9. POLICY DISCUSSION: Compliance with new NFP (Not for Profit) Rules

Please post comments about compliance with the NFP act and the proposed special resolution here. The text of the resolution follows:

Special Resolution of Members

Continuing the Corporation under the provisions of the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act and authorizing the directors to apply for a Certificate of Continuance.

WHEREAS the Corporation was incorporated under Part II of the Canada Corporations Act by Letters Patent dated the 20th of September, 1976; and

WHEREAS it is considered to be in the best interests of the Corporation that it be continued under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (NFP Act) pursuant to section 297 of the NFP Act;

BE IT RESOLVED AS A SPECIAL RESOLUTION THAT:

The directors of the Corporation are authorized and directed to make an application under section 297 of the NFP Act to the Director appointed under the NFP Act for a Certificate of Continuance of the Corporation;
The Articles of Continuance (transition) of the Corporation, which have been submitted to this meeting and are annexed to these minutes as Schedule A, are approved;
The general operating by-law of the Corporation (as amended) is repealed effective on the date that the corporation continues under the NFP Act and the new general operating by-law No.1 which has been submitted to this meeting and is annexed to these minutes as Schedule B is approved and will be effective on the same date.
Any one of the officers and directors of the Corporation is authorized to take all such actions and execute and deliver all such documentation, including the annexed Articles of Continuance (transition), the notice of registered office and of directors in the forms fixed by the Director, which are necessary or desirable for the implementation of this resolution.
The undersigned, being the duly appointed (Secretary) of the Corporation, certifies that the above is a true and correct copy of a special resolution of space to insert day day of space to insert month, by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by the members of the Corporation who voted in respect of the resolution, and the resolution is in full force and effect, unamended as of the date below.

Dated April 12th, 2014

Lyle Craver
Secretary

Note: this is the format that the NFP Act site lists. Presumably any member of the executive can sign this form though the example shows the secretary of the corporation board of directors so I took the liberty of adding Lyle's name.

SCHEDULE A
Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (NFP Act)
Form 4031 - Articles of Continuance (transition)

To be used only for a continuance from the Canada Corporations Act, Part II.
1. Current name of the corporation

THE CHESS FEDERATION OF CANADA
LA FEDERATION CANADIENNE DES ECHECS

2. If a change of name is requested, indicate proposed corporate name

3. Corporation number
0159794

4. The province or territory in Canada where the registered office is situated
ONTARIO

5. Minimum and maximum number of directors (for a fixed number, indicate the same number in both boxes)

Minimum number 3
Maximum number 10

6. Statement of the purpose of the corporation

The purpose(s) of the corporation is:

To promote and encourage generally in Canada, the knowledge, study and playing of the game of chess, and to this end, and without restricting the generality of the foregoing.

1. TO promote the formation and development of a Provincial Association, in each Province of Canada, where such Association does not presently exist, and to this end, to cooperate with existing clubs and leagues within such Province;

2. TO cooperate with existing Provincial Associations, in all matters pertaining to the development of organized chess within their Province, and to this end to encourage matches, tournaments, competitions, correspondence or telegraphic or radio matches, at all levels in Canada, and simultaneous, blindfold or other displays by chess masters;

3. TO maintain appropriate affiliation with the international chess organization, known as the Fédération International des Echecs, hereinafter referred to as FIDE;

4. TO publish and maintain the Laws of Chess in Canada, consonant with any decisions in such matters published by FIDE, and the Rules and Regulations (excepting local Rules and Regulations not in conflict with them) governing chess competitions held under the auspices of the Federation, or any of its affiliates, or its authorized appointees;

5. TO protect and foster the interests of Canadian Chess players, as far as possible, in the field of national and international chess competition;

6. TO encourage with all means within its power, and at its discretion, the publication of a medium from which chess players may learn of the progress of chess in Canada, and which will be the official organ of the Federation for the publication of its decisions;

7. TO raise funds in such a manner and to such an extent as it may deem necessary or desirable, to enable it to carry out its objectives;

8. TO expend any funds in its possession or under its control, in any manner or degree, in its entire discretion, for the furtherance of the general objectives of the Federation;

9. TO establish and maintain, in co-operation with its membership, a rating system, which shall constitute an official record from time to time, of relative chess ability throughout Canada.

7. Restrictions on the activities that the corporation may carry on, if any

None

8. The classes, or regional or other groups, of members that the corporation is authorized to establish

The corporation is authorized to establish Class A members and Class B members as follows:

The Class A members shall be entitled to receive notice of and to attend all meetings of the members of the Corporation and each Class A member shall have one (1) vote at each such meeting, except for meetings at which only members of another class are entitled to vote separately as a class.
Except as otherwise provided by the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, S.C. 2009, c.23 the Class B members shall not be entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at meetings of the members of the Corporation.

9. Statement regarding the distribution of property remaining on liquidation

Any property remaining on liquidation of the Corporation, after discharge of liabilities, shall be distributed to one or more qualified donees within the meaning of subsection 248(1) of the Income Tax Act.
10. Additional provisions, if any

See schedule 1
11. Declaration

I hereby certify that I am a director or an authorized officer of the corporation continuing into the NFP Act.

page 2 of 2
Schedule 1
Additional provisions

The members of the Corporation are not entitled to vote separately as a class upon a proposal to amend the articles to:

effect an exchange, reclassification or cancellation of all or part of the memberships of the class; or
create a new class of members having rights equal or superior to those of the class.

The directors may appoint one or more additional directors who shall hold office for a term expiring not later than the close of the next annual meeting of members, but the total number of directors so appointed shall not exceed one-third (1/3) of the number of directors elected at the previous annual meeting of members.

SCHEDULE B
A by-law relating generally to the conduct
of the affairs of

Chess Federation of Canada

(the "Corporation")

BE IT ENACTED as a by-law of the Corporation as follows:

Definition
In this by-law and all other by-laws of the Corporation, unless the context otherwise requires:

"Act" means the Canada Not-For-Profit Corporations Act S.C. 2009, c. 23 including the Regulations made pursuant to the Act, and any statute or regulations that may be substituted, as amended from time to time;

"articles" means the original or restated articles of incorporation or articles of amendment, amalgamation, continuance, reorganization, arrangement or revival of the Corporation;

"board" means the board of directors of the Corporation and "director" means a member of the board;

"by-law" means this by-law and any other by-law of the Corporation as amended and which are, from time to time, in force and effect;

"meeting of members" includes an annual meeting of members or a special meeting of members; "special meeting of members" includes a meeting of any class or classes of members and a special meeting of all members entitled to vote at an annual meeting of members;

"ordinary resolution" means a resolution passed by a majority of not less than 50% plus 1 of the votes case on that resolution;

"proposal" means a proposal submitted by a member of the Corporation that meets the requirements of section 163 (Shareholder Proposals) of the Act;

"Regulations" means the regulations made under the Act, as amended, restated or in effect from time to time; and

"special resolution" means a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast on that resolution.

Interpretation
In the interpretation of this by-law, words in the singular include the plural and vice-versa, words in one gender include all genders, and "person" includes an individual, body corporate, partnership, trust and unincorporated organization.

Other than as specified above, words and expressions defined in the Act have the same meanings when used in these by-laws.

Corporate Seal
The Corporation may have a corporate seal in the form approved from time to time by the board. If a corporate seal is approved by the board, the secretary of the Corporation shall be the custodian of the corporate seal.

Execution of Documents
Deeds, transfers, assignments, contracts, obligations and other instruments in writing requiring execution by the Corporation may be signed by any two (2) of its officers or directors. In addition, the board may from time to time direct the manner in which and the person or persons by whom a particular document or type of document shall be executed. Any person authorized to sign any document may affix the corporate seal (if any) to the document. Any signing officer may certify a copy of any instrument, resolution, by-law or other document of the Corporation to be a true copy thereof.

Financial Year
The financial year end of the Corporation shall be April 30 in each year.

Banking Arrangements
The banking business of the Corporation shall be transacted at such bank, trust company or other firm or corporation carrying on a banking business in Canada or elsewhere as the board of directors may designate, appoint or authorize from time to time by resolution. The banking business or any part of it shall be transacted by an officer or officers of the Corporation and/or other persons as the board of directors may by resolution from time to time designate, direct or authorize.

Borrowing Powers
The directors of the Corporation may, without authorization of the members,

borrow money on the credit of the corporation;
issue, reissue, sell, pledge or hypothecate debt obligations of the corporation;
give a guarantee on behalf and
mortgage, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise create a security interest in all or any property of the corporation, owned or subsequently acquired, to secure any debt obligation of the corporation.
Annual Financial Statements
The Corporation may, instead of sending copies of the annual financial statements and other documents referred to in subsection 172(1) (Annual Financial Statements) of the Act to the members, publish a notice to its members stating that the annual financial statements and documents provided in subsection 172(1) are available at the registered office of the Corporation and any member may, on request, obtain a copy free of charge at the registered office or by prepaid mail.

Membership Conditions
Subject to the articles, there shall be two classes of members in the Corporation, namely, Class A members and Class B members. The board of directors of the Corporation may, by resolution, approve the admission of the members of the Corporation. Members may also be admitted in such other manner as may be prescribed by the board by resolution. The following conditions of membership shall apply:

Class A Members

Class A voting membership shall be available only to individuals who have applied and have been accepted for Class A voting membership in the Corporation.
The term of membership of a Class A voting member shall be annual, subject to renewal in accordance with the policies of the Corporation.
As set out in the articles, each Class A voting member is entitled to receive notice of, attend and vote at all meetings of members and each such Class A voting member shall be entitled to one (1) vote at such meetings.

Class B Members

Class B non-voting membership shall be available only to individuals who have applied and have been accepted for Class B non-voting membership in the Corporation. Any person, ordinarily resident in Canada, may become an class B non-voting member of the Federation, for a term of one calendar year, or for longer periods upon payment of the appropriate Membership or per Capita Fees, directly to the Federation, or upon receipt of such payment through affiliated organizations or individuals in accordance with the policies of the Corporation.

Subject to the Act and the articles, a Class B non-voting member shall not be entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at meetings of the members of the Corporation.
Pursuant to subsection 197(1) (Fundamental Change) of the Act, a special resolution of the members is required to make any amendments to this section of the by-laws if those amendments affect membership rights and/or conditions described in paragraphs 197(1)(e), (h), (l) or (m).

Membership Transferability
A membership may only be transferred to the Corporation. Pursuant to Section 197(1) (Fundamental Change) of the Act, a special resolution of the members is required to make any amendment to add, change or delete this section of the by-laws.

Notice of Members Meeting
Notice of the time and place of a meeting of members shall be given to each member entitled to vote at the meeting by telephonic, electronic or other communication facility to each member entitled to vote at the meeting, during a period of 21 to 35 days before the day on which the meeting is to be held. If a member requests that the notice be given by non-electronic means, the notice will be sent by mail, courier or personal delivery.

Pursuant to subsection 197(1) (Fundamental Change) of the Act, a special resolution of the members is required to make any amendment to the by-laws of the Corporation to change the manner of giving notice to members entitled to vote at a meeting of members.

Members Calling a Members' Meeting
The board of directors shall call a special meeting of members in accordance with Section 167 of the Act, on written requisition of members carrying not less than 5% of the voting rights. If the directors do not call a meeting within twenty-one (21) days of receiving the requisition, any member who signed the requisition may call the meeting.

Membership Dues
Members may by checking the Chess Federation of Canada website know when their membership expires and will also be able to check the dues payable which are a combination of provincial association dues and Chess Federation of Canada dues and, if any are not paid within one (1) calendar month of the membership renewal date the members in default shall automatically cease to be members of the Corporation.

Termination of Membership
A membership in the Corporation is terminated when:

the member dies or resigns;
the member is expelled or their membership is otherwise terminated in accordance with the articles or by-laws;
the member's term of membership expires; or
the Corporation is liquidated and dissolved under the Act.
Effect of Termination of Membership
Subject to the articles, upon any termination of membership, the rights of the member, including any rights in the property of the Corporation, automatically cease to exist.

Proposals Nominating Directors at Annual Members' Meetings
Subject to the Regulations under the Act, any proposal may include nominations for the election of directors if the proposal is signed by not less than 1% of members entitled to vote at the meeting at which the proposal is to be presented.

Cost of Publishing Proposals for Annual Members' Meetings
The member who submitted the proposal shall pay the cost of including the proposal and any statement in the notice of meeting at which the proposal is to be presented unless otherwise provided by ordinary resolution of the members present at the meeting.

Place of Members' Meeting
Subject to compliance with section 159 (Place of Members' Meetings) of the Act, meetings of the members may be held at any place within Canada determined by the board or, if all of the members entitled to vote at such meeting so agree, outside Canada.

Persons Entitled to be Present at Members' Meetings
Members, non-members, directors and the public accountant of the Corporation are entitled to be present at a meeting of members. However, only those members entitled to vote at the members' meeting according to the provisions of the Act, articles and by-laws are entitled to cast a vote at the meeting.

Chair of Members' Meetings
In the event that the chair of the board and the vice-chair of the board are absent, the members who are present and entitled to vote at the meeting shall choose one of their number to chair the meeting.

Quorum at Members' Meetings
A quorum at any meeting of the members (unless a greater number of members are required to be present by the Act) shall be 25 percent of the members entitled to vote at the meeting. If a quorum is present at the opening of a meeting of members, the members present may proceed with the business of the meeting even if a quorum is not present throughout the meeting.

Votes to Govern at Members' Meetings
At any meeting of members every question shall, unless otherwise provided by the articles or by-laws or by the Act, be determined by a majority of the votes cast on the questions. In case of an equality of votes either on a show of hands or on a ballot or on the results of electronic voting, the chair of the meeting in addition to an original vote shall have a second or casting vote.

Participation by Electronic Means at Members' Meetings
If the Corporation chooses to make available a telephonic, electronic or other communication facility that permits all participants to communicate adequately with each other during a meeting of members, any person entitled to attend such meeting may participate in the meeting by means of such telephonic, electronic or other communication facility in the manner provided by the Act. A person participating in a meeting by such means is deemed to be present at the meeting. Notwithstanding any other provision of this by-law, any person participating in a meeting of members pursuant to this section who is entitled to vote at that meeting may vote, in accordance with the Act, by means of any telephonic, electronic or other communication facility that the Corporation has made available for that purpose.

Members' Meeting Held Entirely by Electronic Means
If the directors or members of the Corporation call a meeting of members pursuant to the Act, those directors or members, as the case may be, may determine that the meeting shall be held, in accordance with the Act and the Regulations, entirely by means of a telephonic, electronic or other communication facility that permits all participants to communicate adequately with each other during the meeting.

Number of Directors
The board shall consist of the number of directors specified in the articles. If the articles provide for a minimum and maximum number of directors, the board shall be comprised of the fixed number of directors as determined from time to time by the members by ordinary resolution or, if the ordinary resolution empowers the directors to determine the number, by resolution of the board. In the case of a soliciting corporation the minimum number of directors may not be fewer than three (3), at least two of whom are not officers or employees of the Corporation or its affiliates.

Term of Office of Directors
The directors shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring not later than the close of the next annual meeting of members following the election.

Calling of Meetings of Board of Directors
Meetings of the board may be called by the chair of the board, the vice-chair of the board or any two (2) directors at any time. If the Corporation has only one director, that director may call and constitute a meeting.

Notice of Meeting of Board of Directors
Notice of the time and place for the holding of a meeting of the board shall be given in the manner provided in the section on giving notice of meeting of directors of this by-law to every director of the Corporation not less than 1 days before the time when the meeting is to be held. Notice of a meeting shall not be necessary if all of the directors are present, and none objects to the holding of the meeting, or if those absent have waived notice of or have otherwise signified their consent to the holding of such meeting. Notice of an adjourned meeting is not required if the time and place of the adjourned meeting is announced at the original meeting. Unless the by-law otherwise provides, no notice of meeting need specify the purpose or the business to be transacted at the meeting except that a notice of meeting of directors shall specify any matter referred to in subsection 138(2) (Limits on Authority) of the Act that is to be dealt with at the meeting.

Votes to Govern at Meetings of the Board of Directors
At all meetings of the board, every question shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast on the question. In case of an equality of votes, the chair of the meeting in addition to an original vote shall have a second or casting vote.

Committees of the Board of Directors
The board may from time to time appoint any committee or other advisory body, as it deems necessary or appropriate for such purposes and, subject to the Act, with such powers as the board shall see fit. Any such committee may formulate its own rules of procedure, subject to such regulations or directions as the board may from time to time make. Any committee member may be removed by resolution of the board of directors.

Appointment of Officers
The board may designate the offices of the Corporation, appoint officers on an annual or more frequent basis, specify their duties and, subject to the Act, delegate to such officers the power to manage the affairs of the Corporation. A director may be appointed to any office of the Corporation. An officer may, but need not be, a director unless these by-laws otherwise provide. Two or more offices may be held by the same person.

OFFICERS

Description of Offices

Unless otherwise specified by the board which may, subject to the Act modify, restrict or supplement such duties and powers, the offices of the Corporation, if designated and if officers are appointed, shall have the following duties and powers associated with their positions:

President - The shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation and shall be responsible for implementing the strategic plans and policies of the Corporation. The president shall, subject to the authority of the board, have general supervision of the affairs of the Corporation and will be chair of the board, and shall be a director. When present, preside at all meetings of the board of directors and of the members. The President shall have such other duties and powers as the board may specify.

Vice-President - The vice-president of the board, if one is to be appointed, shall be a director. If the President is absent or is unable or refuses to act, the vice-president of the board, if any, shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the board of directors and of the members. The vice-chair shall have such other duties and powers as the board may specify or the president may delegate.

FIDE Representative - The FIDE (Federation Internationale des Echecs) Representative shall be an officer of the corporation and a member of the Executive, and shall:
i) be the official liason between the Chess Federation of Canada and FIDE;
ii) be the FIDE Zone President for Canada;
iii) deal with matters relating to the FIDE Americas Continent;
iv) if funding is available, at minimum, attend the annual FIDE Congresses;
v) work with the Public Relations Coordinator in dealing with mainstream media on chess promotion as it relates to FIDE issues.

Secretary – If appointed, the secretary shall attend and be the secretary of all meetings of the board, members and committees of the board. The secretary shall enter or cause to be entered in the Corporation's minute book, minutes of all proceedings at such meetings; the secretary shall give, or cause to be given, as and when instructed, notices to members, directors, the public accountant and members of committees; the secretary shall be the custodian of all books, papers, records, documents and other instruments belonging to the Corporation.
Treasurer - If appointed, the treasurer shall have such powers and duties as the board may specify.

Youth Coordinator - The Youth Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating our participation in the World Junior Championship, the World Girls Championship, the WYCC, the Pan-American Junior and Youth Championships, The North American Junior and Youth Championships, the World Youth Chess Olympiad, and any other FIDE-related junior tournaments. The Youth Coordinator will be responsible for finding organizers for the Canadian Junior Championship and the Canadian Youth Chess Championships, and for assisting the Provincial Junior Coordinators in finding organizers for the Youth Chess Championships, and any Regional Qualifier Youth Chess Championships.

The powers and duties of all other officers of the Corporation shall be such as the terms of their engagement call for or the board or president requires of them. The board may, from time to time and subject to the Act, vary, add to or limit the powers and duties of any officer.

Vacancy in Office
In the absence of a written agreement to the contrary, the board may remove, whether for cause or without cause, any officer of the Corporation. Unless so removed, an officer shall hold office until the earlier of:
the officer's successor being appointed,
the officer's resignation,
such officer ceasing to be a director (if a necessary qualification of appointment) or
such officer's death.
If the office of any officer of the Corporation shall be or become vacant, the directors may, by resolution, appoint a person to fill such vacancy.

Invalidity of any Provisions of this By-law
The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this by-law shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this by-law.

Omissions and Errors
The accidental omission to give any notice to any member, director, officer, member of a committee of the board or public accountant, or the non-receipt of any notice by any such person where the Corporation has provided notice in accordance with the by-laws or any error in any notice not affecting its substance shall not invalidate any action taken at any meeting to which the notice pertained or otherwise founded on such notice.

By-laws and Effective Date
Subject to the articles, the board of directors may, by resolution, make, amend or repeal any by-laws that regulate the activities or affairs of the Corporation. Any such by-law, amendment or repeal shall be effective from the date of the resolution of directors until the next meeting of members where it may be confirmed, rejected or amended by the members by ordinary resolution. If the by-law, amendment or repeal is confirmed or confirmed as amended by the members it remains effective in the form in which it was confirmed. The by-law, amendment or repeal ceases to have effect if it is not submitted to the members at the next meeting of members or if it is rejected by the members at the meeting.

This section does not apply to a by-law that requires a special resolution of the members according to subsection 197(1) (fundamental change) of the Act because such by-law amendments or repeals are only effective when confirmed by members.

Member Discipline
The board shall have authority to suspend or expel any member from the Corporation for any one or more of the following grounds:
a. violating any provision of the articles, by-laws, or written policies of the Corporation;
b. carrying out any conduct which may be detrimental to the Corporation as determined by the board in its sole discretion;
c. for any other reason that the board in its sole and absolute discretion considers to be reasonable, having regard to the purpose of the Corporation.
In the event that the board determines that a member should be expelled or suspended from membership in the Corporation, the president, or such other officer as may be designated by the board, shall provide twenty (20) days notice of suspension or expulsion to the member and shall provide reasons for the proposed suspension or expulsion. The member may make written submissions to the president, or such other officer as may be designated by the board, in response to the notice received within such twenty (20) day period. In the event that no written submissions are received by the president, the president, or such other officer as may be designated by the board, may proceed to notify the member that the member is suspended or expelled from membership in the Corporation. If written submissions are received in accordance with this section, the board will consider such submissions in arriving at a final decision and shall notify the member concerning such final decision within a further twenty (20) days from the date of receipt of the submissions. The board's decision may be appealed to the class A voting members at the next regularly scheduled quarterly meeting.

The board decision may be overturned by a simple majority of class A voting members at the next quarterly meeting or alternatively in a special meeting called for by the board or 5% of the class A voting members.

The following are discussions that I had with Pierre Dénommée on our NFP application over the course of the last few days:

Hello Pierre,

We have to file a form 4031 which is called Articles of Continuance (transition)

https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cd-dgc.nsf/vwapj/FRM-4031-e.pdf/$file/FRM-4031-e.pdf

As the bylaws and the new not for profit act now stand the board gets to legislate between meetings of the voting members. Any bylaws passed by the board must be submitted to, voted upon and passed by the members at the next regularly scheduled meeting or they cease to have effect and cannot be reintroduced. They only have effect until the next quarterly meeting of the members. This is not unlike the current situation. Board members deal with questions that must be addressed between meetings of the governors.

I believe the provision that we deal with the debts at the time of dissolution would require that we deal with questions of the life members. I am reluctant to create a special class of members as this could result in a situation where the life members need to give a two thirds positive vote for any changes that have an effect on their membership including dissolution of the CFC. I think that this would be a nightmare in determining who the life members are, how to contact them, obtaining a quorum. My belief is that the life members are class B non-voting members who have eliminated the requirement to renew every year by becoming life members. Under the current proposed bylaw the non-voting class B members would have a vote in such situations and we would require a two thirds vote of those members which in itself would be a significant hurdle for anyone seeking to dissolve the CFC to jump.

I do not see any requirement that committees appointed by the board only contain members of the board. Unless the rules explicitly state this I don't see why we should infer this. I also do not see any barrier to the voting members creating their own committees. My philosophy here is to keep things simple, ensure that the CFC survives beyond October 17th, 2014 and we can fix any remaining bugs as we go once we have ensured that the CFC will survive.

I believe that the NAC and the Ethics committee are items that can be addressed with a new bylaw or simple adoption of the old bylaws after the CFC has survived the transition. I see no reason to complicate our task and risk a non-compliance ruling. We have to submit new bylaws to the government within one year of their passing (above and beyond the basic bylaw that has already been passed). While the rule for an ethics committee was passed there has been no effort to actually implement the committee so in effect the rule has been ignored by the executive and governors to this point. I recall when previous discussions were initiated on ethics rules there was no mention that a rule already existed.

I will post this conversation to the governors board as it brings up some interesting points.

With warm regards,

Vlad

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre Dénommée

We require much more then the bare minimum. The Act of Incorporation limits the power of the board of Directors. Many provisions of the model bylaw provision must go there if they are to have any effect at all. The class of members also goes there as are the right of the life members to a refund from the Foundation id the CFC cease to exist for any reason.

Also, some part of the bylaws are to be protected from modifications by the board of directors without member approval. By default, the board may modify the bylaws as it want.

The board of director CANNOT create a committee of members and delegate to it any kind of authority. Only committees of Directors are mentioned in the Act. The NAC must be mentioned in the Act of Incorporation because it is elected by the members and because it exercises real authority. Same goes for the Ethics committee.

Pierre

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vladimir Drkulec

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre Dénommée

We are still very far from the writing of the Act of Incorporation. Is there anything I can do?

I think we are ready for the meeting. The articles required by the government are quite streamlined requiring only a purpose and some minor pieces of information. I used the current purpose of the CFC section. I am not sure if we should perhaps cut it down or not but for now we will leave it intact and see what the governors think.

Vlad

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre Dénommée

Hi Vladimir,

Article 138 138. (1) Directors of a corporation may appoint from their number a managing director or a committee of directors and delegate to the managing director or committee any of the powers of the directors.

Only a committee of directors can have a delegation of power.

Again I don't see this in the regulations associated with the act.

Quote:

It is even worst under Quebec Laws because the Executive is the only committee that can have a delegation if authority. Quebec courts have always interpreted article like that restrictively: if it is not written in the Act, the director have no power to delegate authority.

Life members deserve a special class of members because they have paid for a service. If the CFC ever close, those members should recover some money from the foundation before all other members.

In the event of a wind up the members will get nothing beyond possibly a refund of the outstanding balance of their memberships. The life members will have to get a pro-rated refund. They will be creditors of the CFC. The Executive Director would get whatever they are entitled to under their contract. Everything else would go to one or more registered charities and not to the voting members or non-voting members. This is not a realistic scenario.

Quote:

I do no see how to guarantee that without a separate class of member.

I think the possibility of a class action lawsuit will be enough to guarantee fair treatment. I don't think that it is reasonable to spend to much time on a possibility which is quite remote.

Quote:

Most separate votes can be withdrawn by careful writing of the Act of Incorporation. For all other members, including honorary, the sole difference between those members is the length of the membership, the price and the age restriction.

If we do not know who is a life member, we have a serious problem.

We do know who they are but we may not be sure that they are still among the living in all cases nor are we guaranteed to know how to contact them.

Quote:

Some bylaws changes should required prior authorization from the member before becoming effective: for example terminating the affiliation with FIDE. If FIDE is notified that the CFC is withdrawing, they may not wait for voting member disapproval before naming a successor.

Again this (terminating affiliation with FIDE) would make little sense from the point of view of the CFC unless FIDE went crazy and started passing rules and requirements which were clearly not possible for the CFC to meet. The act covers most of the rules and procedures required of not for profit corporations. It is not possible to anticipate every contingency.

Quote:

The core problem is that repelled bylaws ceased to be in force only at the date of the vote and that any decision taken while the modified bylaws were in effect are not changed. For example, if the Olympic Selection bylaw is modified by the board of directors and later the governors refuse the change, the already selected member of the Olympic team would remain unchanged. It is not within the authority of a voting member to choose the national team. If the directors try to rescind the national team nominations, they could get sued.

Pierre

The voting members will have to ensure that they vote for board members who do not make inexplicable decisions.

This has probably been discussed elsewhere, but clarify for me again, how the Class A membership is applied for and accepted. Is there a specific bylaw covering this?

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Originally Posted by Garland Best

This has probably been discussed elsewhere, but clarify for me again, how the Class A membership is applied for and accepted. Is there a specific bylaw covering this?

You apply for Class A membership by accepting a nomination and running to be governor/Class A voting member. We will continue to elect and appoint Class A members in the same manner that we have elected governors in the past. The day that our application for continuation (transition) is accepted all the governors will become Class A members until the next AGM at which point there will be a new group of Class A voting members from the various AGM's of each of the provinces and/or leagues in the case of Ontario.

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Originally Posted by Vladimir Drkulec

You apply for Class A membership by accepting a nomination and running to be governor/Class A voting member. We will continue to elect and appoint Class A members in the same manner that we have elected governors in the past. The day that our application for continuation (transition) is accepted all the governors will become Class A members until the next AGM at which point there will be a new group of Class A voting members from the various AGM's of each of the provinces and/or leagues in the case of Ontario.

What about " Is there a specific bylaw covering this?"

How many more bylaws will be necessary to write down?

The mechanism of applying and accepting class A membership should be an explicit bylaw.

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Originally Posted by Egidijus Zeromskis

What about " Is there a specific bylaw covering this?"

"The term of membership of a Class A voting member shall be annual, subject to renewal in accordance with the policies of the Corporation."

The policies of the Corporation as outlined in the handbook will apply here.

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How many more bylaws will be necessary to write down?

All bylaw changes after the continuation require only that we inform the government within one year that we have passed the new bylaw. The new bylaws are not scrutinized by the government but merely put in our file.

I expect that the submission listed here will easily pass muster as it is largely based on the government's suggested sample bylaws. Given the fact that I have a limited amount of time and that my extra help was Frank Lee and Pierre Dénommée we are probably about three months ahead of where I expected that we would be when we started the process. Pierre has occasionally been a bit of an alarmist about some of the provisions of the NFP act and our implementation but he has been very useful in that regard in forcing me to look at the act and government websites about each of the concerns that he has raised.

The new NFP act is not a great piece of legislation. Some of its provisions are not so helpful. It is designed to streamline not for profit governance from the point of view of the government and not necessarily the non-profit corporations. In the past you were required to throw in everything including the kitchen sink into your bylaws. Now much of what used to belong in the corporate bylaws is contained in the act. If we explicitly include every CFC policy and every bylaw in the original submission we will needlessly complicate our task in years to come so that something as simple as a fee increase or decrease even will require a special resolution of members with a two hundred dollar or more fee with a potential monkey wrench being thrown into the works by any of the parties that a change impacts. We will almost certainly generate red flags which might potentially derail our application and put at risk every one of our assets if we don't sort them out quickly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garland Best

The mechanism of applying and accepting class A membership should be an explicit bylaw.

It should be an explicit bylaw if you don't plan on ever making any changes. Changes that require a special resolution can be very expensive. Instead of a bylaw we have a policy which can be changed fairly easily.

I will have some more to say on this later including some fresh concerns by Pierre but at the moment I have to go teach some chess lessons.

Ok, now I am confused and worried. What is the difference between a bylaw and a policy? And who determines which?

Any changes to how Class A members are selected SHOULD be a constitional change. It's fundamental to how the members are represented. If "policies" fall under the jurisdiction of the executive, and do not require at least a 2/3 majority of the class A members to be changed, then we have a serious issue at the core of the system.

There should be some statement that the body of class A members consist of X constitutients:

1) X persons from each province, where X is the number of class B mambers in that province/50.
2) X persons representing special roles within the CFC (examples: the currrent Canadian Champion, the past President).

If the issue is the Life Governors, then my position on this has been clearly stated in other places.

Bottom line: I do not believe such an important part of the CFC organization should be left undefined. I will not be willing to give my support if it is left like this.

I understand your concern Garland. You appear to believe that we should maintain the status quo with respect to members per Governor. Would you mind restating your position on Life Governors?