Bye-laws A

BYE - LAWS, Section A
October 2008

ORGANISATION AND ADMINISTRATION

ARRANGEMENT OF PARAGRAPHS

Part I. Membership of the Union

1. Application for Affiliation

2. Application for Association

3. Application for Class B Membership (Subscribing Members)

4. Allocation of District Council

5. Overseas Regional Councils

6. Overseas Representatives

7. Spiritualists' Lyceum Union

8. Credential Cards

9. Proxies

10. Subscriptions

11. Register of Members

Part II. The National Executive Committee and the Council

12. Elections and Appointments

13. National Executive Committee, Standing Committees and Sub-Committees

14. Duties and Functions of National Councillors

15. Qualifications for Office

16. Nominations for Elective Positions

17. Nominations for Financial Director and Chairmen of Standing Committees

18. Voting in Elections

19. Council Member to National Executive Committee

20. Vacancies

Part III. Elective Auditors

21. Qualifications

22. Nomination and Election

23. Duties

Part IV. General Meetings

24. Summoning of General Meetings

25. Motions for Annual General Meeting

26. Motions at General Meetings

27. Voting at Meetings

Part V. Standing Orders

28. General

29. The Chair

30. Rules of Debate

31. Motions

32. Amendments

Part VI. General

33. Interpretation

SCHEDULE 1                         Duties and Functions of Designated Standing Committees
SCHEDULE 2                         Duties and Functions of Sub-Committees of the National Executive Committee
SCHEDULE 3                         Stansted Hall Estate
SCHEDULE 4                         Standing Orders for Meetings of the Council

PART I. MEMBERSHIP OF THE UNION

1. Application for Affiliation

(1) An application by a body for affiliation to the Union shall be made on the prescribed form in duplicate to the General Secretary of the Union.

(2) No restricted body shall be accepted into affiliation with the Union.

(3) A copy of every application by a body within the United Kingdom shall be forwarded by the General Secretary to the Secretary of the District Council in which the body is situated for investigation and report as prescribed in Bye-laws B. In case of doubt as to which is the appropriate District Council and/or where special circumstances exist, the Officers of the Union shall decide.

(4) Where an application for affiliation has been accepted on a provisional basis full affiliation shall be granted, deferred or rejected by the National Executive Committee only after the receipt of a report from the appropriate District Council or the expiry of six months from the date of such acceptance, whichever is the earlier.

2. Application for Association

(1) An application by a society for association with the Union shall be made on the prescribed form in duplicate to the General Secretary of the Union.

(2) A copy of every application by a body within the United Kingdom shall be forwarded by the General Secretary to the Secretary of the District Council in which the body is situated for investigation and report as prescribed in Bye-laws B. In case of doubt as to which is the appropriate District Council and/or where special circumstances exist, the Officers of the Union shall decide.

(3) Where an application for association has been accepted on a provisional basis full affiliation shall be granted, deferred or rejected by the National Executive Committee only after the receipt of a report from the appropriate District Council or the expiry of six months from the date of such acceptance, whichever is the earlier.

3. Application for Class B Membership (Subscribing Members)

(1) An application by an individual for Class B membership of the Union shall be made on the prescribed form to the General Secretary of the Union. Such application must be endorsed by two fully paid-up Class B members of the Union, at least one of whom shall be allocated to the District Council in which the applicant resides and have been a Class B member for a period of not less than three years immediately prior to the date of application; in special circumstances it shall be supported by such other recommendations as may be acceptable to the National Executive Committee.

(2) No person shall become or remain a Class B member if he is a member of, holds any award or appointment of, or takes part in the management of, a restricted body.

(3) Every application or a copy thereof shall be forwarded by the General Secretary to the Secretary of the District Council in which the applicant resides for investigation and report as prescribed in Bye-laws B. In case of doubt as to which is the appropriate District Council and/or where special circumstances exist, the Officers of the Union shall decide.

(4) An application from a resident outside the United Kingdom shall be made on the prescribed form and shall be supported by such other recommendations as may be acceptable to the National Executive Committee.

(5) No person shall become a full Class B member unless he has completed the SNU Induction Course.

(6) Where an application for Class B membership has been accepted on a provisional basis full Class B membership shall be granted, deferred or rejected by the National Executive Committee only after the receipt of a report from the appropriate District Council or the expiry of twelve months from the date of such acceptance, whichever is the earlier.

(7) Class D membership shall cease upon acceptance into full Class B membership.

(8) The names of all applicants who have been refused Class B membership shall be notified to the secretaries of all district councils.

(9) (a) A decision by the National Executive Committee to reject an application for full Class B membership shall in the first instance be provisional and shall not become operative until twenty-eight working days after written notification of the decision to the applicant. If during that period a written request for a review of the decision is received from the applicant the decision shall be suspended pending the review.

(b) For each such review a panel of three persons shall be appointed by the Class B Representative from among the National Councillors. No panel shall include any member of the National Executive Committee. No member allocated to the same district council as the applicant shall take an active part in the review. The Class B Representative shall chair the review unless he is allocated to the same district council as the applicant, in which case he may be in attendance.

(c) The applicant, the district council to which he is allocated, and the National Executive Committee may make a written submission to the panel, which shall not otherwise make or receive any written or verbal communication on the matter. Otherwise, the panel shall have the power to determine its own procedures.

(d) The panel shall have no power to revise the provisional decision but shall submit its recommendation to the National Executive Committee, which shall then accept, defer or reject the application.

(e) Provisional Class B membership shall cease upon rejection of the application.

4. Allocation of District Council

(1) Except as provided in sub-paragraph (2) below, Class B members, affiliated bodies and associated bodies shall be allocated to the district council area in which the member resides or the meeting-place of the body is situated as the case may be.

(2) A request by a Class B member for transfer to a district council other than the one in which he resides may be granted by the National Executive Committee subject to consultation with the district councils concerned.

(3) Class D members shall be allocated to the district council area in which the meeting-place of the registering Church is situated.

(4) A request by an affiliated body or an associated body for transfer to a district council other than the one in which its meeting-place is situated may be granted by the National Executive Committee subject to the prior passing in general meeting of an ordinary resolution with special notice to this effect and subject to consultation with the district councils concerned.

5. Overseas Regional Councils

(1) Overseas affiliated and associated bodies may be grouped into Regional Councils by the National Executive Committee, who may from time to time vary such grouping.

(2) Each such Regional Council shall consist of not less than five such bodies together with such other persons as may be admitted by the National Executive Committee.

(3) The National Executive Committee shall from time to time make regulations for the composition and administration of such Regional Councils and the conduct of their meetings.

(4) Such Regional Councils and their Officers and Committees shall have such functions, powers and responsibilities as may from time to time be prescribed by the National Executive Committee. In the exercise of such functions, powers and responsibilities they shall conform to such regulations and directions as may from time to time be imposed either generally or specially by the National Executive Committee.

6. Overseas Representatives

(1) For any overseas region in which no Regional Council is for the time being established, the National Executive Committee may from time to time appoint an Overseas Representative, who shall have such functions, powers and responsibilities as may from time to time be prescribed by the National Executive Committee.

(2) No person shall be eligible for appointment as an Overseas Representative unless he is a fully paid-up Class B Member of the Union and is fluent in English and, where appropriate, in the principal language of the region.

7. Spiritualists' Lyceum Union

The Spiritualists' Lyceum Union shall be entitled to elect one of its members for each 50, or part of 50, affiliated Lyceums, as its accredited representative or representatives to attend and vote at general meetings of the Union. Such representatives shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Lyceum Union or in default thereof by the Central Committee of the Lyceum Union.

8. Credential Cards

(1) A credential card issued to a member of the National Executive Committee shall be valid for his period of office.

(2) A credential card issued to the accredited representative of the Council shall be valid for his period of office.

(3) A credential card for a Class A, C or D member shall relate to a calendar year but shall remain valid until 31st March of the following year or until such earlier date as a new credential card shall be issued to replace it.

(4) A credential card for a Class B member shall relate to a subscription year as provided for in paragraph 10 below but shall remain valid until 31st December of the following subscription year or until such earlier date as a new card shall be issued to replace it.

(5) Credential cards for Class A or C member or members shall be issued by the General Secretary on receipt of:-

(a) payment of all outstanding and current subscriptions;

(b) the prescribed Annual Return Form, duly completed, showing amongst other things the names and addresses of the principal officers and accredited representative/s; and

(c) a copy of the audited statements of accounts for the last financial year, in the prescribed or other satisfactory form.

9. Proxies

(1) If a Class A or Class C member is unable to represent his affiliated body at a general meeting of the Union he may appoint another full member of his body as a proxy after consultation with the Committee (if possible) as to suitable persons.

(2) If the accredited representative of the Council is unable to represent it at a general meeting of the Union he may appoint another member of the Council (other than an Officer or the Council Member to the National Executive Committee) as a proxy.

(3) An instrument of proxy must be in the following form and must be presented to the General Secretary or his deputy before admission to the meeting:-

"I, ..................., of ....................., being an accredited representative of ................ aand being registered as such at the office of the Union, hereby appoint .............. ,

of ......................, as my proxy to attend and use my credential card at the general

meeting of the Union to be held at ..................... on the .......... day of .......... 20......

and at every adjournment thereof.

Signed ........................................

Dated .........................................

10. Subscriptions

(1) The subscription of a Class B member shall become due and payable in advance on 1st October in each year, the twelve months ending on the following 30th September constituting the subscription year.

(2) All other subscriptions shall become due and payable in advance on 1st January in each year.

11. Register of Members

A register of the various classes of members shall be maintained at the Union's office.

PART II. THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND THE COUNCIL

12. Elections and Appointments

Except as otherwise provided, all elections and appointments shall take place annually.

13. National Executive Committee, Standing Committees and Sub-Committees

(1) Every member of the National Executive Committee is expected to attend its regular meetings, to maintain the confidentiality of its business, to take a due share in its work, both at meetings and by correspondence, and at all times to conduct themselves as representatives of the National Executive Committee. They shall not become accredited representatives as Class A members or act as accredited representatives of District Councils or other Branches.

(2) The Officers are responsible to the National Executive Committee for the supervision of the work of the Union's office and for the despatch of business between meetings of the National Executive Committee, and shall make such decisions in an emergency as they deem necessary, subject to report at the following meeting.

(3) The Financial Director shall be responsible to the National Executive Committee for superintending the financial affairs of the Union and for such other duties as the National Executive Committee may assign to him.

(4) (a) The Officers may designate and regulate the number of Standing Committees as they deem necessary.

(b) Each Standing Committee shall consist of:-

(i) a Chairman appointed annually in accordance with Article 27(2)(d);

(ii) the President ex officio or a Vice-President delegated by him from time to time;

(iii) such other persons as may be deemed from time to time by the National Executive Committee to be ex-officio members of that Standing Committee;

(iv) not more than five other persons appointed annually by the Chairman after consultation with the President.

(c) The Chairman of each Standing Committee, in consultation with the President, shall appoint a Secretary to the Committee, who, subject to (e) below, shall be a member of the Committee.

(d) Every member of a Standing Committee shall be a Class B member.

(e) Every member of the following Standing Committees shall hold the qualification prescribed below:-

(i) in the case of the Education Committee and the Training & Awards Committee, any appointment or award of the Union with the exception of the Award of Merit, the Gold Service Award and the Long Service Award;

(ii) in the case of the Healing Committee, the Union's Diploma or Certificate of Recognition in Spiritual Healing;

(iii) in the case of the Ministers Administration Committee, Ministership or appointment as an Officiant.

(f) Every appointed member of a Standing Committee other than the Chairman shall hold office until the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting following his appointment or the earlier termination of his appointment by the National Executive Committee.

(g) Each Standing Committee shall have power, subject to the reasonable requirements of the General Secretary, to call upon the services of the clerical, accounting and secretarial staff of the Union.

(5) Each Standing Committee shall carry out such duties and functions as are provided in Schedule 1 of these Bye-laws, together with such other duties and functions as may be assigned to it from time to time by the President.

(6) Every member of a Standing Committee is expected to attend its regular meetings, to maintain the confidentiality of its business, to take a due share in its work, both at meetings and by correspondence, and at all times to conduct themselves as representatives of the Standing Committee.

(7) (a) The National Executive Committee may delegate any of its duties and functions to individuals or sub-committees. Any such individual or sub-committee shall, in the exercise of such delegated duties and functions, conform to any regulations that may be imposed by the National Executive Committee.

(b) Each sub-committee of the National Executive Committee shall consist of:-

(i) a Chairman appointed annually by the National Executive Committee;

(ii) A Secretary or Clerk appointed annually by the National Executive Committee;

(iii) such persons as may be deemed from time to time by the National Executive Committee to be ex-officio members of that sub-committee;

(iv) not more than six other persons appointed annually by the National Executive Committee.

(c) Every member of a sub-committee of the National Executive Committee shall be a Class B member. No person shall be eligible for any position on the Arbitration Committee or the Appeals Board if he is a member of a Standing Committee or another sub-committee of the National Executive Committee or an employee of the Union.

(d) Every appointed member of a sub-committee of the National Executive Committee shall hold office until the termination of his appointment by the National Executive Committee.

(e) Each sub-committee of the National Executive Committee shall have power, subject to the reasonable requirements of the General Secretary, to call upon the services of the clerical, accounting and secretarial staff of the Union.

(8) Each sub-committee of the National Executive Committee shall carry out such duties and functions as are provided in Schedule 2 of these Bye-laws.

(9) Every member of a sub-committee of the National Executive Committee is expected to attend its regular meetings, to maintain the confidentiality of its business, to take a due share in its work, both at meetings and by correspondence, and at all times to conduct themselves as representatives of the sub-committee.

(10) (a) There shall be a Ways and Means Committee, of which every member of the National Executive Committee shall be a member.

(b) The quorum for a meeting of the Ways and Means Committee shall be six members.

(c) The Ways and Means Committee shall meet only on those occasions when a scheduled meeting of the National Executive Committee is unable to take place owing to lack of a quorum.

(d) The Ways and Means Committee shall discuss those matters which it considers urgent and which would have been placed before the scheduled meeting of the National Executive Committee and it shall make recommendations thereon for subsequent postal resolution by the National Executive Committee.

(e) The Ways and Means Committee shall have no power to hold ad-hoc meetings or to take decisions.

(11) (a) The National Executive Committee may at any time appoint not more than three Ordinary Members, who shall carry out the duties and functions assigned to them by the National Executive Committee.

(b) Every Ordinary Member shall hold office until the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting following his appointment.

14. The Council

(1) Every National Councillor shall hold office from the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting following his election or appointment to the conclusion of the second Annual General Meeting thereafter.

(2) Immediately following notification of a change of National Councillor the General Secretary shall supply the incoming National Councillor with information relevant to the discharge of his duties, including the requirements of this paragraph and the dates, times and venues of meetings.

(3) An induction meeting shall be held for all incoming National Councillors, which they shall be required to attend. Such meeting shall be held immediately prior to their first Council meeting and shall be conducted by an Officer or Officers of the Union and the Council Member to the National Executive Committee.

(4) The Council shall deal only with matters raised by or on behalf of the National Executive Committee or National Councillors which affect the Union as a whole. The Council may set up working parties from its own number to consider specific matters and report thereon to the Council.

(5) (a) The agenda for each Council meeting shall be prepared by the General Secretary and shall consist of:-

(i) matters raised by the National Executive Committee or the Officers of the Union at any time;

(ii) matters added at the direction of the Council Member to the National Executive Committee not later than three weeks prior to the Council meeting;

(iii) matters notified in writing by any other National Councillor to the Council Member to the National Executive Committee not later than four weeks prior to the Council meeting.

(b) All matters under (ii) and (iii) above shall be notified in writing to the General Secretary by the Council Member to the National Executive Committee not later than three weeks prior to the Council meeting.

(6) The duties and functions of National Councillors shall be as follows:-

(i) To attend the regular meetings of the Council.

(ii) To maintain the confidentiality of Council business.

(iii) To take a due share in the work, both at meetings and by correspondence or other communication.

(iv) To make such written reports to the district council executive committee and district council general meetings on such Council business as may be appropriate.

(v) To submit for inclusion on the Council agenda matters which affect the Union as a whole.

(vi) At the direction of the Council, to place matters on the agendas of the district council executive committee meetings and district council general meetings and report thereon to the Council.

(vii) To conduct themselves at all times as representatives of the Council.

(7) The duties and functions of the Class B National Councillor shall be as follows:-

(a) to promote the recruitment of Class B members;

(b) to liaise with District Council Class B Representatives;

(d) to be fully conversant with Class B membership administration at head office;

(e) to speak on motions affecting Class B members;

(f) to organise Conferences of Class B members from time to time to discuss points of common interest;

(g) to appoint panels, as and when required, under paragraph 1 of these Bye-laws.

(8) The duties and functions of the Council Member to the National Executive Committee shall be as follows:-

(i) To represent the Council on the National Executive Committee.

(ii) To make such written and verbal reports to or on behalf of the Council as may be necessary from time to time.

(iii) To act as spokesman for the Council at general meetings on motions or other matters as directed by the Council.

(iv) To co-ordinate, compile and report communication from National Councillors to the Council between meetings.

(v) To submit to the General Secretary for inclusion on the Council agenda:-

(a) matters which he himself considers appropriate;

(b) matters submitted by other National Councillors.

(vi) To assist in conducting the induction meeting for incoming National Councillors.

(9) (a) The Council shall elect an accredited representative annually to attend and vote at general meetings of the Union.

(b) Such accredited representative must be a National Councillor other than an Officer or the Council Member to the National Executive Committee.

(c) Such accredited representative shall be elected from among persons nominated for this position by National Councillors.

(d) Such accredited representative may be removed from office by resolution of the Council either at a meeting or by postal vote.

(e) The Council shall ensure that its minutes, together with relevant memoranda, documents, etc., are circularised promptly to all members of the National Executive Committee in addition to National Councillors.

(f) All such minutes and documents shall be the property of the National Councillors for the time being and shall be retained by them for a period of not less than two years.

(g) Every National Councillor shall within six weeks of his retirement or resignation hand over only to his successor all documents relating to the business of the Council for the two years immediately prior to his retirement or resignation. In the event of his failure to comply the General Secretary shall supply the appropriate documentation to his successor.

(10) National Councillors shall not become accredited representatives as Class A members or act as Accredited Representatives of District Councils or other Branches.

15. Qualifications for Office

(1) No person shall be eligible for any position if he is a member of any restricted body or holds any position in, or any award or appointment of, such body.

(2) The following additional conditions must be fulfilled to render a person eligible for position:-

(a) President and Vice-President

(i) Any one of the following :-

(1) Membership of the National Executive Committee or Council during a period or periods totalling not less than two years; or

(2) Chairmanship of a sub-committee of the National Executive Committee during a period or periods totalling not less than two years within the seven years immediately prior to the date of nomination; or

(3) Membership of a Standing Committee or a sub-committee of the National Executive Committee during a period or periods totalling not less than three years within the seven years immediately prior to the date of nomination; or

(4) Membership of a district council executive committee during a period or periods totalling not less than five years within the ten years immediately prior to the date of nomination.

(ii) Full membership of an affiliated church or churches and Class B membership of the Union, both at the date of nomination and also over a period of not less than ten years immediately prior to the date of nomination.

(iii) The receipt of not less than ten valid nominations for office.

(b) Financial Director

(i) Class B membership of the Union, both at the date of nomination and also over a period of not less than six years immediately prior to the date of nomination.

(ii) The receipt of not less than ten valid nominations for office.

(i) Class B membership of the Union, both at the date of nomination and also over a period of not less than four years immediately prior to the date of nomination.

(ii) The receipt of not less than four valid nominations for office.

(iii) The holding of the following over a period of not less than three years immediately prior to the date of nomination:-

(a) in the case of the Chairman of the Education Committee, the holding of any Union Diploma except the Approved Teacher's Diploma (TSNU);

(b) in the case of the Chairman of the Training & Awards Committee, the holding of any Union Diploma which required the passing of a practical assessment;

(c) in the case of the Chairman of the Healing Committee, the holding of the Union's Diploma in Spiritual Healing (DSNU(H));

(d) in the case of the Chairman of the Ministers Administration Committee, the Ministership of the Union.

(d) Ordinary Members

Class B membership of the Union, both at the date of appointment and also over a period of not less than four years immediately prior to the date of appointment.

(e) Class B National Councillor

(i) Class B membership of the Union, both at the date of nomination and also over a period of not less than four years immediately prior to the date of nomination.

(ii) The receipt of not less than four valid nominations for office.

For the purpose of this sub-paragraph a year may be reckoned as the period from the date of one Annual General Meeting to that of the next Annual General Meeting, and in the case of a serving member of the National Executive Committee or Council may include the period that will elapse between the date of nomination and the date of the following Annual General Meeting.

(3) No candidate shall be eligible for office unless on or before the 14th day after the close of nominations for that office:-

(i) he is a fully paid-up Class B member of the Union, having qualified for a current credential card in accordance with the Articles of Association; and

(ii) he has accepted candidature by informing the General Secretary in writing of his willingness to carry out the duties of the office if elected or appointed as the case may be, and his agreement to resign if his loyalties to another organisation conflict with his duties and loyalties to the Union.

16. Nominations for Elective Positions

(1) Nomination forms, stating the positions to be filled and the names of the retiring holders, shall be issued not later than the 15th February to each Class B member holding a valid credential card at the date of issue of nominations and to the secretary of each affiliated body. The forms shall carry a statement drawing attention to the qualifications required of a candidate and to the conditions qualifying members to vote in the elections.

(2) With each set of nomination papers there shall be issued a small envelope marked with the class of membership, and a larger envelope similarly marked and addressed to the General Secretary.

(3) Each Class B member may make one nomination for each position for which he is entitled to vote, and each affiliated body may make one nomination for each position for which its accredited representative or representatives is or are entitled to vote. Nominations shall be valid only if made on the official form. A nomination made by a Class B member must be signed by him, and a nomination made by an affiliated body must be signed by two of its officers.

(4) The nomination form must be sealed in the small envelope, which must be enclosed in the larger envelope. The outer envelope must bear the name in block letters and the usual signature of the Class B member or in the case of an affiliated body two of its officers and be returned to the General Secretary so as to reach him not later than the 31st March. Until the count the sealed envelopes shall remain unopened in the custody of the General Secretary, who may in preparation for the count sort them into categories.

(5) The nominations shall be counted by the elective auditors. The elective auditors shall first check the names on the outer envelopes with the official list of members and shall put aside unopened any envelopes bearing names of persons who appear not to be qualified nominators or as to which there appears to be doubt or duplication. They shall then open the outer envelopes which they have accepted as valid and place the inner envelopes, still sealed, in ballot boxes. Thereafter they shall open the inner envelopes and count the nominations. The elective auditors shall certify the result of the count in writing to the President and Vice-Presidents.

(6) In the event of the death or withdrawal of a candidate between the receipt of his acceptance of candidature and the issue of voting papers his name shall be removed from the voting paper.

(7) All nomination papers and outer envelopes shall be retained at the office of the Union for two years after the declaration of the result.

17. Nominations for Financial Director and Chairmen of Standing Committees

(2) With each set of nomination papers there shall be issued a small envelope marked with the class of membership, and a larger envelope similarly marked and addressed to the General Secretary.

(3) Each affiliated body and Class B member may make one nomination for each position of Financial Director and Chairmen of Standing Committees. Nominations shall be valid only if made on the official form. A nomination made by a Class B member must be signed by him, and a nomination made by an affiliated body must be signed by two of its officers.

(4) The nomination form must be sealed in the small envelope, which must be enclosed in the larger envelope. The outer envelope must bear the name in block letters and the usual signature of the Class B member or in the case of an affiliated body two of its officers and be returned to the General Secretary so as to reach him not later than five weeks before the Annual General Meeting. Until the count the sealed envelopes shall remain unopened in the custody of the General Secretary, who may in preparation for the count sort them into categories.

(6) All nomination papers and outer envelopes shall be retained at the office of the Union for two years after the declaration of the result.

18. Voting in Elections

(1) Sets of voting papers shall be issued:-

(a) not later than nine weeks before the Annual General Meeting, to or in respect of members who have qualified for current credential cards;

(b) thereafter, in respect of Class A or Class C members who so qualify not later than six weeks before the Annual General Meeting.

(2) The voting papers shall be issued to the secretaries of the respective affiliated bodies.

(3) With each set of voting papers there shall be issued a small envelope marked with the class of membership, and a larger envelope similarly marked and addressed to the General Secretary.

(4) The voting papers must be sealed in the small envelope, which must be enclosed in the larger envelope. The outer envelope must bear the name in block letters and usual signature of the Class A, Class C or Class B member and (in the case of a Class A or Class C member) also bear the name of the affiliated body and district council, and be returned to the General Secretary so as to reach him not later than five weeks before the Annual General Meeting. Until the count the sealed envelopes shall remain unopened in the custody of the General Secretary, who may in preparation for the count sort them into categories.

(5) The votes shall be counted by the elective auditors. The elective auditors shall first check the names on the outer envelopes with the official list of members and shall put aside unopened any envelopes bearing names of persons who appear not to be qualified voters or as to which there appears to be doubt or duplication. They shall then open the outer envelopes which they have accepted as valid and place the inner envelopes, still sealed, in ballot boxes; thereafter they shall open the inner envelopes and count the votes. The elective auditors shall certify the result of the count in writing to the President and Vice-Presidents, who shall cause the result to be notified to candidates and published as soon as practicable, and the result so certified and published shall be final and conclusive unless declared invalid by reason of some substantial and significant defect of procedure, by the National Executive Committee or by the Arbitration Committee.

(6) (a) The candidate with the highest number of votes shall be declared elected.

(b) If there are two offices to be filled from the same election, the two persons with the highest number of votes shall be declared elected.

(7) In the event of either:-

(a) the death of a candidate between the issue of voting papers and the close of the Annual General Meeting; or

(b) the withdrawal of all candidates between the close of voting and the close of the Annual General Meeting

fresh elections shall be held in as nearly as possible the same manner as the regular elections. The dates for issue and return of nomination forms and voting papers shall be fixed by the National Executive Committee, who shall allow not less than four weeks between the issue and return of voting papers. The incumbent shall vacate office and the person elected shall take office at the end of seven days after the certification by the elective auditors of the results of the elections.

(8) All voting papers and outer envelopes shall be retained at the office of the Union for two years after the declaration of the result.

19. Council Member to National Executive Committee

(1) The Council shall elect annually one member of the National Executive Committee from among National Councillors.

(2) Nomination forms for such position, together with a list of National Councillors elected or appointed to serve for the forthcoming electoral year, shall be issued to each National Councillor not later than fourteen weeks before the Annual General Meeting.

(3) With each nomination form there shall be issued a small envelope, and a larger envelope addressed to the General Secretary.

(4) Each National Councillor may make one nomination. Nominations shall be valid only if made on the official form. Three valid nominations shall be required to render a candidate effectively nominated.

(5) The nomination form must be sealed in the small envelope, which must be enclosed in the larger envelope. The outer envelope must bear the name in block letters and the usual signature of the National Councillor and be returned to the General Secretary so as to reach him not later than eleven weeks before the Annual General Meeting. Until the count the sealed envelopes shall remain unopened in the custody of the General Secretary.

(6) The nominations shall be counted by one of the elective auditors. The elective auditor shall first check the names on the outer envelopes with the official list of members and shall put aside unopened any envelopes bearing names of persons who appear not to be qualified nominators or as to which there appears to be doubt or duplication. He shall then open the outer envelopes which he has accepted as valid and place the inner envelopes, still sealed, into a ballot box. Thereafter he shall open the inner envelopes and count the nominations. The elective auditor shall certify the result of the count in writing to the General Secretary.

(7) No candidate shall be eligible for the position unless on or before the fourteenth day after the close of nominations for that position he has informed the General Secretary in writing of his willingness to carry out the duties of the office if elected and his agreement to resign if his loyalties to another organisation conflict with his duties and loyalties to the Union.

(8) The election of the Council Member to the National Executive Committee shall take place by postal vote.

(9) A voting paper shall be issued not later than eight weeks before the Annual General Meeting to all National Councillors.

(10) With each set of voting papers there shall be issued a small envelope and a larger envelope addressed to the General Secretary.

(11) The voting paper must be sealed in the small envelope, which must be enclosed in the larger envelope. The outer envelope must bear the name in block letters and the usual signature of the National Councillor and be returned to the General Secretary so as to reach him not later than five weeks before the Annual General Meeting. Until the count the sealed envelopes shall remain unopened in the custody of the General Secretary.

(12) The vote shall be counted by the elective auditors. The elective auditors shall first check the names on the outer envelopes with the official list of members and shall put aside unopened any envelopes bearing names of persons who appear not to be qualified voters or as to which there appears to be doubt or duplication. They shall then open the outer envelopes which they have accepted as valid and place the inner envelopes, still sealed, into a ballot box. Thereafter they shall open the inner envelopes and count the votes. The elective auditors shall certify the result of the count in writing to the General Secretary.

(13) The candidate with the highest number of votes shall be declared elected. In the event of an equality of votes the President shall be entitled to a second or casting vote.

(14) All nomination papers, voting papers and outer envelopes shall be retained at the office of the Union for two years after the declaration of the result.

20. Vacancies

(1) A vacancy in the office of President, Vice-President or Financial Director shall be filled by the National Executive Committee either by co-option or election of a qualified person or may remain unfilled if a period of less than three months remains of the term of office.

(2) A vacancy in the Chairman of a Standing Committee shall be filled by appointment by the Officers after consultation with the members of that Committee.

(3) A vacancy in the office of Council Member to the National Executive Committee shall be filled by the Council by election of a qualified person.

(4) A vacancy in the office of District Council National Councillor shall be filled by the executive committee of the district council.

(5) A vacancy in the office of the Lyceum National Councillor shall be filled by the Central Committee of the Lyceum Union.

(6) A vacancy in the office of the Class B National Councillor shall be filled by the National Executive Committee either by cooption or election of a qualified person, or may remain unfilled if a period less than three months remains of the annual term of office.

(7) A vacancy in the office of elective auditor shall be filled by the National Executive Committee by appointment of a qualified person.

(8) Except as provided for in (9) below, elections for a vacancy shall be held in as nearly as possible the same manner as the regular elections. The dates for issue and return of nomination forms and voting papers shall be fixed by the National Executive Committee, who shall allow not less than four weeks between the issue and return of nomination forms and not less than four weeks between the issue and return of voting papers.

(9) Elections for a vacancy in the office of Council Member to the National Executive Committee shall be held in such manner as the National Executive Committee shall determine.

PART III. ELECTIVE AUDITORS

21. Qualifications

(1) No person shall be eligible for the position of elective auditor if he is a member of any restricted body or holds any position in, or any award or appointment of, such body.

(2) In addition to the above, the qualifications for elective auditor shall be Class B membership of the Union for the three years immediately preceding nomination, and the receipt of not less than four valid nominations for office. An elective auditor shall not hold any position on the National Executive Committee, the Council or a Standing Committee.

22. Nomination and Election

(1) Paragraph 16 of these Bye-laws shall apply to the nomination of candidates for election as elective auditors.

(2) No candidate shall be eligible for office unless on or before the 14th day after the close of nominations:-

(i) he is a fully paid-up Class B member of the Union, having qualified for a current credential card in accordance with the Articles of Association; and

(ii) he has accepted candidature by informing the General Secretary in writing of his willingness to carry out the duties of the office if elected and his agreement to resign if his loyalties to another organisation conflict with his duties and loyalties to the Union.

(3) The voting shall take place by ballot at the Annual General Meeting, and the candidate with the highest number of votes shall be declared elected.

(4) All nomination papers, voting papers and outer envelopes shall be retained at the office of the Union for two years after the declaration of the result.

23. Duties

(1) The duties of the Elective Auditor shall include:-

(a) verifying the amount and value of stock and other assets as shown in the Union's records;

(b) acting as credential officers at any general meeting of the Union;

(d) reporting on other matters specifically referred to them by the National Executive Committee.

(2) The Elective Auditors shall, not later than 15th April in each year, submit to the General Secretary a written report on the foregoing matters for presentation to the next Annual General Meeting of the Union.

PART IV. GENERAL MEETINGS

24. Summoning of General Meetings

(1) The National Executive Committee shall determine the date and place of the Annual General Meeting.

(2) The arrangements for the meeting and ancillary activities, including a Consultative Conference, may be deputed to a committee or committees appointed by the National Executive Committee for the purpose.

(3) When an extraordinary general meeting is to be held (other than a meeting held in connection with the Annual General Meeting) all arrangements, including date and place, shall be m