1. Membership Applications: Anyone applying for membership is required to complete a membership form giving the details requested and confirming the applicant’s willingness to comply with the association’s constitution and by-laws.
2. Communications: Notice of meetings and events shall be by email unless otherwise stated in the bylaws.
3. Meetings:
I) Ordinary meetings shall take place on the 2nd Wednesday in each month except for July and August.
II) An extraordinary general meeting if requested must be held no later than fourteen days after a written request is received by the chairperson. When such a meeting is called for there must be at least 6 members supporting that request. All persons in support must sign the request and it must be hand delivered to the chairperson.
III) Annual general meetings shall take place on the second Wednesday of January each year. The purpose of the meeting is to review the achievements of the previous year and to receive reports from the committee’s officers as appropriate. The procedures to be followed for the purposes of calling and the conduct of a meeting shall be compliant with Article 10 subparagraph (2) of the Constitution.
IV) Generally meetings will be held at a location decided by the committee. If a member wishes to raise an agenda item details should be given to the secretary not less than seven days before each meeting.
4. Voting:
I) At an ordinary general meeting, subject to the meeting being quorate, the outcome of any resolution proposed and seconded shall be by simple majority. The meeting is quorate for voting purposes when there are (at least) one third of the members present.
II) At an extraordinary general meeting the outcome of a resolution proposed and seconded must have a majority of at least two thirds of members present. The meeting is quorate for voting purposes when there are two thirds of members in attendance.
III) The procedures for voting at the annual general meeting are the same as for an ordinary members meeting.
Generally: For all votes at any meeting provision for voting by proxy will be made. When votes taken are equal the chairperson or deputy on the day has the casting vote.
5. Membership Fees:
Normal membership of the association will be on the basis of company membership with an annual membership fee of 1000 DH. Each member company will have 2 votes in any election, or votes on any resolution. Company membership is accompanied by the provision of having up to two registered company representatives.
Individual membership is allowed for such individuals as retirees, non-company owners or individual professional persons (teachers, sole traders etc). The Individual membership fee is 500 Dh per year and gives the member 1 vote in elections and votes on resolutions.
New members joining part way through a current year:
The first membership fee for any new member joining after January of the current calendar year will be calculated using the factor of twelve based on the number of months expired before the date of application. For each month expired the fee will be reduced by one twelfth. Thereafter the annual fee is due at the start of each new year and payable no later than the annual general meeting.
6. Chairperson: To conduct the business at each meeting. In the absence of the chairperson a committee member will act as deputy. The chairperson will use best endeavors to ensure that the terms and conditions of the constitution and bylaws are met and in particular that the objects of the association are fulfilled. The chairperson will act as the associations principal representative with the Moroccan authorities and any other interested party. In this connection the committee members are required to give the chairperson their full support and assistance when necessary.
7. Secretary: To give notice of the association’s meeting and social events. To minute committee and members meetings. To circulate copies of the minutes of those meetings as soon as practicable. To maintain a file of written communications sent or received in connection with the association’s business. To receive and compile agenda items for both committee and membership meetings.
8.Treasurer: To maintain the financial records of the association and in particular to manage and monitor the associations account with an accredited and approved bank of Marrakech. To ensure that the accounts and dealings with the bank are consistent with Moroccan law. To monitor and records all receipts and payment of money on behalf of the association. To issue and sign cheques jointly with the chairperson to cover recurring costs of a standard nature and additionally to cover exceptional expenditure authorised by the membership. To make payments in cash if necessary to cover costs of a standard nature or the cost of social or cultural events to the authorised limit for the time being.
9.Membership Secretary: To process applications for membership. To inform the treasurer of any such applications and to confirm with the treasurer the initial fee payable. To maintain a register of existing members and to keep the committee informed of changes to the membership roll. With the assistance of the secretary to issue a reminder to existing members to pay the annual fee when due.
10. Liaison with the Authorities and other interested parties including the media: The principal contact or spokesperson shall be the chairperson or such other committee member deputed to deal with such matters or issues. The remit is limited in these terms but any member approached direct concerning the association’s affairs by any authority or the media is obligated to report the matter to any committee member as soon as practicable.
11. Discipline and Loss of Membership: Where there is evidence that a member has acted contrary to the constitution or bylaws the committee has authority to deal with a complaint informally with the member concerned. This procedure will depend on the nature of the complaint. Where a complaint appears of a serious nature subject to investigation of that complaint the member may be called to a disciplinary hearing. The constitution and remit of a disciplinary panel shall be based on standards of fairness. The procedure to be followed shall be notified to the member at least seven days before a hearing. It will also allow for representation by a fellow member. The outcome may result in the expulsion or such lesser measure as may be appropriate.