SPGA Constitution


CONSTITUTION OF THE SINGAPORE PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS’ ASSOCIATION – download pdf copy

Article I. DEFINITIONS:-

The following expressions shall have the meanings attributed to them:-

“The Association” The Singapore Professional Golfers’ Association.

“The Members” The members for the time being of the Association, the expression “Member” shall mean any one of the members thereof.

“The Regulations” The rules and regulations of the Association as shall be determined by the Executive Committee from time to time.

“The Constitution” The provisions hereof.

“The Code of Ethics” The code governing the ethical and professional conduct of the Members as may be determined by the Executive Committee from time to time.

Article II. NAME AND OBJECTS

A. Name

The name of the Association shall be “The Singapore Professional Golfers’ Association”.

B. Objects.

The Objects of the Association shall be:

(1) To promote interest in the game of golf in conjunctionwith the Association and to protect and advance the mutual interests of its members;

(2) To arrange and hold meetings and tournaments periodically for the members;

(3) To institute and operate funds for the benefit of the members;

(4) To look after the welfare of the members;

(5) To effect any other objects of a like nature as may be determined from time to time by the Executive Committee.

Article III. PLACE OF BUSINESS

The Association’s place of business shall be at 2 HAVELOCK ROAD #05-22 HAVELOCK II, SINGAPORE 059763 or such other address as may subsequently be decided upon the Executive Committee and approved by the Registrar of Societies.The Association shall carry out its activities only in places and premises which have the prior written approval from the relevant authorities, where necessary.

Article IV. MEMBERSHIP

A. Categories of Membership
There shall be four (4) categories of Membership:

  1. Professionals
    Subject to the Association’s requirements as to proficiency and qualifications, any citizen or permanent resident of Singapore who
    meets any of the following conditions may apply for membership in the Association as “Professionals”
    (i) Is working as head professional at a golf club recognized by the Association;
    (ii) Is a member of a professional golfers’ association outside Singapore recognised by the Association;
    (iii) Has met the Association’s requirements as to proficiency and qualifications.
  2. Associate Professionals:
    Subject to the Association’s requirements as to proficiency and qualifications, any person who is not a citizen nor permanent resident of Singapore but who is a member of a professional golfers’ association outside Singapore recognized by the Association may apply for membership in the Association as “Associate Professionals”
  3. Senior Professionals:
    “Senior Professional”, if the applicant is aged 50 years and above at the point of registration. The Senior Professional shall enjoy the same
    rights and privileges accorded to them as Associate Professionals.
  4. Teaching Professionals:
    Subject to the Association’s requirements as to proficiency and qualifications, any citizen or permanent resident of Singapore who meets any of the following conditions may apply for membership in the Association as “Teaching Professionals”

(i) Maintains a current handicap of seven (7) or below with any of the golf clubs recognized by the Association; or

(ii) Is capable of playing to a handicap of seven (7) or below but does not hold membership in or maintain a handicap with any golf club recognized by the Association

B. Eligibility for Membership

Eligibility for membership to the Association shall be subject to the Association’s requirements as to:-

(i) Maintaining a ration of two of the aggregate number of Professionals and Teaching Professionals to one Associate Professional (2:1), or such other ratio as shall be determined by the Executive Committee from time to time; and

(ii) Proficiency and qualifications for consideration for election to membership shall be as promulgated from time to time by the Executive Committee, which shall constitute continuing requirements for the right to the respective category of membership

C. Administrative fee on application to Membership:

(i) Applicant for membership of any category shall pay an administrative fee of $ 200/- or such other amount to be determined by the Executive Committee from time to time, subject to the approval of the Registrar of Societies. Such payment is for the Association to conduct and proceed the relevant tests for the respective applicant and it is nonrefundable.

(ii) An applicant who is called to prove his playingability in a golf course of any Golf Club in Singapore or outside the Republic of Singapore, is required to pay his own green fee to the selected Golf Club.

D. Application, Election and Administrative Fee for Membership.

  1. Every application for membership shall be made in writing, and signed by the applicant, a proposer and seconder both of whom shall be members in the Professionals category, and addressed to the Secretary.
  2. No applicant may be elected to membership in the absence of the agreement of two thirds of the members of the Executive Committee.
  3. When an applicant is elected to Membership, the Secretary shall notify him thereof in writing and request him to pay the amount due in respect of entrance fee and monthly subscription.
  4. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the election, reelection, deferment or rejection of all candidates for membership in “All
    Categories”.
  5. The election of any candidate to any Class of Membership is conditional upon and takes effect from receipt of the appropriate fees and/or subscriptions at the Association’s Headquarters following the decision of the Committee to elect.
  6. Every application for membership in each category shall be accompanied by a non-refundable administrative fee in such amount as may determined by the Executive Committee from time to time.

E. Re-election to Membership

  1. A person whose name has been removed from the register of Members because that person has become ineligible under the conditions set out in Membership Regulations may apply for re-election. Application must be made in writing for a specific Class of Membership and the candidate will be required to establish his eligibility for that Class of Membership.
  2. Candidates for re-election under the conditions set outabove shall follow the same procedures as laid down for election to the appropriate Class of Membership.
  3. A candidate for re-election may be required to appear in person before the Executive Committee to support his application.
  4. A candidate for re-election may be required to qualify or re-qualify for membership of the Association.
  5. The re-election of any candidate to any class of membership is conditional upon and takes effect from the receipt of the appropriate fees and/or subscriptions following the decision of the Executive Committee to re-elect. A person re-elected to Membership shall be required to pay a sum equivalent to the appropriate subscriptions for the period since last a member, (as if he had been a member), in addition to the current full subscription for the year in which he is reelected unless a waiver is allowed to all or any part of the subscription by the Executive Committee.

F. Rights and Privileges of Members

  1. Subject to the Regulations, Code of Ethics and qualifications set out below, Members may:-
    (A) Hold themselves out as members of the Association to the world at large;
    (B) With the exception of the Teaching Professionals, participate as competitors or otherwise, in any professional golf tournament sanctioned by the Association; and
    (C) Conduct golf lessons, courses and/or clinics.

(i) Professionals:

(a) No member under this category shall be eligible to hold office in the Executive Committee and or to propose or second applications for election to hold office in the Association and or to propose or second applications for election, re-election to membership of all categories if:

(1) He is under twenty-one year of age;

(2) He is not a Singapore citizen except with the approval of the Executive Committee and the Registrar of Societies;

(3) He is an undischarged bankrupt;

(4) He has been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty or moral turpitude and has been sentenced to imprisonment by any court of Law;

(5) He has been convicted of a criminal offence and or an offence under the Act;

(6) He becomes ineligible under any Article of the Constitutions and or Regulations of the Association;

(7) He has been found to have previously misused or mismanaged the funds of the Association, or he has been dismissed as an employee of the Association;

(b) Subject to Article IV (E) (i)a, member of Professionals Membership shall be eligible for election to hold office in the Executive Committee and shall be eligible to propose or second applications for election and or to propose or second applications for election, re-election to Membership of all categories.

(ii) Senior and Associate Professional:

Senior and Associate Professional has no voting rights and shall not be eligible to hold office in the Association. He shall not be eligible to propose or second any application for election to hold office in the Association and he shall also not eligible to propose or second any application for election, re-election to Membership of all categories.

(iii) Teaching Professional:

(a) An Teaching Professional may be appointedby the Executive Committee to serve in theManagement Committee and or any Sub-Committee duly appointed by the Executive Committee.

(b) An Teaching Professional has no voting rights and he shall not be eligible for election to hold office in the Executive Committee.

(c) An Teaching Professional shall not be eligible to propose or second any application for election to hold office in the Association and he shall also not be eligible to propose or second any application for election and or re-election to Membership of all categories.

(d) An Teaching Professional shall not participate, whether as competitor or otherwise in any professional golf tournament
sanctioned by the Association unless the Teaching Professional participates without the credentials of the Association, and
provided always that the prior approval of the Executive Committee is obtained

(iv) Member of any category of Membership shall not play or participate or associate himself in any tournament or competition not approved by the
Association including an organizer or sponsor who shows no respect to the Association and its members.


(v) Members who wish to play in any tournament or competition, both local and abroad, are required to submit their application through the
Association. Organizer shall be obliged to confirm with the Association to ensure that applicants from Singapore are members of the Association.

G. Resignations/Changes

  1. A member who fails to inform the Association’s Headquarters in writing, of any change of address or engagement with an Association Establishment or Association Member, within twenty-eight (28) days of the change will be liable to a fine of not less than $50/-.
  2. Any member who wishes to withdraw from the Association, shall give notice to the Secretary in writing on or before January 1 of his intention to do so otherwise he shall be liable for the subscription due for the ensuing year.

H. Playing at other Courses.

  1. Members are advised that if they wish to play on acourse other than their own, they should adopt the following procedures:-
    (i) Telephone the day before or earlier to ensure the visit can be accommodated.
    (ii) Make the appropriate introductions to the Resident Professional and Club Secretary on arrival.
    (iii) Produce a membership card to substantiate identity.
  2. A member who fails to follow the procedure above is liable for disciplinary action under the Association’s code of Ethics.

I. Press Statement.

  1. No member is allowed to make or issue any press statement for and on behalf of the Association or comment about the Association’s affairs to
    the massmedia without the written approval of the Executive Committee.
  2. The writer of any Article on the Association is obliged to confirm with the Association to ensure that information’s contained in the Articles are true and correct.
  3. Any member who makes a statement which in the opinion of the Executive Committee constitutes a breach of the Code of Ethics under the provisions of Article V is liable for disciplinary action, including expulsion from membership of the Association.

J. Subscriptions

  1. Annual subscriptions for members shall fall due on January 1 each year and shall be such as the Executive Committee shall from time to time resolve.
  2. (a) A Professional Member who joined on or after 1st January 1997, shall pay his annual subscription of $ 300/- and an entrance fee of $1,580/-
    or such other amount to be determined by the Executive Committee from time to time, subject to the approval of the Registrar of Societies.
    2(b) The Executive Committee shall have the power to reduce or waive the subscriptions for retirees.
    2(c) A Associate Professional who joined on or before 1st January 1997 shall pay his annual subscription of $ 550/-.
    2(d) A Associate Professional who joined on or after 1st January 1997 shall pay his annual subscription of $ 550/- and an entrance fee of $3,160/- or such other amounts to be determined by the Executive Committee from time to time, subject to the approval of the Registrar of Societies.
    2(e) An Teaching Professional who is elected to become a Professional Member shall pay his annual subscription of $ 300/- or such other
    amount to be determined by the Executive Committee from time to time, subject to the approval of the Registrar of Societies. In addition, he is required to pay a conversion fee of $ 200/- or such other amount to be determined by the Executive Committee from time to time subject to the approval of the Registrar of Societies.
  3. Members shall pay their annual subscription prior to 1st Day of January upon receipt of the Notice from the Association.
  4. A member who is elected to Membership on any day of January shall pay the full amount of annual subscription for the calendar year.
    Subscription on pro-rata basis shall only be applicable to a member who is elected to membership on or after 1st Day of February of the calendar year.
  5. Any member who has not paid the subscription by February 28 will be fined and suspended from membership until the fine is paid. The fine shall amount to double the appropriate subscription. If the fine is not paid by May 31, the member will be expelled.
  6. The Executive Committee may, on exceptional circumstances extend the period for payment of the subscription by a member.
  7. A member is considered to have submitted himself to the Constitution of the Association and any Regulation made pursuant thereto until his resignation is accepted or he is expelled by the Executive Committee.

Article V. STANDARD OF CONDUCT AND CODE OF ETHICS.

  1. The Members shall observe and comply with the Code of Ethics so as to ensure that the Association is and remains a hallmark of service, honesty, fair dealings and courtesy.
  2. A member shall be deemed to have violated the Code of Ethicsof the Association if he is found guilty by the Executive Committee or its appointed Sub-Committee of conduct likely to injure or discredit the reputation of the Association or any of its Members, or is contrary to the policy or objects of the Association or willfully violates or disregards the Constitution of the Associationor any Regulation made pursuant thereto upon any complaint made and received by the Association.

Article VI. DUTIES OF OFFICE-BEARERS.

The duties of the office-bearers are as follows:-

  1. The President shall act as Chairman at all Executive Committee meetings and General Meetings. He shall also represent the Association in its dealings with outside persons.
  2. The Vice-President shall deputies for the President in the latter’s absence.
  3. The Hon. Secretary shall keep all records, except financial records of the Association and shall be responsible for their correctness. He will keep minutes of all General and Executive Committee meetings. He shall maintain an up-to-date Register of members at all times.
  4. The Treasurer shall keep all funds and collect and disburse all monies on behalf of the Association and shall keep an account of all monetary
    transactions and shall be responsible for their correctness. He is authorized to expend up to $500/- per month for petty expenses onbehalf of the Association. He will not keep more than $500/- in the form of cash. 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 President, Vice-President or Secretary in addition
    to the Treasurer.
  5. Ordinary Committee Members shall endeavorconscientiously and participate collectively in the decision making process. They shall assist in the general administration of the Association and perform any duties assigned by the Executive Committee from time to time.
  6. Any changes in the Executive Committee shall be notifiedto the Registrar of Societies within 2 weeks of the change.
  7. Any member of the Committee absenting himself from three Executive Committee meetings consecutively without satisfactory explanations shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Executive Committee, and a successor may be co-opted by the Executive Committee to serve until the next annual general meeting.
  8. Officers and members of all Committees of theAssociation, elected or appointed by Members at appropriate general meetings or appointed by the Executive Committee, shall serve the period of office determined by the Constitution with effect from May 1 in the year in which they are elected or appointed until April 30 in the year in which the retire. If the meeting at which elections or appointments take place is held after May 1 in any year the retiring member or officer shall continue in office until this date whereupon the newly elected member or newly appointed officer will take up office immediately following the end of the meeting.

Article VII. MANAGEMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION.

A. Control

The Management of the Association shall be under the control and direction of the Executive Committee.

B. The Executive Committee

  1. Membership of the Executive Committee.

(i) The Executive Committee shall be comprised of a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer and such number of non-office bearing committee members as may be determined by the Executive Committee from time to time up to seven in number or none at all, all of whom shall hold office for a term of two years each upon election at a General Meeting, and:-

(a) In the case of the President, Vice-President and Secretary, shall, after holding office for a term of two years, be eligible for re-election to the same or related post for a consecutive term of office;

(b) In the case of the non-bearing committee members, for a term of two years each unless re-elected at the next Annual General Meeting; and

(c) In the case of the Treasurer, shall hold office for a term of two years, after which he shall not be eligible for re-election as such, but may stand for election to other office bearing positions or as non-office member of the Executive Committee.

(ii) A person who has previously, in the sole opinion of the Executive Committee, been guilty of a serious breach of the Code of Ethics shall not be eligible for election or re-election to the Executive Committee.

(iii) The Executive Committee may act notwithstanding any vacancy in its body, provided always that its members shall not be reduced below four in number. In such situations, the Executive Committee may co-opt Members from the Professionals category to fill up such vacancies, or call a General Meeting for such purpose.

(iv) Elections to the Executive Committee shall be held at the expiry of each and every term of the member of the Executive Committee. Subject to Article VII (B) (1) (i), retiring members of the Executive Committee and Members wishing to stand for election shall submit their applications in accordance with this Constitution and submitted to the Secretary not less than two weeks before but in any event not more than two months before the Annual General Meeting at which the election is due to be held.

(v) The Executive Committee shall have the power to constitute aManagement Committee to assist it in carrying out its duties to serve the Association. The Advisor of the Association shall be the sole-advisor of the Management Committee. The Chairman and the Secretary of the Management Committee shall be the President and the Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Association respectively. The Executive Committee shall appoint three (3) Vice-Chairman, an Executive Secretary, an Assistant Executive Secretary and a number of Committee members to be determined by the Executive Committee to the Management Committee.

(vi) The Executive Committee shall act immediately on recommendation of the Advisors to remove any member of the Management Committee in the interest of the Association and its members.

(vii) The Executive Committee may on the recommendation of theAdvisor, delegate its power and or authority to the Management Committee to carry out and or implement any of its functions for the interest of the Association and its members provided always that such delegation does not relate to a change of any existing provisions and or clauses of the Constitution or Rules and or Regulations of the Association.

(viii) The Management Committee shall not have the power to amend, alter, make or delete any existing clauses of the Constitution and or Rules & Regulations of the Association. It shall not have the power to veto any decision of the Executive Committee.

Powers and Duties of the Executive Committee.

(i) General

The Executive Committee shall:-
(a) Be empowered, but is not obliged to invite a person:-

(1) Of standing, reputation and integrity to be the Patron of the Association; and

(2) Having the relevant experience and knowledge to be the Advisor of the Association. Such persons may be admitted in a non-voting capacity to the meetings of the Executive Committee or such other committee or sub-committee of the Association as the Executive Committee may determine.

(b) have the power to constitute a Management Committee to carry out such duties and powers as may be delegated by the executive Committee and on such terms and conditions as the Executive Committee may determine from time to time provided always the following powers and responsibilities shall not be delegable to the Management Committee:-

(i) The power to amend, alter, make, delete any of the provisions hereof; and

(ii) The matters set out in sub-clauses (c), (d) and (f) below.

(c) Be entitled to remove any member of the Management Committee whether upon the advice of the Advisor or on its own accord in the interests of the Association.

(d) Be responsible for the policy and direction of the Association and all matters relating to the administration of the affairs of the Association.

(e) Be responsible for organizing and convening the Annual General Meeting of the Association and all Special General Meetings.

(f) Organize all official Association functions and events and nominate the players for all Association golf teams.

(g) Consider all proposed amendments to the Constitution.

(h) make, and amend/delete regulations to managethe affairs of the Association including the discipline of the Members, the Code of Ethics, rules relating to the playing of golf and to tournaments, the training and employment of trainees and all other matters which the Executive Committee shall consider necessary or desirable for the proper and effective management of the commercial and professional affairs of the Association. All such regulations as may be amended from time to time shall not be inconsistent with the Rules of the Association.

(i) Select all employees of the Association, agreeto the terms of their contracts of employment and procure the Association to enter into the same. All contracts of employment shall provide that the employee shall observe the Code of Ethics as if the employee were a member of the Association.

(j) Have the power to terminate the employment of any employee of the Association subject to the provisions of the employee’s contract of employment.

(k) Appoint Sub-Committees to take charge of matters as Executive Committee deems fit.

(l) Have the power to veto any rule or decision of any Sub-Committee if in the opinion of the Executive Committee considers the rule or
decision contrary to the Code of Ethics the Constitution the Regulations or the policy of the Executive Committee.

(m) Have the sole right to control the commercial exploitation of the name of the Association.

(n) Take all appropriate steps to promote the interests of the game of golf and the Members.

(o) Consider and take all appropriate steps to improve the conditions of employment and general welfare of the Members.

(p) Be empowered to invite and appoint non-membersto sit and participate in Sub-Committees with a view to the Association benefitting from the advice, expertise and connections of such non-member invitees. The invitees shall participate in any advisory capacity and will not exercise any voting rights.

(q) Be allowed to consult with and/or engage the services of any professional person or organization to assist it in its affairs and to pay the costs and fees of such professionals.

(r) Be empowered to delegate powers and authorityto any individual or Sub-Committee (permanent or ad-hoc) to carry out and/or implement any of its functions so long as such delegation does not relate to a change of any existing clauses of the Constitution or Rules of the Association.

ii) Finance

The Executive Committee shall:-

(a) be responsible for the administration of allthe assets of the Association and shall have a duty to ensure that such assets are properly administered in the best interests of the members.

(b) have the power to borrow on behalf of the Association or any part of the Association and to pledge the assets of the Association or any part of the Association up to a limit of $ 5,000/-. Any borrowing of sums which will bring the total borrowing of the Association to a sum in excess of $ 5,000/- shall be made pursuant to a special resolution passed by a majority of the Members at the Annual General Meeting.

(c) Supervise the administration of the Association’s funds.

(d) Prepare full accounts of the financial affairs of the Association, such accounts to be properly audited, and resent the same to the Annual General Meeting for the approval of the Members.

(e) Have the power to accept any donation or payment to the Association from any sponsor, commercial organization or well-wisher for the use and benefit of the Association and/or inaccordance with the wishes of the donor.

(iii) Discipline

The Executive Committee shall:-
(a) be responsible for the overall supervision of discipline of the Members and shall take all steps as shall be considered necessary by the Executive Committee to ensure that the Code of Ethics and the other Regulations are observed by all the Members.

(b) Hear appeals by the Members in accordance with the Constitution and the Regulations from disciplinary proceedings of the Disciplinary Committee.

(c) Have power in accordance with the Regulations to censure, fine, suspend or expel any Member after hearing an appeal.

(d) be empowered of its own volition to suspend the rights and privileges of a Member forthwith without any hearing in the event of that Member being convicted by a Court of Law of a crime of dishonesty or one which in the opinion of the Executive Committee injures or discredits the Association or in the event of a Member becoming bankrupt or having a Receiving Order made against him or taking the benefit of any Act for the time being in force for the relief of insolvent debtors or making any composition with his creditors, provided that the Executive Committee shall procure the convening of an appropriate disciplinary hearing as soon as reasonably practicable following the exercise of such power in respect of any such Member.

Procedure at Executive Committee Meetings

The Executive Committee shall make its own rules of procedure for all meetings provided that such rules shall incorporate the following:-

(i) The President shall be Chairman of the meeting and have a second and casting vote. If the President and Vice-President cannot attend, the meeting may nominate a member of the Executive Committee to act as Chairman for that meeting with a casting vote.

(ii) No business may be transacted at a meeting of the Executive Committee unless there shall be a quorum present which shall consist of not less than any four members of the Executive Committee, or 50% of the members thereof whichever is higher, provided always that the President may in his sole and unfettered discretion adjourn the meeting to such other date and time as he deems convenient provided that such adjourned meeting is preceded by two days’ notice in writing, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half-an-hour from the time appointed for the meeting, the members present shall constitute a quorum for the meeting.

(iii) Seven days’ notice in writing shall be given to the members of the Executive Committee of all meetings unless two-thirds of the Executive Committee agree to accept shorter notice.

(iv) The President or any two members of the Executive Committee shall be empowered to requisition a meeting of the Executive Committee and shall submit to the Secretary with their requisition a notice in writing of the resolution they wish to put to the Executive Committee whereupon the Secretary shall convene a meeting within twenty-eight days and supply a copy of the resolution to the members of the Executive Committee.

(v) The Executive Committee shall have the power to ask any other person to be present at any meeting in a non-voting capacity.

Article VIII. GENERAL MEETINGS

A. General Meetings.

  1. The Supreme authority of the Association is vested in a general meeting of the members presided over by the President. The Association shall, in May each year hold a general meeting as its Annual General Meeting in addition to any other meetings that year and shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it.
  1. The Annual General Meeting shall be held at such time and place as the Executive Committee shall determine.
  1. All general meetings other than Annual General Meetings shall be called Special General Meetings
  1. Special General Meetings may be called by the Executive Committee or by a requisition to the Secretary signed by at least twenty Members stating the resolutions to be proposed and the member in whose name each resolution stands

B. Notice of General Meetings.

  1. All general meetings shall be called by posting on the Association’s notice board notice stating time and place of the meeting, and the business to be conducted thereat (“Notice”) for at least fourteen (14) clear days before the date of the meeting. A copy of the Notice, and in the case of an Annual General Meeting, copies of the Annual Report and Statement of Accounts of the Association shall be dispatched by ordinary post on or before the posting of the Notice on the Association’s notice board to each of the Members.
  1. In the case of a Special General Meeting requisitioned by Members, the notice convening such meeting shall be posted on the Notice board of the Association and dispatched by ordinary post to the Members within fourteen (14) clear days of the receipt of the notice by the Secretary.

C. Proceedings at General Meetings

  1. The following business may be transacted at the Annual General Meeting:-
    (a) The confirmation of the Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting;
    (b) The consideration and receipt of the Annual Report and Statement of Accounts of the Association;
    (c) Where applicable, the election of members of the Executive Committee for the following term;
    (d) Such other business as the Executive Committee may propose and are set out in the Notice.
  1. The Special General Meeting may transact all business as raised in the notice to such meeting.
  1. The President shall be the Chairman of the General Meeting and in his absence, the Vice-President, and in his absence, such other Member as may be elected by the Members present. The Chairman shall:-
    (a) Be responsible for the proper conduct of the meeting, whose decision with regards to the application of the Constitution to the meeting be final and binding; and
    (b) Have the second or casting vote in case of an equality of votes.
  1. If at the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not ascertained,
    (a) the meeting shall stand adjourned to half an hour thereafter, and the members then present shall be deemed to constitute a quorum save that they shall have no power to alter, amend or make additions or deletions to the Constitution; and
    (b) the meeting, if requisitioned by Members shall be dissolved For the purpose of ascertaining a quorum, twenty or 25% of the voting Members, whichever is the lesser shall constitutes a quorum.
  1. The resolutions put to the cote of all General Meetings shall be decided upon a show of hands. A declaration by the unanimously or by a particular majority or lost shall be entered in the book containing the minutes of the conclusive evidence of the matters stated therein.
  1. No amendment to any resolution put before a General Meeting shall be permitted unless not less than 75% of the Members present at the General Meeting and entitled to vote thereat agree to the amendment.
  1. The Chairman shall be responsible for the proper conduct of the meeting. In the event of any dispute as to the application of the rules relating to general meetings, the Chairman’s decision shall be
  1. All business coming before a general meeting shall be in the form of a resolution and shall stand in the name of the Member proposing it unless the resolution is submitted by the Executive Committee in which case it shall stand in the name of a member of the Executive Committee.
  1. The proposer of a resolution shall have the right to introduce the motion standing in his name.
  1. No Member shall speak more than once on any resolution except the proposer who shall have the right of reply.
  1. When the proposer of a resolution has spoken in reply, no further discussion shall take place and the vote shall be taken.
  1. Once all amendments have been debated, the proposer of the original resolution shall be entitled to reply following which the resolution in its amended form shall be put to the meeting.
  1. A Member may at any time during the debate proposes “that the question be now put” and if this is seconded, the proposer of the resolution shall be called upon to reply following which the resolution will be put to the meeting without debate unless the Chairman is of the opinion that the proposal to take a vote is premature.
  1. At any time during a debate, a Member may rise on a point of order and the debate shall be suspended until the Chairman has ruled on such point of order. A point of order shall be limited to an allegation that the rules of debate are being infringed.
  1. At any general meeting a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided upon a show of hands. A declaration by the Chairman that a Resolution has on a show of hands been carried or carried unanimously or by a particular majority or lost and an entry to that effect in the book containing the Minutes of the proceedings of the Association shall be conclusive evidence of the fact of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favor of or against such resolution, unless a poll has been called for by any member present.
  1. In the case of an equality of votes whether on a show of hands or a poll, the Chairman of the meeting at which the show of hands or poll takes place shall be entitled to a second or casting vote.

Article IX AUDIT

A. A reputable Accounting firm, will be elected and/or re-elected as Auditors at each annual general meeting and will hold office for one year only unless renewed successively. They will be required to audit each year’s accounts and present a report upon them to the annual general meeting. They may be required by the President to audit the Association’s accounts for any period within their tenure of office at any date and make a report to the Committee.

B. The financial Year of the Association shall be thetwelve calendar months from January 1 to December 31 each year.

Article X THE ASSOCIATION YEAR

The membership and subscription of the Association shall be determined by the Executive Committee from time to time by Regulation. Unless and until otherwise provided by the Executive Committee in the Regulations, the Association Membership and Subscription shall be from 1st January until 31 December. But the terms of office of the Executive Committee and Management Committee and other committees and or Subcommittees shall normally run from 1st May to 30th April.

Article XI THE PROPERTY OF THE ASSOCIATION

A. Distribution upon dissolution
If upon dissolution of the Association there remains after satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever the same shall be distributed amongst the Members equally

B. Benevolent Fund
Any Benevolent Fund of the Association shall bevested in the Trustees of the Association, who shall be two in number, and shall be appointed and removed by the General Meeting. The Trustees shall continue in office until retirement or removal. The Trustees shall deal with the Benevolent Fund of the Association as the General Meeting shall determine.

C. Voting of Assets. Assets belonging to the Association shall be vestedin the Association which will also receive the trading and investment income of the Association and bear the expenses of the Association as the Executive Committee shall from time to time determine.

D. A list of the property of the Association shall be maintained and updated by the Treasurer from time to time, depreciated in accordance with normal accounting rules, or such manner as he auditors of the Association may advise.

Article XII. PROHIBITIONS

  1. Gambling of any kind and the playing of paikow or mahjong, whether for stakes or not, is forbidden on the Association’s premises. The introduction of materials for gambling or drug taking and of bad characters into the premises is prohibited.
  1. The funds of the Association shall not be used to pay the fines of members who have been convicted in Court.
  1. The Association shall not engage in Trade Union activity as defined in any written law relating to trade unions for the time being in force in Singapore.
  1. The Association shall not attempt to restrict or interfere with trade or make directly or indirectly any recommendation to any arrangement with its Members which has the purpose or is likely to have the effect of fixing or controlling the price or any discount, allowance or rebate relating to any goods or services to be supplied by them.
  1. The Association shall not hold any lottery, whether confined to its Members or not, in the name of the Association or its office-bearers, Committee or members.
  1. The Association shall not indulge in any political activity or allow its funds and/or premises to be used for political purposes.
  1. The Association shall not raise funds from thepublic for whatever purpose without the prior approval in writing of the Registrar of Societies and other relevant authorities.

Article XIII. AMENDMENT TO CONSTITUTION

Any amendment to the Constitution shall require the prior approval of the Association in General Meeting and a Resolution proposing such an amendment shall not be passed without the approval of at least three-quarters of the Members in attendance at such meeting and having the right to vote and they shall not come into force without the prior sanction of the Registrar of Societies.

Article XIV. DISSOLUTION

  1. The Association shall not be dissolved, except with the consent of not less than 3/5 of the Members of the Association for the time being resident in Singapore expressed in person at a general meeting convened for the purpose.
  1. In the event of the Association being dissolved as provided above, all debts and liabilities legally incurred on behalf of the Association shall be fully discharged, and the remaining funds will be divided equally amongst the members subject to any prevailing law or regulation
  1. Certificate of dissolution shall be given within 7 days of the dissolution to the Registrar of Societies.