NAME
1. The name of the Association shall be the ‘SAFTI Alumni Association.’
PLACE OF BUSINESS
2. The place of business of the Association shall be “SAFTI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, c/o SAFTI Military Institute Headquarters, AFPN 1450, 500 Upper Jurong Road, #01-03, Singapore 638364” or such other address as may subsequently be decided upon by the Ex-Co and approved by the Registrar of Societies.
DEFINITIONS
3. Terms used in these Articles shall have the following meaning:
a. The ‘Association’ means The SAFTI Alumni Association.
b. ‘SAFTI MI’ means The SAFTI Military Institute.
c. ‘Ex-Co’ means The Executive Committee of the Association.
d. ‘Board’ means Board of Governors.
e. ‘AGM’ means Annual General Meeting.
f. ‘EGM’ means Extra-ordinary General Meeting.
g. ‘Graduate’ means members who have graduated from any of the four Chapters i.e. Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College (GKS CSC), SAF Advanced Schools (SAS), Officer Cadet School (OCS) and Midshipman School (MIDS) inclusive of Active, National Service and Retired personnel.
h. ‘Members’ means Members of the Association.
i. ‘Schools’ mean the collective institutions of the Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College (GKS CSC), SAF Advanced Schools (SAS), Officer Cadet School (OCS) and Midshipman School (MIDS).
j. Words importing the singular number shall include the plural number and vice versa.
k. Words importing any gender shall include all genders.
OBJECTIVES
4. The objectives of the Association are:
a. To promote greater cohesion and interaction among Members.
b. To promote and further social, cultural, educational and sporting activities for Members.
c. To promote and maintain amenities for rest and recreation for Members.
MEMBERSHIP
5. The association shall consist of the following categories of members:
a. Life Members. Life Membership shall be open to graduates of any one of the Route of Advancement (ROA) courses conducted by any of the four Chapters i.e. GKS CSC, SAS, OCS and MIDS.
b. Associate Members. Associate Membership shall be open to:
(1) Civilian and DXO (Officer Grade) staff of SAFTI MI.
(2) Persons who in the opinion of the Ex-Co could contribute to and further the objectives of the Association and have accordingly applied for or been invited to become Associate Members.
c. Honorary Members. Honorary Membership may be conferred on prominent and reputable persons who have been associated with SAFTI or the Association, and who in the opinion of the Ex-Co would serve to further the interest of SAFTI. The appointment of Honorary Members shall be by written invitation by the President, upon approval by the Board of Governors.
6. Application for Membership
a. Upon completion of the course, each graduate from the Chapters will be given an opt-out application form to exercise their choice of joining the Association. Personnel who were past graduates and met the membership criteria stated in paragraph 5, can submit their applications through a prescribed form to the Ex-Co.
b. A Member who has resigned from membership or whose name has been cancelled from the Register of Members for reasons other than on disciplinary grounds may apply for re-admission to the Association. Approval for re-admission may be subjected to such terms and conditions as the Ex-Co deems fit.
c. A copy of the Constitution shall be provided to every approved applicant.
7. Cessation of Membership
a. Any Member who is more than one (1) year in arrears with his entrance fees, subscriptions or other dues shall have his membership automatically cancelled.
b. Any Member who intends to resign from the Association shall give written notice to the Secretary at least fourteen(14) days before the end of the financial year. Otherwise he shall be liable for the ensuing year’s subscription.
RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERS
8. All Members shall have the right to participate in the Association’s activities, and to make use of facilities provided by the Association.
9. Life Members shall have the right to vote and speak at all General Meetings, and to be elected into the Ex-Co or to hold any post in the Association.
10. Associate and Honorary Members shall not have any voting rights and shall not hold office or participate in the management of the Association.
DISCIPLINE
11. The Ex-Co shall have the power to expel or discipline any member who has acted in any way prejudicial to the interest of the Association or its Members, or whose conduct in the opinion of the Ex-Co renders the Member unfit for membership to the Association.
12. Before any defaulting Member is expelled, at least seven(7) days' written notice should be given to the defaulting Member, informing him of the complaints made against him, and calling upon him to attend an Ex-Co meeting to give his explanations.
13. If the defaulting Member fails to appear before the Ex-Co, the Ex-Co may nevertheless proceed against him in his absence.
14. If after the hearing, two-thirds (2/3) of the Ex-Co members present vote in agreement of the charges, the defaulting Member shall be guilty of the charges.
15. A defaulting Member shall face either expulsion or suspension of membership at the discretion of the Ex-Co, depending on the nature of the charges. This decision by the Ex-Co is final and shall be conveyed to the defaulting Member in writing.
16. A Member expelled or suspended from membership shall forfeit all rights and privileges of a Member, and all rights and claims against the Association, but shall continue to be liable for any outstanding debts.
ENTRANCE FEES, SUBSCRIPTION AND OTHER DUES
17. A one-time entrance fee of fifty Singapore dollars (S$50/-) or an amount determined by the Ex-Co shall be collected for Life Membership. Life Members shall be exempted from payment of annual subscription fees.
18. Associate Members shall be exempted from payment of entrance fees, but have to pay an annual subscription fee of five Singapore dollars (S$5/-) or an amount determined by the Ex-Co.
19. Annual subscriptions are payable in advance by the first day of April in each year.
20. Honorary Members shall be exempted from payment of annual subscription.
21. Any additional funds required to cover the cost of organised activities, or for special purposes may only be raised from Members if agreed by a simple majority of Members at a General Meeting.
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
22. The management of the Association is based on a 3-tier structure comprising the Board of Governors, the Ex-Co and a Chapter Management Committee for each of the four(4) Schools, namely the GKS CSC Chapter, SAS Chapter, the OCS Chapter and the MIDS Chapter.
23. The Board of Governors shall consist of the following office-bearers:
a. A Chairman
b. A Vice-Chairman
c. 7 Ordinary Members
d. Ex-Officio Ordinary Member
24. The members of the Board are appointed by the Minister for Defence for a term of 2 years. The President of the Ex-Co shall sit as the Ex-Officio Member of the Board.
25. The Board of Governors shall meet at least once a year. At least one half (1/2) of the Board members present at the Board’s Meeting shall constitute a quorum.
EX-CO
26. The Ex-Co shall consists of the following office-bearers:
a. A President
b. Four Vice-Presidents
c. A Secretary
d. An Assistant Secretary
e. A Treasurer
f. An Assistant Treasurer
g. A Publicity Member
h. Committee Member(s)
27. Commandant SAFTI MI shall be the President of the Ex-Co. The Vice-Presidents are Commandant GKS CSC, Head SAS/Commander AOAS, Commander OCS and Deputy Commander (Navy) OCS. The Vice-Presidents shall also be the Presidents of their respective Chapter Management Committees.
28. The other Ex-Co Members shall either be appointed by the President or elected at an AGM by Life Members of the Association. For election, names of these officers shall be proposed and seconded at the AGM and election will follow on a simple majority vote of members. Treasurer and the Assistant Treasurer shall not be re-appointed or re-elected to the same or related post for consecutive terms. The tenture of office of these Ex-Co Members shall be 2 years or upon their posting out of their School before the expiry of the 2-year term.
29. The Ex-Co shall meet at least once in 3 months, after five days’ notice to the Ex-Co Members. At least once half (1/2) of the Ex-Co Members present at the Meeting shall constitute a quorum.
CHAPTER MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES
30. There are 4 Chapter Management Committees, namely, the GKS CSC Chapter, SAS Chapter, the OCS Chapter and the MIDS(Closed) Chapter. Each Chapter Management Committee shall consist of the following office-bearers:
a. A President
b. A Vice-President
c. A Secretary
d. A Publicity Member
e. Up to 3 Chapter Management Committee Members
31. The Presidents of the four Chapter Management Committees shall be appointed by virtue of their office in the respective Schools and shall cease to hold office upon their posting out of the Schools.
32. The other Chapter Management Committee Members may either be appointed by the President or elected at an AGM and their tenure of office shall be two (2) years or upon their posting out of their School.
33. The Chapter Management Committees shall meet as often as the business of the Chapter may require, but at least once every 3 months after five days' notice to Chapter Management Committee Members. At least one half (1/2) of the Chapter Management Committee Members present at the Meeting shall constitute a quorum.
DUTIES AND POWERS OF BOARD OF GOVERNORS
34. The Board of Governors shall be responsible for the formulation of broad policies and guidelines for the Alumni.
DUTIES AND POWERS OF EX-CO
35. The Ex-Co shall:
a. Be responsible for the execution of the policies and guidelines laid down by the Board of Governors.
b. Be responsible for the co-ordination of the Chapter Management Committees and their activities.
c. Take charge of the assets of the Association.
d. Be responsible for the proper accounting of the Association’s funds.
e. Publish an annual report on the Association’s activities which shall also include the annual audited accounts of the Association.
f. Appoint standing or special committees for the proper administration of the Association and to make bye-laws for and exercise control over such committees.
g. Accept or reject any application of membership.
h. Carry out disciplinary actions against members.
i. Make, amend or repeal bye-laws not inconsistent with the Constitution to regulate the affairs of the Association, and thereafter to enforce them.
j. Accept the resignation of any member of the Association.
k. Convene general meetings of the Association.
l. Authorise expenditure from the Association’s fund for the Association’s purposes.
m. Organise and supervise the daily activities of the Association.
The Ex-Co shall not act contrary to the General Meeting without prior reference to it and shall always remain subordinate to the General Meetings.
DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE CHAPTER MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES
36. The Chapter Management Committees shall:
a. Be responsible for the day-to-day running of the Chapter.
b. Facilitate the interaction of Members and the organisation of Chapter activities.
c. Have the power to appoint standing or special committees for projects and activities and to make bye-laws and exercise control over such committees.
DUTIES OF OFFICE-BEARERS OF THE EX-CO
37. The President shall:
a. Preside over all General and Ex-Co Meetings.
b. Represent the Association in its dealings with outside parties.
c. Have the right to call meetings of the Ex-Co.
d. Have a casting vote at General and Ex-Co Meetings.
38. The Vice-Presidents shall assist the President and one of them shall be appointed by the President to deputise for him in his absence.
39. The Secretary shall:
a. Be responsible for convening all General and Ex-Co Meeting.
b. Keep minutes of the General Meetings and Associations Ex-Co Meetings.
c. Take charge of all Association records except financial ones and conduct the correspondence of the Association.
d. Maintain an up-to-date Register of Members at all times.
e. Prepare the annual report of the Association for presentation to members.
f. Keep an account of all inventories belonging to the Association.
40. The Assistant Secretary shall assist the Secretary and deputise for him in his absence.
41. The Treasurer shall:
a. Keep all funds, collect and disburse all monies on behalf of the Association.
b. Keep an account of all monetary transactions in a proper manner and be responsible for their accuracy.
c. Be responsible for making all payments on behalf of the Association.
d. Sign all cheques issued in conjunction with the President or any of the Vice- Presidents on behalf of the Association.
e. Prepare and present statement of income and expenditure account and balance sheet to the AGM, the preparation of financial statement for the Ex-Co from time to time, and the co-ordination for the auditing of the Association’s account.
42. The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer and shall deputise for the Treasurer in the latter’s absence.
43. The Publicity Member shall:
a. Publicise the Association's activities through all internal and external channels or platforms.
b. Launch membership drive campaigns.
c. Manage Alumni Facebook and associated websites.
DUTIES OF MEMBERS OF THE CHAPTER MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES
44. The President shall:
a. Preside at all Chapter Management Committee Meetings.
b. Represent the Chapter in the Ex-Co.
c. Have the right to call meetings of the Chapter Management Committee.
d. Have a casting vote at Chapter Management Committee Meetings.
e. Implement the decisions of the Ex-Co regarding the Chapter.
45. The Vice-President shall assist the President and shall deputise for the President in the latter’s absence.
46. The Secretary shall:
a. Be responsible for convening all meetings of the Chapter Management Committee.
b. Keep minutes of the meetings of the Chapter Management Committee.
c. Take charge of all Chapter records with the exclusion of financial records, and conduct the correspondence of the Chapter.
d. Maintain an up-to-date Register of Members of the Chapter.
SUPREME AUTHORITY AND GENERAL MEETINGS
47. The supreme authority of the Association shall be vested in a General Meeting of Members presided over by the President of the Association.
48. Annual General Meeting. The AGM shall be held annually at such date, time and place to be fixed by the Ex-Co, and for the following purposes:
a. To receive and approve the annual reports of the Ex-Co and the previous financial year’s accounts of the Association.
b. To appoint or elect members of the Ex-Co if any.
c. To elect two Honorary Auditors for the ensuing financial years.
d. To discuss and decide on all resolutions and motions tabled on the Agenda.
49. Notice of the AGM shall be sent to all Members by the Secretary of the Ex-Co not less than fourteen (14) days before the date fixed for the meeting.
50. Any proposed resolution/motion shall be submitted to the Secretary not less than ten (10) days before the date of the AGM for it to be tabled at the Meeting. However, Members may address the meeting on any matter concerning the Association.
51. The Secretary shall forward the Agenda to all Members not less than seven (7) days before the AGM.
52. Extra-ordinary General Meeting. An EGM may be convened to deal with any special matter that requires decision by the Members, at any time under the following circumstances:
a. Upon the instruction of the President of the Ex-Co.
b Upon a written request signed by not less than thirty (30) voting Members or one-quarter of the total Membership, whichever is the lesser, entitled to attend and vote at such a meeting, the request must state clearly the objective(s) for the EGM.
53. Notice of the EGM shall be sent to all Members not less than fourteen (14) days before the date fixed for the meeting.
54. Quorum
a. At all General Meetings, thirty (30) voting members or one-quarter of the total voting Membership whichever is the lesser present shall form a quorum.
b. If a quorum is not present at the commencement of the General Meeting, the Meeting shall be adjourned for forty-five (45) minutes. If the number of voting Members then present still does not form a quorum when it is reconvened, those voting Members shall proceed with the Meeting, provided that no amendments to the constitution shall be passed.
55. Procedures
a. Life Members personally present at a General Meeting shall each be entitled to one vote. Voting shall ordinarily be by a show of hands.
b. All matters arising at a General Meeting shall be decided by a simple majority, unless otherwise stated in the constitution.
c. In the event of an equal vote, the Chairman of the General Meeting shall have a second casting vote.
FUNDS
56. All monies received by the Association shall be duly deposited in the Association’s account at a bank approved by the Ex-Co except for a sum not exceeding two hundred Singapore dollars ($200) to be retained by the Treasurer for petty expenditure.
LIMIT OF EXPENDITURE
57. The Treasurer shall seek the concurrence of either the President of any of the Vice-Presidents, in the case of expenditure or reimbursement of claims above two hundred dollars ($200) but not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500).
58. Any expenditure in excess of five hundred dollars ($500) shall require the approval of the Ex-Co.
59. Financial Year. The financial year of the Association shall be from 1st April to 31st March.
60. Audit
a. Honorary Auditors. Two (2) voting Members not being Members of the Ex-Co shall be elected at each AGM as Honorary Auditors, and shall hold office for a term of two (2) years only and shall not be re-elected for a consecutive term.
b. The Honorary Auditors shall be required to audit each year’s account and present a report upon them to the AGM.
c. They may also be required by the President at any time to audit the Association’s account for any period within their tenure of office and make a report to the Ex-Co.
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
61. Amendments of the constitution shall only be made at General Meetings with the approval of two-thirds (2/3) of the voting Members present.
62. The proposed amendments shall be made in writing to the Secretary at least (10) days before the General Meeting is to be held.
63. No amendment shall come into force without the sanction of the Registrar of Societies.
PROHIBITIONS
64. Gambling of any kind, whether for stakes or not, is forbidden on the Association’s premises. The introduction of material for gambling or drug taking and of bad characters into the premises is prohibited.
65. The funds of the Association shall not used to pay the fines of Members who have been convicted in Court.
66. The Association shall not indulge in any political activity or allow its funds and/or premises to be used for political purposes.
67. The Association shall not engage in trade union activity as defined in any written law relating to trade unions for the time being in force in Singapore.
68. The Association shall not attempt to restrict or interfere with trade or make directly or indirectly any recommendation to, 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 service which adversely affects consumer interests.
69. The Association shall not hold any lottery, whether confined to its members or not, in the name of the Association or its office-bearers, Ex-Co or Members unless with the prior approval of the relevant authorities.
70. The Association shall not raise funds from the public for whatever purposes without the prior approval in writing from the Director, Criminal Investigation Department and other relevant authorities.
GENERAL
71. No Member shall make any public statement in the name of the Association without the approval of the Ex-Co.
INTERPRETATION
72. In the event of any question or matter arising out of any point pertaining to day-to-day administration of the Association which is not expressly provided for herein, the Ex-Co shall have the power to use its own discretion. The Ex-Co’s decision shall be final unless it is reversed at a General Meeting of Members.
DISSOLUTION
73. The Association shall not be dissolved except with the consent of not less than three-fifths (3/5) of the voting Members for the time being resident in Singapore, expressed either in person or by proxy at a General Meeting convened for the purpose.
74. In the event of the Association being dissolved as provided above, all debts and liabilities legally incurred on behalf of the Association shall be disposed of in such a manner as the General Meeting of Members may determine or donated to an approved charity or charities in Singapore.
75. A Certificate of Dissolution shall be given within seven (7) days of the dissolution to the Registrar of Societies.
