CPSA Constitution

A Constitution relating generally to the conduct of the affairs of – CARIBBEAN

PUBLIC SERVICES ASSOCIATION

 

BE IT ADOPTED as the Constitution of the CARIBBEAN PUBLIC SERVICES

ASSOCIATION (hereinafter called the “Association”) as follows:

 

  1. INTERPRETATION

 

(a) The Executive Committee shall be the authority for interpreting the Constitution, rules and Regulations of the Association or for taking any decision upon which the constitution, or Rules and Regulations are silent.

 

(b) In this Constitution of the Association unless the context otherwise requires the singular includes the plural and the plural includes the singular, the masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter genders.

 

  1. AIMS AND OBJECTS

 

The aims and objects of the Association shall be to:

 

  • Promote and strengthen unity among Public Service Trade Unions and/or associations in the Caribbean Region.

 

(b)Provide technical assistance to member organisations in respect of their efforts to protect the rights and privileges of their members.

 

(c)Serve as a central or coordinating agency for discussion with Governments and regional institutions and organisations with which the respective Governments in the area are associated.

 

(d) Carry out such other objects as may be determined from time to time by Conference.

 

(e) Serve as a central or coordinating agency for the training and education of members of affiliates and for contact or affiliation with international agencies or organisations.

 

(f) Conduct regional education programs aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of member organisations and to assist them in conducting local programs.

 

(g) Research, collect, collate and disseminate information to member organisations.

 

  1. SECRETARIAT

 

(a) There shall be a Secretariat under the control of the General Secretary, which shall be situated in the country in which the General Secretary resides.

 

(b) The Secretariat shall be responsible for the functions of the Association and shall be the link between the affiliates and the Association.

 

  1. MEMBERS

 

(a) There shall be two classes of membership namely: –

(i) Full members, being predominantly Public Sector Unions & Associations in the region;

(ii) Associate members, being those unions and associations that accept election as Associate members upon the invitation of the Conference in recognition of their work for the Association.

 

(b) Applications for membership shall be made in writing to the General Secretary, upon such form as the Executive Committee shall from time to time prescribe and shall be supported by such evidence as may be required. The Executive Committee shall obtain the views of any affiliate or affiliate in the particular country concerning the desirability of accepting such application and shall have the right to accept or reject such application.

 

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive Committee may proceed to consider an application where it requested by registered post the views of any affiliate and no reply was received within three months of the date of posting providing that a reminder was sent by registered post at least thirty (30) days before the date on which such application

is considered.

 

(d) Where the Executive Committee rejects an application for membership the applicant may appeal to the Conference, which shall deal with such appeal at its next meeting.

 

  1. ENTRANCE FEES

 

(a) The entrance fee shall be such sum as the Conference may from time to time determine.

 

  1. FINANCES

 

(a)There shall be an annual subscription, which shall be such sum as the Conference may from time to time determine.

 

(b)The Finances of the Association shall comprise:

 

(i) An annual subscription by each affiliate member organization based upon the following formula: one dollar and twenty-five cents in respect to each member per annum provided that no affiliate shall pay no more than $7,500.00 (E.C.) per annum or no less than $375.00 (E.C.) per annum, or any such sum as may be determined in Conference from time to time.

 

Annual subscription fees shall become due on the 1st day of January and shall be payable no later than the 30th day of March in each financial year.

 

  1. ii) Such levies and other funds, as may be raised from time to time for special projects approved by the Conference.

 

iii) The finances of the Association shall be lodged in a Bank approved by the Executive Committee and withdrawals shall be made on the signature of the Treasurer/Assistant General Secretary and the General Secretary.

 

  1. iv) Where it is not practicable to appoint a co-signer the Executive Committee shall appoint any other person who is a member of an affiliate organisation in the particular country.

 

  1. v) The Treasurer/Assistant General Secretary shall prepare in respect of each financial year ending 31st December, statement of accounts which shall be submitted for audit along with supporting books, receipts, vouchers and other documents not later than 28th day of February of each year.

 

  1. vi) Where an organisation becomes an affiliate on any date other than the 1st day of January, the subscriptions payable in respect of the balance of that year shall be calculated on a pro rata basis.

 

vii) All cheques, drafts or orders for the payment of money and all notes and acceptances and bills of exchange shall be signed by the Treasurer/Assistant General Secretary and the General Secretary or in such manner as the Conference may from time to time

designate by resolution.

 

  1. AUDITORS

 

(a) Two auditors who are members of affiliated organisations but not members of the Executive Committee shall be appointed by the Executive Committee to carry out the annual audit of accounts of the Association. The Auditors report shall be submitted to the General Secretary for circulation to affiliate organisations not later than the 30th day of June each year.

 

(b)Notwithstanding the provisions of the foregoing, the Executive Committee or Conference may appoint auditors from any source at any time it deems necessary.

 

  1. CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP

 

(a)  Any member may withdraw from membership by giving fourteen (14) days notice to the General Secretary in writing to that effect and hereupon it shall cease to be a member, and where such notice is given before the 1st day of April in any year such member shall not be liable to pay its subscription for that year.

 

(b) If any member refuses or neglects to comply with the provisions of the Constitution or conducts its affairs in a way which in the opinion of the Executive Committee is or may be injurious to the Association the Executive Committee may by notice in writing call upon it to withdraw its membership. If such member when called upon to resign does not do so within twenty-eight days of the receipt of such notice then (provided it is

first given an opportunity of being heard by the Conference) it may forthwith be expelled by the Executive Committee after a resolution for this purpose has been passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting at a specially convened meeting of the Executive Council.

 

(c) A member resigning or expelled by virtue of the provisions of this Constitution shall nevertheless remain liable for all monies due from it to the Association.

 

  1. CONFERENCE

 

(a) The supreme authority of the Association shall vest in a Conference comprising no more than three delegates from each affiliate and the Officers of the Association, which authority shall be delegated to the Executive Committee between Conferences.

 

(b) Each member organisation shall have one vote and only members in good standing shall be eligible to vote.

 

(c) A member in good standing shall be a member whose affiliation fees are not more than three months in arrears.

 

(d)A new member in order to be eligible to vote shall pay the annual subscription within sixty days of acceptance of membership or before the annual conference whichever occurs first.

 

(e)The Conference shall be held annually except in the event of a major disaster or any valid reason in which case Conference shall be held on such day and as such time as the Executive Committee may by resolution determine at any place within the region or, if all the members entitled to vote at such meetings so agree, outside the region.

 

(f)At meetings of Conference not less than fifty percent (50%) plus 1 of affiliate members in good standing shall form a quorum.

 

(g)The President shall chair Special Conferences. In the absence of the President, the First Vice-President shall act as Chair. In the case of the absence of both, the President and First Vice-President, the Second Vice-President shall act as Chair. In the case of the absence of all three members of the Presidency, those affiliates present shall elect a

Chair.

 

(h)The Conference may, by ordinary resolution at a special meeting, remove any officer from office.

 

(i)A vacancy created by the removal of an officer may be filled by the Conference.

 

(j) Conference shall be conducted in accordance to the Standing Orders which reads as follows:

 

 

 

 

Article 1          –         PURPOSE OF STANDING ORDERS

 

These Standing Orders are intended to promote the smooth running of Conference business and shall become operative following their approval by Conference by a simple majority.

 

Article 2          –         COMPOSITION OF CONFERENCE

 

Conference shall be composed of Delegates; Officers of the Association; Observers; Invited Guests; and the Secretariat of the Conference.

 

Article 3          –         CHAIRPERSON OF CONFERENCE

 

3.1       The President, or in his/her absence, the First Vice President, or in his/her absence, the Second Vice President, or in their absence, a member of the Executive Committee chosen by those present, shall take the chair at all Conferences.

 

3.2       The first President or the Second Vice President or a member of the General Council, in that order, shall deputise for the President at his/her discretion and during the election of the President.

 

Article 4          –         SECRETARY OF CONFERENCE

 

The General Secretary of the Association shall act as Secretary General of Conference and shall appoint, in concert with the Host affiliate, members of the Secretariat and such other staff as are necessary for the conduct of Conference.

 

Article 5          –         CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE

 

5.1       At its first session, Conference shall adopt, discuss and vote on the report presented by the Credentials Committee previously appointed by the Executive Committee.

 

5.2       The Credentials Committee shall be charged with the verification of the credentials of Delegations; Officers of the Association; Observers; Invited Guests; and the Secretariat of the Conference.

 

5.3       This Committee is authorized to examine whether persons present fulfill the conditions and obligations laid down in the Constitution. The Credentials Committee is entitled to request from the General Secretary, from the members of the Executive Committee, Delegations and from any person present information needed for the discharged of its duties of evidence bearing on the legitimacy of credentials.

 

5.4       Voting or elections shall not take place before Conference has discussed and voted on the report and recommendations of the Credentials Committee.

 

5.5       Conference shall be invited to ratify the composition of the Credentials Committee.

 

Article 6          –         STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE

 

6.1       The Executive Committee shall appoint a Standing Orders Committee. The Secretary of the Committee shall be appointed by the General Secretary or his nominee.

 

6.2       The Committee shall examine and report to Conference on the validity of all proposed resolutions and amendments to resolutions, shall prepare composite resolutions or link and associate resolutions where more than one resolution has been submitted on the same subject, shall recommend an order of business and time limits for speakers and shall report to the Conference on any other questions requiring a decision for the proper conduct of its business.

 

6.3       Conference shall be invited to ratify the composition of the Committee.

 

Article 7          –           CONFERENCE AGENDA

 

7.1       Conference shall be invited during the first working session to adopt the final agenda prepared in accordance with the constitution by the General Secretary, and also the first report of the Standing Orders Committee.

 

7.2       All motions, resolutions, amendments shall be deemed to have been duly moved and seconded and will therefore not require formal moving and seconding.

 

7.3       No additional motions, resolutions, amendments or any other business shall be added to the Agenda or admitted during Conference with the exception of emergency resolutions of urgency, which shall be confined to matters on which new developments have risen after the closing date for the receipt of motions and resolutions in accordance with existing Article 3(1) (vii) of the Rules and Regulations of the Association.

 

7.4       Emergency resolutions of urgency shall in the first instance be referred to the Standing Orders Committee.

 

Article 8          –           TELLERS

 

Tellers shall be elected by Conference from among the delegations and observers to ascertain the number of votes cast in accordance with the Constitution.

 

Article 9          –           VOTING AT CONFERENCE

 

9.1       Voting at Conference shall normally be by a show of hands by the Leaders of delegation, and a simple majority of half the votes cast plus one or more, disregarding abstention, shall decide the issue, with the exceptions as stipulated in the Constitution of the Association.

 

9.2       If before a vote is called, a delegation in good financial standing proposes that a secret ballot be taken and is supported by another delegation in good financial standing, the President shall put the motion for a secret ballot to conference for determination by a show of hands. If this motion is carried, a secret ballot shall be held immediately.

 

Article 10        –           SPEAKING PROCEDURE

 

10.1     Delegates, Officers of the Association, observers, invited guests, or persons associated with the Secretariat of the Conference, who wish to speak shall so indicate to the President by raising their hand or standing in their place.

 

10.2     Each speaker recognized by the President shall begin by giving their name and designation (Delegate, Officer of the Association, Observer, Invited Guest, or Member of the Secretariat of the Conference).

 

Article 11        –           SPEAKING BY PRESIDENT AND GENERAL SECRETARY

 

The President and General Secretary shall have the right to speak at any time.

 

Article 12        –           PRESIDENT MAY FIX TIME LIMIT

 

The President may fix a time limit of five (5) minutes on speeches. Extensions will be at the discretion of the Chairman.

 

Article 13        –           SPECIAL MOTIONS

 

13.1     Questions of adjournment of discussion, adjournment of session, suspension of Standing Orders, motion to take a vote, appeal to Conference on the President’s ruling and motions concerning procedure or order of business may be moved verbally by a delegation in good financial standing but must be seconded by at least three (3) other delegations in good financial standing rising from their seats and shall take precedence over all other business.

 

13.2     The President may allow the mover to address Conference and one other delegate in good financial standing to speak against the motion and then shall put the motion to a vote.

 

Article 14        –           TERMINATION OF DEBATE

 

The President may propose at any time that discussion be terminated. At the close of discussion the mover or rapporteur on the subject under discussion shall have the right of reply to the debate.

 

Article 15        –           APPEAL OF PRESIDENT’S DECISION

 

The President shall, subject to the Provisions of the Constitution, the Rules and Regulations and these Standing Orders, direct the proceedings of Conference. His/her ruling shall be final unless an appeal is made to Conference and such appeal is upheld by a two-thirds majority of votes cast.

 

Article 16        –           AUTHORITATIVE PARLIAMENTARY WORK

 

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the Association in all cases in which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the Constitution, Rules and Regulations and Standing Orders of the Association. 

 

ADOPTED AT THE 26TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

JULY 21-26, 1996 – GUYANA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

(a) There shall be an Executive Committee, which shall be responsible for conducting the affairs of the Association between Conferences. It shall comprise the Officers of the Association and one representative nominated by the Youth Committee and one representative nominated by the Women Committee in addition to the Presidents of all affiliates or their nominees.

 

(b) Decisions of the Executive shall be by majority vote, or qualified majority vote, provided that each affiliate shall have one vote. Decisions of the Executive may also be taken by the circulation of papers among affiliates, which decisions shall be by a two-thirds majority vote of affiliates, which are in good financial standing.

 

(c) The travelling expenses and subsistence of members of the Executive Committee attending meetings shall be borne by the affiliate. Where, however, an affiliate is unable to meet the full travel and subsistence expenses of its representative, the Executive Committee shall have authority to assist the affiliate subject to the availability of funds.

 

(d)At meetings of the Executive Committee 50% plus 1 member shall form a quorum.

 

(e)Notwithstanding anything contained in this Constitution the Executive Committee shall continue in office and shall have power to take decisions on behalf of the Association until the next ensuing triennial conference and if no such conference is held, until the next meeting of the conference.

 

(f)The Executive Committee shall take the initiative in preparing policies and recommendations for consideration and possible action by the affiliates or conference.

 

(g) An office of the Executive Committee shall be vacated :-

 

  • if by notice in writing the officer resigns his office;

(ii) if the organization the officer represents becomes bankrupt;

(iii)if the officer is found to be suffering from a mental disorder or becomes of unsound mind;

(iv) if the officer is convicted of any criminal offence involving fraud or dishonesty.

 

  1. OFFICERS

 

(a) The Officers of the Association shall be:

(i) A President;

(ii) A First Vice-President;

(iii) A Second Vice-President;

(iv) A General Secretary;

(v) A Treasurer/Assistant General Secretary.

 

(b) The Officers of the Association shall be known as the Management Team of the Association and shall be authorised to manage the affairs of the Association when the Conference or when the Executive Committee is not in session.

 

(c) The President, First Vice President and Second Vice President shall be selected on the basis of countries beginning with the letter “A” and thereafter in alphabetical order of progression.

 

(d) Where there is more than one affiliate from the same country, the candidate shall be agreed upon by the affiliates, but where there is no agreement the selection shall be made by Conference by secret ballot.

 

(e) The President shall serve in the capacity for a period of twelve (12) months after appointment and shall continue to hold that office until the next appointment of Officers at Conference.

 

(f) The First Vice President shall serve in the capacity for a period of twelve months after appointment. At the expiration of that period he/she shall cease to hold the office of First Vice President and shall automatically become President which office he/she shall hold for the next ensuing twelve months.

 

(g) The Second Vice President shall serve in that capacity for a period of twelve (12) months after selection. At the end of that period he shall cease to hold office of Second Vice President but shall automatically become the First Vice President which office he shall hold for the next ensuing twelve months. At the expiration of that period he shall cease to hold the office of First Vice President but shall automatically become the President and shall continue to hold that office until the next selection of Officers at Conference.

 

(h) In the event that a country, which qualifies for selection is unable to attend the Conference for reasons acceptable to the Conference, then that country shall nevertheless assume in accordance with this Constitution.

 

(i) In furtherance of Subsection (i-iii) (a) above, nominations from affiliates qualifying for selection to the offices of President, First Vice President and Second Vice President shall be submitted by the particular affiliate(s) before the date of the commencement of the Conference at which such selections are to be held.

 

(j) The term of office of the Management Team shall be as provided for in this Constitution.

 

(k) The President shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee and shall have general supervisory responsibility over the other Officers of the Association.

 

(l) In event of a vacancy arising on the Management Team of the Association as a consequence of death, resignation, illness, or expulsion, the Executive Committee shall have the power to make a temporary appointment based on the recommendation of the relevant affiliate(s). In any event, the vacancy shall be filled at the next Annual Conference.

 

(m) Subject to the provisions of Section 6 (ii) above, in the absence of the President, the First Vice President shall act for him, and in his absence, the Second Vice President shall act.

 

(n) Where a person who is an officer of an Affiliate, holds the office of President, First Vice President or Second Vice President of the Association, and while holding such office in the Association loses office in the Affiliate, he shall continue in office in the Association unless the Affiliate to which he belongs indicates to the Association in writing that he no longer holds its confidence.

 

 (o) The General Secretary shall be elected by secret ballot at Conference and shall hold office for three (3) years and be eligible for re-election. The General Secretary shall:

 

(i)        Give effect to all decisions of the Conference and Executive Committee

(ii)       Subject to the directions of the Executive Committee have control of the offices and other property of the Association

(iii)      Be responsible for general correspondence and internal communication within the Association

(iv)      Issue notices and agenda and prepare, maintain, and distribute minutes for meetings of conferences and of the Executive Committee

(v)       Maintain an updated list of affiliates with a record of dues paid in order to establish those in good standing

(vi)      In an emergency, when time does not permit, take such action as may be deemed necessary after consultation with the President and Treasurer of the Association.

 

(p) The Treasurer/Assistant General Secretary shall be elected by secret ballot from among delegates attending the Conference and shall hold office for three (3) years, and be eligible for re-election. The Treasurer shall reside in the affiliate country in which the General Secretary resides, and shall assist the General Secretary in the performance of

his duties and carry our his instructions in that regard. The Treasurer/Assistant General Secretary shall:

 

(i)        Receive all monies of the Association, and keep proper records of all such monies received.

(ii)       Take care and custody of the funds and other financial assets of the association and for making payments for all approved expenses incurred by the Association.

(iii)      Submit financial statements to all Executive Meetings and Conferences.

(iv)      Maintain records of accounts, which shall be made available for inspection by affiliates within 10 working days upon receipt of request.

(v)       Initiate action in the preparation of the Annual Budget for the consideration of the Executive Committee and approved by the Conference.

(vi)      Make payments from the funds of the Association on the instruction of the Conference, the Executive Committee or the President.

 

(q)       The Women Member shall be selected on the basis of countries beginning with the letter “A” and thereafter in alphabetical order of progression. The Women Member shall:

 

(i)        Promote the concerns of the Women at all meetings of the association.

(ii)       Exercise general supervisory responsibility over the Women Committees of the affiliates.

 

(r)        The Youth Member shall be selected on the basis of countries beginning with the letter “A” and thereafter in alphabetical order of progression. The Youth Member shall:

 

(i)        Promote the concerns of the youth at all meetings of the association.

(ii)       Exercise general supervisory responsibility over the youth committees of the affiliates.

 

  1. MEETINGS

 

Meetings may be held either at any place where deemed necessary.

 

  • An officer may, if all the officers consent, participate in a meeting by means of such telephone or other communication facilities as permit all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other and an officer participating in such a meeting by such means is deemed to be present at that meeting.

 

 

  • In case of any equality of votes the chairman of the meeting in addition to his original vote shall have a second or casting vote.

 

 

  • Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this Constitution a resolution in writing signed by all the officers entitled to vote on that resolution at a meeting is as valid as if it had been passed at a meeting of the management team or any committee of the management team.

 

  • Special meetings of the conference shall be called by the Executive Committee at any date and time and at any place within the region or, if all the members entitled to vote at such meeting so agree, outside the region.

 

(i) at its own initiative or;

(ii) within ninety days of the request of at least one half of its affiliates which are in good financial standing in writing.

 

  • A special conference shall discuss only those questions for which it was specifically called.

 

  • Every question submitted to any meeting of members shall be decided in the first instance by a show of hands unless a person entitled to vote at the meeting has demanded a ballot and, in the case of any equality of votes the chairman of the meeting shall on a ballot have a casting vote in addition to any votes to which he may be otherwise entitled.

 

  • At every meeting at which he is entitled to vote, every member who is present in person shall have one vote on a show of hands. Upon a ballot at which he is entitled to vote, every member shall have one vote.

 

  • At any meeting unless a ballot is demanded, a declaration by the chairman of the meeting that a resolution has been carried or carried unanimously or by a particular majority or lost or not carried by a particular majority shall be conclusive evidence of the fact.

 

  • A ballot may, either before or after any vote by a show of hands, be demanded by any person entitled to vote at the meeting. If at any meeting a ballot is demanded on the election of a chairman or on the question of adjournment it shall be taken forthwith without adjournment. If at any meeting a ballot is demanded on any other question, the vote shall be taken by ballot in such manner and either at once, later in the meeting or after adjournment as the chairman of the meeting directs. The result of a ballot shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the ballot was demanded. A demand for a ballot may be withdrawn.

 

  • The chairman of any meeting may with the consent of the meeting adjourn the same from time to time to a fixed time and place and no notice of such adjournment need be given to the members unless the meeting is adjourned by one or more adjournments for an aggregate of thirty days or more in which case notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as for an original meeting. Any business that might have been brought before or dealt with at the original meeting in accordance with the notice calling the same may be brought before or dealt with at any adjourned meeting for which no notice is required.

 

  • A quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the members shall be fifty per cent plus one person present in person, each being either member entitled to vote thereat. If a quorum is present at the opening of any meeting of the members, the members present may proceed with the business of the meeting notwithstanding the fact that a quorum is not present throughout the meeting. If a quorum is not present within thirty minutes of the time fixed for a meeting of members, the persons present shall constitute a quorum.

 

  1. COMMITTEES

 

(a) The Executive Committee may from time to time as deemed necessary appoint committees consisting of such number of the members as may be deemed desirable and may prescribe their duties.

 

(b) Any committee so appointed may meet for the transaction of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate its meetings as it thinks fit. Unless otherwise, determined by the Executive Committee, two members of a committee shall be a quorum. Questions arising at any meeting of a committee shall be decided by a majority of votes and in case of an

equality of votes the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.

 

  1. NOTICES

 

(a) Any notice or other document required by the Constitution to be sent to any member, or auditor may be delivered personally or sent by prepaid mail or cable or telex or e-mail to any such person at his latest address as shown in the records of the Association, and to the auditor at his business address.

 

 

(b) Notice of any amendment to the Constitution together with the proposed amendment shall be sent to the General Secretary al least (40) days before the date on which the amendments is to be considered. The General Secretary shall upon receipt of the notice and the amendment, circulate the amendment at least twenty-eight (28) days before the date on which the amendment is to be considered.

 

  1. EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS

 

(a) Subject to the approval of Conference documents and instruments in writing requiring the signature of the Association may be signed by :-

 

(i) the President; or

(ii) the Vice-President together with the General Secretary or the Treasurer/Assistant General Secretary; and all documents and instruments in writing so signed shall be

binding upon the Association without any further authorization or formality.

 

  1. SIGNATURES

 

(a) The signature of the President, the First Vice-President, the Second Vice-President, the General Secretary, the Treasurer/ Assistant General Secretary or any officer of the Association appointed pursuant by resolution of the Conference may, if specifically authorised by resolution of the Conference, be printed, engraved, lithographed or

otherwise mechanically reproduced upon any document or instrument in writing executed or issued by or on behalf of the Association. Any document or instrument in writing on which the signature of any such officer or person is so reproduced shall be deemed to have been manually signed by such officer or person whose signature is so reproduced and shall be as valid to all intents and purposes as if such document or instrument in writing had been signed manually and notwithstanding that the officer or person whose signature is so reproduced has ceased to hold office at the date on which such document or instrument in writing is delivered or issued.

 

  1. FINANCIAL YEAR

 

  • The Conference may from time to time by resolution establish the financial year of the Association.

 

  1. FOR THE PROTECTION OF OFFICERS

 

(a) No officer of the Association shall be liable to the Association for: –

 

  • the acts, receipts, neglects or defaults of any other officer;

 

  • any other loss, damage or misfortune whatever which may happen in the execution of the duties of his respective office or trust or in relation thereto; unless the same happens by or through his failure to exercise the powers and to discharge the duties of his office honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Association and in connection therewith to exercise the care diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances.

 

  1. DISSOLUTION

 

(a) The Association shall not be dissolved except upon a unanimous decision reached by the affiliates at a meeting specifically convened for such purpose.

 

  1. AMENDMENT

 

(a) This Constitution shall not be amended or repealed except by a two-thirds majority or the affiliate members of the Association present and voting at Conference. Providing however, if any affiliate indicates in writing to the Secretariat its inability to attend, for reasons acceptable to the Conference, and at the same time also indicates that it supports

or does not support the proposed amendment (s) such decision shall be accepted by conference and counted in the final voting on the proposed amendment (s).

 

  1. BY LAWS

 

The Executive Committee shall have the right to draw By-Laws for the conducting of the affairs of the Association from time to time. These By-Laws shall be presented for ratification by the Affiliates at the Annual General Conference.

 

  1. COMMENCEMENT

 

This Constitution was adopted by the following founder-member organisations on the 3rd day of October 1970, at a Conference held in Barbados.

 

o Antigua Public Service Association

o Barbados Civil Service Association

o Dominica Civil Service Association

o Guyana Civil Service Association

o Jamaica Civil Service Association

o Montserrat Civil Service Association

o St. Kitts/Nevis and Anguilla Civil Service Association

o St. Lucia Civil Service Association

o St. Vincent Civil Service Association

o Public Service Association of Trinidad and Tobago

 

Amended on 13th and 14th November 1982 at a special conference held in Barbados.

 

And on 11th August 1983 at the 13th Annual General Conference in St.Vincent.

 

And at the 33rd Annual Conference held in Antigua & Barbuda on 24th July 2003.

 

And at the 42nd Annual Conference held in Little Bay, Montserrat on Thursday 26th July 2012.

 

 

Adopted this 26th day of July 2012.