LABC — Legal Aid BC

ARTICLE I — Name

The name of the organization is the Legal Aid BC (LABC) Chapter of the Professional Employees Association.

ARTICLE II — Objectives

The objectives of the Chapter are:

• To function as a Chapter of the Professional Employees Association.
• To research and provide a bargaining position on conditions of employment and salaries for lawyers and articled students employed by the Legal Aid BC.
• To assist the Professional Employees Association in negotiating a collective agreement for the lawyers and articled students employed by the Legal Aid BC.
• To assist the members of the Chapter in resolving problems concerning professional status and conduct within the terms of reference of the collective agreement negotiated with the employer.
• To do any other things, consistent with the constitution of the Professional Employees Association, as may be necessary for the welfare of the members of the Chapter.

ARTICLE III — Membership

• The Executive of the Chapter shall consist of up to six members elected at-large. The Executive members shall also be the local representatives.
• Members of the Executive shall be elected biennially, and shall serve a two-year term.
• The Executive shall appoint from among themselves a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Secretary-Treasurer.
• The LABC Chapter shall rotate its entitlement to appoint an Association Executive member with other Association chapters, as determined by the Association Executive, on an annual basis. When it is entitled to do so, the Executive shall appoint by motion an Association Executive member from among its membership. The term of appointment shall be one year effective at the close of the Association Convention in convention years, and effective on June 1 in non-convention years.
• A quorum of the Executive shall be three members and have the authority
  • To carry out the objectives of the Chapter.
  • To propose programs pursuant to the objectives of the Chapter.
  • To appoint committees and sub-committees for the purpose of investigating and reporting on matters of concern to the members, including a contract committee to negotiate a collective agreement with the employer.
  • To represent, or to make appointments for the representation of, the views and wishes of the Chapter in matters of interest or concern to the Professional Employees Association.
  • To act on special matters as instructed by a majority of the members at a general meeting of the Chapter.
  • To submit, on its own motion, any question to a referendum vote of membership. Such referendum shall be designed for direct affirmation or negative answer and the issue decided by a simple majority vote of the returns except as stated elsewhere.
• Should a vacancy in the offices of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Secretary-Treasurer occur for any reason, the remaining members of the Executive shall have the authority to select replacements from any of the Executive members.
• Should there be fewer than five (5) Executive members in office for any reason, the officers of the Chapter may upon unanimous consent appoint persons as necessary from the full members of the Chapter for the remainder of the normal term of office.
• The Executive may conduct meetings virtually.

ARTICLE IV — Election of Executive

• The Executive shall appoint a nominating committee of one member not later than 45 days prior to the expiration of its term.
• The nominating committee shall prepare a list of candidates who are willing to stand for office.
• Any member may be nominated for an office if they indicate their willingness to stand.
• Ballots are sent to the members not later than twenty-one days prior to the date of the election.
• Scrutineering shall take place according to the Association Executive policies. Election results shall be reported to the membership.

ARTICLE V — Meetings of the Chapter

• The date of the Annual General Meeting shall be set by the Executive.
• Other meetings shall be called by the Executive or on the written request of at least four members, or by a successful motion at any meeting of the members. When a meeting is requested, it shall be held within one calendar month of such request.
• A quorum for any meeting of the members shall be four members.

ARTICLE VI — Notice of Meetings of the Chapter

• Notice of meetings of the Chapter shall be sent to each member not less than twenty calendar days prior to the holding of the meeting.
• Notice of meetings shall state the business to be transacted at such a meeting.

ARTICLE VII — Auditors

• The Executive may appoint two auditors from the general membership not later than thirty days prior to the Annual Meeting.
• The auditors may examine and certify the Secretary-Treasurers report prior to its presentation to the Annual Meeting and the Executive of the Professional Employees Association.

ARTICLE VIII — Adoption and Amendment of the Constitution

This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of returned mail ballots. The Professional Employees Association shall be notified of such amendments.

ARTICLE IX — Election of Association Convention Delegates

Delegates to the Association Convention shall be elected by the general membership in a vote to take place at least eighty (80) days prior to the Association Convention.

Amendeded November 26, 2021