Constitution & By-Laws

The Black Coalition of Quebec takes its origin form the Black Coalition of Canada which was formed in 1969 in defence of human rights. The Coalition is one of the principal speakers of the Black Community in defence of individual rights. We are at the service of the collectivity to defend against all forms of discrimination.
 
Objectives

To defend the rights and interests of the Black community. 
To provide the instrument through which education is used as a vehicle to gain respect as citizens with equal rights.
To sensitize governments, the public, para-public and private sector of the importance to give equal opportunities to all citizens regardless of race or place of origin.
Increased opportunities for Black talents in the entertainment and communication industries.
Encouragement of Black youth in all fields, economical, social, educational and political. To become part of the Black Coalition of Quebec Telephone: (514) 489-3830, Fax: 514-489-2843, E-mail: info@liguedesnoirs.org
 
BLACK IDENTITY
The Black Coalition of Quebec will observe the colours of red, Black, and Green as representative of our community.
 Black: Which represents the colour of skin
 Red:  Which represents the sacrifices and the spilling of the innocent blood   for people over  centuries
 Green: Which, represents the field of Africa, reflecting the identity and origin of our people everywhere

CONSTITUTION
THE BLACK COALITION OF QUEBEC INC.

DESRCIPTIONS
Sections I        
Bylaws
1.1       The name of this organisation shall be THE BLACK COALTION OF QUEBEC
INC., hereinafter referred to as the Coalition/B.C.Q
1.2       a) The Black Coalition of Quebec takes its origin from the Black Coalition of Canada which was formed in 1969 in defence of Human Rights.
b) The Coalition is one of the principal speakers of the Black community in defence of individual rights.
c)The coalition is at the service of the collectivity to defend against all forms of discrimination
d) The headquarters of the B.C.Q Inc. will be in the province of Quebec.
1.3       All previous bylaws of the Black Coalition of Quebec are repealed as from the date of acceptance and approval of these laws by the National Council.
1.4       The Council may amend these bylaws, upon or without the recommendations of the board of Directors, provided that the Council gives the Directors sixty (60) days notice prior to the general meeting.
 
1.5 The fiscal year shall begin on 1 December and terminate on 30 November of each vear
 
FOR PURPOSES OF DEFINITION:
Section 2
2.1   a) B.C.Q means the Black Coalition of Quebec
b)    Council means the National Council
c)     Directors means the administrators of the Coalition
d)    Executive, means the managers of the Coalition E) Central office means the head office
f)     Chapters mean sub-groups of the Coalition
 
g)    Members mean all who belong to or form part of any association with the Coalition and who pays a fee either directly or indirectly to the coalition.
h)            Associated members are members who are not part of any established chapter and who may represent a particular professional group or who may require membership because of location
  
CENTRAL OFFICE
Section 3 
 
3.1   The Central Office will be at the services of all chapters, organizations and individual members of The Coalition.

AUTONOMY

3.2   The Coalition is an autonomous organization, but is structured to represent the total Black community and organizations of the community.
3.3   The Coalition is autonomous because:
a)    It is duly chartered 
b)    It is governed by its own by-laws
c)     It is administered by its Board of Directors
d)    An Executive and / or Administrative Body also assist1 in the government of the Coalition.
b)    It is governed by its own by-laws
c)     It is administered by its Board of Directors
d)    An Executive and / or Administrative Body also assist1 in the government of the Coalition.
 
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Section4
4.1   To act as a pressure group in sensitizing governments and para- governmental agencies and the public private sectors in giving Black people an opportunity to achieve full social, cultural, political, economic and educational opportunities.
4.2   To initiate programmes and take action with the aim of eradicating all forms of racism
 4.3   To defend the rights and interests of the Black Community, and or irrespective of place of origin, language or religious beliefs, or age differences.
4.4   To provide the instrument through which education is used as a vehicle to sensitize the public to equal rights and social justice.
4.5   Increased opportunities for Black talents in the entertainment and communication industries.
4.6   Encouragement of Black youth in all fields, economical, social, educational and political.
4.7   To foster communication and cooperation with the Hlack community in other provinces and abroad.
4.8   To provide a basis for a community response to crises in issues of general concern.
4.9   To provide a vehicle through which the Black Community may avail itself of the aid and advice of the most experienced, skilled and committed resource people.
4.10 While the Coalition must be implicated in the social, political, economic and educational activities of the community, the President and all responsible for the policy direction of the Coalition must concentrate on la raison d’etre of the Coalition, which is to stand in defence of the Human Rights of black people.

MEMBERSHIP
Sections
5.1   Honorary Members: Honorary Membership shall be conferred upon anyone who is recommended by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

MEMBERSHIP

5.2   The Coalition is required to give services in varying degrees to all associated members; after paying a prescribed fee. Members who cannot participate in existing groups, may be declared associate members
5.3   Such associate membership may be called upon to form part of the delegation at large at the National Convention.
5.4   Membership in the Coalition is open to all at a prescribed fee; 16 years and over.
5.5   All those under 16 years will be accepted in the Youth League of the Coalition.
5.6   The general membership of the Coalition, may be structured and divided to meet the particular needs and interest of individual groups.

STRUCTURE II

Section 6
6.1   Chapters: The Coalition is mandated to form as many chapters and associations with as many organizations as may be deemed necessary to serve the Black Community.
6.2   Any ten (10) members of the community may apply to the Coalition to form a chapter.
6.3   The Directors may decide on such applications by doing one of the following:
    a)     accept such membership as requested
    b)    integrate such demand for membership with an established chapter
    c)     table such application for membership
    d)    reject such application for membership.
6.4   All such chapters will be members of the Black Coalition of Quebec and will be subjected to the same objectives, rules and regulations of The Coalition.
6.5   Chapters will have the authority to institute its own bylaws consistant with the objectives of the Coalition.
6.6           Every chapter will be required to nominate a number of delegates to represent the local sector at the Annual National Convention, these delegates will reflect a percentage of its membership and will be determined by the Board of Directors.
 
ORGANIZATIONS IN COALITION

Section7
7.1    Organizations are member organizations with the Black Community participating with the Black Coalition in the interest of the community.
7.2   These organizations will be required to pay a prescribed fee, which will be determined by the administration of the Coalition.
7.3    The Coalition has an obligation to assist all such organizations in its developments when requested to do so.
7.4   All organizations in Coalition will be required to nominate at least two of its members as delegates to the Annual National convention.
7.5 The admission of organizations that form part of the Coalition will be at the discretion of the Directors of The Coalition.
 
ORGANIZATIONS IN ASSOCIATION

Section 8
8.1     Organizations in association:
Any organization maybe in association with the Coalition, to build a common front in the fight for justice and equality in society.
8.2     Such an organization may become an Organization in association by making a request to the Board of directors of The Coalition.
8.3   The delegates of an organization in association will be granted observer status at the annual National Convention.
8.4   The Directors of The Coalition reserves the right to determine the organizations that will be admitted in association with The Coalition.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NATIONAL COUNCIL

Section 9
9.1    There will be a general meeting on a yearly basis where the Council will meet to determine the policy direction of the Coalition.

ANNUAL GENERAL METT1NG

9.2    This Council will compose of delegates from the Coalition, chapters, and organizations in coalition, and delegates at large.
9.3   Delegates at large representing special interest and professional, will not exceed 1/3 of the total membership of the assembly.
9.4    1/3 of the accumulated delegate will be required to form a quorum at all annual and Administrative Council meetings.

AWARDS

Section 10
10.1 The National Council and or the Board of Directors may give awards to anyone who is confirmed by a majority vote.
10.2 Any chapter, organization or member may submit names of individuals to the Directors of Council for consideration of awards.
NOTICE Section 11
11.1 It is the obligation of the Coalition to notify in writing all its chapters, organizations in Coalition, organizations in association and members at large, at least thirty (30) days in advance of all Annual General meetings.
11.2 All special resolutions and or amendments to the Constitution must be submitted in writing and must reach the office of The Coalition at least thirty (30 days before the Annual general Meeting.
11.3 The Board of Directors will determine the day, date, place and time of the annual Gnarl meeting.
11.4 All chapters and organizations will notify the Coalition of all their delegates at least thirty (30) days before the Annual General Meeting.
11.5     Members of the Coalition who are seeking to become members of the Board of Director, will be required to give notice of their intentions at least fifteen (15) days before the Annual General Meeting.
11.6  a) the Board of Directors will make a special form available for all those seeking to become Director of The coalition.
b) All such application forms will be supported by the signatures of two members of the Coalition.
11.7  a) Application forms will be made available to all those who would like to serve as president of the Board of Directors.
b) Notice of all available positions will be posted in a visible place at the Head office at least sixty (60) days before the annual General Meeting.

ELECTIONS
 
Section 12
12.1 The National Council will consist of the total membership mandated by their respective organizations, chapters, members and /or delegates at large, to represent the interest of the black Community’s, at the Annual General Meeting of the Coalition.
12.2 The Chairman of the National Council will be elected by the General Assembly at the Annual General Meeting.
12.3 The Chairman of The National Council will determine how often his council will meet.
12.4 The President of the Board of Directors will be elected by the delegates at the Annual General Meeting by obtaining an absolute majority.
12.5 The mandate of the President will be for two years.
12.6 The members of the Board Directors will be elected by the Annual General Council.
12.7 The mandate of the Directors except in special circumstances will not exceed two years.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS
 
12.8 All candidates for office in the coalition shall be members in good standing.

ELECTIONS
12.9 a) Election of officers if requested shall be by secret ballot in an election supervised by once or more members who are not candidates for office.
b) All officers shall be elected to hold office for a period not exceeding two years.

REPORTS
Section 13
13.1 The national Council will establish the Policy position of The Coalition and report to the General Meeting.
13.2 Report on the financial position of the Coalition together with all its chapters.
13.3 Consider all propositions and resolutions coming from chapters, organisations and individual members on the floor of the general assembly, all resolutions and / or amendments
13.4 Regional councils will be formed in regions that share boundaries for coordination and cooperation.
 
ADVISORY COUNCIL

Section 14
14.1 The Advisory Council will compose of two members from each chapter, and one from each organization in Coalition.
14.2 The Black Coalition of Quebec reserves the right to acquire 1/3 of the membership in council.

DELEGATES MANDATE

Section 15
15.1 Only members or delegates specified by nomination to the Board of Directors and elected by the general meeting will serve on the Board of the Coalition.
15.2 The president will appoint directors to the Board in consultation with members of the Board to fill vacant seats. But all vacant positions will be subjected to the period of office that not exceeding (2) two years.
15.3 The number of Directors to serve on the Board of Administration of The Coalition will be submitted to the Council for approval and may vary in total number to meet the needs of the Community.

THE OFFICERS

Section 16

THE PRESIDENT
16.1 The president of The Coalition will be elected at the Annual General Meeting and will appoint the executive at the first Board of Directors after the Annual Convention.

The Officers/

16.2 The president of the Board of Directors of the Coalition is the administrator of the Coalition and may call a meeting of Council and may preside over such meeting.
16.3 The President may also call a meeting of chapters when deemed necessary either with the assistance of the local chapter or independently.
16.4 The President should initiate meetings at all levels to keep the membership, supporters and the public informed about the objectives of the Coalition.
a)     The duties of the President shall be to preside over all meetings of The Coalition, and to provide leadership.
b)    To delegate responsibilities to officers and members of the Coalition.
c)     To appoint committees, and assume a general role in promoting the well-being of The Coalition.

VICE-PRESIDENT

16.5 The duties of the Vice-President shall be to act in the absence of the President, and assume all the duties which would otherwise be performed by the President.

THE SECRETARY

16.6 a) The duties of the Executive Secretary shall be to keep an accurate record of all the transactions of the Coalition.
b)         To issue receipts in all financial transactions of the Coalition and report all financial transactions to the President and /or the Treasurer.
c)     To provide receipt for all membership fees paid to the Chapter and transmit such fees to the Chapter Treasurer and to ensure the forwarding to the National office of those fees due to the National office.
d)    To ensure compliance of Chapters with all bylaws of the B.C.Q
e)     To ensure effective participation of Chapters and its affiliated members in such matters as the nomination of national officers.
 
f)     To assist in the selection of delegates to meetings of the Council to B.C.Q to prepare documentations of the Chapters in matters to be deliberated at National meetings or other meetings of B.C.Q.

THE TREASURER

16.7 a) The duties of the Treasurer shall be to see that all financial
transactions are according to specified procedures, and the wishes of the
Coalition, and report to the President and the annual general Meeting.
b)    Cause to be opened a bank account in the name of the Chapter at a bank or trust company to be determined by the Executive Committee.
c)     Knsure that all funds paid to Chapters are promptly deposited in said bank or trust company accounts.
d)    Prepare an up- to-date financial statement for all regular meetings of the Executive Committee.
e) Present at each annual meeting of Chapters, and as requested by the Executive Committee, an up-to-date financial statement together with the report or the Auditing Committee.
f) The President may appointed to an account to assist in the functions of the treasurer.