THE CARIBBEAN COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED (CCB)
CHAPTER VII: GENERAL MEETING
Article XV
The General Meeting is the supreme decision-making body of the Council. While its business includes all categories of membership, its decision-making powers rest only with the one vote from each Organisational Member.
Article XVI
The General Meeting:
(a) determines the general policy of the Council;
(b) approves the planned programmes and budget as proposed by the Executive Committee;
(c) evaluates the programmes and activities of the Council;
(d) elects officers to the Executive Committee and authorises the
Executive Committee to act on its behalf between Meetings;
(e) approves the admission and suspension or expulsion of members;
(f) appoints and fixes the remuneration of Council’s Auditors.
Article XVII
A General Meeting of the Council shall be held annually at such time and place as the Executive Committee may determine, provided that two months notice is given before holding such General Meeting, which must take place within nine months of the end of the Council’s fiscal year.
Article XVIII
A quorum for a General Meeting shall be no less than five (5), or one-third of the Organisational Membership of the Council, whichever is greater.
Article XIX:
The President, or in his absence, or at his request, the First Vice-President shall preside at General Meetings, and in the absence of both, the Second Vice-President shall preside. In the absence of the President and Vice-Presidents, the members present shall elect a chairman.
CHAPTER VIII: VOTING
Article XX
(a) Organisational Membership shall have the right to vote and each such member shall have one vote.
(b) No member shall be entitled to vote at any General Meeting unless annual fees presently payable by him to the Council have been paid.
(c) Associate and Honorary Members will not be entitled to vote.
Article XXI
All decisions other than those with respect to amendments to this Constitution, made by the General Meeting shall be voted upon by a simple majority of members present and having the right to vote. The admission to membership, suspension and expulsion of members shall require a two-thirds majority of members present and having the right to vote.
Article XXII
Voting at the General Meeting shall be by simple majority of members present and voting at the Meeting. Each Organisational Member shall be entitled to be represented by one vote but shall not be limited to representation, at the Meeting, by one delegate.
Article XXIII
Voting at a General Meeting may be by roll call or secret ballot or show of hands, as decided by the Council or as requested by one or more members present and having the right to vote.
CHAPTER IX: SPECIAL MEETINGS
Article XXIV
A Special Meeting of the Council may be convened on the decision of the Executive Committee or on the request of not less than five (5) Organisational Members of the Council. Any request for a Special Meeting must be in writing addressed to the Secretariat, and must set out the nature of the business to be discussed.
Article XXV
Only the specific business as requested to the Secretariat for the holding of a Special Meeting can be discussed at such a Meeting.
Article XXVI
The proceedings of a Special Meeting must meet the requirements of Chapter VIII of the Constitution.
[Extract from: Rules and Constitution of The Caribbean Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CCB) – 5/1992 of the Friendly Societies Act Cap 126 – Antigua and Barbuda].
Note: The requirement for Annual General Meetings has been amended to Biennial General Meetings.