The Coalition for Seniors’ and Nursing Home
Residents’ Rights
“Standing Up for You”
By-Laws
2025
Residents’ Rights
“Standing Up for You”
By-Laws
2025
I Meetings of the Board
1)Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held twice per year.
2)Meetings of the Board of Directors and Annual Meetings shall be held virtually when it is not possible to meet publicly.
3)Special meetings may be held at the call of the President, or be called at the request, in writing, of three (3) members of the Board of Directors.
4)Notice of special meetings shall be given to all members of the board at least one (1) week prior to such meetings, either orally or in writing.
5)Executive meetings shall be held prior to a meeting of the Board of Directors or as required.
6)Meetings of the Board of Directors where the government has enacted legislation such as the Emergency Measures Act may be conducted by virtual meetings.
7)The affairs of Coalition shall be managed with transparency and accountability by a Board of Directors and the Executive Director.
8)Board members require a criminal and vulnerable adult criminal RCMP check.
II Quorum
The quorum required for holding Board, Executive or Committee meetings shall be 50% of those members.
III Conduct of Meetings
Meetings shall be conducted according to procedures outlined in Bourinot’s Rules of Order.
IV Voting
1)Each of those present at a general meeting, excluding the Executive Director and the President of the Coalition shall be permitted one vote. Decisions shall be made by a majority of those voting. The President breaks tie votes.
V Election of Executive Committee
1)The Executive Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
2)The Board of Directors, where unforeseen circumstances arise, may postpone the election to the following year of the Annual Meeting.
3)A slate of officers shall be presented by the Nominating Committee; no nominations may be made from the floor.
4)Any vacancies which occur shall be temporarily filled by the Board of Directors for the remainder of the unfulfilled term.
VI Term of Office
Election for Officers shall be held every two (2) years.
VII Banking and Signing Officers
1)The Board shall operate a bank account with the President, and Treasurer as signing officers. The Executive Director shall also be a signing officer.
2)Two (2) signatures shall be required on all cheques.
VIII Year of Operation
The year of operation shall be January – December.
IX Duties of Board Members
1)To become informed on all matters which come under the Board’s operation.
2)To attend Board and Annual meetings.
3)To have a working knowledge of parliamentary procedure.
4)To share in the Board’s tasks and responsibilities.
5)Any organization represented on the Board that is absent from two meetings may lose its status on the Board at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
6)An alternative representative may be appointed to join the Board with voice with no vote unless the designated representative is absent.
X Duties of the Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the following: President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Past President in conjunction with the Executive Director.
The President shall be responsible to oversee the work of the Coalition with respect to the mandate established by the Coalition:
The Vice-Presidents, in the absence of the President, shall carry on the duties pertaining to the office of the President in order of their standing:
The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records for the Coalition:
The Secretary shall:
Maintain the Minutes of all meetings and distribute to the Board of Directors thirty (30) days following the meeting.
The Past President shall assist the Executive and Board of the Coalition, as required:
XII Board of Directors
Duties include:
1)Promote the work of the Coalition within their respective regions.
2)Assist in advocating policy change.
3)Assist in fund raising.
4)Maintain open communication among regions.
Executive Director
The Executive Director shall assist the Board in its overall operation:
XIII Committees
The Coalition shall be assisted in its work by the following standing committees:
XIV Remuneration
The Executive Director, Members of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, whether elected or appointed, shall serve without remuneration. Such people may, however, be reimbursed for authorized expenses incurred on behalf of the Coalition.
XV New Positions and Services
The Board may, at its discretion, create new positions.
XVI Annual Report
4) Approved copy of the Annual Report and reviewed Financial Statements shall be on file with the Secretary and Executive Director.
5) A brief report shall be presented at the Annual General Meeting by
the Chairs of the Standing Committees.
Adopted as amended - Annual meeting October 24, 2025
President: _____________________
Executive Director: _____________________
Secretary: ____________________
1)Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held twice per year.
2)Meetings of the Board of Directors and Annual Meetings shall be held virtually when it is not possible to meet publicly.
3)Special meetings may be held at the call of the President, or be called at the request, in writing, of three (3) members of the Board of Directors.
4)Notice of special meetings shall be given to all members of the board at least one (1) week prior to such meetings, either orally or in writing.
5)Executive meetings shall be held prior to a meeting of the Board of Directors or as required.
6)Meetings of the Board of Directors where the government has enacted legislation such as the Emergency Measures Act may be conducted by virtual meetings.
7)The affairs of Coalition shall be managed with transparency and accountability by a Board of Directors and the Executive Director.
8)Board members require a criminal and vulnerable adult criminal RCMP check.
II Quorum
The quorum required for holding Board, Executive or Committee meetings shall be 50% of those members.
III Conduct of Meetings
Meetings shall be conducted according to procedures outlined in Bourinot’s Rules of Order.
IV Voting
1)Each of those present at a general meeting, excluding the Executive Director and the President of the Coalition shall be permitted one vote. Decisions shall be made by a majority of those voting. The President breaks tie votes.
V Election of Executive Committee
1)The Executive Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
2)The Board of Directors, where unforeseen circumstances arise, may postpone the election to the following year of the Annual Meeting.
3)A slate of officers shall be presented by the Nominating Committee; no nominations may be made from the floor.
4)Any vacancies which occur shall be temporarily filled by the Board of Directors for the remainder of the unfulfilled term.
VI Term of Office
Election for Officers shall be held every two (2) years.
VII Banking and Signing Officers
1)The Board shall operate a bank account with the President, and Treasurer as signing officers. The Executive Director shall also be a signing officer.
2)Two (2) signatures shall be required on all cheques.
VIII Year of Operation
The year of operation shall be January – December.
IX Duties of Board Members
1)To become informed on all matters which come under the Board’s operation.
2)To attend Board and Annual meetings.
3)To have a working knowledge of parliamentary procedure.
4)To share in the Board’s tasks and responsibilities.
5)Any organization represented on the Board that is absent from two meetings may lose its status on the Board at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
6)An alternative representative may be appointed to join the Board with voice with no vote unless the designated representative is absent.
X Duties of the Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the following: President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Past President in conjunction with the Executive Director.
The President shall be responsible to oversee the work of the Coalition with respect to the mandate established by the Coalition:
- Chair the Board of Directors, Executive, and Annual General Meetings.
- Act as an ex-officio member of all committees.
- Represent the Coalition.
- Mediates any disputes arising in the organization.
- Ensure the interests of the Coalition are promoted.
The Vice-Presidents, in the absence of the President, shall carry on the duties pertaining to the office of the President in order of their standing:
- The 1st Vice-President, and 2nd Vice-President shall assist the President in the governance of the Coalition.
- Represent the President in the affairs of the Coalition when the President is unable to act.
The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records for the Coalition:
- Issue cheques and keep an accurate record of all financial transactions of the Coalition.
- Present monthly financial reports to the Board, Executive, Annual and General Meetings.
- Assist with fund raising
- The reviewed financial reports for the last fiscal year (January – December plus year to date) will be presented at the Annual General Meeting.
The Secretary shall:
Maintain the Minutes of all meetings and distribute to the Board of Directors thirty (30) days following the meeting.
The Past President shall assist the Executive and Board of the Coalition, as required:
- Chair the Nominating Committee.
- Advise and support the President as and when required.
- Any other duties as assigned by the President.
XII Board of Directors
Duties include:
1)Promote the work of the Coalition within their respective regions.
2)Assist in advocating policy change.
3)Assist in fund raising.
4)Maintain open communication among regions.
Executive Director
The Executive Director shall assist the Board in its overall operation:
- Maintain membership lists.
- Communicate all relevant media information to all members, groups and individuals.
- Prepare media releases and letters on behalf of the Coalition, with the approval of the President.
- Act as spokesperson to media for the Coalition.
- Deal with correspondence as required by the Executive and Board of Directors.
- Coordinate preparation of Annual Report.
- Give notice of Executive, Annual General and Board meetings.
- Review and circulate minutes of proceedings and other relevant information.
- Maintain contact with leaders of government, groups or individuals with interests in the Coalition
XIII Committees
The Coalition shall be assisted in its work by the following standing committees:
- Nominating Committee
- The nominating Committee shall consist of the Past President, a member of the board who has not offered to run in the election and the Executive Director.
- Past President will chair the Election of Officers at the Board meeting and report the new board at the annual meeting.
- To advise members of vacancies on the board and to solicit nominees willing to let their names stand for the office of:
- Financial/Fundraising Committee.
- Communication/Membership Committee.
XIV Remuneration
The Executive Director, Members of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, whether elected or appointed, shall serve without remuneration. Such people may, however, be reimbursed for authorized expenses incurred on behalf of the Coalition.
XV New Positions and Services
The Board may, at its discretion, create new positions.
XVI Annual Report
- A written Annual Report of the Coalition shall be presented to the Annual General Meeting by the Executive Director.
- The reviewed financial report for the last fiscal year plus Year-end will be presented.
- A review committee of two (2) shall be selected from the Board of
4) Approved copy of the Annual Report and reviewed Financial Statements shall be on file with the Secretary and Executive Director.
5) A brief report shall be presented at the Annual General Meeting by
the Chairs of the Standing Committees.
Adopted as amended - Annual meeting October 24, 2025
President: _____________________
Executive Director: _____________________
Secretary: ____________________
