by TWO THIRDS of the voting members present at the meeting.

These By-laws shall not become effective until approved by, The Royal Canadian Legion, Alberta and Northwest Command.

Certified to be a true copy of the By-laws of Devon Branch #247 of the Royal Canadian Legion as approved by a General Meeting of the Branch on the 10 ^th. Day of October, 2007.

President:   _________________________

Secretary:  __________________________

Approved on behalf of the Alberta and Northwest Territories Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, this ______ day of _____________________, ________

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