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CONSTITUTION

OF

OLD CADETS ASSOCIATION OF SYLHET

(OCAS)

 "In the name of Almighty, Who awarded us the Best among the entire living being”

Introduction:

It is believed that Cadet College produces the best citizen in the country. In line with that noble intention the Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh made a historical decision to set up a Cadet College at the holy land of Shahjalal (RA), enriched with the natural beauty and resources i.e. at Sylhet in 1979. The cadets of the Sylhet Cadet College sincerely remember and recall at their each footstep of their life that the nation had spent a significant part of the national revenue and resources behind them to develop them as the best citizen of the country. Hence, ex-cadets believe it is their noble duty and turn to honor the nation’s contribution by accomplishing commendable services to the nation both in their professional and social life.

Realising that united effort of the ex-cadets can meaningfully achieve their ultimate goal toward the nation, the ex-cadets of Sylhet Cadet College hence decided to form an Association. Discipline is part of the life of a cadet, therefore, to ensure systematic  and indisputable functioning of the Association – a guideline is required; and this Constitution of the Old cadets Association of Sylhet (OCAS) will serve that noble purpose.

Old Cadets Association of Sylhet (OCAS) has the sovereign right on this Constitutuion and copying of any part of this Constitution without permission of the Executive Committee of OCAS is strictly prohibited.

THE SOCIETIES REGISTRATION ACT, XXI, OF 1860

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

OF

OLD CADETS ASSOCIATION OF SYLHET

I. NAME OF THE SOCIETY: The name of the Society is OLD CADETS ASSOCIATION OF SYLHET

II. REGISTERED OFFICE: The Registered Office of the Society  is situated at Dhaka …………………………………………., Bangladesh.

III. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:  OLD CADETS ASSOCIATION OF SYLHET is a strictly non-profitable, non-secretarial Society established for, inter alia, the followings:

1.        To undertake and carry out economic and social welfare activities for benevolent, humanitarian, charitable and developmental purposes,

2.       To maintain and develop brotherly relation among the old Cadets of Sylhet Cadet College;

3.         To maintain and develop fraternity between the present and the Ex-Cadets of Sylhet Cadet College;

4.         To act as a center for communication and exchange of ideas and recreation of the Ex-Cadets;

5.        To act as a center for developing the multifarious talents of the present and the Ex-Cadets;

6.         To extend co-operation to the best of its ability to the members of OCAS in their educational, social and professional problems;

7.         To help the Ex-Cadets to the best of its ability in finding suitable careers as and when necessary;

8.         To act as a center for social and community development activities;

9.         To co-operate with various Governmental or Non-Governmental Organizations to furthering the cause of social welfare;

10.    To promote and uphold the image and interest of the Sylhet Cadet College and to maintain good relationship with it;

11.    To take any other lawful course that might serve the greater interest of the members of OCAS. But OCAS shall not carry any   trade or business with a view to monitory gain of any of its member(s).

12.    To foster the growth of self-respect and self-reliance in the community.

13.    To foster and encourage the diffusion of useful knowledge in a systematic manner for assisting community health development with special emphasis towards furthering the interests of the under-privileged and economically deprived person,

14.   To foster and encourage and assist the peoples to get involved in various sustainable income generating and health program activities and, with that end in view, to organize themselves into groups and co-operatives,

15.    To make primary, secondary and tertiary health care services available, accessible and affordable to the greater section of the community, especially lower income group,

16.    Initiate and implement projects with special emphasis on:

(a)   Health, family planning and medical services to lower income group (subject to prior permission from the concern authority),

(b)  Children’s education & personal development,

(c)   Children nutrition,

(d)  Women’s employment,

(e)  Rehabilitation of elderly persons,

(f)    Assistance to disaster or calamity affected individuals and families,

(g)   Youth development activities and meaningful employment training for them,

(h)  Controlling environment degradation and encouraging balanced and sustainable development programs.

17.    To establish, manage and support training centers for imparting vocational knowledge,

18.    To grant stipends and scholarships for training in Bangladesh and abroad and any other act of things that may be beneficial to community development and in all respects to co-operates and work in close harmony with other organizations, local or international which are pursuing similar objectives,

19.    To print and publish news letters, periodicals, books, pamphlets and reports that the foundation may find necessary with a view to compiling and disseminating the result of the studies and research of the society,

20.    To found, build, aid, assist, set up, manage, maintain administer and run libraries, museums, public buildings and parks, playgrounds, places for recreation and other of use or benefit to communities and peoples,

21.    To open branches and establish and maintain contacts with other organizations throughout the world, which support and encourage similar objectives,

22.    To organize and/or employ/sponsor volunteers, study groups, researchers and social work individually or as a group to effectively carry out the objectives of the society.

23.    To borrow or raise money for the purpose of the society upon such terms and such conditions and upon such securities as may be determined by the society from time to time.

24.    To grant fellowship scholarship, prizes, awards, and stipends,  and to under take action research projects for carrying    out the purpose of the society.

25.    To receive and collect all kinds of gifts, grants, donations, subsidies, subscriptions, whether in cash or kind, which in any way helps in promoting and maintaining the objectives of the society and to create and provide funds and to invest and apply the same as and when the society may deem it expedient for carrying out any of its objectives in respect of foreign donation received the Foreign donation (voluntary Activities) Regulation of 1978 shall be obeyed.

26.    To collaborate with, assist, receive assistance from and promote, other individuals, persons, organizations engaged in the same of similar programs, research or activities,

27.    To take on lease, permit, license, purchase or otherwise acquire land, assets, facilities from the government of Bangladesh or any other government or any other individual person, or organizations as is permitted by the laws of the country,

28.    To give advance from the funds and assets at the disposal of the society to land less, small and marginal farmers on terms and conditions, to be determined by the society to ensure their participation in nation building activities.

To do all such other things as are incidental or conductive to attainment of the above objectives.

IV. The income and property of the society shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objectives as set forth above and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise as profits to the members of the society or to anyone claiming through them.

V. The society may be dissolved by a decision of three-fifthmajority of the members of the society who take such a resolution in an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting convened for this purpose.

VI. If upon winding up the surplus, if any, shall be handed over to some other organization having similar objectives and no portion of the surplus, shall be paid or distributed among the members.

THE SOCIETIES REGISTRATION ACT, XXI, OF 1860

RULES AND REGULATIONS

OF

OLD CADETS ASSOCIATION OF SYLHET

PREFACE

Chapter I

1.0 Definitions:

 For the purpose of the present Constitution of OCAS, the following expressions shall have the meanings hereunder assigned to them:

i.                              The Association or OCAS means Old Cadets Association of Sylhet;

ii.                            Members mean General Members of OCAS unless otherwise specified;

iii.                          Cadet College or College means, unless otherwise specified, Sylhet Cadet College;

iv.                         Executive Committee or Committee means the highest governing body of OCAS as

                          formed under chapter 6 of the present Constitution;

v.                           Year means 365 days or any other legitimate definition as adopted by the Committee;

vi.                         Constitution means the present Constitution of OCAS including the amendments made to it from time to time;

vii.                        Batch means the batches enrolled in Sylhet Cadet College as cadets in a particular academic session;

viii.                      Ex-Cadet means the ex-cadets of Sylhet Cadet College unless otherwise mentioned.

ix.                         Convention means the Yearly General Meeting of the Association.

x.                           Reunion means get together of all - OCAS members, existing & ex- teachers, staff, guests, and existing cadets at  Sylhet Cadet College after couple of years.

Chapter II

 2.0 Membership

OCAS shall have four types of membership:

a.        General Membership

b.       Associate Membership

c.        Honorary Membership

d.       Life Membership

2.1 General Membership

Each and every ex-cadet of Sylhet Cadet College will be a General Member of OCAS provided that he,

i.                    Subscribes regularly;

ii.                  Abides by the rules and regulations of OCAS;

iii.                  Has not lost his Primary Membership earlier.

2.2 Associate Membership

a.        All persons who have served or are serving in the Sylhet Cadet College as Principal, Adjutant, Medical Officer or Faculty Member and spouse of the ex-cadets will become Associate Members automatically.

b.       No enrolment fee shall be required for the Associate Membership. But the Executive Committee may fix subscription for the Associate Members in any special occasion or program.

c.        The Associate Members shall have no voting rights in the OCAS activities.

2.3  Honorary Membership

i.                            Any person who has rendered outstanding service to OCAS or to the nation or persons of acknowledged eminence or   persons whose association is deemed to be of benefit to OCAS may be granted the status of Honorary Membership with his prior consent and by a majority decision of the Executive Committee.

ii.                          Honorary Members shall enjoy all rights and privileges as of the General Members except voting right.

2.4 Life Membership

i.                            Any General Member may become Life Member by paying at a time an amount of 50 (fifty) times of the annual subscription or any other amount as decided by the Executive Committee.

ii.                          Life Members may not pay annual subscription but all other rules and regulations of the Association shall be applied invariably to them.

However, they might get some other facilities as decided by the Executive Committee.

3.0 Acquisition of General Membership

i.                            An ex-cadet once registered as a member shall ever remain a General member unless he has lost his membership earlier.

ii.                         The Association shall prepare a General membership Form and the Ex-Cadets shall use that Form for applying to be registered.

iii.                        The Association may send representatives to the College to distribute the Membership Forms to the outgoing Cadets every year.

4.0 Loss of Membership

A member may lose his Membership either by resignation or by expulsion.

5.0 Withdrawal of Membership

i.                            Any member may withdraw or resign his membership through a written letter of resignation to the Executive Committee. But the resignation will take effect from the date of acceptance of the letter by the Executive Committee.

ii.                          In the case of resignation the member will lose his General membership or other types of memberships (if any). However, he can revive his membership by paying his dues and Membership Renewal Fee. However, Committee may consider waiver of dues if the member applies for the same. Renewal of Membership shall be allowed only once in a lifetime in general, the Committee shall approve any exception.

6.0 Expulsion of a Member

i.                           The Association shall have the right to expel any member if his activities are proved to be harmful and injurious for the Association.

ii.                          If the Executive Committee decides to expel any member, a 'show-cause' notice will be served to the concerned member to come and explain his position within one month. If he fails to do so, the decision of Expulsion will be taken against him. The decision of Expulsion must be approved by a majority vote in the next Convention. The expelled member, however, may appeal for reconsideration of this membership at the Half-yearly Co-ordination Meeting. The Executive Committee shall be liable to accept the application for appeal for review at the Half-Yearly Co-ordination Meeting.

7.0 Suspension of Membership

i.                            If any member fails to pay his subscription for five consecutive years his General Membership shall automatically be suspended. He may, however, revive his membership by paying all his dues and registration fees.

ii.                         The Executive Committee may also suspend the membership of a member if a competent Court of Bangladesh convicts him for any grievous crime.

iii.                          The suspended member will lose all the rights and privileges as enjoyed by the OCAS members for the time being.

Chapter III

8.0 Subscriptions, Fees, and Donations

i.                             To be a member of OCAS, each ex-cadet shall have to register himself as a General Member by paying the enrolment fee.

ii.                          For the continuance of his membership a member shall have to subscribe regularly to the Association or its appointed agent(s). The Association will fix the enrolment fee and the amount for subscription.

iii.                         The Treasurer will receive the fees or the subscriptions against receipt. In the absence of the Treasurer any member as appointed by the Executive Committee may perform this duty.

iv.                         Membership renewal fee shall be required for those who want to revive their membership. The Executive Committee may also request for any other contribution from the members as and when necessary.

v.                           Fees or subscription will be charged at the following rate:

*Enrolment or Registration Fee                                 Tk.50/-  (once in a life time)

*Membership Renewal Fee                         Tk.100/-(only during revival of membership)

*Subscriptions:

                                                                 *Student Members       Tk.300/- per annum

                                                                *Employed Members   Tk.500/- per annum

vi.                         Any member can donate any amount of money at any point of time to the committee or to treasurer.      

vii.                      OCAS shall provide appropriate Receipt of Money for any amount of money received by OCAS to the member/payer.

Members can pay the fee monthly or quarterly. They can pay it directly to the treasurer or to the member as nominated by the committee or treasurer.

The Executive Committee may revise the aforesaid amounts as and when necessary. In the case of enhancement the General Secretary shall mention the reason behind such decision in his report in the next Convention. 

9.0 Exemption from Subscription:

The Executive Committee may exempt any member from paying his annual subscription upon a written application from him to the Executive Committee stating the reasons of his inability to pay the subscription with a request for an exemption.

Chapter IV

10.0 Rights & Privileges of the Members:

i.                              All members of OCAS shall have equal right in every OCAS activity.

ii.                            Discrimination shall not be made on the basis of seniority in receiving privileges afforded by OCAS.

iii.                          No member shall have any personal claim on any property of the Association.

10.1 Voting Right:

i.                           All members shall have voting right if he satisfies the conditions to be a voter.

ii.                         Each Member shall have one vote in every poll. To be a voter, the member must have cleared all his dues for that year. The same rule applies in the case of 'No Confidence Motion'.

Chapter V

11.0 Administration:

To administer the activities of OCAS an Executive Committee shall be formed – who will be responsible for their accomplished tasks.

11.1 Executive Committee:

A body called 'Executive Committee' shall prepare, implement, and evaluate various policies and programmes of OCAS. Supreme authority shall be vested in the Executive Committee being the highest body of the Association.

11.1.2 Composition of Executive Committee:

The Executive Committee shall be consisted of the persons holding the following portfolios according to precedence:

1.       President

2.       Senior   Vice -President

3.       Vice –President-I

4.       Vice President-II

5.       General Secretary

6.       Assistant General Secretary

7.       Treasurer

8.       Organizing Secretary

9.        International Communications Secretary.

10.   Public Relation Secretary

11.   Sports Secretary

12.    Cultural Secretary

13.   Office Secretary

14.   Career Counseling Secretary

15.   Executive Member-I

16.   Executive Member-II

17.   Executive Member- III   ^{(added in the Special AGM held on 30 Oct, 2009_Interim EC led By Kafee (40) of 4th Batch)}

11.2 Batch Representative:

To assist the Executive Committee and assure more participation in the OCAS activities - one representative shall be decided from each batch. However, they will not have the voting power in Executive Committee meeting.

11.3 Advisory Panel:

To assist the Executive Committee by providing valuable suggestions and guidance an Advisory Panel shall be formed with the following persons:

1.       The current Principal of Sylhet Cadet College

2.       The current Adjutant of Sylhet Cadet College

3.       The President of the recent past OCAS Executive Committee

4.       The General Secretary of the recent past OCAS Executive Committee

5.       Nominated* Advisor-I

6.       Nominated* Advisor-II

7.       Nominated* Advisor-III

* Executive Committee shall nominate the advisors preferably from senior batches. However, the number of Advisory Panel can be increased by the Committee which must be approved in the next Convention.

11.4 Powers & Functions:

Executive Committee shall be responsible for the overall management of OCAS as per the Constitution:

i.                             It shall have the authority to collect all types of fees, subscriptions, and any other contribution from the members and also to raise fund from extraneous sources.

ii.                            It may expend the funds for reaching the objectives of OCAS. All such expenditure shall be budgeted and strictly recorded.

iii.                          Executive Committee shall, inter alea, undertake fund raising programs each year. General Secretary shall mention the progress of such programs in his   report in the Convention.

iv.                        Overall management and control of the OCAS properties shall be vested in the Executive Committee.

v.                           Executive Committee may form any committee or sub-committee for better   performance of its activities. Any such committee or sub-committee shall be fully accountable to the Executive Committee.

vi.                         Executive Committee shall supervise the activities of these Committees or sub- committees.

vii.                       Executive Committee shall have the authority to frame rules, guidelines or laws that   may be necessary from time to time for running   the OCAS activities provided they do not contradict this Constitution.

viii.                   The decisions of the Executive Committee, if otherwise not contrary to this Constitution shall be binding upon all the members, Committees, sub-committees and Chapters of the Association.

ix.                         In the case of any vacancy the Executive Committee may select any member for any post in the Executive Committee. This decision must be approved in the next Convention

x.                             It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to take all necessary steps to attain the objectives of the Association and for that    purpose they may arrange charity programs, get together, cultural functions, games and such other activities as they think fit for the welfare of the members of the Association.

xi.                          The Executive Committee shall be responsible to the General Members for their activities and shall report to them in the next   Convention.

11.5 Term of Office:

Each Executive Committee shall be elected for two years time and may work till the new Committee is elected.

11.6 Election of the Executive Committee

i.                           Election of the Executive Committee shall be held in every two years time. New committee will be elected in the next Convention after completion of two years. However, if Reunion or such big programme is due in the next 6 months committee will be formed in the Reunion in place of Convention. The committee should declare this in the earlier Convention furnishing adequate positive standing of OCAS that justifies capability and possibility of holding Reunion by this committee.

ii.                        The out-going Committee shall convene and conduct the election and select a member as the Election Commissioner.

iii.                         The Election Commissioner shall finalize the procedure of election in accordance with this Constitution. He will declare the names of the Batch-Representatives selected by majority of each particular batch. If no cadet is present from any particular batch during the Convention/Re-union, the new EC will select Batch Representative for that particular batch later on.

iv.                        The post of President, General Secretary and Treasurer in any circumstances must be elected on direct voting . The newly elected President, general Secretary and Treasurer and the Batch-Representatives will select the other members of the Committee in the presence of the Election Commissioner.

v.                         Each candidate interested to compete shall submit his Nomination Paper to the   Election Commissioner within the time specified by the Election Commissioner.

vi.                      To compete as President, General Secretary, Treasurer; A member must have the following:

"He has been an EC (Executive Committee) member during any tenure”.  ^{(added in the Special AGM held on 30 Oct, 2009_Interim EC led By Kafee (40) of 4th Batch)}

The Election shall be held at the Convention or Re- Union. Executive Committee shall notice the members about the date and time of the election. The decision of the Election Commissioner shall be final so far the Election Result is concerned. For Re-election it will need at least two third majorities of the voters that were present during election.

The official declaration of the newly formed Executive Committee shall be made to public within 24 hours of conducting the election.

11.7 Eligibility for Contesting in the Executive Committee Election:

i.                            Any ex-cadet of Sylhet Cadet College who is a member of OCAS shall be competent for any portfolio in the Executive Committee election   provided; he has not lost his membership earlier and has cleared all his dues at least for the last two years.

ii.                          It is anticipated that the members of the Executive Committee will permanently reside in Dhaka. However, dispensation can be allowed in case of high profile candidate and importance of portfolio.

iii.                        No member can compete for more than one portfolio.

11.8 Removal of Executive Committee Member(s):

i.                            Every member of the Executive Committee shall be elected for two years time.

ii.                          In the case of serious misconduct or for greater interest of the Association the Executive Committee may suspend any of its members.

iii.                         The decision of suspension will require two-third majority of the Executive Committee Members and must be approved in the next Convention.

iv.                       The suspended member shall be obliged to make proper hand over of his office before leaving the Executive Committee.

11.9 No Confidence Motion:  

i.                           If it is apparent that the activities of the Executive Committee or any or more of its members are injurious to the Association or if their activities are controversial to this Constitution, the General members may bring 'NO CONFIDENCE MOTION' against them.

ii.                           Any such motion shall require a joint letter to that effect signed by (a.) at least ten members from each Intake or  (b.) 200(two hundred) General   Members. The Letter shall be directed to the Executive Committee.

iii.                        The Executive Committee shall call a Special General Meeting within one month of receiving the letter to discuss the issue and to conduct the vote of Confidence.

iv.                        If the members present at the Special General Meeting passes the motion by a Two Third Majority the concerned member(s)' post shall be vacant.  If the Motion is against the whole Committee the Executive Committee shall be dissolved and new election will be held.

v.                         New election shall be conducted by the dissolved Committee and must be held within two months from the Special General Meeting.

vi.                       The new election shall follow the same procedure of a normal Executive Committee Election.

Chapter VI

12.0 Meetings

There will be Annual General Meeting to be called as ‘Convention’ on 06 August of each year, which is also known as OCAS day (1st day of formation). The Executive Committee shall arrange and fix the date of the Convention and shall notify it to the members. A one-month notice along with the agenda shall be circulated among the Committee Members, Advisory Panel, Honorary & Life members, and Batch Representatives.

i.                           The members of the Association shall meet at least once in every month. This meeting will be called as Normal Meeting.

ii.                         The Executive Committee shall also meet at least once in every month. These Meetings will be known as Executive Committee Meetings.

iii.                         EC Meetings will be held with prior notice. The general members will have free access to the Executive Committee Meetings and vice versa.

iv.                        A Half-Yearly Co-ordination Meeting will be held with all the EC Members and Batch-Representatives to review half-yearly progress and take decision on major issues with a prior notice of at least 15 (fifteen) days.

v.                           If any EC Member remains absent in three consecutive monthly EC Meeting without notice, the President or in his absence the Senior Vice-President shall ask explanation in writing. In case of unsatisfactory response from the EC member, the EC will decide further action and if situation warrants the portfolio of that EC Member will be declared vacant. New Member will be elected with decision of the two-third majority of EC and must be approved in the next Half-Yearly Co-ordination Meeting or Convention.

vi.                       The General Secretary shall submit a Report, which shall, inter alea, mention the activities initiated by the Executive Committee in the previous year, their achievements and all the major decisions taken by the Executive Committee along with the reasons in the Convention.

vii.                       In any special situation the President or in his absence the Senior Vice president may call the Special General Meeting with a 15(fifteen) days notice along with its agenda

13.0 Quorum:

The quorum for Special General Meeting shall be one-fifth of the total number of the General Members or one hundred fifty members, which one is lesser. Quorum for the Executive Committee meeting will be five where either the President or the General Secretary must be present.

Chapter VII

14.0 Funds & Accounts:

i.                            Treasurer shall be responsible for the management and control of the funds of the Association.

ii.                         He shall collect subscriptions, donations or any other contribution made by either by the members or any other person(s) or  organization(s).

iii.                        He shall maintain and disburse funds and keep up-to-date account of them. In the Convention he will submit the total financial statement concerning the collection, utilization, disbursement and the present condition of the OCAS fund.

iv.                        There shall be one or more Bank Accounts for monitory transactions of the Association. These Accounts shall be opened in the name of the Association of Sylhet Old Cadets (OCAS). The joint signature of the Treasurer and either General secretary or the President shall operate the Accounts of OCAS.

v.                          The previous Executive Committee will finalize the accounts and handover the same to the new EC within two months of formation of the new Committee. On an exception basis this time can be extended by another one month, however, monthly progress of this handover process shall be updated by the ex-President or General Secretary or Treasurer to the new EC. All asset and liabilities of OCAS shall be handed over to the new EC and properly documented.

Chapter VIII

17.0 Local Chapters:

i.                            The Executive Committee may permit to establish local chapter under Section 2.2 of this Constitution as the primary units of the Association. The Executive Committee shall specify the Jurisdiction of such Chapter(s).

ii.                          If any local Chapter is established the Ex- Cadets habitually residing in that locality shall become the Members of that Chapter. It shall be mandatory for the members to belong to the Local Chapters within its jurisdiction. Members may change his attachment from one to another through an application to the Executive Committee.

iii.                          A member can register himself in only one Local Chapter at a time.

iv.                        The local Chapter shall collect the subscriptions from the Members within its jurisdiction. It may collect additional subscriptions   from the Chapter Members provided most of them agree to the enhancement but shall not collect any donation or contribution from the extraneous sources without the prior permission of the Executive Committee.

v.                         Local Chapters shall be independent in their activities but their main object shall be to promote the aims and objectives of the Association as provided in this Constitution.

vi.                       The Executive Committee shall prepare the rules and regulations for Local Chapters and their management and shall audit its Accounts from time to time.

vii.                      The Executive Committee shall regulate the Members living outside Bangladesh unless forming any local Chapter.

Chapter IX

18.0 Conclusion:

To change any part of this Constitution two-third majority will be required in any Convention or Special General Meeting. It is noted that if any clause, selection or part of this Constitution becomes contradictory to any local law of the state, the local law shall supersede and the representative part of OCAS Constitution will be amended immediately by the EC and approved in the next Convention or Half Yearly Co-ordination Meeting or Special General Meeting.

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