STARTA Constitution

Article I - Name

    The name of this branch of ARTA shall be “The St. Albert and Area Retired Teachers’ Association” hereinafter referred to as STARTA.

Article II - Membership

    A. Voting Membership

    STARTA will accept into membership, with full voting power, any person in receipt of a pension from The Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund.

    STARTA membership shall be principally persons resident in or previously employed within the geographic area encompassed by the City of St. Albert, the Counties of Barrhead, Parkland and Sturgeon and the Municipal District of Westlock.

    B Associate Membership

    The following persons may be accepted as Associate Members without the right to vote or hold the office of President, Vice President(s), or Branch Benefits Representative:

    1. The spouse of a member.
    2. Retired teachers from other educational institutions in Alberta.
    3. Retired teachers in receipt of a pension from other provinces.
    4. Honorary Members of the Alberta Teachers' Association.
    5. Other persons as approved by the Executive.

Article III - Objectives

    The objectives of STARTA shall be:

    A. To promote good fellowship among retired teachers.

    B. To maintain contact with less active members.

    C. To encourage the participation of new retirees.

    D. To promote contact with other retired teachers in the area.

    E. To assist in protecting the welfare of retired teachers.

    F. To maintain liaison with ARTA.

    G. To encourage members to support the activities of ARTA.

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Article IV - Executive Officers

    A. The Executive Officers shall attain office through election at the AGM.

    Elected for a two-year term as in IV C below:

    1. President
    2. Vice President(s)
    3. Secretary
    4. Treasurer
    5. Program Convener
    6. Telephone Convener
    7. Communication Convener
    8. Historian

    A Branch Benefits Representative and Webmaster will be appointed by the president, in consultation with the other officers, for a two year term.

    The Past President will be the person who last served as president.

    B. The responsibilities of the Executive Officers shall be as prescribed and generally accepted by ARTA and ATA and as may be determined by the executive from time to time. The lists of duties shall be attached hereto as "Appendix A".

    C. The election of the officers shall be conducted in even years at the general meeting in May. The Past President shall prepare and offer a nomination slate, with at least one name for each position, for the consideration of the membership. Additional nominations from the floor shall be in order. The term of office shall begin at the conclusion of the AGM.

    D. Should a vacancy occur during a term of an elected person, the Executive shall appoint a replacement, except that if the position of President becomes vacant, the Vice-President shall assume that position and a new Vice-President shall be appointed.

    E. The appointment of appropriate Executive Officers shall occur at the Executive meeting next following the AGM.

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Article V - Committees

    A. A convener may, after consultation with the Executive, appoint individuals to assist in carrying out the functions of the office.

    B. Notwithstanding other provisions of this constitution, the Executive may appoint ad hoc committees for specific purposes.

Article VI – Finances

    A. The fiscal year of STARTA shall May to April 30.

    B. The annual fee shall be as recommended from time to time by the Executive and approved at a general meeting.

    C. The annual membership fee covers the period from July 1 to June 30 following. An official receipt will be issued.

    D. Payment of operating expenses shall be as authorized by the Executive. Signing officers shall be any two of the Treasurer, the President and the Vice-President.

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Article VII - Meetings

A. Executive Meetings

    The Executive shall meet at the call of the President who shall convene the group a minimum of 3 times per year.

B. Annual General Meetings

    The Annual General Meeting of the membership shall be held in May.

The Agenda shall include:

  • The annual report of the President.
  • Reports of other Executive officers as necessary.
  • Reports of committees as necessary.
  • Reports of committees as necessary.
  • The audited financial statement.
  • The election of Executive officers.
  • New business.

C. General Meetings

    Other general meetings, in addition to the AGM, may be called by the Executive as deemed necessary for the effective and satisfactory operation of STARTA. Membership shall be notified at least two weeks prior to the date of the meeting.

D. Social Functions

    A minimum of four social activities shall be organized by the Executive each year. The form of the activities shall be in accordance with the wishes of the membership.

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Article VIII - Quorum

The quorum for any meeting of the membership of STARTA shall be 10 members of whom at least 2 shall be executive members.

The quorum for any meeting of the Executive shall be a simple majority.

Article IX - Procedures

Parliamentary procedure for the conduct of meetings as well as other procedures and practices of STARTA shall conform to those of the Alberta Teachers’ Association.

Article X - Amendments

Amendments to this constitution and any related by-laws may be approved at any regular or special meeting of the members by an affirmative vote of two thirds (2/3) of the voting members present at the meeting provided, however, that notice had been given no later than the previous meeting.

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