Membership criteria

By-Laws: ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP  

Section 3.1 Membership criteria  

3.1.1 Individuals (18 years and above) / Families shall enroll as members by filling in ‘Membership Application  Form’ (please see Attachment-1) and contributing to the Society the membership fees finalized by “Board” and “Executives” by complying with the conditions set forth therein and in the Bylaws. The member shall specify either  family or individual membership at the time of enrollment. An individual membership will be for one person only; a  family membership will be composed of husband and wife / spouse (two members) and their children’s below 18  years of age. The filled-up Membership Application Form shall be approved by Board and Executives by majority votes.  

3.1.2 Membership is open to Indian origin Bengali people only. Both or one spouse of the family /or the individual  should either be migrated from or born in India/or born in Canada in an Indian Bengali family.  

3.1.3 The following are the different membership categories:  

(a) Founding Member  

(b) Life Member  

(c) General Member (or referred as Member)  

3.1.4 Founding Member (Addition to this membership ended on March 31, 2024.): are the members who have  founded the “Society”. Founding Members (founder and spouse) are under the membership category that shall remain in active status for life by paying a donation amount along with the Life Membership fees during the set-up of the Society.  

3.1.5 Life Member: An individual or family may become Life Member by paying 10 times of the annual member ship fees. When children (s) attain 18 years of age they will not be considered under this membership category. 

3.1.6 General Member (Family / Individual): General Members shall pay annual fees to the Society. General membership shall terminate at the end of the fiscal year in which dues are paid.  

Section 3.2 Duties  

Every member including member of the Board and Executives has an obligation to know and abide by the Bylaws of the Society. They will be expected to serve as volunteers in the different activities without getting paid.  

Section 3.3 Privileges  

3.3.1 All members shall have the same privileges, duties, and obligations including eligibility to nominate candidates and vote in an election. They shall have the right to hold office of the Executives. However, the eligibility to  run for an elected office within the Board or Executives (if qualified) shall be limited to either of the spouse.  

3.3.2 Depending on the subject or issue, any BBC3 member may communicate his/her concerns, comments and suggestions to the Board or Executives in writing. Such correspondences shall be addressed to the President. The addressee shall provide an acknowledgement of the receipt of such letters within fifteen days.  

Section 3.4 Denial of Membership  

If a person is convicted of any criminal activity or misdemeanor or forgery that is considered detrimental to the  objectives of the Society, or is damaging to the BBC3’s interest, that person may be denied new membership or  continued membership by the Board /Executives.  

Section 3.5 Resignation  

Any member may terminate their membership from BBC3 by submitting a resignation in writing to the President.  Once resigned, the individual may reapply for membership, by usual process. A member forfeits all membership  rights and privileges by resignation. 

Section 3.6 Suspension and Expulsion  

3.6.1 A member may be suspended or expelled from BBC3 if such a member is deemed to have conduct or activities, in violation of the mission, objectives or Bylaws of the Society.  

3.6.2 Undesirable activities may include providing false information to BBC3, creating a loss of honor for the Society, its bodies or its members, or financial activities aimed at individual benefit or misappropriation of or damage to  the Society's assets or disrespectful behavior to other member(s).  

3.6.3 At the request of the Executives, the Board shall make an inquiry into the matters of the member who is alleged to have committed violations as described above, but not necessarily limited to the above, and recommend to  the Executives whether sufficient grounds for suspension or expulsion exist. Suspension or expulsion may be im posed by the Board with the approval by at least 2/3 majority in favor of such action, in a resolution reached by both  the Board and the Executives.  

3.6.4 Suspension or expulsion of a member may be reconsidered on appeal. The suspended member may be reinstated after one year if the readmission is approved by a simple majority of the Board and Executives.  

Section 3.7 Membership Fees  

3.7.1 The membership fees for General Members shall be proposed by the Board and the Executives and shall be  approved by a simple majority in the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and shall be published and communicated  through the email to members latest by 30th April every year.  

3.7.2 The members in the following categories are exempt from paying annual membership dues after paying one  time dues:  

a. Founding Members  

b. Life Members.  

Section 3.8 Membership Renewal  

General members must renew their membership every year latest by December 31st, by paying their annual dues.  After this date the membership status will become inactive and discontinuous. Inactive members can reinstate their  membership by paying their annual dues.