13-02-21 Swiss Society -Motion 1 to amend the bylaws

Motion 1 to amend the Constitution and Bylaws of the Swiss Society of Vancouver
Submitted to the Board of Directors January 10, 2013 by the Committee for Constitutional
Changes consisting of Karin Kapp, Mirjam Mai, Christel Eigenmann, Elisabeth Rechsteiner,
Peter Schälle and Rolf A. Brülhart
It is moved that the Constitution of the Swiss Society of Vancouver be amended as follows:
1. Section 2, subsection (a) is amended by deleting the words “residing in British Columbia
and the Yukon Territory” and replacing them with the words “residing in the consular
area of the Consulate General of Switzerland in Vancouver”.
It is moved that the Bylaws of the Swiss Society of Vancouver be amended as follows:
1. Article II, section 1, subsection (a) is deleted and replaced by:
Any person over 18 years of age is eligible to be an active member of the Society,
provided that the following condition is met: Seventy-five per cent (75%) of the total
number of members must be a Swiss national or descendant or a spouse of a Swiss
national.
2. Article II, section 1, subsection (e) is amended by deleting the first sentence and
replacing it with:
Upon reaching the age of 65 years, active members shall be entitled to a reduced
membership fee as Senior members.
3. Article II, section 1, subsection (e) is amended by deleting the last sentence and replacing
it with:
Application by a new-comer for a reduced membership fee as a Senior member must be
approved by the Board of Directors.
4. Article II, section 1, subsection (f) is amended by deleting the word ‘forthwith” and
replacing it with the word “immediately” and by deleting the word ‘forfeit’ and replacing
it with the word “lose”.
5. Article II, section 2 is deleted.
6. Article II, section 3, subsection (c) is amended by deleting the word “threefourth” and
replacing it with the word “three-fourths”.

2
7. Article III, section 2, subsection (a) is amended by adding the words “or emailed”
following the word “mailed”.
8. Article III, section 2, subsection (b) is amended by:
a) deleting the word “designed” and replacing it with the word “designated”; and,
b) deleting the number “50” and replacing it with the number “25”;.
9. Article III, section 2, subsection (c) is amended by adding at the end the words
a) “-Acceptance of Budget” and
b) “-Election of Auditors”.
10. Article III, section 2, subsection (f) is deleted and replaced by:
Except for the proposed budget for the Annual General Meeting, no expenditure in excess
of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) shall be authorized or approved at any meeting of
the Society unless prior notice is given to the members 30 days in advance of the meeting.
11. Article III, section 3, subsection (d) is amended by deleting the word “percent” and
replacing it with the word “per cent”.
12. Article III, section 3, subsection (e) is amended by deleting the words “providing a notice
of such motion is submitted in writing to the Board of Directors before the 15 th day of
January” and replacing them with “provided that the text of the proposed motion is
submitted in writing to the Board of Directors no later than the 15 th day of January.”
13. Article III, section 5, subsection (b) is replaced by:
The main language to be used at meetings is English. When another official Swiss
language is used, the President or another member shall translate the statements made
into English on those occasions where the President feels that this is advisable or
necessary.
14. Article III, section 5, subsection (c) is amended by deleting the words “except when the
circumstances make the use of one of the four official Swiss languages necessary.” and
by adding a period after the word “also”.
15. Article IV, section 1, subsection (a) is amended by:
a) deleting the word ‘requested’ and replacing it with the word ‘represented’; and,
b) deleting the words “eleven (11)” and replacing them with the words “seven (7)”.
16. Article IV, section 1, subsection (c) is deleted and replaced by:

3
Two auditors with accounting experience shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting
to hold office for the same term as the Directors.
17. Article IV, section 1, subsection (d) is amended by deleting the last sentence and
replacing it with:
However, if there is not a quorum of Directors, the remaining Directors shall
immediately call a meeting of the members to fill the vacancies.
18. Article IV, section 2, subsection (a) is amended by adding after the word “Directors”,
“provided that the majority of the Board of Directors is a Swiss national or descendant or
a spouse of a Swiss national”.
19. Article IV, section 2, subsection (b) is deleted and replaced with:
Any member of the Swiss Society shall be eligible for the office of President provided that
either the President or Vice President is a Swiss national. The President may be reelected
up to 3 times, allowing a total of 4 consecutive years’ service as President The
President may be eligible to be re-elected a further 2 times for a total of 6 consecutive
years’ service if the members at the following two Annual General Meetings approve a
motion extending the eligible term for the President for an additional year.
20. Article IV, section 3, subsection (e) is amended by adding the word “Treasurer” after the
word “Vice-President”.
21. Article V, section 1, subsection (d) is amended by:
a) deleting the words “other elected officer” and replacing them with the word
“director”; and,
b) deleting the word “appointed”.
22. Article VI, section 1, subsection (a) is amended by deleting the words “(e.g. Crossbow
Association, Choir, Outdoors Club, Athletic Club, Fastnachts Clique)” and replacing
them with:
The sections may include but are not limited to Choir, Outdoor Club, Athletic Club,
Fastnachts Clique, Senior’s Club and Youth Club.
23. Article VI, section 2, subsection (b) is amended by:
a) adding the words “e-mail addresses” following the word “addresses”.

4
24. Article VII, section 2, subsection (a) is amended by:
a) deleting the heading “OFFICIAL ORGAN’ and replacing it with “OFFICIAL
MEDIA”; and,
b) deleting the text of subsection (a) and replacing it with:
The official media of the Swiss Society are:
a) the Swiss Herald;
b) the official website: and,
c) any form of media that the Board finds appropriate.
These media shall be operated by a Committee appointed by the Board.
25. Article VII, section 3, subsection (c) is amended by deleting the word “percent” and
replacing it with the word “per cent”.
This motion is brought pursuant to Article III, section 3, subsection (e) of the bylaws of the
Swiss Society of Vancouver.