- Article 1.00 - Name
- The Corporation shall be known as the INNKEEPERS' GUILD OF NOVA SCOTIA
as authorized by the Act of Incorporation. Herein
referred to as The Guild.
- Article 2.00 - Mission Statement
- It is the intent of THE GUILD to be the primary voice of all fixed-roof
accommodation operators, representing all classifications and operators,
to represent its members in negotiations and discussions with government,
industry, and non-industry organizations, whose activities interact with
tourist accommodations; to provide for its members a problem solving network
and a communications mechanism that reaches out to members in an acceptable
and timely manner; to foster and promote the continued improvement of fixed-roof
accommodations in the tourist industry by fulfilling the objectives as listed
in this constitution; and/or to offer or partner with a thirdparty regarding
any services or benefits that may enhance any aspect of it's members' business
operations , or personal lives.
- Article 3.00 - Objectives, Aims and Purposes
- The objectives, aims and purposes of THE GUILD shall be;
- 3.01- to enhance and further the interests
of members of THE GUILD by emphasizing the promotion of all aspects of tourism
to the Province;
- 3.02- to lobby all levels of government with
regard to THE GUILD's concerns;
- 3.03- to encourage and assist all members
to develop knowledge and gain relevant experience through educational and
training programs
- 3.04- to work towards having THE GUILD represent
all fixed-roof accommodation operators, with a unified voice, within the
tourism industry
- 3.05- to continually work to foster, promote
and improve the standards of quality hospitality by;
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3.05.01- improving communication and the
exchange of information among members
3.05.02- further developing policies which
are designed to improve the standards of quality and hospitality provided
for the travelling public by the innkeepers of Nova Scotia
3.05.03- assisting in the enforcement of
all regulations which affect fixed-roofed accommodation in the hospitality
industry
3.05.04- initiating and promoting projects
and studies which are designed to enhance the standards of quality hospitality
provided by accommodation operators'
- 3.06- to provide input and direction to the
Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS) with regard to the services
they provide to the fixed-roof accommodation industry
- Article 4.00 - Memberships/Qualifications
- The classes of membership of THE GUILD shall be:
- 4.01- PRIMARY MEMBERS
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4.01.01- Any individual within Nova Scotia
who is an owner or general manager of a licensed fixed-roof accommodation
or company may become a PRIMARY MEMBER
4.01.02- Only Primary Members are eligible
for election to the Board of Directors of THE GUILD
4.01.03- Primary Members have full voting
rights in THE GUILD
4.01.04- Fees will be in accordance with
a schedule as determined by the Board of Directors of THE GUILD
- 4.02- ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
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4.02.01- Any individual employed by a licensed
fixed-roof accommodation, whose organization already employs an individual
who has a Primary Membership in THE GUILD, is eligible for an Associate
Membership.
4.02.02- Associate Members do not have full
voting rights in THE GUILD but may and attend any meeting and speak on
any issue.
4.02.03- Fees will be in accordance with
a schedule as determined by the Board of Directors of THE GUILD
- 4.03- HONOURARY/LIFE MEMBERS
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4.03.01- Honourary/Life Membership may be
granted by the Board of Directors to persons who have rendered distinguished
service to THE GUILD
4.03.02- Honourary/Life Members are eligible
to vote in matters pertaining to THE GUILD
4.03.03-Fees are not payable
- 4.04- ASPIRING INNKEEPER/STUDENT MEMBERS
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4.04.01- Any individual who is thinking of
becoming involved in the operation of a fixed-roof accommodation is eligible
for an Aspiring Innkeeper / Student Membership.
4.04.02- Aspiring Innkeeper / Student Members
do not have full voting rights in THE GUILD
4.04.03- Fees will be in accordance with
a schedule as determined by the Board of Directors of THE GUILD
- 4.05- INDUSTRY MEMBERS
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4.05.01-Any employee of a firm that does
business with Innkeepers and has the written support of at least two GUILD
members
4.05.02 Industry Members do not have full
voting rights in THE GUILD
4.05.03Fees will be in accordance with a
schedule as determined by the Board of Directors of THE GUILD
- 4.06- GOVERNMENT MEMBERS
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4.06.01- Any employee of a level of Government
that does business with Innkeepers and has the written support of at least
two GUILD members
4.06.02- Government Members do not have full
voting rights in THE GUILD
4.06.03- Fees will be in accordance with
a schedule as determined by the Board of Directors of THE GUILD
- Article 5.00 - Manner of Membership
- An application for membership in THE GUILD shall be on a form approved
by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors
- Article 6.00 - Resignation of Membership
- Any member may resign from his/her membership at any time by giving notice,
in writing to the President, of his/her intention to do so. But shall be
liable for any fees or assessments unpaid at the date of the resignation
and shall not be eligible to rejoin while any unpaid fees or assessments
remain outstanding.
- Article 7.00 - Directors
- The affairs and business of THE GUILD shall be controlled, managed and
regulated by the Board of Directors which shall consist of fifteen (15))
members; fourteen of whom shall who shall be elected, plus the Past-President
who shall be automatically appointed at THE GUILD's annual meeting according
to the following criteria;
7.01- Only Primary Members or Honourary/Life
Members may be elected to the Board of Directors, according to the following
categories;
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7.01.01- one (1) President
7.01.02- one (1) Vice-President
7.01.03- one (1) Secretary/Treasurer
7.01.04- one (1) Past President
7.01.05- two (2) members representing Hotels/Motels;
7.01.06- two (2) members representing Resorts;
7.01.07- two (2) members representing Country
Inns;
7.01.08- two (2) members representing Bed
and Breakfasts;
7.01.09- two (2) members representing Cottages
/ Lodges.
7.01.10- one (1) "member at-large" from the
Primary Membership
- 7.02- No less than thirty (30) per cent of
the Board of Directors may be from either rural or urban areas.
- 7.03- No single property or organization may
have more than one person on the Board of Directors.
- Article 8.00 - Executive Committee
- The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors shall be the President,
the Vice-President, the Secretary Treasurer and the Past-President
- 8.01- The President shall supervise the affairs
of THE GUILD, preside at all meetings, determine the duties of officers,
and appoint committees as required and as he/she deems to be necessary.
- 8.02- The Vice-President shall, in the absence
of the President, perform the duties of the President and shall become President
should that office become vacant between Annual General Meetings.
- 8.03- The Secretary / Treasurer shall arrange
to record the minutes of each meeting, call the roll when required, conduct
the correspondence of THE GUILD unless otherwise specified, and ensures
that members are notified of general meetings. The Secretary/Treasurer shall
also collect dues, hold funds deposited in his/her care, and pay them out
on order of the President with the approval of the Executive Board. He/She
shall deposit the money received as dues in an accredited bank, make all
disbursements by check, maintain proper financial records, have the books
reviewed as specified by the Executive Board, present a written financial
report at the Annual Meeting and maintain a register of all paid members.
- 8.04- Any vacancy in the Executive Committee
shall be filled on an interim basis by, and from, the Board of Directors.
- Article 9.00 - Executive Duties
- The Executive shall be elected at the Annual Meeting and shall serve for
a term of one year or until their successors are elected or appointed.
- 9.01The Executive Commitee may conduct the
daily affairs of THE GUILD, or delegate such to the management of a Managing
Director, providing the ongoing" activities are reported to the Board at
the next meeting of Directors.
- 9.02 Signing Authority of THE GUILD shall
be vested in any two (2) of the four (4) Executive Committee members or
one Executive Committee Member and the Managing Director of THE GUILD.
- 9.03Any documents or instruments of agreement
signed by the two (2) persons so authorized shall be binding on THE GUILD
or one Executive Committee Member and the Managing Director of THE GUILD
- 9.04The Executive Committee should review
the current membership of the Board of Directors and appoint individuals
for various Standing and Liason Committees (see Article 11.00 on Committees).
- 9.05Should a vacancy or vacancies occur on
the Board between elections, the Executive Committee may appoint, if required,
a new Board member(s) to serve until the next general election.
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9.05.01Any resignation from the Board should
be made in writing to the Presidendt, giving one (1) month's notice, if
possible.
- 9.06The Seal of the Corporation shall be kept
in the custody of the the Secretary / Treasurer and may be affixed by any
two (2) members of the Executive Committee or one Executive Committee Member
and the Managing Director of THE GUILD.
- Article 10.00 - Board of Directors: Powers and Duties
- Management of THE GUILD shall be vested in the Board of Directors who
shall have power to:
- 10.01- enact, amend or cancel by-laws;
- 10.02- enter into and carry out agreements
or contracts, acquire and dispose of property, make and give receipts, execute,
make and endorse negotiable or transferable instruments providing the indebtedness
and financial obligations do not exceed the actual income of THE GUILD realized
during the previous fiscal year.
- 10.03- approve the appointment, determine
the job description, and participate in performance evaluation of any employee
performing duties on behalf of THE GUILD
- 10.04- ensure that a register is maintained
of the names and addresses of all members of THE GUILD
- 10.05- obtain input from fixed-roof accommodations
operators with regard to concerns
- 10.06- establish a budget for the operation
of the Board of Directors
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10.06.01- In recognition of both the expense
and time committment made by directors, an honorarium will be established
in the form of credit towards future dues, based on attendance at Board
Meetings, to a maximum of $200 plus the annual membership dues for each
Director
- Article 11.00 - Committees
- Members of the Board of Directors shall be given various committee responsibilities
- 11.01- Standing Committees
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11.01.01- The Executive Committee shall form
the following Standing Committees (the list is not intended to be all
inclusive):
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11.01.02- Policy Committee
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11.01.03- Membership / Membership Services
Committee
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11.01.04- Government Liason Committee
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11.01.05- A member of the Board shall chair
each committee and report to the Board at each Board Meeting
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11.01.06- The Chairman of each committee
shall involve members of the general membership in serving on his / her
committee, and with their participation complete the assigned task.
- 11.02- Liason Committees/Organizations
- The Board shall request appointment of liason members from the Board,
to represent the interests of THE GUILD, to any committees or organizations
that it deems necessary.
- Article 12.00 - Fiscal Year
- The Fiscal Year shall begin on January 1st of each year
- Article 13.00 - Meetings - Voting and Notices
- 13.01- General meetings may be called at any
time by the President or by 25% of the registered Primary Members, as presented
on a signed petition.
- 13.02- At the call of either the President
or of any three (3) directors, the Board of Directors shall meet at least
four (4) times during each calendar year, in addition to the Annual and
Semi-Annual General Meetings.
- 13.03- Quorums
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13.03.01- Fifteen (15) members shall constitute
a quorum at Annual and General Meetings
13.03.02- Eight (8)"members of the Board
shall constitute a quorum at meetings of the Board.
- 13.04- All meetings held in the name of THE
GUILD shall follow "Roberts Rules of Order"
- 13.05- Elections
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13.05.01- At least ten (10) days prior to
an Annual Meeting or before any General Meeting involving an election,
the Board shall appoint a nominating committee of two (2) Board members.
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13.05.02- The nominating committee shall
submit to the President three (3) business days before the meeting, a
list showing one nominee for President, one for Vice-President, one for
Secretary/Treasurer, and one each for the remaining positions on the Board
of Directors as outlined in Article 7.00.
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13.05.02.01 This list of nominees shall be
presented to the members, and additional nominations shall be accepted
from the floor.
- 13.06- All questions at Annual, General or
Board Meetings shall be decided by a majority of votes as determined by
a show of hands, unless a question is carried requesting a vote by secret
ballot.
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13.06.01in the case of an equality of votes,
the President of the meeting shall cast the deciding vote.
- 13.07- Every member in good standing is entitled
to vote as described in Article 4.00
- 13.08- Notice of the Annual and General Meetings
shall be made in writing to all members of THE GUILD.
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13.08.01Notices must be postmarked, or sent
by e-mail and a notice posted to the official website, ten (10) business
days before each meeting,
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13.08.02Notice of Board of Directors' Meetings
may be written or given by telephone, or sent by e-mail and a notice posted
to the website, five (5) business days in advance.
- Article 14.00 - Code of Ethics
- All members of THE GUILD must pledge to abide by the "Code of Ethics".
- 14.01- Recognizing that the overall quality
of tourist accommodation is directly related to the professional services
provided by the owner / operator and employees, THE GUILD adopts the following
Code of Ethics
- 14.02- As a member in good standing of THE
GUILD, I pledge myself to provide a hospitable, pleasant and safe environment
for my guests by;
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14.02.01- promoting the purpose of THE GUILD;
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14.02.02- conducting ourselves personally
and collectively at all times such to bring credit to the service and
tourism industry at large;
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14.02.03- maintaining a professional and
supportive attitude toward other members of THE GUILD;
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14.02.04- treating all guests equally regardless
of race, religion, nationality, creed or sex;
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14.02.05- recognizing and protecting the
confidentiality of priviledged information of the guests
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14.02.06- providing a safe and sanitary environment
at all times for every guest and employee.
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14.02.07- providing every employee at every
level all of the knowledge, training, equipment and motivation required
to perform his / her tasks at the highest of standards.
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14.02.08- guaranteeing that every employee
at every level will have the same opportunity to perform, advance, and
be evaluated.
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14.02.09- not willingly allowing our property
or organization to accept any reservations that would cause our property
to be overbooked in anyway which would jeopardize our guests' accommodations.
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14.02.10- having a written reservation and
cancellation policy that may be sent by e-mail or by regular mail to a
guest if requested and/orhave it posted electronically on the official
website of our accommodation property.
- Article 15.00 - Annual Report
- The President shall make a written report to the members at each Annual
Meeting concerning the activities of THE GUILD during his/her term and may
make recommendations for the future.
- Article 16.00 - Emblem of Membership
- Pursuant to the Act of Incorporation, THE GUILD is authorized and empowered
to employ as an emblem, a White Shield and superimposed thereon a rearing
Black Lion with Red Claws and Tongue amd holding a Blue Key in its forepaws
with the Ward at the top and extending to the left of the viewer all within
a Red Border.
- 16.01- Reproductions of the emblem shall be
the property of THE GUILD and may be leased to members in good standing
for such sum as the Board may determine.
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16.01.01- On termination of membership, the
emblem or sign shall be surrendered to THE GUILD.
16.01.02- At no time shall ownership of the
emblem or any reproduction of the emblem be vested in anyone except THE
GUILD.
- 16.02- Pursuant to the Act of Incorporation
"any person who displays on or about any building the emblem of this Coorporation
or any sign indicative of or which might be taken as indicative of membership
in this Corporation and unless the building in respect of which such emblem
or sign is displayed is a member in good standing of THE GUILD and is complying
with all regulations under the current law, they shall be liable to a penalty
not exceeding $1,000".
- Article 17.00 - Amendments
- The Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of members present
at an Annual or General Meeting of THE GUILD providing a written notice
of Motion to amend is mailed and postmarked, or sent by e-mail and a notice
posted to the website, at least ten (10) business days before the meeting.
- Article 18.00 - Liability of Board
of Directors
- The Officers and every one of their heirs, executors and administrators
shall be indemnified and harmless out of the assets of the Association from
and against all claims, actions, costs, charges, losses, damages and expenses
which they or any of them may incur or sustain by or by reason of any act
done, concurred in or omitted in or about the execution of their duty or
supposed duty in their respective offices except such, if any, as they shall
incur or sustain by or through their own wilful neglect or default respectively.