Byelaws of the Order

Transcription

1 The Knights Templar f Sctland, Byelaws, Ver 1.03 Date: 20/09/06 1: Gverning Law Byelaws f the Order The Order shall be gverned in accrdance with Scttish law. Any dispute f the Cnstitutin and Byelaws f the Order shall be subject t the exclusive jurisdictin f the Scttish curts and, by accepting membership f the Order yu hereby submit t the exclusive jurisdictin f such curts fr such purpses and waive any and all bjectins t jurisdictin r venue in such curts. 2: Membership Requirements The Order expects that: Prspective Members will be at least eighteen years ld Prspective Members will be free t jin the Order withut restrictin. Prspective Members will require an existing Member, in gd standing, t becme their spnsr Members will bey the lawful cmmands f their Superirs. (Cmmands shuld nt impinge n a Member s civil, legal r family duties) Members must be a lyal citizen and be willing t discharge his duties t Gd, his neighbur and himself. Members will abide by the Cnstitutin and Byelaws f the Order Members will adhere t the guidelines within the Knights Manual Members will attend Meetings regularly Members will be f a high mral calibre Members must believe in Christian Chivalric Ideals Members will be encuraged t Serve the Order Members will be encuraged t fulfill the bjectives f the Order Members will remember the cde f Chivalry at all times Members will pay their Oblatins n time Members will serve their time befre advancing in rank 3: Membership Fees A: Yearly Oblatins Due Yearly befre the January the 31 st, the Membership Fees shall be: Pstulant: Cmpanin: Knight/Dame Knight/Dame Cmmander: Grand Officer Grand Crss Hnrary Affiliate Friend N fee but dnatin wuld be accepted. 25 per persn 50 per persn 60 per persn 70 per persn 80 per persn N fee but dnatin wuld be accepted. 25 per persn 15 per persn Fees can be paid by Cash, Cheque, Pstal Order, Standing Order r Direct Debit. The Fee shuld be made payable t The Grand Priry f the Knights Templar f Sctland. On receipt f the fee and cmpleted entry frm, a numbered Order Identificatin Pass, laminated with their signature and passprt phtgraph will be given t each Member. The Passes will clearly shw their date f jining and the date the Membership Expires. Members wh jin befre the 1 st f Octber will be required t pay the full amunt. Members wh jin n the 1 st f Octber r later will be required t pay half the nrmal fee KTOS Byelaws Page 1 f 9

2 The Knights Templar f Sctland, Byelaws, Ver 1.03 Date: 20/09/06 The Grand Prir can allw the dispensatin f annual blatin fr any Member fr ne year nly. The Grand Prir will submit this request t the Secretary General and Grand Treasurer wh recrd the details in the Member s Membership recrd. B: Advancement Fees Advancement f the Ranks is a privilege and nt a right f passage. Members wh are being invited t advance t the next rank are asked t cnsider the fllwing as a minimum dnatin t the Order : Cmpanin: Knight/Dame Knight/Dame Cmmander: Grand Officer Grand Crss 25 per persn 50 per persn 50 per persn 50 per persn 100 per persn An Affiliate Member may nly advance in the Order nce he has becme a full Member (accrding t their existing rank). Fees can be paid by Cash, Cheque, Pstal Order, Standing Order r Direct Debit. The Fee shuld be made payable t The Grand Priry f the Knights Templar f Sctland. These fees d nt include the change f insignia etc. Prices and Details f Changes are available in the Knights Manual. C: Return Payments t Cmmandery r Priry Once the Grand Cuncil audited accunts have been accepted at the AGC, the Grand Treasurer will calculate a return fee fr each Cmmandery r Priry based n 10 per fully paid up member fr the year the accunts were based n. Fr Example. The Secretary General and Grand Treasurer cncur that frm the audited accunts that Cmmandery X has a rle f 15 members that have paid fr the year January 2004 t January The Grand Treasurer will reprt at the June 2005 Grand Cuncil Meeting that he will be sending a cheque t the Treasurer f Cmmandery X fr A Member can nly be cunted in ne Cmmandery r Priry at a time. If a cnflict arises the Member will indicate t the Secretary General their Primary Bdy. Return Payment Caveat: Return Payments will nly be sanctined by the Grand Cuncil as lng as there are n utstanding bills fr the Grand Cuncil t pay r there is nt a threat f impending bankruptcy hanging ver the Order. 4: Entitlement t Wear Insignia and Regalia The crrect wearing f Insignia and Regalia is illustrated in the Knights Manual. The Member will purchase the items directly frm the Grand Quartermaster. A: Pstulant A Pstulant may be invited t wear the lapel badge f the Order B: Cmpanin A Cmpanin is entitled t wear a Plain Black Mantle in the same styling as the Knight s Mantle A Cmpanin is entitled t wear the Lapel Badge f the Order A Cmpanin is entitled t wear the Medals f the Order that they have been presented with. C: Knight r Dame 2006 KTOS Byelaws Page 2 f 9

3 The Knights Templar f Sctland, Byelaws, Ver 1.03 Date: 20/09/06 A Knight r Dame is entitled t wear the Neck Crss f the Order, suspended frm the Ribbn f the Order A Knight r Dame is entitled t wear the White Mantle, adpted by the Order A Knight r Dame is entitled t wear the Miniature f the Order A Knight r Dame is entitled t wear the Lapel Badge f the Order A Knight r Dame is entitled t wear the Medals f the Order that they have been presented with. A Dame may wear the Crss f the Order n their left shulder suspended by the Ribbn f the Order tied in a bw. C: Knight r Dame Cmmander A Knight r Dame Cmmander is entitled t wear the Neck Crss surmunted by Shield f the Order and suspended frm the Ribbn f the Order A Knight r Dame Cmmander is entitled t wear the White Mantle, adpted by the Order A Knight r Dame Cmmander is entitled t wear the Miniature f the Order A Knight r Dame Cmmander is entitled t wear the lapel badge f the Order A Knight r Dame Cmmander is entitled t wear the Medals f the Order that they have been presented with. A Dame Cmmander may wear the Crss f the Order n their left shulder, surmunted by the Shield f the Order and suspended by the Ribbn f the Order tied in a bw. D: Grand Officer A Grand Officer is entitled t wear the Neck Crss surmunted by Shield f the Order and suspended frm the Ribbn f the Order A Grand Officer is entitled t wear the White Mantle, adpted by the Order A Grand Officer is entitled t wear the GOTJ Breast Star f the Order. This shall be an eight pinted Silver Sunburst with a Patriarchal Red Crss in the Centre n a white backgrund. A Grand Officer is entitled t wear the Miniature f the Order A Grand Officer is entitled t wear the lapel badge f the Order A Grand Officer is entitled t wear the Medals f the Order that they have been presented with. A Dame Grand Officer may wear the Crss f the Order n their left shulder, surmunted by the Shield f the Order and suspended by the Ribbn f the Order tied in a bw. E: Grand Crss A Grand Crss is entitled t wear the Neck Crss surmunted by Shield and Crwn f the Order and suspended frm the Ribbn f the Order A Grand Crss is entitled t wear the White Mantle, adpted by the Order A Grand Crss is entitled t wear the GCTJ Breast Star f the Order. This shall be an eight pinted Silver Sunburst with a Patriarchal Red Crss in the Centre n a white backgrund. A Grand Crss is entitled t wear a Crdn f 10cm width (Dames may wear the 7cm wide versin), in the apprved style f the Order frm their right shulder t their left hip. A Grand Crss may decide t mve the Neck Crss t the Crdn Tail n their left hip KTOS Byelaws Page 3 f 9

4 The Knights Templar f Sctland, Byelaws, Ver 1.03 Date: 20/09/06 A Grand Crss is entitled t wear the Miniature f the Order A Grand Crss is entitled t wear the lapel badge f the Order A Grand Crss is entitled t wear the Medals f the Order that they have been presented with. F: Hnrary Member An Hnrary Member is entitled t wear the Hnrary Member s Medal (Full r Miniature Size) A Hnrary Member is entitled t wear the insignia and regalia accrding t the Rank that the Grand Cuncil bestw n them. G: Affiliate Member An Affiliate Member is entitled t wear the Miniature f the Order An Affiliate Member is entitled t wear the Lapel Badge f the Order An Affiliate Member is entitled t wear the Medals f the Order that they have been presented with. H: Friend f the Order An Affiliate Member is entitled t wear the Lapel Badge f the Order An Affiliate Member is entitled t wear the Medals f the Order that they have been presented with. 5: Membership Status Members in gd standing are thse wh cnfirm t the Order s requirements and have paid their yearly blatins up t date: A: Suspensin f Membership i) Vluntary Suspensin f Membership A Member can apply fr vluntary suspensin f Membership and payment f subscriptins fr a number f reasns; e.g. lng-term illness, wrking abrad, etc. Applicatin shall be made in writing t the Secretary General. The applicatin shall include reasns fr the applicatin and the perid f time fr which the applicant wishes t have his/her Membership suspended. The applicatin shall be presented t the Grand Cuncil fr cnsideratin and the decisin presented t the Member. If the suspensin includes suspensin frm paying subscriptins, the Grand Treasurer shall als be infrmed. ii) Cmpulsry Suspensin f Membership A Member shall have his/her Membership suspended by the Order if the Member has fallen ful f the Membership Requirements r has therwise caused the Order t be brught int disrepute. Cmpulsry Suspensin f Membership will be cmmunicated t the Member in the apprpriate manner as described in Sectin 5C. B: Terminatin f Membership i) Vluntary Terminatin f Membership Any Member may tender his/her resignatin frm the Order at any time. The resignatin shall be put int writing and presented t the Grand Cuncil. N reasn need be given, but an Officer shall talk with the Member, if pssible, t try t determine reasns fr the actin. While every measure shuld be taken t dissuade the Member frm the actin, n pressure shall be brught upn the Member t change his/her mind. The resignatin shall be accepted prvided the Member has n financial bligatin t the Order and that any prperty f the Order which may be in pssessin f the Member has been recvered. ii) Cmpulsry Terminatin f Membership 2006 KTOS Byelaws Page 4 f 9

5 The Knights Templar f Sctland, Byelaws, Ver 1.03 Date: 20/09/06 A Member shall have his/her Membership Terminated by the Order if the member has seriusly fallen ful f the Membership Requirements r has therwise caused the Order t be brught int disrepute. Cmpulsry Terminatin f Membership will be cmmunicated t the Member in the apprpriate manner as described in Sectin 5C. C: Disciplinary Actin / Written Cmplaints On receipt f a written cmplaint r reprt against a Member which warrants investigatin, the Grand Chancellr will request a Special Meeting fr the purpse f enquiry and trial. The Special Meeting will be set n less than 14 days frm the receipt f the written cmplaint r reprt. The Member will be sent a recrded delivery letter t their address ntifying them f the allegatins brught against them and a request t attend the stated Special Meeting. The Member will als receive a cpy separately f Sectin 5 f these Byelaws. The Special Meeting will be held within the current requirements in the Cnstitutin and Byelaws. N frmal legal representatin will be allwed. The Grand Chancellr will call the meeting t Order and put t the Member the allegatins f cmplaint and reprt. The Member, r their representatin, will have a right t reply. After a suitable amunt f time fr discussin the Member and/r Cmplainant will be asked t leave the rm fr the Grand Cuncil t discuss the sentence. The Sentence will be ne f the fllwing: - Nt Guilty - Verbal Warming, placed n Members Recrd fr 6 mnths - 1 st Written Warning, placed n Members Recrd fr 1 Year - 2 nd Written Warning, cnstitutes Suspensin fr 3 mnths - Suspensin Sine Die (withut time) - Terminatin f Membership The Grand Cuncil will then request the Member t return t the Meeting and the Grand Chancellr will cmmunicate the utcme. The Secretary General will send by recrded delivery letter a cpy f the utcme f the Meeting t the Member s address and it will be recrded as a minute and read ut at the next Grand Cuncil Meeting. The accused Member shall have the right f appeal against the decisin taken. D: Appeals An Accused Member may appeal against the decisin by the Grand Cuncil by sending ntificatin t the Secretary General in writing n mre than 14 days after Sentence. The Appeal ntificatin must make clear what the member is Appealing abut: - Incrrect evidence taken - New evidence fund - Mis-Management f Sectin 5C - Harshness f Sentence and appeal fr reductin n behalf f mitigating circumstances Appeals ldged withut reference t ne f the abve pints will be dismissed withut further actin. When the Appeal ntificatin is cmplete and has relevance t ne f the abve pints, the Grand Chancellr will request a Special Meeting fr the purpse f Appeal. The Special Meeting will be set n less than 14 days frm the receipt f the Appeal ntificatin. The Member and Original Cmplainant will be sent a recrded delivery letter t their address ntifying them f the Special Meeting fr the purpses f Appeal. The Original Cmplainant will als be sent a cpy f the Appeal ntificatin KTOS Byelaws Page 5 f 9

6 The Knights Templar f Sctland, Byelaws, Ver 1.03 Date: 20/09/06 The Special Meeting will be held within the current requirements in the Cnstitutin and Byelaws. N frmal legal representatin will be allwed. The Grand Chancellr will call the meeting t Order and request the Member, r their representatin t explain the reasns fr Appeal The Original Cmplainant, r their representatin, will have a right t reply. After a suitable amunt f time fr discussin the Member and Original Cmplainant will be asked t leave the rm fr the Grand Cuncil t discuss the Appeal. The Sentence will be ne f the fllwing: - Appeal Successful - Appeal Unsuccessful - Sentence reduced r extended The Grand Cuncil will then request the Member t return t the Appeal Meeting and the Grand Chancellr will cmmunicate the utcme. The Secretary General will send by recrded delivery letter a cpy f the utcme f the Appeal Meeting t the Member s address and it will be recrded as a minute and read ut at the next Grand Cuncil Meeting. The utcme f the Appeal Meeting is final. E: Grievance against the actins f Officers r ther Order Persnnel Any member wh feels persnally aggrieved by the actins f an Office r the Order s Persnnel may frm a written cmplaint and pursue the actin thrugh sectin 5C f these Byelaws. If the cmplaint r grievance is against the Grand Chancellr then it will be incumbent n the Grand Cuncil t ffer the member the ptin f having the hearings chaired by the Grand Prir r Patrn f the Order. This is t ensure that the Laws f Natural Justice are adhered t and that the member is allwed a fair and independent hearing. F: Right f Representatin All Members have the right f representatin at any Meeting where they have been called fficially t reprt n their acts f discipline r grievance. Representatin must be frm either anther Member f the Order in gd standing. Frmal Representatin frm Legal Cuncil is nt allwed. 6: Electins, C-ptins and Appintments A: Annual General Chapter The term f all Elected and Appinted Psts ends at the fllwing AGC. When the AGC is called, as per the Cnstitutin and Byelaws f the Order, the Grand Chancellr will carry ut the fllwing Prcess: The Grand Chancellr will call the meeting t Order and request that the nminated Returning Officer (nrmally a member f the Cuncil f Elders) assumes the Chair. The Returning Officer will annunce the fllwing requirements fr vting: That All Members f this Order in gd standing are available t vte (with reference t the Cnstitutin and Byelaws f the Order ) That each nminatin requires a prpser and secnder That each nminee has t be a Member f the Order in gd standing Nminees either have t be present r have a written cmmunicatin (signed and dated) stating they wuld accept that ffice That if there is any mre than ne nminatin per pst then it will be put t the vte Written Prxy Vtes r Vtes by Pst are allwed as lng as they are signed and dated by the Member 2006 KTOS Byelaws Page 6 f 9

7 The Knights Templar f Sctland, Byelaws, Ver 1.03 Date: 20/09/06 Members are nt allwed t hld mre than ne Officer psitin (Grand Prir, Grand Chancellr, Secretary General, Grand Treasurer etc) but are allwed t hld mre than ne respnsibility (EG A Secretary General wh is als a Cmmandery r Priry Officer) A majrity vte by Members in gd standing shall indicate the winner(s) The Returning Officer will request all Officers t stand dwn frm their psitins t allw the Electins t begin. (This is dne symblically by all Officers vacating their psitins t sit amngst the general membership). The Returning Officer will request nminatins fr each elected psitin in turn, starting with the Office f Grand Prir. If there is nly ne nminatin then the prpser and secnder is nted by the Returning Officer and the new Officer assumes their rle If there is mre than ne nminatin then the Returning Officer ntes the prpser and secnder fr each nminatin and it will be put the vte. The winner f the majrity vte will assume the rle f that Office The Returning Officer will cmplete the list f elected psitins as defined in the Cnstitutin. Once cmplete, the Returning Officer will annunce t the general membership that the new Grand Cuncil is frmed. The Returning Officer will request frm the newly frmed Grand Cuncil, nminatins fr the Appintments defined in the Cnstitutin. If there is nly ne nminatin then the prpser and secnder is nted by the Returning Officer and the new Appintee assumes their rle. If there is mre than ne nminatin then the Returning Officer ntes the prpser and secnder fr each nminatin and it will be put the vte. The winner f the majrity vte will assume the rle f that Appintment Once cmplete the Returning Officer shall return cntrl f the meeting t the new Grand Chancellr. The Returning Officer shall submit his written reprt detailing all the nminatins, prpsers, secnders, vtes and utcme t the Secretary General directly after the meeting. The Secretary General will send ut the reprt befre the next Grand Cuncil Meeting as part f the minutes. The signed and apprved cpy will be entered int the Archive f the Order. The Chapter will end with all Officers and Appintees being ceremnial swrn int their psitins as detailed in the Knights Manual. B: Appintments during the year At any ther meeting ther than an AGC it is pssible t Appint frm the general membership t fill a psitin f Office, Cmmittee r Functin that has becme available due t resignatin, death r derelictin f duty. The Agenda f a Special r Grand Cuncil Meeting must state that this Appintment is t take place at that meeting. During the meeting the Grand Chancellr will annunce the Grand Cuncil s intentin t fill the vacant psitin by Appintment. The Grand Chancellr will request nminatins frm vting Grand Cuncil Officers. The prcess will fllw the same nminatin and vting prcedure detailed in Sectin A fr Appintments. Appintees d nt have vting rights and must stand dwn at the next AGC. C: Pint f Order The Pint f Order clause can be used at any Grand r Special Cuncil Meeting f the Order where a member f Grand Cuncil thinks that a prpsal, mtin r decisin ges against the Cnstitutin r Byelaws f the Order KTOS Byelaws Page 7 f 9

8 The Knights Templar f Sctland, Byelaws, Ver 1.03 Date: 20/09/06 The Grand Cuncil Member will ask fr a Pint f Order t be raised and will explain why the prpsal, mtin r decisin is against the current Cnstitutin r Byelaws f the Order. Any Grand Cuncil Member may request a Pint f Order. It must be acted upn r secnded by anther Grand Cuncil Member. During the meeting, the Pint f Order will be discussed with the Member presenting the mtin and the Grand Chancellr r ther Member(s) ppsing the mtin bth presenting their arguments. The decisin will be determined by a majrity vte f the Grand Cuncil. D: Mtin f N Cnfidence The N Cnfidence Clause shall be in effect fr any Officer and it states: Any member may request a vte f N Cnfidence. It must be "in writing" and acted upn r secnded "in writing" by anther member. The mtin is frwarded t any tw members f the Grand Cuncil. The tw Grand Cuncil members will then infrm all ther Grand Cuncil Members and the mtin shall be placed as the first rder f business n the next Grand Cuncil r Special Meeting's agenda. At that meeting, the mtin will be discussed with the Member presenting the mtin and the Officer r ther Member(s) ppsing the mtin bth presenting their arguments. Vting n the mtin shall be by secret ballt f Grand Cuncil Members and the decisin will be determined by a majrity vte f the Grand Cuncil. E: Suspensin f Standing Orders The Suspensin f Standing Orders allws the Order t put the Cnstitutin and Byelaws aside temprary t allw discussin r actin n a prpsal, mtin r decisin that is nt currently in line with Current Plicies. The use f Suspensin f Standing Orders may be required fr taking care f immediate cncerns r fr legal reasns. The Grand Chancellr will ask fr the Suspensin f Standing Orders and will explain why it is required. It must be acted upn r secnded by anther Grand Cuncil Member. A majrity vte f the Grand Cuncil will decide if the Standing Orders are temprary Suspended. Standing Orders will resume after the identified issue has been dealt with. 7: Petty Cash Flat The Secretary General, Grand Treasurer, Grand Quartermaster r Cmmandery/Priry Secretary may hld a Petty Cash Flat t the maximum f 30 fr Incidentals. Any additinal funds must be returned t the Grand Treasurer r Cmmandery/Priry Treasurer fr banking. Purchases must be made in line with current Order Plicy. A: If there is n receipt there will be n payment. B: All purchases ver 50 require the sanctin frm the Grand Cuncil C: Emergency Payments (between meetings) will still require frmal sanctin by the Grand Cuncil at the next Meeting. The Secretary General, Grand Treasurer, Grand Quartermaster r Cmmandery/Priry Secretary will be expected t keep a running ttal f Expenses and Incme and Reprt this t the Grand Cuncil as required. 8: Grand Cuncil Meeting dates and times The Grand Cuncil will meet quarterly as advertised. Meetings can still cntinue if they are nt qurate, hwever, n decisins r changes can be ratified until the 2006 KTOS Byelaws Page 8 f 9

9 The Knights Templar f Sctland, Byelaws, Ver 1.03 Date: 20/09/06 next qurate Grand Cuncil Meeting. The recrd f the nn qurate meeting will be kept by the Secretary General fr reference. 9: Archives, Cmmunicatins, Recrds and Data Prtectin The Secretary General, r their delegate, shall be the sle pint f cntact fr crrespndence frm and t the Order. The Secretary General shall make prvisin fr the safe keeping f all the Order s recrds and archives. The Secretary General shall be the appinted Data Cntrller fr the 1998 Data Prtectin Act. The Secretary General shall als be slely respnsible fr the cntent n the Order website. Article 10 Adptin f Byelaws This Byelaw was adpted n the xxx. Reference Minute Extract xxxx. Adpted Secnded Name (Print) Name (Print) Signature Signature Date Date LIST OF CHANGES Date Ver Descriptin 06/01/06 Ver 1.00 Draft fr review 06/01/06 Ver 1.01 Draft fr review 09/01/06 Ver 1.02 Draft fr review 20/09/06 Ver 1.03 Draft fr review 2006 KTOS Byelaws Page 9 f 9