Our Constitution

1. NAME AND PLACE OF BUSINESS

1. The Society shall be known as the LUPUS ASSOCIATION (SINGAPORE)
2. The place of business of the Association shall be c/o Medical Unit 4, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Moulmein Road, Singapore (1130) or such other addresses as may be subsequently be decided upon by the Council and approved by the Registrar of Societies.

2. OBJECTS

1. To promote and support medical research toward providing safer methods of patient care and the prevention and cure of Lupus illnesses.
2. To develop community awareness, understanding and acceptance of Lupus and related illnesses.
3. To render service to those suffering from Lupus by providing moral support, encouragement and financial assistance to needy patients and/or their families.
4. To collate factual information regarding Lupus illnesses and matters related to the diagnosis, management and research of Lupus illness.
5. To recommend and assist in the formulation of such legislation as may be required to assist and improve services to those suffering from Lupus.
6. To purchase, take on lease or exchange, hire or otherwise acquire or maintain any real or personal property and any rights or privileges in relation thereto.
7. To sell, exchange, lease, mortgage, hire, dispose of, turn to account or otherwise deal with all or part of the real and personal property of the Association.
8. To raise any monies required for the objects and purposes of the Association in such a manner and on such terms and securities as shall be lawfully determined.
9. To invest and deal with the monies of the Association not immediately required for the purpose of the Association in such a manner as may from time to time be determined.
10. To appoint, employ and pay any staff as required. The Council has the powers to dismiss staff members subject to normal industrial conditions.

3. DEFINITIONS

1. The following expressions shall, unless the context otherwise requests, have the following meanings respectively assigned to them:
   

   • “Association” means the Lupus Association (Singapore)
   • “Council” means the administrative and executive body of the Association constituted under Rule 8 herein;
   • “Constitution” means the Constitution of the Association
   • “Member(s)”, unless otherwise deined, means member(s) of the Association;
2. Words expressing the plural shall include the singular, and the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender or vice-versa.

4. PATRONS AND VICE-PATRON

1. The Council may in its discretion from time to time appoint:a Vice-Patron
   • a Patron
   • a Vice-Patron
2. The appointment of a Patron and/or Vice-patron shall be from amongst people who have achieved eminence or distinguished themselves in the academic, business or professional community, or have rendered distinguished service to the nation.

5. MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership of the Association shall consist of the following categories:
2. Ordinary members and Life members. Any resident in Singapore who subscribes to the objects of the Association may apply for ordinary or life membership.
3. Corporate members. All firms, companies, organizations and institutions in Singapore who subscribe to the objects of the Association shall be entitled to apply for corporate membership of the Association. Such members shall have no voting rights and cannot hold office.
4. Honorary members. The Council may from time to time elect as a Honorary member any person who has achieved eminence in Lupus research/ work or has distinguished himself by contributing financially or rendering distinguished service to the Association.
5. A person wishing to join the Association should submit his name to the Honorary Secreatary. A new member must be proposed and seconded by existing members. Without assigning any reason whatsoever, the Council may refuse application for membership of the Association. A copy of the Constitution of the Association shall be provided to every approved applicant who has paid his subscription fees.

6. SUBSCRIPTIONS

1. Rates
   1. Ordinary members. Subscription – $15/- per year
   2. Corporate members. Subscription – $500/-
   3. Life members. One time subscription of $100/-
2. The subscription fees of retirees shall be waived or reduced.
3. The subscriptions may only be varied by a General Meeting of the members. Any special subscriptions for particular purposes may only be raised from members with the consent of a General Meeting of the members.
4. Annual subscriptions shall be payable in advance in the month of January of each year.
5. Members in arrears of their subscription shall be called upon by the Honorary Treasurer to settle their dues. If such members fail to settle their arrears within six months of the due date, the Council may decide either to cancel membership or suspend membership of defaulting members until their outstanding accounts are paid in full.

7. RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

1. Ordinary member and Life member. Any Ordinary or Life Member shall have the right to nominate or second a candidate for election and vote at General Meetings of the Association provided that such member shall not be in arrears of subscription. He may stand for election if he is at least 21 years of age and has been a member for not less than twelve (12) months.
2. Resignation. Any member may resign his membership by giving to the Honorary Secretary notice in writing to that effect and paying all monies due.

3. Suspension and Expulsion of Members. The Council may suspend for such period as it shall determine or expel a member if he:

   • is convicted of a criminal offence other than minor traffic offences;
   • is adjudged a bankrupt;
   • has conducted himself by word or act in a manner which in the opinion of the Council is prejudicial to the interests of the Association or its members, provided that before any such suspension or expulsion, the member has been given an opportunity to present his case in person before a special panel comprised of three Council members who shall make a report to the Council for its decision. Such member may within thirty (30) days from the date of the Council’s decision, lodge an appeal to the Honorary Secretary who shall place the matter for the discussion and decision at the next General Meeting. The decision of the members at the General Meeting shall be final and conclusive. The Council, shall through the Honorary Secretary, not later than seven (7) days of a decision, notify in writing to such member its decision and/or the decision of the General Meeting to suspend or expel him from membership.

8. MANAGEMENT

1. The Association shall have its affairs administered by a Council consisting of the following who shall be elected at alternate Annual General Meetings:

   • A President
   • a Vice-President
   • A Honorary Secretary
   • a Honorary Assistant Secretary
   • a Honorary Treasurer
   • a Honorary Assistant Treasurer
   • a Welfare Officer
   • seven (7) Ordinary Council Members
2. Candidates for election to the Council must be proposed and secondded by two Ordinary Members of the Association and their names must be submitted to the Honorary Secretary and every candidate for election shall signify in writing his consent to his nomination. The list of candidates for election shall be closed seven (7) consecutive days before the date of the Annual General Meeting.
3. Members of the Council shall on completion of their term of office be eligible for re-election, save that any member who holds the post of Honorary Treasurer and Honorary Assistant Treasurer shall not be eligible for re-election to the same o related post for a consecutive term.
4. Council members shall hold office for a term of two (2) years.
5. Council meetings shall be held as often as may be required but not less than once in every three months after five (5) days notice in writing to Council members. The President may call a Council meeting at any time by giving five (5) days’ notice in writing. At least one half of the Council must be present for its proceedings to be valid.
6. The duty of the Council is to organize and supervise the daily activities of the Association and to make decisions on matters affecting its running when the General Meeting is not sitting. It may not act contrary to the expressing to the expressed wishes of the General Meeting without prior reference to it, and always remain subordinate to the General Meetings.

7. The Council may

   • co-opt such Ordinary/ life Members as may be needed to fill any casual vacancy to serve until the next election at the Annual General Meeting;
   • appoint any special committee with such powers and duties as the Council may determine;
   • invite any person to be present at any Council Meeting and to participate at such a meeting provided that such a person shall not have the right to vote.
8. The Council shall have the power to authorize the expenditure of any sum of money standing to the credit of the Association for the objects of the Association subject to such limits as may be imposed on such expenditure by the General Meetings from time to time.
9. Any member of the Council absenting himself from three (3) consecutive meetings of the Council without reasonable excuse shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Council.
10. Any changes in the Council shall be notified to the Registrar of Societies within two (2) weeks of the change.
11. The Council may, from time to time, appoint a paid officer or officers to carry out such duties as the Council may decide, save that nothing shall be construed as the Council or any member of the Council abdicating the duties and responsibilities of which the Council and/or its members have been elected/ co-opted into.

9. INCOME AND PROPERTY

The income and property of the Association shall be applied solely to the promotion of its objectives and no part thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus, or otherwise by way of pecuniary profit to the members, provided that remuneration may be paid in good faith to persons, members or otherwise in return for services actually rendered to, or expenses incurred on behalf of the Association.

10. DUTIES OF OFFICE BEARERS

The duties of the office bearers are as follows:

1. The President shall act as chairman at all general and committee meetings. He shall also represent the Association in its dealings with outside persons.
2. The Vice-President shall assist the President and deputize for him in his absence.
3. The Hon. Secretary shall keep all records, except financial, of the Association and shall be responsible for their correctness. He will keep minutes of all General and Committee Meetings. He shall maintain an up-to-date Register of members at all times.
4. The Hon. Treasurer shall keep all funds and collect and disburse all moneys on behalf of the Association and shall keep an account of all monetary transactions and shall be responsible for their correctness. He is authorized to expend up to $500.00 per month for petty expenses on behalf of the Association. He will not keep more than $500.00 or such sum of money form of cash and money in excess of this will be deposited in a bank to be named by the Council. Cheques, etc. for withdrawals from the bank will be signed by the President, Vice-President or Hon. Secretary in addition to the Hon. Treasurer.
5. The Assistant Hon. Secretary shall assist the Hon. Secretary and will deputize for him in his absence.
6. The Assistant Hon. Treasurer shall assist the Hon. Treasurer and deputize for him in his absence.
7. The Welfare Officer shall be responsible for projects pertaining to the financial, social and medical needs of patients with Lupus.
8. The Ordinary Council Members will attend and participate in all General and Council meetings and assist in carrying out the decisions made at these meetings. They shall perform any other duties assigned from time to time by the Council.

11. BOARD OF CONSULTANTS

The Council may in its discretion appoint a Board of Consultatns not exceeding four (4) in number for a term of one (1) year. Appointment to the Board of Consultants shall be by invitation from the Council to persons interested in the field of Lupus and/or the Association and its activities.

The Board shall consider and advise the Council on such matters as may be referred to it from time to time. In addition, the Board shall hold a ‘watching brief’ on the professional aspects of the Association’s work and shall tender such advice as it may deem fit to the Council from time to time.

12. AUDITORS

1. Two (2) voting members, not members of the Council, shall be elected as Honorary Auditors at alternate Annual General Meetings and will hold office for a term of two(2) years only, and shall not be re-elected for a consecutive term. They shall audit the accounts of the Association at the end of each Financial Year, and present a report upon them to the Annual General Meeting. They may be required by the President to audit the Association’s accounts for any period within their tenure of office at any date and make a report to the Council.
2. The Annual General Meeting may appoint a firm of public accountants to audit the accounts of the Association.
3. In the event of the resignation or demise of an auditor or a firm of public accountants before the next Annual General Meeting, the Council shall at its discretion appoint another auditor or a firm of public accountants for the balance of the Financial Year.

13. FINANCIAL YEAR

The financial year of the Association shall be from the 1st January to the 31st December of each year.

14. SUPREME AUTHORITY AND GENERAL MEETING

1. The supreme authority of the Association is vested in a General Meeting of the members presided over by the President.

2. General Meetings of the Association shall be convened by the Honorary Secretary and shall be:

   • the Annual General Meeting;
   • the Extraordinary General Meeting.

1. The General Meeting may from time to time appoint or remove a trust company registered in Singapore or any other person(s) subject to a maximum of four (4) and a minimum of two (2) as trustees of the Association.
2. All immovable property of the Association shall be vested in the trustee(s) of the Association subject to a declaration of trust. Investments of the Association may also be vested in the trustees.
3. The trustee(s) of the Association shall hold, sell, transfer, lease, mortgage, charge or otherwise dispose of, encumber or deal with the immovable property and investments of the Association in such manner as the Council shall from time to time direct as decided at a General Meeting.
4. Any trustee may at any time resign his trusteeship. 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 from his trusteeship. If a trustee is guilty of misconduct of such a kind as to render it undesirable that he continue as a trustee, a General Meeting may remove him from his trusteeship. Vacancies in the trusteeship may be filled at a General Meeting. Notice of any proposal to remove a trustee from his trusteeship or to appoint a new trustee to fill a vacancy must be given at least two (2) weeks before the meeting a which the proposal is to be discussed. The result of such meetings hall then be notified to the Registrar of Societies. The addresses of immovable properties, names of trustees and any subsequent changes must be notified to the Registrar of Societies.

16. ANNUAL REPORT

The Annual Report of the Association covering its proceedings during the financial year immediately preceding each Annual General Meeting shall be presented for approval at such Annual General Meeting, and shall be published as soon as practicable thereafter, and copies thereof shall be furnished to each member of the Association.

17. PROHIBITIONS

1. Gambling of any kind and the playing of paikow or mahjong, whether for stakes or not, is forbidden on the Association’s premises. The introduction of materials for gambling or drug taking and of bad characters into the premises is prohibited.
2. The funds of the Association shall not be used to pay the fines of members who have been convicted in Court.
3. The Association 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.
4. The Association shall not attempt to restrict or interfere with trade or make directly or indirectly any recommendation to, in 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.
5. The Association shall not hold any lottery, whether confined to its members or not, in the name of the Association or its office-bearers, Council or members.
6. The Association shall not indulge in any political activity or allow its funds and/or premises to be used for political purposes.
7. The Association shall not raise funds from the public for whatever purposes without prior approval in writing of the Registrar of Societies and other relevant authorities.

18. STATEMENTS

Public statements, including circulars, letters, press release and pamphlets, shall be released only through the Honorary Secretary, and shall first receive the approval of the Council before their release, save that in the event of an emergency, their release may be authorized by the President (or in his absence, by the Vice-President) with the concurrence of the Honorary Secretary.

19. AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION

1. Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed at an Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting and may be adopted by a majority of two-thirds of the members present and voting at the General Meeting.
2. Such amendments so adopted shall not come into operation or be implemented until they have been approved in writing by the Registrar of Societies.

20. DISSOLUTION

1. The Association shall not be dissolved except with the consent of not less than three-fifths of the voting members of the Association for the time being resident in Singapore, expressed either in person or by proxy, at a General Meeting convened for the purpose.
2. In the event of the Association being dissolved as provided for under the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Rule, all debts and liabilities legally incurred by or on behalf of the Association, if any, shall be fully discharged and the remaining funds shall be donated to an institution of Public Character (IPC) under Section 37(2)(c) of the Income Tax Act or Charity registered under the Charities Act, 1982.
3. Certificate of dissolution shall be given to the Registrar of Societies within seven (7) days of the dissolution of the Association.

21. INTERPRETATION

In the event of any question or matter arising at of any point which is not expressly provided for in the Constitution, the Council shall have the power to use their own discretion. The decision of the Council shall be final unless it is reversed at a General Meeting of members.