LS — Law Society

ARTICLE I — Name

The name of the organization shall be Law Society (LS) Chapter of the Professional Employees Association.

ARTICLE II — Objectives

Law Society Chapter Objectives are:

• To function as a chapter of the Professional Employees Association.
• To provide a forum for the discussion of employment issues.
• To determine the needs of the LS Chapter members.

ARTICLE III — Membership

Membership shall be open to all employees who are members of the bargaining unit at the Law Society of British Columbia or its successor for whom the Professional Employees Association is certified.

ARTICLE IV — Executive Committee

The Executive Committee of the LSC shall consist of up to five members, elected annually. The Executive Committee shall appoint from among its members a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, a Secretary-Treasurer, and two members-at-large.

The Chair shall preside over LSC meetings and, in their absence, the Vice-Chair shall preside.

A quorum of the Executive Committee shall be three members and shall have the authority to take such measures in carrying out LS Chapter objectives as are consistent with the Professional Employees Association Constitution.

Should a vacancy occur on the Executive Committee, the remaining members may appoint a replacement from the LS Chapter membership for the remainder of the instant term of office.

Decision of the Executive Committee shall be by majority vote, except that the Chairperson shall only vote in the case of a tie.

The LS 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 Committee shall appoint by motion an Association Executive member from among the members of the Executive Committee. 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.

ARTICLE V — Executive Elections

The Executive Committee shall request an expression of interest from members who may be interested in joining the LS Executive Committee no later than 28 days prior to the Annual General Meeting.

Nominations may be put forward to the Executive Committee or to the PEA Office by any members of the LS Chapter. The Executive Committee shall prepare a list of candidates who have signified that they are willing to stand for Executive office. Nominations may also be put forward during the Annual General Meeting.

The Executive Committee shall put the list of standing candidates to the general membership for their vote during the Annual General Meeting. Voting shall be conducted through electronic, paper, or verbal means. Newly elected members of the Executive shall assume office at the close of the Chapter Annual General Meeting. 

ARTICLE VI — Meetings

There shall be an Annual Meeting not later than November 30.

Other general meeting can be called by the Executive Committee, or, on a written request from at least four members. When a meeting is called by at least four members, it shall take place within one calendar month of the request being received by the Executive.

A quorum in any general meeting, including the Annual Meeting, shall be not less than 15 members.

Except as herein provided, LS Chapter meeting shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.

ARTICLE VII — Notice of Meetings

A notice of meeting other than the Annual Meeting shall be delivered to each member not less than 7 days before the meeting is to be held.

Notice of meeting shall state the business to be transacted at the meeting.

ARTICLE VIII — Adoption and Amendment of the Constitution

This Constitution shall come into effect when approved by a membership vote. The constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of LS Chapter voting members.