About the Association
MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION
- The name of the Society is: The Cape Breton Transition House Association (Society)
- The objects of the Society are:
(a) To aid and assist such women and female persons who have been threatened, assaulted, battered or abused, emotionally and/or physically by their legal or common-law Husbands.
(b) To establish an environment and an institution in the community for the emotional and physical care of such women as referred to in 2(a) and to aid and assist such women and to rehabilitate themselves and to cope with their legal or common-law marital situation.
(c) To aid and assist such women in regard to their adjustment or readjustment to their present marital predicaments and situations, whether or not such women plan to return to their family, their family homes or their legal or common-law Husbands.
(d) To aid and assist the children of such women and to promote the care, physical and emotional comfort and contentment and the well-being of such children.
(e) To aid and assist such women and their children to avoid further marital discord in their families and particularly in regard to their legal or common-law Husbands.
(f) To promote and encourage community awareness and support of the various problems faced by such women and their children.
(g) To see, obtain and secure community and public involvement, input and interest into this Society to aid and assist in the realization of the aims, objects and goals of the Cape Breton Transition House Association (Society).
(h) To acquire by way of grant, gift, purchase, bequest, devise or otherwise, real and personal property and to use and apply such property to the realization of the objects of the Society.
(i) To buy, own, hold, lease, mortgage, sell and convey such real and personal property as may be necessary or desirable in carrying out the objects of the Society.
PROVIDED that nothing herein shall permit the Society to carry on any trade, industry or business and the Society shall be carried on without purpose of gain to any of the members and that any surplus or any accretions of the Society shall be used solely for the purposes of the Society and the promotion of its objects.
PROVIDED FURTHER that if for any reason the operators of the Society are terminated or are wound up, or are dissolved and there remains, at that time, after satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whosoever, the same shall be paid over to some other charitable organization in Canada, having objects similar to those of the Society.
PROVIDED FURTHER that no part of the income of the Society may be payable to or otherwise available for the personal benefit of any member thereof;
PROVIDED FURTHER that the directors must serve as directors and officers without remuneration. A director may be reimbursed reasonable expenses incurred by him/her in the performance of duties. A director shall not personally benefit as a result of the performance of his duties as a Board member, but that a director may receive remuneration for services provided which are outside his normal responsibilities as a Board member.
- The activities of the Society are to be carried on in the Province of Nova Scotia and particularly, but not exclusively, on the Island of Cape Breton.
- The registered office of the Society is at:
Human Resource Development
c/o General Delivery
296 George Street
Sydney, Nova Scotia.
BYLAWS
About our Board of Directors
CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR
(Approved at Board Meeting February, 2010)
If members of our Board of Directors are involved in a decision that could result in a direct or indirect benefit (financial or otherwise) to them or to members of their family, we risk the impression that the decision was not made objectively. Because our organization serves the broad public interest, this appearance of conflict could have a negative impact on how our public views the organization. The policy will clearly state that all members of our Board must fully disclose any possible personal or family benefit before participating in an organizational decision. The policy may not prevent the participation indecision making of someone who may possibly benefit, but will insure that the decision making process is based on a full disclosure of possible conflicts.
All Board Members are expected to arrange their private affairs in a manner that will prevent conflicts of interest from arising or from appearing to arise. Personnel should not place themselves in a position where they are under obligation to any person who might benefit from special consideration or favor on their part, or seek to gain special treatment from them in any way. Equally, Board Members should not have a financial or other interest that could conflict or appear to conflict in any manner with the discharge of their duties and responsibilities.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS OF BOARD MEMBERS
Cape Breton Transition House objectives and philosophy is carried out through the combined efforts of board, executive, and staff. As a member of the Board you will volunteer your time to become part of a formal, governing body responsible for meeting the goals and objectives of the Association. As a member of the Board you assume liability and responsibility for the organization.
The Board is responsible for upholding the Constitution and By-laws of the organization and for deciding the aims and objectives of the Association. The Board of Directors has the ultimate responsibility of ensuring that the Association undertakes activities consistent with its stated purpose, in an effective and financially responsible manner.
The Executive Director administers the daily operation of the Association carried out by the professional staff. Although the Board does not have direct responsibility for the operations or programming of the Association, it approves or rejects all major recommendations of the staff.
Board meetings are generally held once a month in the boardroom of the shelter, Willow House. They usually last for approximately one and a half hours and all Board members are expected to attend. Monthly reports submitted by the Executive Director and Committees are reviewed to ensure that the qualities of the services are maintained. Monthly financial reports are reviewed as well. Subcommittees and ad-hoc committees meet as required.
Positions within the Board of Directors are held for a term of three years and elections take place at the annual general meeting. Once a Board member’s term of office has expired, it may be renewed for another three years. All Board members of Cape Breton Transition House Association must be in good standing of the Association.
GUIDELINES FOR BOARD MEMBERSHIP
(a) A Board member should support the purpose of the Association:
The Cape Breton Transition House is a short term crisis shelter for abused women and their children. Also see objectives and philosophy (Page 19 & 20).
(b) A Board member should be willing:
(i) To provide leadership and carry out responsibilities.
(ii) To promote the education of the public in the work of Cape Breton Transition House Association.
(iii) To accept direction from the Board of Directors.
(iv) To participate in Board activities.
(v) To recognize the team approach in the complementary role of volunteer and staff.
(c) A Board member is expected:
(i) To be a member in good standing.
(ii) To attend Board meetings regularly.
(iii) To inform President, Recording Secretary, or office when unable to attend a Board meeting.
(iv) To participate in committee and Board liaison work.
(v) To keep informed of current activities within the Association.
(vi) To respect the confidential nature of Association business.
(vii) To uphold the values of the Association.
(d) A Board member may not make public statements in the name of the Society without the approval of the Executive Committee or the President.
