1. NAME

The   name  of   the   Federation   shall  be  known   as   “TAOIST

FEDERATION   (SINGAPORE)”.(hereinafter   referred  to  as   “the  Federation”).

2. PLACE   OF   BUSINESS

The  place  of  business  of   the  Federation   shall  be  at 21 Bedok North Avenue 4 Singapore 489948 or   at   such  other  address  as  may  be  subsequently decided  upon  by  the  Board  of   Management  and approved   by  the   Registrar   of   Societies.     The  Federation shall  carry  out   its  activities  only  in  places  and premises  which   have  the  prior  written  approval   from the   relevant  authorities.

3. OBJECTS

The  objects  of   the  Federation   shall  be:-

1. To  promote,   organise  or   finance  educational, cultural,   social,   and  other  activities  for  greater  public   awareness,   understanding   of   the Taoist  culture  and  traditions.

1. To  encourage,   finance  or  undertake  research related  to   the  Taoist  culture  and  traditions.

1. To  organise,   participate,   or  help   in   the community  and  welfare   service.

1. To  do  all  such  other  things  as   are   incidental  or conducive   to   the  above  objects   or  any  of   them.

4. MEMBERSHIP:     

Membership   is  classified   into Organisation  and   Individual  Membership.     A  copy of   the  Constitution  of   the  Federation   shall  be provided  to  every  approved  applicant  who  has  paid his  annual  subscription.

(a) Organisation  Members:-

(i) Any  Taoist  organisation  registered   in   Singapore or   any  registered  association  or  group   running and  practising  taoism  or  Taoist  

activities, willing   to  abide  by  the  Rules  of   the  Federation and its   resolution   shall  be  eligible   to  apply for   Organisation   Membership.

(ii) An   application   for  Organisation   Membership shall  be  proposed  and   seconded  by  the  existing Organisation  Members.     Each  proposed Organisation   shall  fill   in  an  application   form  and   submit   it   to   the  Board   of Management   for   approval.     No  reason   shall  be given   in   the  event  of  a  rejection  of   the application.

(iii) An  applicant   shall  become   a  member  upon notification  of   approval  by  the  Board  of Management  and  upon  payment  of   the  annual subscription.

(iv) Each Organisation Member shall be entitled to send two representatives to participate in the activities of the Federation and attend the general meetings. However each Orangisation Member is entitled to one vote and to one representative being elected in the Board of Management. In the event that a representative from any organization ceased to be a member and who is being represented as an Organisation Member in the Federation, he/she shall also ipso facto cease to represent as an Organisation Member. The Organisation shall notify the Federation in writing of any cessation of membership of these representatives. All representatives must be 21 years and above.

(b) Individual   Members:-

(i) Any  Singapore  Citizen   or  Permanent  Residents of  Taoist  belief  or  who  practises  Taoist activities,   willing  to  abide  by  the  Rules of   the  Federation  and   its   resolution   shall  be eligible   to  apply  for   Individual  Membership.

Those  below  18  years  of   age  shall  not  be accepted  as   Individual   Members  without  parent’s/ guardian’s  written  consent.

(ii) An   Individual  Member   is   not  entitled   to  vote and  is  not  eligible  for  election  to  the Board  of   Management.

(ii) An   application   for   Individual   Membership  must be  proposed  and  seconded  by  the  existing Organisation   Members.   An   applicant  shall   fill in  an  application  and  submit   it  to  the  Board of  Management  for  approval.

(iv) An  applicant   shall  become   an   Individual   Member only  upon  approval  of  the  Board  of   Management and  upon  payment  of   the  annual   subscriptions.

5. Honorary  Patron:

Any  prominent   individual  who  has   made  generous contributions  to  the  Federation  may  be   invited  by  the the  Board  of   Management  to  be  Honorary  Patron.     A Patron   must  be  a   Singapore  Citizen.  An   Honorary Patron   shall  have  all  the  privileges   and  benefits of   the  member  except  the   right  to  vote  at  general meetings  or   elections   or   to  hold  office  in   the

Federation.

6. ANNUAL   SUBSCRIPTIONS

The  annual   subscription   fee   for  Organisation   Member  and Individual   Member   shall  be  $120-00  and  $50 (fifty) per annum  respectively.  Annual  subscription   fee  for  the  following  year   shall  be  payable  in  advance  within   2 weeks  before  the   1st  of   January  each  year.     If  a Member   falls   into  arrears  with  his   subscription  he shall  be   informed   immediately  by  the  Treasurer.      If he   fails   to   settle  his   arrears  within   one month  of their  becoming  due,   he   shall   be  denied   the  privileges of  membership  until  he  settles  his  acocunt.     The subscription   for   Individual   Members  who  are   retirees shall  either  be   reduced  or  waived.

7. DUTIES   OF  MEMBERS

Every  member  of   the  Federation   shall:-

1. a) abide  by  the  rules  of   the  Federation;

1. b) abide  by  all  decisions  and  resolutions  of   the Board  of   Management  and  of   the  Federation;

1. c) not  act  in  any  way  inconsistent  with  the  objects of   the  Federation,   or   in  any  manner  detrimental to  the   interest  and  welfare  of   the  Federation.

8. CESSATION  OF   MEMBERSHIP:

  A  member   shall  cease  to  be a  member  of   the  Federation   in   the   following  events:-

(i) being  an   organisation,   a  resolution   shall  have been  duly  passed  or   an  Order  of  Court  of   the competent   jurisdiction  or  an  Order  of  Notice of   the  competent  authority  made  for  the dissolution  or  winding-up  or  cessation  of   the organisation  as   the  case  may  be;

(ii ) any  receiving  or   adjudication  order   in bankruptcy   is  made  against  any  Member;

(iii) the  annual  subscription  fee   is  one   (1)   year in  arrears  and  the  member  thereafter   fails   to pay  such  fee  within  one   (1)   month  from  the date  on  which  written   notice  requiring  payment thereof   is   sent  to   the  member;

(iv) a  notice   in  writing   is   sent  to Federation by  the  member   resigning   from  the  membership and  which  notice  is   accepted  by  the  Federation. Notwithstanding   this   a  resigning  member   is liable   for   all   its  obligations   including financial  commitments  made  prior  to  the effective  date  of   its   resignation;

(v) any  member  violates  the  constitution  of   the Federation  or   if  his  conduct  shall  be injurious or  detrimental  to  the  reputation  of  the Federation,   the  Board  of   Management  may  by Resolution  cancel  his   membership   status   in the  Federation.

9. BOARD   OF   MANAGEMENT

(a) The  management  of  the  Federation  and  of   its affairs  are  vested  in  the  Board  of   Management.

The  Board  of   Management  however  shall  not  act contrary  to  the  expressed  wishes  of  the  general meeting  without  prior   reference  to   it  and always   remains   subordinate  to  the  general meetings

(b) The  Board  of   Management  shall  consist  of   the

following  members:-

(i) 1  President

(ii) 2   Vice-Presidents   (1st  and   2nd  Vice-presidents )

(iii) 1  Treasurer

(iv) 1   Assistant  Treasurer

(v) 1   Secretary-General

(vi ) 1  Assistant  Secretary-General

(viii) 9  Ordinary  Committee  Members

The  members   of  the  Board  of   Management   shall be  elected  at   alternate  Annual  General  Meeting. Unless   with   the  prior   approval   in   writing  of  the  Registrar  or  an  Assistant  Registrar  of Societies,   all  members  of   the  Board   should   be either   Singapore  citizens  or   Singapore  Permanent Residents.

10. NOTICE   OF   MEETING

(a) At   least   seven   (7)   days’   notice   in   writing   shall be  given   of   Board  meetings.     Frequency  of  Board meetings   shall  be  determined  by  the  Board  when necessary,   but   shall   be  at   least  once   in   every two   (2)  months.     The  President  or   Secretary-General may,  however,   convene  special  Board  meetings  by giving   24  hours’  notice.

(b) The  quorum  for  Board  meetings   shall  be  eight   (8) members.

(c) Any member of the Board absenting himself for three consecutive meetings without explanation satisfactory to the Board shall cease to be a member thereof and action to fill the vacancy thus created shall be taken by the Board as soon as possible.  Any changes in the Board shall be notified to the Registrar of Societies and the Commissioner of Charities with two weeks of the change.

11. POWERS   AND   DUTIES   OF   THE  BOARD   OF   MANAGEMENT

The  Board  of   Management   shall  have  power/duty  to:-

(a) organise  and   supervise  the  daily  activities of   the  Federation  and  to  make  decisions  on  matters affecting   its   running  when   the  general  meeting is  not   sitting;

(b) control  the   finances  of   the  Federation   subject  to a  ceiling  expenditure  of   $10,000  per  month;

• appoint  sub-committee  and  exercise  control over   such   sub-committe;

(d) accept  the  resignation  of  any  members  of   the Board  of   Management  or   any  other   sub-committee of   the  Federation  and  fill  the  vacancy  thus arising;

(e) call  meetings  of   the  Federation;

(f) recommend  at   the  General   Meeting   the   removal  of the   name  of   any  member   from  the   Register  who  has acted   in  a  manner  detrimental  to   the  good   name of   the  Federation;

(g) invite,   appoint  and   remove  Patrons;

(h) employ  the   services,   of   any  person   or  persons   for the  purpose  of   assisting   in   any  business  of   the Federation   such  person/s   so  employed   shall  not   in any  way  be   in  conflict  with  the  members  and operation  of   the  Federation;

(i) enter   into  contracts   for   the  purpose  of   carrying out   the  objects  of   the  Federation;

(j ) make,   amend  or  delete  by-laws,   regulations  and/or standing  orders  for  the  proper  and  efficient management  of   the  Federation  and   its  affairs,   such by-laws,   regulations  and/or   standing  orders,   so made  shall  not  be  inconsistent  with  these  rules;

12. POWERS   AND   DUTIES   OF   THE   MEMBERS   OF   THE   BOARD OF   MANAGEMENT

(a) THE  PRESIDENT

(i) The  President  shall  be   the  Chief  Officer  of   the Federation  and   shall  preside  over  the  meetings  of Board  of   Management  and  general  meetings  of   the Federation;

(ii) The  President   shall  have  the   right   to  call meetings  of   the  Federation  and   the  Board  of Management;

(iii) The  President  shall  have  the  casting  vote   in   the event  of   a   tie   in  a  meeting;

(iv) The  President  shall  represent  the  Federation   in its   external   affairs;

(v) The  President  shall  sign  documents,   resolutions and   such  other   important  documents  of   the Federation;

(b) THE  VICE-PRESIDENTS

(i) All  the  duties  of   the  President  shall   in   his absence  devolve  upon   the   1st  Vice-president;

(ii) The   1st  Vice-President  shall  succeed   the  President in   the  event  of   the   latter’s  position   fallinq vacant;

(iii) Both  the  Vice-Presidents   shall  assist  the President   in   his  duties.

(c) THE   TREASURER

The  Treasurer   shall:-

• control  the  finance  of  the  Federation;

(ii) keep  accounts   of   income   and  expenditure;

(iii) sign  all  cheques  with  the  President  or Secretary-General  and  have  custody  of   the  original copy  of   the   seal  and   title  deeds  of   the  property and  all  other   important  financial  documents;

(iv) undertake  to  deposit   immediately  with  the  bank  all cash  exceeding   $300-00;

(v) at   least  seven   (7)   days  before  the  Annual  General Meeting   submit  to  the  Board  of   Management  an audited   statement  of   accounts;

(d) THE   ASSISTANT   TREASURER

(i) All  the  duties  of   the  Treasurer   shall,   in   his absence  devolve  upon   the  Assistant  Treasurer;

(ii) The  Assistant  Treasurer   shall   succeed   the Treasurer   in   the  event  of   the   latter’s  position falling  vacant;

(iii) The  Assistant  Treasurer   shall  assist  the Treasurer   in  his  duties.

(e) THE   SECRETARY-GENERAL

The  Secretary-General  shall:-

(i) take  charge  of  all  the  Federation’s  records except  financial  and  conduct  the  correspondence of   the  Federation;

• be  responsible  for  convening  all  meetings  of the  Federation  and  the  Board   of   Management;

(iii) keep  the  minutes  of   all  such  meetings;

(iv) table  the  agenda  for   the  general  meetings;

(v) submit  on   behalf   of   the  Board  of   Management an  aimual  report  of   the  Federation   to  the Annual  General   Meeting;

(vi) keep  an  up-to-date  register  of   members;

• attend  to  other  miscellaneous  affairs  of  the Federation.

(f) THE   ASSISTANT   SECRETARY-GENERAL

The  Assistant  Secretary-General  shall:-

(i) assist   the   Secretary-General   in   his   duties;

(ii) The  Assistant   Secretary-General   shall  deputise  for the   Secretary-General  and   succeed   the   Secretary General   in   the  event  of   the   latter’ s  position falling  vacant.

(g) ORDINARY  COMMITTEE   MEMBERS

The  Ordinary Committee  Members   shall :-

(i) assist  the  other  office-bearers  of   the Board  of   Management  in  the  performance of their  duties;

(ii) act  as   liaison  officers  between  the  Board  of Management  and  the  members  of   the  Federation;

13. TERMS   OF   OFFICE  OF   THE  BOARD  OF   MANAGEMENT

The term of office of the Board of Management shall be two (2) years. All officers except the Treasurer and the Assistant Treasurer may be re-elected to the same or related post for a consecutive term of office.

14. SUPREME   AUTHORITY   AND   ANNUAL  GENERAL   MEETING

The  supreme  authority  of   the  Federation   is  vested   in a  general  meeting  of   members  presided  over  by  the President.    The  Annual  General  Meeting  of   the Federation  shall  be  held  in  June  each  year  for  the following  purposes:-

(a) to   receive  the  Board’s  Annual  Report,   Audited Accounts   which  includes  the  Income   Statements and  Balance  Sheets   for   the  preceding  financial year;

(b) to  elect  members  to  the  Board  of   Management;

(c) to  appoint  an  External   Auditor;

(d) to  decide  on   any  resolution  of  which   7  days’notice   in  writing  has  been  given  to  the Secretary-General.

15. NOTICE   OF   GENERAL   MEETING

Fourteen   (14)   days’   notice  in  writing  of  any  General Meeting  and  the   nature  of   the  business   to  be transacted  thereat  shall  be  given  to  each  member of   the  Federation.

16. EXTRAORDINARY  GENERAL   MEETING

The  Board  may  at  any  time  for   any  special  purpose  call an  Extra-ordinary  General   Meeting  or   shall  do   so forthwith  upon   the  signed  requisition  of  at   least thirty   (30)  members  or   1/4  of   the  total  membership, whichever   is   lower.     No  extraordinary  General Meeting  shall  be  re-convened  for  the  same  purpose within  the  following  six  months.

17. QUORUM

The  quorum  at  a  General  Meeting  shall  be  one-quarter (1/4)   of   the  total  membership  of   the  Federation  eligible to  vote.     If   at   a  General   Meeting,   a   quorum  is   not present,   the  meeting  shall  be  adjourned  for  half  an hour  and   should  the  number  then  present  be   insufficient  to  form  a  quorum,   those  present  shall  be considered  a   quorum,   but  they  shall  have  no  power  to amend  the  existing  rules.

18. CHAIRMAN   OF   MEETINGS

(a) The  President   shall  preside  at   all  General   and Board  meetings  of  the  Federation.     Should  the President  be  absent,   the   1st  Vice-President present  shall  chair   the  meeting.

(b) The  Chairman   of   the  meeting   shall  have  a  second or  casting  vote,   in  the  event  of  a  tie.

19. FINANCIAL   YEAR

The  financial  year   of   the  Federation   shall   be   from  1st of  April  to   31st  of   March  each  year.

20. DEPOSITS   AND   WITHDRAWALS   FROM  BANK

(a) All  money  except  petty  expenses   shall  be  deposited   in   banks  or   financial   institutions approved  by  the  Board.

(b) All  cheques  drawn  upon  the  bank  account  of   the Federation   shall  be   signed  by  the  President  or the   the   Secretary-General   in   addition  to   the Treasurer.  Provided  that   in   the  absence  of   the  Treasurer,   such cheques  shall  be  signed  by  the  Assistant  Treasure.

21. EXPENDITURE

(a) No  expenditure  from  the  Federation’s  Fund  may  be authorised  except  with  the  approval  of: –

(i) The  general  meeting   in   respect  of   sums exceeding  

$10,000-00;

(ii) The  Board  in  respect  of   sums   exceedinq $5,000-00  and   not  exceeding   $10,000-00;

(iii) The  President  of   the  Federation   in   respect of   sums   not  exceeding  $5,000-00;

(b) The Treasurer of the Federation is authorised to expend up to $1000 per month for petty expenses on behalf of the Federation and will not keep more than $1000 in the form of cash and money in excess of this shall be deposited in a bank of good repute to be named by the Board of Management.

(c) It   is   the  duty  of   the  Treasurer  to  keep  and maintain   the  account  ooks  of   the  Federation  and to  present  them  to  the  Board  or   the  President for   reference  and  verification  whenever required.

22. AUDIT

The accounts of the Federation shall be audited by a firm of Public Accountants appointed at the alternate Annual General Meetings. The Auditor shall hold office for a term of two years and maybe re-appointed for a consecutive term. It will be required to audit each year’s accounts and present a report upon them to the annual general meeting. It may be required by the Present to audit the Federation’s accounts for any period within their tenure of office at any date and make a report to the Board.

23. USE   OF   ASSETS

The  income  and  property  of   the  Federation  whencesoever  derived   shall  be  applied  solely  towards the  promotion  of   the  objects  of   the  Federation as   set  forth   in  these  rules  and  no  portion thereof   shall  be  paid  or  transferred  directly  or indirectly  by  way  of  dividend,   bonus  or  otherwise  howsoever  by  way  of   profits   to  members of   the  Federation.     Provided  that  nothing  herein contained   shall  prevent  the  payment   in  good faith  of   remuneration  or   allowances   to  any officers  or   servants  of  the  Federation  or  to any  member   of   the   society   in   return   for   any services  actually  rendered  to   it.

24. TRUSTEES

If   the  Federation  at  any  time   acquires  any immovable  property,   such  property  shall  be vested   in  Trustees   subject  to  a  declaration  of   trust.

No  trustee   shall  effect  any  sale,   mortgage  or transfer  of  properties  without  the  prior  approval of   the  General  Meeting  of  members.     The Trustees shall  be  elected  at  a  General  Meeting  and  shall hold  office  until  terminated  for  any  reason.

No  members  of   the  Board  shall  be  elected  as   Trustees of   the  Federation.        If   a  trustee  dies  or  becomes  a lunatic   or   of   unsound  mind  or  moves  permanently or   is  absent  from  the  Republic  of   Singapore  for a  period  of   one  year,   he   shall  be  deemed   to  have resigned  his   trusteeship.     If   a   trustee   is   guilty of   misconduct  of   such  a  kind  as   to  render   it undersirable  that  he  continues  as   a  trustee,   a General  Meeting  may  remove  him  from  his trusteeship.     Vacancies   in   the   trusteeship  may  be filled  at  a  General   Meeting,   but   the   number   shall not  be  greater  than  four  or   less  than  two.

Notice of any proposal to remove a trustee from his trusteeship or to appoint a new trustee to fill a vacancy must be given by affixing in the premises of the Federation a document containing such proposal at least two weeks before the meeting at which the proposal is to be discussed.  The result of such meeting shall then be notified to the Registrar of Societies and the Commissioner of Charities.  The address of immovable properties, name of trustees and any subsequent changes must be notified to the Registrar of Societies and the Commissioner of Charities.

25. INTERPRETATION   AND   PRESS   STATEMENTS

(a) Interpretation  of   the  Rules  and   Standing Orders:-

(i) The  Board  shall  be  the  sole   interpreter of   these  rules  and  any  standing  order. The  decision  of   the  Board  upon  any question  of   interpretation   shall  be final  and  binding  on  the  members.

(ii) The  decision   of   the  Board  upon  any matters  affecting   the  Federation, not  provided  for  by  these  rules  and standing  orders   shall   similarly  be final   and  binding   on   the  members.

(b) Statements   to   the  Press:

(i) All  press   releases  on   matters within   the  province  of   the Federation   shall  be  made  by  the President  or   the   Secretary-General upon   the   approval  of   the  Board.

26. PROHIBITIONS

(a) Gambling  of   any  kind  and  the  playing  of   paikow or  mahjong,   whether   for   stakes  or   not,   is forbidden  on  the  Federation’s  premises.     The introduction  of  materials   for  gambling  or  drug taking  and  of  bad  characters   into  the  premises is  prohibited.

(b) The  funds  of   the  Federation   shall  not  be  used  to pay  the   fines  of   members  who  have  been  convicted in  Court.

(c) The  Federation   shall  not  engage   in   any  Trade  Union activity  as   defined   in  any  written   law  relating to   trade  unions   for   the   time  being   in   force   in Singapore.

(d) The  Federation   shall  not  attempt   to   restrict  or interfere  with  trade  or  make  directly  or indirectly  any  recommendation  to,   any  arrangement  with   its  members  which  has   the  purpose  or is   likely  to  have  the  effect  of   fixing  or controlling   the  price  or  any  discount,   allowance or   rebate   relating   to  any  goods  or   services   to be  supplied  by  them.

(e) The  Federation   shall  not  hold  any  lottery,   whether confined  to   its  members  or  not,   in   the   name  of the   Federation   or   its  office-bearers,   Board  or members.

(f) The   Federation   shall  not   indulge   in   any  political activity  or  allow  its   funds  and/or  premises  to be  used  for  political  purposes.

(g) The  Federation   shall  not  raise  funds   from  the public   for  whatever  purposes  without  the  prior approval   in  writing  of   the  Registrar  of Societies   and  other  relevant  authorities.

27. AMENDMENTS

The Federation shall not amend its Constitution without the prior approval in writing of the Registrar of Societies and Commissioner of Charities. No alteration or addition/deletion to this Constitution shall be passed except at a general meeting and with the consent of two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members present at the General Meeting.

28. DISSOLUTION

(a) The  Federation   shall  not  be  dissolved,   except with   the  consent  of   not   less   than   3/5  of   the voting  members  of   the  Federation   for  the   time being   resident   in   Singapore  expressed,   either in  person  or  by  proxy,   at  a  general  meeting convened  for  the  purpose.

(b) In the event that the Federation is being dissolved or ceases to be registered charity under the Charities Act, all debts, liabilities legally incurred on behalf of the Federation shall be fully discharged, and the remaining funds will be donated to charity or charities in Singapore is or are registered under the Charities Act, unless otherwise allowed by the Commissioner of Charities.

(c) Certificate of dissolution shall be given within 7 days of the dissolution to the Registrar of Societies and the Commissioner of Charities.