Constitution of the Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna New Democratic Party Federal Electoral District Association

As adopted and approved at the Founding Meeting on December 7th, 2024.

Article 1: Preamble/Name

1.1. The name of the Association shall be the Okanagan Lake West--South Kelowna New Democratic Party Federal Electoral District Association, hereinafter referred to as “the Association”.
1.2. The Association is established pursuant to the Constitution of the New Democratic Party of Canada 2018: “...New Democrats are committed to working together for peace, international co- operation, and the common good of all – the common good being our fundamental purpose as a movement and as a party.”
1.3. Aligns with the principles of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP), and responds to the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Calls to Action.
1.4. Aligns and reflects the UN Convention Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2006.
1.5. Aligns with the 2SLGBTQI+ Federal Action Plan 2022.
1.6. Aligns with the Declaration of Human Rights and Climate Change 2023.

Article 2: Purpose

2.1. The purpose of the Association shall be:
2.2. To nominate the candidate of the New Democratic Party in each federal election and to conduct a campaign to elect the candidate;
2.3. To support and promote the principles and policies of the New Democratic Party of Canada through political education and organization; and
2.4. To afford to its members a forum for participation in the development of party policy on federal issues and party governance.
2.4.1. To prioritize accessibility for all members, and actively decolonize information-sharing and decision-making practices in the development of party policy on federal issues and party governance.

Article 3: Membership

3.1. The membership of the Association shall consist of:
3.1.1. All New Democratic Party members in good standing who reside in the riding, except those who have been accepted as members in another riding Association; and
3.1.2. New Democratic Party members in good standing who reside in other federal ridings and who request membership in the Association and are accepted by the Executive of the Association; and only in conjunction with provincial membership rules.

Article 4: Meetings

4.1. There shall be an Annual General Meeting of the Association in each calendar year, the business of which shall include:
4.1.1. Annual reports of the President, and the Financial Agent; and
4.1.2. Election of the Association’s Executive and its delegates to the Council of Federal Ridings, where one is established pursuant to the Constitution of the New Democratic Party of Canada.
4.2. Other General Meetings of the Association shall be called:
4.2.1. as determined by the Executive, or
4.2.2 a General Meeting shall be called for the purpose of electing the Association’s delegates and alternate delegates to a federal convention of the New Democratic Party.
4.3 In accordance with the federal Constitution and the direction of Federal Council, a nomination meeting shall be held for the purpose of nominating the New Democratic Party candidate for Member of Parliament. Those eligible to cast ballots for the nomination shall be limited to New Democratic Party members in good standing who reside in the riding, as defined in the Rules Governing the Nomination Process of Candidates for the New Democratic Party of Canada.
4.4 Notice for all General Meetings shall be mailed not less than fourteen (14) days in advance of the meeting. Notice period requirements for nomination meetings shall be governed by the Rules Governing the Nomination Process of Candidates for the New Democratic Party of Canada. Electronic mail may be used to provide written notice to members of the Association who have agreed in writing to receive written notice in this format.
4.5 Quorum at a General Meeting shall be a number equal to 75% of the individuals elected to the existing Executive.

Article 5: Executive

5.1. The Executive shall consist of the following:
5.1.1. President;
5.1.2. Vice-President, who shall serve as Interim President in the event of a vacancy in the presidency;
5.1.3. Secretary;
5.1.4. Financial Agent;
5.1.5. Members at large – minimum 4 positions with a maximum 7 (reflecting the geographic diversity of communities in the OLWSK riding)
5.1.6 When applicable, the sitting NDP Member of Parliament elected to represent the district
5.1.7. At its first meeting after its election, the incoming Executive shall appoint a member of the Executive as a liaison to each of the Provincial Constituency Associations within or partially within its boundaries.
5.1.8 The Executive shall be comprised of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive composition of people wherever possible.
5.2. The positions referred to in Articles 5.1.1 through 5.1.6 (above) constitute the core members of the Executive. Other Executive positions may be created through by-laws adopted by the Association, according to the procedures set forth in Article 9 (below). Members of the Executive must be members in good standing of the Association.
5.2.1 Subject to these By-laws and the Constitution of the New Democratic Party of Canada, the Executive shall be the governing body of the Association between general meetings.
5.3. Those elected to positions on the Executive shall serve from the adjournment of the Annual General Meeting at which they were elected until the adjournment of the following Annual General Meeting. If the position of President is vacated, the Vice-President shall serve as interim president until the next Executive meeting. If the position of Financial Agent is vacated, the President is empowered to appoint immediately a Financial Agent subject to ratification by the Executive at its next meeting and the Association at its next meeting. The Executive may appoint by simple majority vote people to fill unfilled or vacant Executive positions subject to ratification by the Association at its next meeting.
5.4. Members of the Executive who cannot attend a meeting of the Executive shall give notice to the President in advance if possible. Members of the Executive who need/want to step down from their position on the Executive shall notify the President by email as soon as possible.
5.5. The Executive may appoint such committees, as may be necessary or desirable to carry out the functions of the Association. Each committee so appointed shall report regularly to the Executive and shall include at least one member of the Executive.
5.6. The Executive shall meet at least three (3) times during its term of office.
5.7. A quorum at Executive meetings shall be forty percent (40%) of the members of the Executive not including the NDP Member of Parliament when applicable.
5.8. Each member of the executive is entitled to one vote at executive meetings regardless of the number of positions held on the Executive.

Article 6: Equity Policy

6.1 At least one half of the elected members of the Executive and convention delegates shall be, wherever possible, people who identify as part of an Equity-Seeking Group. This includes women, people of colour, people living with disabilities, people experiencing poverty, and youth. The Executive shall make every effort to support the full and enthusiastic participation of its members, and to ensure no obstacles are present that would otherwise prevent this.
6.2 At least one of the President or Vice-President shall be a member of an Equity-Seeking Group wherever possible.

Article 7: Funds

7.1 The Association shall comply with all laws relevant to political financing laid out in Canada’s Election Act and other Elections Canada documents.
7.2 The signing officer of the Association shall be the Financial Agent. No cheque or other instrument shall be issued without the signature of the Financial Agent.
7.2.1. Signatures of the Financial Agent and President, are required on the bank account, and for the approval of transactions.
7.3 When soliciting or receiving donations, the Association shall ensure that the donor specify that the donation is a federal donation.
7.4 The funds of the Association shall be kept in a clearly separate account in the name of the federal riding Association in a chartered financial institution.
7.5 The accounts of the Executive of the Association and of all persons authorized by the Association to receive or disburse money on its behalf may be subject to independent third-party review as may be required by the Election Act or regulation of the Party or as requested by a resolution of the Executive or general meeting of the Association. The findings of any such review shall be reported to the subsequent general meeting.

Article 8: Amendment

8.1. This Constitution may be amended at any General Meeting of the Association by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting, provided that the text of the proposed amendment has been circulated to the membership at least fourteen (14) days in advance of the meeting.
8.2 This Constitution and any amendments hereto must receive the approval of the Federal Executive to be of any force or effect.

Article 9: By-laws

9.1. By-laws consistent with this Constitution may be adopted or amended by majority vote at any General Meeting of the Association, provided the text of the proposed by-law or amendment has been circulated to the membership at least fourteen (14) days in advance of the meeting.
9.2 These By-laws and any amendments hereto must receive the approval of the Federal Executive to be of any force or effect.

Article 10: Rules of Order

10.1. The Association may adopt rules for the conduct of its business. Unless otherwise governed by this Constitution, duly adopted by-laws, or the Constitutions of the New Democratic Party of Canada and the BC New Democratic Party, the business of the Association shall be conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order.
10.2. Voting during online Executive meetings, General meetings and the Annual General Meetings shall follow Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article 11: Interpretation and Appeals

11.1. In the case of any conflict between this constitution and its by-laws and the Constitution of the New Democratic Party of Canada, the constitution of the New Democratic Party of Canada shall prevail.
11.2. On a day-to-day basis, this Constitution and its by-laws shall be interpreted by the President of the Association, or by the Vice-President in the absence of the President. Decisions of the President or Vice-President may be appealed to the Executive of the Association. Decisions of the Executive may be appealed to the Association's membership at a General Meeting, whether or not the meeting was called for the specific purpose of hearing such an appeal.
11.3. At a meeting of the Association or its Executive, this Constitution and its by-laws shall be interpreted by the President of the Association or by the chairperson in the absence of the President. Any decision of the President or the chairperson may be overturned on appeal by a majority of those present and voting.

Article 12: Convention Delegates

12.1 Delegates to a Federal Convention shall be elected in accordance with Article V of the Constitution of the New Democratic Party of Canada including any regulations duly enacted by the Federal Executive
12.2 The Association’s delegates to a Federal Convention shall be elected at a general meeting

Article 13: Nomination of Candidates

13.1 The nomination of candidates shall be in accordance with the Rules Governing the Nomination Process of Candidates for the New Democratic Party of Canada created by the Federal Council under Article XV of the Constitution of the New Democratic Party of Canada including any regulations duly enacted by the Federal Council.
Article 14: Reference

14.1 This Constitution was adopted by a duly constituted general meeting on 12-07-2024.
Approval by Federal Executive Pending.
14.2 This Constitution was last amended by a duly constituted general meeting on [month, day, year] and said amendments were approved by the Federal Executive on [Month, Day, Year]

By-laws of the Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna New Democratic Party Federal Electoral District Association

By-Law 1: Duties of Executive Members

1.1. The duties of the President shall include:
1.1.1. Providing leadership and enthusiasm for the Association;
1.1.2. Presiding at general meetings of the Association, and presenting an annual report on behalf of the Executive;
1.1.3. Convening and presiding at meetings of the Executive;
1.1.4. Working with the Executive in establishing and meeting annual goals of the Association;
1.1.5. Liaising with other local NDP association presidents to develop mutual goals, joint events, and improved public relations; and
1.1.6. Liaising with the federal office in garnering support for the Association, including visits by MPs.

1.2. The duties of the Vice-President shall Include:
1.2.1. Providing leadership and enthusiasm for the Association;
1.2.2. Supporting the President in their duties; and
1.2.3. In the President’s absence, convening and presiding at meetings of the Executive.

1.3. The duties of the Secretary shall include:
1.3.1. Recording and distributing the minutes of meetings of the Association and the Executive;
1.3.2. Receiving correspondence for the Association and bringing it to the attention of the Executive; and
1.3.3. Providing notice of General Meetings to the membership.
1.3.4. Maintaining the Association's membership records;
1.3.5. Developing strategy for and organizing membership drives;
1.3.6. Exchanging membership reports with the federal and provincial offices of the Party,
according to agreements between the New Democratic Party of Canada and the BC New Democratic Party;
1.3.7. Ensuring that an accurate membership list is available for registration at General Meetings of the Association; and
1.3.8. Preparing an annual membership report for presentation at the Annual General Meeting.

1.4. The duties of the Financial Agent shall include:
1.4.1. Maintaining records of all expenditures and revenues of the Association;
1.4.2. Filing financial reports to the Association’s auditor and Elections Canada in accordance with the Canada Elections Act;
1.4.3. Reporting regularly to the Executive concerning the state of the Association's finances; and
1.4.4. Preparing an annual financial report for presentation at the Annual General Meeting.

1.5. The duties of Members-at-Large shall include:
1.5.1. Assisting with the activities of the Association.
1.5.2. Opportunity to form and participate in sub-committees focused on, but not limited to, the following areas (some of which are identified by the Federal NDP Executive):
• Indigenous People’s Commission
• Environmental
• Racial Justice & Equity
• Young New Democrat (YND)
• People Living with Disabilities
• Women’s Council
• 2SLGBTQI+
• Communications
• Community liaison

Coming into Force:
As approved at the Founding Meeting on December 7th, 2024. Approval by Federal Executive Pending.