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CONSTITUTION OF LIGHT OF WISDOM BUDDIST SOCIETY
NAME 1 This Society shall be known as the “Light of Wisdom Buddhist Society”, hereinafter referred to as the “Society”.
PLACE OF BUSINESS 2 Its place of business shall be at “114 Telok Kurau Road, Singapore (423801)” or such other address as may subsequently be decided upon by the Committee and approved by the Registrar of Societies. The Society shall carry out its activities only in places and premises which have the prior written approval from the relevant authorities, where necessary.
OBJECTS 3.1 Its objects are: a.) To propagate the teachings of Lord Buddha so as to create a compassionate, cohesive and harmonious society through talks, exhibitious, workshops, seminars and any other appropriate activities. b.) To inculcate loving kindness and compassion in members towards all sentient beings through undertaking humanitarian, community, medical, social welfare and charitable activities for the relief of pain and suffering of all sentient beings. c.) To foster tolerance, understanding and interaction with other racial and religious groups through appropriate activities and programmes. d.) To preserve and promote Buddhist cultural heritage and religious traditions through organising appropriate cultural, religious activities and the establishment and management of a museum. e.) To conduct Buddhist religious activities services, sermons, classes, pilgrimages and other appropriate activities on a regular basis. 3.2 In furtherance of the above objects, the Society may include any additional object where appropriate and shall act in accordance with Rule 14 of this Constitution. 3.3 The Society shall not carry out any of the above activities without the prior written approval from the relevant authorities, where necessary.
MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATION AND RIGHTS 4.1 Membership is open to any Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents who are above 18 years of age and above and are Buddhists or inclined towards or supportive of Buddhist values and teachings. Once approved, the membership period shall be for one calendar year, commencing from the date of the approval of the membership. 4.2 Only members who are 21 years of age and above shall have the right to vote and to hold office in the Society.
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP 5.1 A person wishing to join the Society should submit his particulars to the Secretary on a prescribed form. 5.2 The Committee will decide on the application for membership. 5.3 A copy of the Constitution shall be furnished free to every approved member. Any additional copy shall be furnished for a fee of S$3.00 or such other reasonable sum which the Committee may impose.
ENTRANCE FEES, SUBSCRIPTIONS AND OTHER DUES 6.1 There shall be no entrance fee payable for all members. 6.2 There shall be no entrance fee and subscriptions payable by members during their first year of membership with the Society. From the second year of membership, subscription shall be S$12.00 per year or such other reasonable sum which the Committee shall impose. The funds of the Society shall be derived from free-will offerings, donations and other contributions (monetary or otherwise) arising from the Society's activities in line with its objectives at Rule 3.1 6.2 Any additional fund required for special purpose may only be raised in the following manner and amount stipulated:- a) Up to $100,000 with the consent of the Committee. b) More than $100,000 with the consent of the General Meeting of members.
SUPREME AUTHORITY AND GENERAL MEETINGS 7.1 The supreme authority of the Society is vested in a General Meeting of the members presided over by the President. 7.2 An Annual General Meeting shall be held in July. 7.3 At other times, an Extraordinary General Meeting must be called by the President on the request in writing of not less than 25% of the total voting membership or 100 voting members, whichever is the lesser, and may be called at anytime by order of the Committee. The notice in writing shall be given to the Secretary setting forth the business that is to be transacted. The Extraordinary General Meeting shall be convened within two months from receiving this request to convene the Extraordinary General Meeting. 7.4 If the Committee does not within two months after the date of the receipt of the written request proceed to convene an Extraordinary General Meeting, the members who requested for the Extraordinary General Meeting shall convene the Extraordinary General Meeting by giving ten days’ notices to voting members setting forth the business to be transacted and simultaneously posting the agenda on the Society’s notice board. 7.5 At least two weeks’ notice shall be given of an Annual general meeting and at least ten days’ notice of an Extraordinary General meeting. Notice of meeting stating the date, time and place of meeting shall be sent by the Secretary to all voting members. The particulars of the agenda shall be posted on the Society’s notice board four days in advance of the meeting. 7.6 Unless otherwise stated in the Constitution, voting by proxy shall not be allowed at all General Meetings. 7.7 The following points will be considered at the annual general Meeting: a.) The previous financial year’s accounts and annual report of the Committee. b.) Where applicable, the election of office-bearers and Honorary Auditors for the following term. 7.8 Any member who wishes to place an item on the agenda of a General Meeting may do so provided he gives notice to the Secretary one week before the meeting due to be held. 7.9 At least 25% of the total voting membership or 30 voting members, whichever is the lesser, present at a General Meeting shall form a quorum. Proxies shall not be constituted as part of the quorum. 7.10 In the event of there being no quorum at the commencement of a General meeting, the meeting shall be adjourned for half an hour and should the number then present be insufficient to form a quorum, those present shall be considered a quorum, but they shall have no power to amend any of the existing Constitution.
MANAGEMENT AND COMMITTEE 8.1 The administration of the Society shall be entrusted to a Committee consisting of the following to be elected at alternate Annual General Meeting:
Unless with prior approval in writing of the Registrar or an Assistant Registrar of Societies, all Committee Members should be either Singapore Citizens of Singapore Permanent Residents. 8.2.1 Subject to Rule 8.2.2, names for the above offices shall be proposed and seconded at the Annual General Meeting and election will follow on a simple majority vote of the members. All office-bearers, except the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer may be re-elected to the same or related post for a consecutive term of office. The term of office of the Committee is two years 8.2.2 All office-bears shall comply with the following criteria:- a) All office-bearers shall be practising Buddhist evidenced by a certificate of refuge-taking issued by a Buddhist monastic/teacher/master residing at or registered with a Buddhist temple, society or institution (which is registered at the appropriate Government Department/s in Singapore or overseas). b) All office-bearers shall not be convicted of any criminal offence for the last 3 years. c) Members standing for the positions of the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be a member for the last four (4) continuous years as a voting member within the meaning of Rule 4.2. However, this criteria shall not apply to the first two (2) consecutive Committee's office-bearers. 8.3 Election will be either by show of hands or, subject to the agreement of the majority of the voting members present, by a secret ballot. In the event of a tie, a re-vote shall be taken and if it still results in a tie, a lot shall be drawn to determine who shall be the successful candidate unless the contesting candidate(s) withdrew in favour on one of themselves. 8.4 A Committee Meeting shall be held at least once every three months after giving seven days' notice to Committee Members. The President may call a Committee Meeting at any time by giving five days' notice. At least ½ of the Committee Members must be present for its proceedings to be valid. 8.5 Any member of the Committee absenting himself from three meetings consecutively without satisfactory explanations shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Committee and a successor may be co-opted by the Committee to serve until the next Annual General Meeting. Any change in the Committee shall be notified to the Registrar of Societies and the Commissioner of Charities within two weeks of the change. 8.6 The duty of the Committee is to organize and supervise the day to day activities of the Society. The Committee may not act contrary tot expressed wishes of the General Meeting without prior reference to it and always remains subordinate to the general meetings. 8.7 The Committee has power to authorise the expenditure of a sum not exceeding $30,000 per month from the Society’s fund for the Society’s purposes. However, in the following situations/events, this restriction shall not apply: a) When payments are made relating to the purchase, instalment loan payments, and all other expenses relating to the acquisition of a property/properties for the Society; or b) When payments are made out to such organisation/s arising out of a joint project or event with the Society in which that organisation/s is/are a party to the organising committee (or its subcommittees) and that the purpose for which the event is organised relates to the objectives of the Society 8.8 In the event that there are vacancies in the Committee pursuant to Rule 8.1 after the election or during the term of the Committee, the Committee shall have the power to co-opt such number of members to fill in such vacancies until the next Annual General Meeting subject always that such co-opted members shall have no voting rights in the proceedings of the Committee and shall satisfy the criteria stipulated at Rules 8.2.1 to 8.2.2. 8.9 The Committee shall appoint such number of Patrons from persons of integrity and firm devotion to the Buddhist faith amongst the Buddhist community (lay and monastic) for the Society. The tenure for such Patrons shall be life-long until terminated by death, unsoundness of mind, convicted of any criminal offence which rends him/her unsuitable to be a Patron, changes or renounces the Buddhist faith, resignation or removal by a General Meeting of Members. Such Patrons shall enjoy all privileges as a member except the right to vote at General Meetings of Members and at the proceedings of the Committee
DUTIES OF OFFICE-BEARERS 9.1 The President shall chair all general and Committee meetings. He shall also represent the Society in its dealings with outside persons. 9.2 The Vice-president shall assist the President and deputise for him in his absence. 9.3 The Secretary shall keep all records, except financial, of the Society and shall responsible for their correctness. He will keep minutes of all general and Committee meetings. He shall maintain an up-to-date Register of Members at all times. 9.4 The Assistant Secreatry shall assist the Secretary and deputise for him in his absence. 9.5 The Treasurer shall keep all funds and collect and disburse all moneys on behalf of the Society and shall keep an account of all monetary transactions and shall be responsible for their correctness. He is authorised to expend up to $1000.00 per month for petty expenses on behalf of the Society. He will not keep more than $500.00 in the form of cash and money in excess of this will be deposited in a bank to be named by the Committee. Cheques, etc for withdrawals from the bank will be signed by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer and either the President or the Vice-President or the Secretary 9.6 The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer and deputise for him in his absence. 9.7 Ordinary Committee Members shall assist in the general administration of the Society and perform duties by the Committee from time to time.
AUDIT AND FINANCIAL YEAR 10.1 Two voting members, not being members of the Committee, shall be elected as Honorary Auditors at alternate Annual general Meeting and will hold office for a term of two years only and shall not be re0eleceted for a consecutive term. 10.2 They: a) Will be required to audit each year’s accounts and present a report upon them to the Annual General Meeting. b) May be required by the President to audit the Society’s accounts for any period within their tenure of office at any date and make a report to the Committee. 10.3 The financial year shall be from 1st May to 30th April.
TRUSTEES 11.1 If the Society at any time acquires any immovable property, such property shall vested I trustees subject to a declaration of trust. 11.2 The trustees of the Society shall: a) Not be more than four and not less than two in number. b) Be elected by a General Meeting of members. c) Not effect any sale or mortgage of property without the prior approval of the General Meeting of members. d) Be a practising Buddhist within the meaning of Rule 8.2.2(a). 11.3 The office of the trustee shall be vacated: a) If the trustee dies or becomes a lunatic or of unsound mind. b) If he is absent from the Republic of Singapore for a period of more than one year. c) If he is guilty of misconduct of such a kind as to render it undesirable that he continues as a trustee. d) If he submits notice of resignation from his trusteeship. e) If he is no longer a practising Buddhist, renounces the Buddhist faith or converted to another religion. 11.4 Notice of any proposal to remove a trustee from his trusteeship or to appoint a new trustee to fill a vacancy must be given by posting it on the notice board in the Society’s premises at least two weeks before the General Meeting at which the proposal is to be discussed. The result of such General Meeting shall then be notified to the Registrar of Societies and the Commissioner of Charities. 11.5 The address of each immovable property, name of each trustee and any subsequent change must be notified to the Registrar of Societies and the Commissioner of Charities.
VISITORS AND GUESTS 12.1 Visitors and guests may be admitted into the premises of the Society ut they shall not be admitted into the privileges of the Society. All visitors and guests shall abide by the Society’s Rules and regulations
PROHIBITIONS 13.1 Gambling of any kind, excluding the promotion or conduct of a private lottery which has been permitted under the Private Lotteries Act Cap 250, is forbidden on the Society’s premises. The introduction of materials for gambling of drug taking and of bad characters into the premises is prohibited. 13.2 The funds of the Society shall not be used to pay the fines of members who have been convicted in a court of law. 13.3 The Society shall not engage in any trade union activity as defined in any written law relating to trade unions for the time being in force in Singapore. 13.4 The Society shall not attempt to restrict of interfere with trade or make directly or indirectly any recommendation to, any arrangement with its members which has the purpose of is likely to have the effect of fixing or controlling the price of any discount, allowance or rebate relating to any goos or service which adversely affect consumer interests. 13.5 The Society shall not indulge in any political or allow its funds and/or premises to used for political purposes. 13.6 The Society shall not hold any lottery, whether confined to its members or not, in the name of the Society or its office-bearers, Committee or members unless with the prior approval of the relevant authorities. 13.7 The Society shall not raise funs from the public for whatever purposes without the prior approval in writing of the Head, Licensing division, Singapore Police Force and other relevant authorities.
AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION 14 No alteration or addition/deletion of this Constitution shall be made except at a General Meeting and with the consent of two-thirds of the voting members present at the General Meeting, and they shall not come into force without the prior sanction of the Registrar of Societies and the Commissioner of Charities.
INTERPRETATION 15.1 In the event of any question or matter pertaining to day-to-day administration which is not expressly provided for in ths constitution, the Committee shall have power to use their own discretion. The decision of the Committee shall be final unless it is reversed at a general meeting of members. 15.2 Translation/s of this constitution in English may be made in any other languages, however, in the event of inconsistency of lack of clarity between any provision/s of this Constitution in English and any other translation in the other language/s of this Constitution, the provision/s of this Constitution in English shall prevail and override any other translated versions.
DISPUTES 16 In the event of any dispute arising amongst members, they shall attempt to resolve the matter at an Extraordinary general Meeting in accordance with this Constitution. Should the members fail to resolve the matter, they may bring the matter to a court of law settlement.
DISSOLUTION 17.1 The Society shall not be dissolved, except with the consent of not less than 3/5 of the total voting membership of the Society for the time being resident in Singapore expressed, either in person or by proxy, at a General Meeting convened for the purpose. 17.2 In the event of the Society being dissolved as provided above, all debts and liabilities legally incurred on behalf of the Society shall be fully discharged, and the remaining funds will be donated to an approved Buddhist charity or charities in Singapore which is or are registered under the Charities Act as the General Meeting of members may determine. 17.3 A Certificate of Dissolution shall be given within seven days of the dissolution to the Registrar of Societies and the Commissioner of Charities. |
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