OKARTA Bylaws Approved October 2026

Article I
TITLE

1. This organization shall be known as The Okanagan Branch of the Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association. (OKARTA).

Article II
OBJECTS

1. To provide opportunities for fellowship and group activities (social events) for our members.
2. To encourage retired teachers to take an active interest in the affairs of retired teachers.
3. To help our members to keep informed about proposed changes that will likely affect them.
4. To maintain liaison with other groups interested in retired persons and their needs.
5. To give an organizational voice about our concerns to other organizations and to governmental bodies when so desired.

Article III
MEMBERSHIP 

Voting Members

Voting privileges are contingent upon the payment of the membership fee.

1. Education Sector Membership: OKARTA accepts as a member any retired teacher in receipt of an Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund pension.
2. Associate Membership: OKARTA accepts as an Associate Member
   1. The spouse of any retired teacher
   2. The widow or widower of any retired teacher
   3. A retired teacher from another province, or from another educational institution
   4. Any retired teacher who has been unable to qualify for an ATRF defined by ARTA, such as a substitute teacher or other private school teacher not on a formal contract
   5. A former employee of the ATA or the ATRF
3. Life Membership:  OKARTA grants a free membership to any full member at the age of eighty-five (85)
4. Honorary Membership: OKARTA, may at its discretion, grant a free honorary life membership in recognition of service 

Non-Voting Members

1. Affiliate Membership:
   1. OKARTA accepts as Affiliate Members those defined by ARTA in the Educational, Public & Private Sectors
   2. OKARTA may at its discretion, accept into membership the spouse of an affiliate
   3. An affiliate member may not vote or hold office
2. Companion Membership:
   1. OKARTA accepts as Companion Members those from the Educational, Public or Private Sectors as defined by ARTA, who are on the OKARTA email list and
      1. wish to be an OKARTA member but are typically unable to attend OKARTA events
      2. have provided their full contact information
      3. are active listeners, interested observers and want to be kept informed
      4. who want to have a liaison to ARTA when their concerns arise
      5. who may be paying or non paying

Expulsion from a Branch

• Should it occur, shall happen if the member has been convicted of a criminal offense as defined by ARTA.
• Said person may present their case to the Branch Executive for reconsideration.

Article IV
STRUCTURE

1. The structure of the of the Branch shall be that of an elected President, elected Secretary and elected Treasurer.
2. The Branch shall have one annual general meeting (AGM) per year.
3. The Branch may call other meetings, events and gatherings at any time throughout the year.

Article V
COMMITTEES

1. Committees may be appointed by the Executive of the Branch. 

Article VI
ELECTIONS

1. The elections of the Branch President, the Branch Secretary and the Branch Treasurer shall be when deemed necessary and, when required, will be the last item on the annual general meeting agenda. 

Article VII
FEES

1. There shall be one universal fee for each member category which shall be paid to the Branch Treasurer.

Article VIII
BRANCH EXECUTIVE DUTIES

1. The Branch Executive shall prepare an agenda and conduct the
   annual general assembly (AGM) or any special meeting called by
   them. The business of the Special Meeting will be limited to the
   specific reasons for having called the meeting.
2. The Executive shall bring before the membership any business
   which it deems may be important to the well-being of the
   members.
3. The Executive may designate official delegates to other
   organizations when invited to send one or more and when it wishes
   to do so.
4. The Branch Executive, only, may speak officially for the Branch
   or its membership and only when it wishes to do so.
5. The Branch Executive may call a Special Meeting to discuss and
   perhaps take action about urgent matters.
6. The Executive may present recommendations for proposed
   changes to the organization and provide an opportunity for a
   supporting two-thirds vote in favor.
7. The Executive may exercise other duties and responsibilities as
   designated by a majority vote of those members present at an
   annual general meeting. 

Article IX
AMENDMENTS

1. Proposed amendments of the whole organization shall be accepted if two-thirds of the members in attendance at an annual general meeting votes in favor of them.

Article X
FINANCIAL

1. Membership fees are for a one-year time interval.
2. The Branch Treasurer shall present a balanced report at the annual general meeting.
3. Fiscal year January 1 to December 31.

Article XI
PROCEDURE RULES

1. Roberts Rules of Order shall be used when appropriate.
2. Consensus shall be used for informal procedures.