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STATUT KPK
CANADIAN POLISH CONGRESS
CPC BY-LAWS
PREAMBLE FROM 1944
The delegates of Canadians of Polish origin congregated at the
convention in Toronto, Ontario, on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th days of
September, 1944, cognizant of their obligations to Canada, and also
to the Nation of their brothers and ancestors -- Poland, celebrating
their loyal service to Canada, remembering also the union of our
hearts and blood with our motherland Poland, resolve the better
attainment of our obligations as citizens of Canada, the better
defense of the Polish name and, the rendering of a better organized
assistance to our brother Poles, call into being the permanent organ
of cooperation of Canadians of Polish origin.
Within the framework of the multi-cultural society of Canada, our
obligation is to transfer to the present and future generations the
thousand-year cultural heritage and principle of coexistence which
has for ages guided the Polish Nation.
Bonds of blood and origin joining us to mother Poland place on us
the duty of defending always and everywhere the rights of the Polish
Nation and of every Pole to freedom, and independent and individual
decision as to his own fate.
CONTENTS
General
Membership
The Authorities of the Congress
Branches of the Congress
Affiliation
Honorary Distinctions
Final Dispositions
GENERAL
Par. 1
The name of the organization is:
* in the Polish language: KONGRES POLONII KANADYJSKIEJ
* in the English language: CANADIAN POLISH CONGRESS
* in the French language: CONGRéS CANADIEN POLONAIS
Par. 2
The area of jurisdiction of the Canadian Polish Congress is Canada.
Par. 3
The Headquarters of the Canadian Polish Congress is the City of
Toronto in the Province of Ontario. Each general convention of the
Congress may -- for a specified period of time -- establish
a different headquarters for the Congress in Canada.
Par. 4
For documentary purposes the Canadian Polish Congress uses the
round, pressed and dry seal with the inscription: KONGRES POLONII
KANADYJSKIEJ -- CANADIAN POLISH CONGRESS -- CONGRéS CANADIEN
POLONAIS.
Par. 5
1.The Canadian Polish Congress, identified also by the word
"Congress" is an association of organizations of Poles in Canada,
lay and religions of all faiths -- legally functioning on Canadian
soil.
2. The Congress is a Polish Canadian organization. In its activities
the Congress is guided by Canadian law, the good of Canada, of
Canadian Poles and of the Polish Nation.
3.The Canadian Polish Congress maintains a continued contact and
exchange of views with Polish organizations in the free world, which
base their activity on an ideology consistent with the basis of
activity of the Canadian Polish Congress.
Par. 6
The objects of the Canadian Polish Congress are:
to represent Polish Canadians
to defend the well-being of Polish-Canadians
to co-ordinate and otherwise support the work of Polish Canadian
organizations in Canada
to take a keen and active interest in all aspects of Canadian life
and to strive to assure members of the Polish group full
participation in the political, economic and cultural life of Canada
to nurture, strengthen and extend Polish culture based on Polish
traditions and beliefs
to render assistance to new Polish immigrants in adjusting to life
in Canada
to support organizations and associations of youth of Polish origin
with reference to Polish history, culture and national traditions
to familiarize Canadian society with the contribution of Poles to
the culture and civilization of Canada and the rest of the world
to strengthen the bonds between Polish Canadians and the rest of
Canadian society based on the policy of multi-culturalism
to care for the rights and defend the good name of the Polish nation
and to propagate the historic truth about Poland
to propagate and defend the rights of the Polish Nation to
independence and full freedom in accordance with the principles of
the Declaration of the Rights of Man of the United Nations
to maintain and enhance contact with the Polish Nation white
retaining full independence from the authorities of the Polish
People's Republic and their agents.
Par. 7
The material means necessary to achieve the above objects by the
Canadian Polish Congress are:
membership fees and dues
donations, collections campaigns and special events on behalf of the
Congress
voluntary offerings and bequests
its own assets, both real and other
MEMBERSHIP
Par. 8
A Polish organization or association either lay or religions of any
faith, legally active in Canada may be an ordinary member of the
Canadian Polish Congress. An organization within the meaning of this
Constitution is an independent organization, or a district branch of
central organization functioning in one Province or all of Canada.
(par. 5).
Par. 9
No organization or association acting to the detriment of the Polish
Nation, Canadians of Polish origin, Canada and its democratic system
or cooperating with a similar organization or association, or
organization with a communist ideology or propagating a totalitarian
system may be a member of the Canadian Polish Congress.
Par. 10
An organization or association which wishes to become an ordinary
member of the Canadian Polish Congress, applies for membership in
writing to the Congress. To apply for membership, it is necessary to
annex a copy of the resolution of the organization and a certified
copy of the constitution of the organization or association.
Par. 11
The Head Executive Board of the Canadian Polish Congress, after
verifying the opinion of the appropriate Branch, decides as to
acceptance or rejection of the application. An appeal from
a rejection of the application lies to the General Convention of the
Congress by the Branch or the organization. In the case of an
organization outside of the Branch, it is empowered to appeal in
writing to the General Convention of the Congress.
Par. 12
1. The Canadian Polish Congress is the spokesman for the aspirations
and needs of the Polish Community in Canada.
2. The organization or association becoming a member of the Congress
maintains its independence as an organization within the framework
of its constitution.
3. Any amendments or additions to the constitution of a member
organization, must be submitted by it without delay to the Head
Executive Board of the Congress. The Head Executive Board of the
Congress after familiarizing itself with the amendments (additions)
and after obtaining the opinion of the appropriate Branch of the
Congress, renders a decision. An appeal from this decision lies to
the Council of the Congress.
Par. 13
1. Member organizations of the Congress have the right:
to have the use of the institutions, programs and general support of
the Congress.
to participate in the General Convention of the Congress.
2. members of organizations of the Congress, Canadian citizens, have
an active right of election to the Executive of the Congress.
Par. 14
The obligations of member organizations of the Congress are:
to support the aims of the Congress (par. 6)
to carry out resolutions and directives of the Executive
of the Congress, to pay dues to the Congress regularly
Par. 15
An organization loses its rights to membership if:
* it withdraws from the Canadian Polish Congress
* it goes into liquidation
* it loses its rights of membership
Par. 16.
By resolution of the General Convention on the motion of the Head
Executive Board,
an organization may lose its membership it is in arrears of payment
of membership dues for two years
it does not carry out the resolutions of the Convention or the
directives of the Executive of the Congress
becomes a member of an organization or association with aims
contrary to the aims of the Congress or it pursues activities
inconsistent with those aims (par. 9).
Par. 17
Until such time as the resolution to deprive an organization or
association of its membership is considered by the next General
Convention, the Head Executive Board may suspend the rights of
a member. An appeal from this decision lies to the Committee for the
Resolution of Conflicts.(par. 42 pt. 5).
THE AUTHORITIES OF THE CONGRESS
Par. 18
a. The authorities of the Congress are:
The General Convention
Council of the Congress
Head Executive Board
Chief Supervisory Committee
Committee for the Resolution of Conflicts
b. The term of office of the Executive of the Congress is two years.
c. Only those persons who are ordinary members of a member
organization of the Congress and are Canadian citizens, can be
elected to any position in the Congress.
Par. 19
The general Convention is the highest authority of the Canadian
Polish Congress. The place and date of the General Convention is
designated by the Head Executive of the Congress after consultation
with the Executives of the Districts in the event that the General
Convention has not previously fixed a date. The ordinary General
Convention takes place every two years in the last quarter of the
calendar year. The General Convention is called by the Head
Executive Board.
u>Par. 20
In the event that the General Convention is not called by the Head
Executive Board within the designated time, the decision as to the
manner of calling the General Convention is taken by the Council of
the Congress.
Par. 21
An Extraordinary Convention must be called by the Head Executive
Board upon demand by 1/3 of the members of the Congress who
represent not less than 1/3 of the total valid votes represented in
the previous General Convention, or as a result of the resolution of
the Council of the Congress. In important circumstances the Head
Executive Board may call an Extraordinary General Convention on its
own initiative.
Par. 22
1.The General Convention is composed of delegates of member
organizations in the numbers set out in the regulations. In the
deliberations may take part the members of the Council of the
Congress, the Head Executive Board and the Head Supervisory
Committee of the Congress, with an advisory vote and with the right
to submit resolutions.
2. A paid employee of the Head Executive Board of the Congress, of
the Executive Board of the Branch, or of the Executive Board of
a member organization cannot be a delegate of his organization to
a General Convention of the Congress and such person cannot be
elected to any of the authorities of the Congress.
Par. 23
Within the competence of the General Convention fall the following:
The establishment and acceptance of the ideological basis of the
Canadian Polish Congress, consistent with the provisions of the
by-law herein, as well as the formulation of regulations to execute
the above resolutions
A resolution of the General Convention is confirmed by a majority of
3/4 of the votes of the delegates. In the event that the 3/4
majority of votes is not obtained, the previous resolution remains
in force
The acceptance of reports of the Executive of the Congress and the
auditor, and granting to the Head Executive Board of absolution
The election of the Head Executive, the Head Supervisory Committee,
the Committee for the Resolution of Conflicts and the Auditor
The setting of a budget, fees or other membership requirements
The authorization to the Head Executive Board to borrow, and to
purchase and dispose of real property
The withdrawal of rights of membership
The change of the by-laws
The liquidation of the Canadian Polish Congress
The rendering of a final decision in all matters of the Congress
Par. 24
1.The general Convention is validly constituted upon the attendance
of delegates representing at least one-half of the mandates of the
Congress
2. A majority of votes cast is required to pass a resolution of the
General Convention, except in those cases where a qualified majority
is required by this Constitution.
3.To pass a resolution with respect to a change of the bylaw, to
refer for discussion by the General Convention a resolution with
respect to a change of the by-law submitted without keeping within
the limitations in par. 48, part 1 of the by-law, to withdraw
membership rights and to pass a resolution with respect to an
ideological basis, a majority of 3/4 votes cast is required
4. To pass a resolution liquidating the Canadian Polish Congress is
required a majority of 3/4 of the votes cast, representing at least
3/4 of the total number of a valid votes of the Congress.
Par. 25
The Council of the Congress is composed of the following:
Presidents or their nominees, of Head Executives (Central), of
member organizations containing three or more branches which are
members of the Congress
Presidents of branches of the Canadian Polish Congress or their
nominees
The President of the Canadian Polish Millennium Fund or his nominee.
Par. 26
The Council of the Congress is an organ constituted to ensure that
the Congress functions within its authority and in accordance with
its mandate. Accordingly within its competence lie the following:
-to ensure that the resolutions of the General Convention are
carried out
-to call the General Convention in the event that it is not called
by the Head Executive Board within the time prescribed by the
by-law, or for other reasons
-to ratify the regulations of the Congress and their amendments
(par.28, pt.7)
-to interpret the language of the Statute and regulations of the
Congress
-to resolve other administrative matters submitted to the Council by
the Head Executive Board
- to review appeals from decisions of the Committee for the
Resolution of Conflicts
- The Authority granted within the meaning par. 12, pt. 3, and par.
38 of this by-law
- The Council fulfills its obligations in accordance with the
regulations governing the Council.
Par. 27
The Head Executive Board:
is the chief executive authority of the Canadian Polish Congress
directs all its matters and represents the Congress with respect to
authorities and third parties
Par. 28
In particular, the Head Executive Board:
carries out the resolutions of the General Convention and the
Council of the Congress
administers the estate of the Congress
holds in trust funds entrusted to it within the framework of the
budget allotted by the General Convention, or in accordance with the
desires of the contributors
represents Canadians of Polish origin with respect to Canadian
Federal authorittes or authorities of Polish communities in other
countries
prepares resolutions for the General Convention of the Congress
gives a direction to the organizational aims of Canadians of Polish
origin and fulfils the alms of the Canadian Polish Congress (par. 6)
prepares projects of regulations of the Congress and their
amendments and presents them for ratification by the Council (par.
26, pt. 3)
Par. 29
The Head Executive Board is composed of:
The President
A first Vice-president, who is the executive officer and deputy
president
Two or more Vice-presidents
Regional vice-presidents for regions of the Congress in Canada
Secretaries. general and recording
Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer
At least five members of the Executive.
All functions of the Head Executive Board are fulfilled
gratuitously.
Par. 30
The President of the Head Executive Board, pursuant to the by-law:
represents the Congress ensures that the resolutions of the
Conventions, the Council and the Head Executive Board of the
Congress are carried out
opens the General Convention and chairs the convention until such
time as the chairman of the Convention is elected calls meetings of
the Head Executive Board and chairs its meetings ensures that other
members of the Executive fulfil their functions in a proper manner
Par.31
1.The Vice-presidents of the Head Executive Board take the place of
the President of the Head Executive Board in case of necessity and
fulfil obligations placed upon them by the Executive and the
President.
2. Regional Vice-presidents represent the Head Executive Board in
their regions and ensure that the resolutions and recommendations of
the General Conventions of the Council of the Congress and that of
the Head Executive Board are carried out. They maintain a liaison
between the Polish community in their regions and the Head Executive
Board
3.The Recording Secretary keeps records of meetings and assists the
General Secretary in his functions
Par. 32
1. The General Secretary of the Head Executive Board is responsible
for the office and documents of the Congress and carries out the
resolutions and decisions of the Executive and the President.
2.The Recording Secretary keeps records of meetings and assists the
General Secretary in his functions.
Par. 33
a. The Treasurer of the Head Executive Board:
is responsible for the collection of membership dues to the Congress
is responsible for vigilance over the special funds of the Congress
is responsible for the bookkeeping and financial matters of the
Congress
b.The deputy Treasurer carries out the work assigned to him by the
Treasurer.
Par. 34
The members of the Head Executive Board fulfil obligations placed
upon them by the Head Executive.
Par. 35
Within the limit of its needs the Head Executive Board may call to
assist it, on a permanent or temporary basis, committees and
advisors from outside the membership of the Executive. The Executive
defines the objectives and framework of action of the committee as
well as the objects of its activity.
Par. 36
The meeting of the Head Executive Board should be called at least
once a month.
Par. 37
The Head Executive Board is responsible for its actions to the
General Convention.
Par. 38
The Head Executive Board may suspend the rights and obligations of
a member of the Executive upon proof of an abuse of his rights or of
his not carrying out his duties as a member of the Executive. The
suspended member may appeal to the Council of the Congress (par. 26,
pt.7).
Par. 39
1.The Chief Supervisory Committee oversees the administration and
use of the property, assets and funds of the Canadian Polish
Congress as well as of the events organized by and actions carried
out in the name of the Congress, reviews the regularity of the
books, and proposes to the General Convention a resolution absolving
the retiring Head Executive Board.
2. The Auditor, elected by the General Convention for a term of
2 years is responsible for the official supervision and control of
the administration and management of the fiscal affairs of the Head
Executive Board of the Congress and its organs in order to establish
their correctness and conformity with the law.
Par. 40
The Chief Supervisory Committee is composed of a chairman, two
members, and three alternates. At least two members of this
Committee must be conversant with bookkeeping principles.
Par. 41
All costs incurred in connection with the execution of functions by
the Auditor and by the members of the Supervisory Committee are
borne by the Head Executive Board of the Congress.
Par. 42
The Committee for the Resolution of Conflicts functions in
accordance with its regulations and has as its purpose the
resolution of disputed matters:
between member organization
between member organizations or organizations on the one hand and
organs of the Congress on the other hand, or between individual
organs of the Congress, with the exception of the Convention and the
Committee for the Resolution of Conflicts
arising out of matter's within the competence of the authorities of
the Congress any other disputed matters between members of the
Congress, and organizations outside the Congress, in which both
parties express agreement to the resolution of the conflict by the
committee
arising out of the application of par. 17 of the Constitution of the
Congress.
Par. 43
The Committee for the Resolution of Conflicts is composed of
a chairman, six members and six alternates, being two members and
two alternates from each of the Eastern, Central and Western regions
of the Congress.
BRANCHES OF THE CONGRESS
Par. 44
Organizations belonging to the Congress may be organized
territorially into branches.
Par. 45
The Head Executive Board creates and organizes a branch of the
Congress where it deems appropriate. The structure of the branches
is defined in a separate regulation.
AFFILIATION
Par. 46
1.Organizations and associations of Polish Canadians wishing to
cooperate with the Head Executive Board of the Congress or with
Executives of Branches in their general activities or for a special
purpose, may submit in writing the proposal of their cooperation on
the basis of affiliation, annexing thereto a copy of their
Constitution. In such a case financial cooperation is defined by
a special agreement.
2. An affiliated organization has the right to participate in an
advisory capacity through a delegate in the General Convention of
the Congress and at meetings of the Branch. In connection with the
above, it receives documents and reports in the same manner as an
ordinary member of the Congress.
3. An affiliated organization has the right to the moral and
financial support of its activities by the Congress and member
organizations of the Congress.
4. An affiliated organization has the obligation to keep the
Congress and its member organizations informed of its activities and
submit its reports at the General Conventions of the Congress, and
in the case of affiliation with a Branch of the Congress, to keep
such Branch informed.
5. An affiliated organization must act in accordance with the
provisions of this Constitution, the resolutions of the General
Conventions and with the ideological principles of the Congress.
HONORARY DISTINCTIONS OF THE CANADIAN POLISH CONGRESS
Par.47
An honorary Award or Diploma of Distinction of the Congress may be
bestowed on physical persons and legal entities especially deserving
for their contributions to the welfare of Polish Canadians.
A bronze, silver and gold Honorary Award is created. The manner of
bestowing the Honorary Award and Diploma of Distinction of the
Congress is set out in the "Regulations of Honorary Distinctions of
the Canadian Polish Congress".
FINAL DISPOSITIONS
Par. 48
1.The Provisions of the Constitution may be amended by a majority of
3/4 of the votes represented at the General Convention. Members of
the Congress must be advised of the proposed amendments at least
three months before the General Convention.
2. Amendments to the Constitution proposed at a General Convention
without observing the limitations set out in (par. 48, pt. 1), may
be the matter of discussion and resolution at such General
Convention only if a resolution for the presentation of such
amendment for discussion is passed by a majority of 3/4 of the votes
represented at the General Convention.
Par. 49
1.The Canadian Polish Congress may be liquidated by a resolution of
the General Convention, passed by a majority of 3/4 of the votes
cast representing at least 3/ 4 of all those entitled to vote within
the Congress.
2. In the event that a resolution is passed to liquidate the
Canadian Polish Congress, the General Convention will determine the
manner in which the assets of the Congress are to be disposed of and
it will choose a Committee for the Liquidation of Assets. The assets
may be used only for social objectives of Canadians of Polish
origin.
Par. 50
This Constitution and all its amendments and addenda are issued in
three languages: Polish, English, and French.
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