Canadian African-Caribbean Association of Grande Prairie

10113 - 103 Avenue
Grande Prairie

Ph: (780) 830-0499
Fax: (780) 539-9712
email: somcangpab@yahoo.ca

Vision Statement:
To maintain and leave a legacy of our African-Caribbean cultural heritage by contributing to the development of the Canadian society through active and equitable integration

Objectives:
a)  promote better acquaintance, understanding and cooperation among African-Caribbean and other Canadian friends residing in Grande Prairie;
b)  preserve and promote the cultures of the African-Caribbean Canadians in Alberta and, in the process, contribute to the multicultural society of Canada;
c)  assist African-Caribbean immigrants and support their quick adjustment and full participation in the Grande Prairie Community in particular and in Canada in general;
d)  advocate for social, economic and the total welfare of African-Caribbean Canadians.

Activities:
The activities of the Association shall be restricted to the furtherance of the above objectives
The association shall be non-political (non-partisan).

Membership:
The membership of the association shall consist of:
a)  Ordinary members made up of African-Caribbean and their families residing in Grande Prairie
b)  Associate members made up of any other organizations not covered by a) above
c)  Honorary members shall be appointed
d)  In case of a family membership, members of the family who are 18 years of age and above shall be considered as individual members
Each individual member in category a) shall be entitled to one vote.
Application for membership shall be made to the Board, which shall accept or reject it.

Membership Fees:
Family membership fees shall be $25.00 per annum; and individual memberships shall be $15.00 per annum.

Management:
The affairs of the Association shall be managed by a six-member Board of Directors; each director shall be a member of the association elected by the general membership at the general meeting by secret ballot.

The composition of the Board of Directors shall be:
a)  President
b)  Vice President
c)  Secretary
d)  Treasurer, and
e)  Seven members at large to head standing committees such as fundraising
f)  The Board may establish Committees to deal with specific organization business/projects
The terms of office for the Board of Directors shall be two years.  The President and Secretary shall be elected during alternate years.

Duties of the Executive:
President - Shall be the chief executive of the organization
                - Responsible for Public Relations and networking, and
                - Responsible for covering Provincial meetings
Vice President - Supports and collaborates with the President
                       - Acts in the absense of the President
Secretary - Keeps and maintains minutes of all meetings and correspondences.
                - Ensures communications between the executive members
Treasurer - Keeps and maintains the accounts of the organization and keeps the board and members informed.
                - Prepares budgets and coordinates fundraising for the organization in consultation with the President and the Board.
                - Collects membership fees and keeps full record of all paid members.

Meetings of the Organization
All business meetings of the Association will be conducted using Robert's Rules of Order.
Efforts will be made to make decisions by consensus
The Annual General Meetings (AGM)shall be held no later than twelve months from the previous AGM.
Regular membership meetings shall be held at least once in two months/bimonthly
At each meeting organizational business shall be discussed for a specific time and if members so desire they will have the opportunity to socialize.

Voting:
Changes to the constitution can only be made through a 2/3 vote of active members at the AGM.
Only paid up members in good standing shall vote at the meetings.