This Club shall be known
as the "International Researchers Club” hereinafter
referred to as the “Club”. The “International
Researchers Club” is strongly endorsed by A* STAR,
where “A*STAR” refers to the Agency for Science,
Technology and Research.
2. Place
2.1.
The place of business
of the Club shall be at “No.20 Biopolis Way, #07-01 Centros,
Singapore 138668”, or such address as may subsequently be
decided by the Executive Committee and approved by the Registrar of Societies.
The Club shall carry out its activities only in places and premises
which have the prior written approval from the relevant
authorities, where necessary.
3. Objects
3.1.
The objects of the Club
shall be:
3.1.1.
To provide a physical
platform for Members to meet regularly and interact
with one another;
3.1.2.
To foster networking and social
interaction amongst the Members;
3.1.3.
To assist Members and their families
with their initial need where ever possible and to
facilitate their integration into the Singapore community;
3.1.4.
To provide for the recreational
needs of the Members by organising social activities
and functions for their families and friends and;
3.1.5.
To organise educational, cultural,
recreational and welfare programmes for the benefit
of the Members and their families.
4. Patron
4.1.
A Government Minister
(or a senior government official) shall be invited to be
Patron.
5. Membership
5.1.
Membership of the Club shall be open
to all foreign and local Research Scientists and Engineers
(RSEs) who are Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents,
Employment Pass Holders or Student Pass Holders and are
above 21 years of age. Membership will be extended to an
individual who holds formal university qualification and
is principally employed in a scientific and technological
research capacity. RSEs also include managers engaged in
the planning and management of research. Trainees of Science
and Technology Research Training Programmes offered by Government
Agencies; research-based post doctoral fellows or students
pursuing postgraduate studies, in the field of science and
technology, and attached to one of the research and development
divisions in an established Research & Development (R&D)
organisation, will be considered for membership as well.
Membership shall consists of 6 categories as follows:
5.1.1. Honorary
Member
5.1.1.1.
The Executive
Committee may, at its discretion, invite a distinguished
researcher to become an Honorary Member of the Club
on such terms as the Executive Committee may decide
from time to time.
5.1.1.2.
An Honorary Member is not
allowed to stand for elections to the Executive
Committee. However, the Honorary Member may contribute
any suggestions or recommendations to the Executive
Committee.
5.1.2. Ordinary
Member
5.1.2.1.
Ordinary Membership
shall be open to all RSEs of foreign nationalities,
including those who have attained the Singapore
Permanent Residency Status.
5.1.2.2.
An Ordinary Member shall,
on acceptance and payment of all due fees and subscriptions,
be entitled to full use of the Club facilities.
Only fully paid up Ordinary Members may vote at
General Meetings or stand for election to the Executive
Committee.
5.1.2.3.
An Ordinary Member,
subject to approval of the Executive Committee,
has the option to retain his/her membership status
if he/she converts his/her Permanent Resident status
to Singapore Citizenship.
5.1.3. Associate
Member
5.1.3.1.
Associate Membership shall be open
to all RSEs who are Singapore Citizens.
5.1.3.2.
An Associate Member shall,
on acceptance and payment of all due fees and subscriptions,
be entitled to full use the Club facilities. Associate
Members shall not vote at General Meetings or stand
for election to the Executive Committee.
5.1.3.3.
Trainees of Science and Technology
Research Training Programmes offered by Government
Agencies or students pursuing
postgraduate studies at the local universities,
in the field of science and technology, and attached
to one of the research and development divisions
in an R&D organisation shall, on acceptance
and payment of due fees and subscriptions, be entitled
to full use of the Club facilities. They shall not
vote at General meeting or stand for elections to
the Executive Committee.
5.1.4. Supplementary
Member
5.1.4.1.
An-Ordinary or
Associate Member, shall upon written request to
the Secretary is entitled to enroll his/her spouse
and unmarried children (below 21 years old of age)
as Supplementary Member, provided they are residents
in the house of the member making the application.
5.1.4.2.
Supplementary Member shall
be entitled to use the Club facilities (Supplementary
Members below 12 years of age may use the Club facilities
under the member’s supervision). However,
they may be withdrawn at any time by the Executive
Committee and shall be subject to such restrictions
as the Executive Committee may prescribe.
5.1.5. Visiting Member
5.1.5.1.
Any RSEs on a
temporary visit to Singapore may, at the discretion
of the Executive Committee, be admitted as a Visiting
Member of the Club for not longer than a total of
three months during a calendar year.
5.1.5.2.
A Visiting Member shall be
proposed by a member of the Club who is not himself/herself
a Visiting Member. If approved by the Executive
Committee, the name of the Visiting Member shall
be displayed on the Club Notice Board during the
period of such membership.
5.1.6. Corporate
Member
5.1.6.1.
Corporate Membership
in the Club shall be open to all companies and organisations
involved in R&D, in the field of science and
technology, registered in Singapore, subject to
the approval of the Executive Committee.
5.1.6.2.
Corporate Members shall be
entitled to use the Club facilities; place advertisements
in the Club’s newsletter publications and
web site at privileged rates; hold talks and seminars
for the Club Members; and nominate up to five RSEs
from the company or organisation to attend Club
activities at the rate charged for Members.
5.1.6.3.
Corporate Members shall not
hold office in the Club and shall not have right
to vote in General Meetings or stand for elections
to the Executive Committee.
5.2.
All members are obliged
to write to the Honorary Secretary to notify any changes
to their personal particulars and employment.
5.3.
Each member is permitted
to hold only one membership at any one time. The membership
is non-transferable. Those holding two memberships or more
will have to dispose the memberships in excess of one within
a period of time to be decided by the Executive Committee.
5.4.
The Executive Committee shall have power at
any time to restrict the number of members of all categories
and from time to time rescind such restriction and for this
purpose, may order that all applications for memberships be
held abeyance.
5.5.
Membership
Application & Fees
5.5.1.
Application for
membership is to be made on-line via the web site
of the Club or on forms provided for the purpose.
Membership application forms are available at the
IRC Office, A*STAR, A*STAR research institutes or
from the web site of the Club. The Executive Committee
shall decide on the application for membership.
5.5.2.
No entrance fees will be imposed.
An administrative charge and annual subscription
fee will be chargeable as determined by the Executive
Committee, and shall be payable in such manner as
the Committee may from time to time decide. A copy
of the Constitution shall be furnished to every
approved member.
5.5.3.
An annual subscription shall
be paid in advance yearly. Bills are forwarded to
members at the commencement of every new period.
5.5.4.
Fees and subscriptions due
from members should be paid by crossed cheque or
postal order made payable to “International
Researchers Club”, internet banking or by
any other means which the Committee may decide to
accept from time to time. Payments in cash will
only be recognized if evidenced by an official receipt.
5.5.5.
Honorary Members shall be exempted
from payment of subscription fees.
5.5.6.
The Executive Committee shall
have the discretion to grant concessions on the
subscription fees for retired Ordinary and Associate
Members.
5.5.7.
Any additional fund required
for special purposes may only be raised from members
with the consent of the General Meeting of members.
6. Cessation of Membership
6.1.
Any member shall resign
by giving to the Honorary Secretary a one (1) month notice
in writing to the effect but such member shall pay all debts
due to the Club
7. Conduct of Members
7.1.
All members/guests
participating in activities under the aegis of the
Club shall at all times display good conduct and sportsmanship.
7.2.
All members/guests shall obey
the Bye-Laws of the Club and shall not in particular,
commit any of the offences listed in the schedule
hereto.
7.3.
All members/guests using the Club
facilities including those leased from external parties,
shall are all time display good conduct and obey the
Bye-Laws, Rules and Regulations of the Club and the
external parties.
7.4.
The Club shall have power to
discipline any member/guest participating in any
of the Club’s activities or utilizing the Club’s
premises, who acts in violation of the Club’s
Bye-Law.
7.5.
Any such breach of the Club's
Bye-Laws or any behavior considered unbecoming of
a member/guest whilst participating in such functions
or whilst in the Club premises, shall be reported
as soon as possible to the Vice-President who shall,
if he/she considers it necessary, appoint an Inquiry
Committee of 3 members (comprising 2 members from
the Executive Committee and the Club Manager of the
Club) to inquire into the matter and submit a report
and recommendations thereon.
7.6
The member/guest against whom a complaint has been
lodged, shall be given a reasonable opportunity of being
heard before any punishment is imposed.
7.7
If he is a member of the Club, the Committee may thereafter
decide to expel or suspend him, or impose any other
lesser penalty. If the member refuses to reply to the
charges, or fails to attend the meeting called to answer
the charges, the Committee may nevertheless proceed
to decide on the penalty to be imposed. No appeal shall
lie from the decision of the Committee to any Court
of Law.
8. Supreme Authority
and Annual General Meeting
8.1.
The supreme authority
of the Club is rested in a General Meeting of the members
presided over by the President.
8.2.
The Annual General Meeting
shall be held at the Clubhouse no later than 31st December of every calendar year
for the purposes:-
8.2.1.
to consider and
confirm the minutes of the last Annual General meeting
and any other intervening General Meeting;
8.2.2.
to receive and approve the
Report of the Executive Committee and the Club Accounts
for the preceding financial year ending 31 July;
8.2.3.
to elect members of the Executive
Committee, if required;
8.2.4.
to elect Auditors for the
ensuing year, if required.
8.3.
Notice of the Annual General
Meeting shall be given to members at least 14 days before
the date of such meeting. The notice shall include the Executive
Committee’s report, audited Statement of Accounts
and other items on the Agenda.
8.4.
At other times, an Extraordinary
General Meeting must be called by the President on the request
in writing of not less than 25% of the total voting membership
or 30 voting members, whichever is the lesser, and may be
called at anytime by order of the Executive Committee. The
notice in writing shall be given to the Honorary Secretary
setting forth the business that is to be transacted. The
Extraordinary General meeting shall be convened within two
months from receiving this request to convene the Extraordinary
General Meeting.
8.5.
If the Executive Committee
does not within two months after the date of the receipt
of the written request proceed to convene the Extraordinary
General Meeting, the members who requested for the Extraordinary
General Meeting shall convene the Extraordinary General
Meeting by giving ten days' notice to the voting members
setting forth the business to be transacted and simultaneously
posting the agenda on the Club's notice board.
8.6.
At least ten days’
notice shall be given of an Extraordinary General Meeting.
Notice of meeting stating the date, time and place of meeting
shall be sent by the Honorary Secretary to all voting members.
The particulars of the agenda shall be emailed and posted
on the Club’s notice board four days in advance of
the meeting.
8.7.
Unless otherwise stated
in this Constitution, voting by proxy shall not be allowed
at all General Meetings.
8.8.
Any member who wishes
to place an item on the agenda of a General Meeting may
do so provided he or she gives notice to the Honorary Secretary
one week before the meeting is due to be held.
8.9.
At least 25% of the total
voting membership or 30 voting members, whichever is the
lesser, present at a General Meeting shall form a quorum.
Proxies shall not be constituted as part of the quorum.
8.10.
In the event, a quorum
is not present within thirty minutes from the time fixed
for the meeting, the members present shall form a quorum,
but they shall have no power to amend any of the existing
Constitution.
9. Executive Committee
9.1.
The administration of the club
shall be vested in the Executive Committee consisting of the
following:
A President
A Vice-President
A Honorary Secretary
An Honorary Assistant Secretary
A Honorary Treasurer
An Honorary Assistant Treasury
5 Ordinary Committee Members
A Club Manager
9.2.
The President, the Honorary Treasurer
and the Club Manager shall be appointed by A*STAR.
9.3.
Names for the post of the Vice-President,
Honorary Secretary, Honorary Assistant Secretary, Honorary
Assistant Treasurer and the Ordinary Committee Members shall
be proposed and seconded at the Annual General Meeting and
election will follow on a simple majority vote of the members,
if required.
9.4.
All office-bearers, except the Honorary
Treasurer may be reappointed or reelected respectively to
the same or related post for a consecutive term of office.
The term of office of the Executive Committee is two (2)
years.
9.5.
Election will be either by show of
hands, or subject to the agreement of the majority of the
voting members present, by a secret ballot. In the event
of a tie, the Chairman of the meeting shall have a casting
vote.
10. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE
10.1.
The Executive Committee
shall meet as and when necessary to carry out the business
of the Club but not less than once every three months.
10.2.
he quorum for the Executive Committee
shall be at least one half of the members of the Executive
Committee for the proceedings to be valid.
10.3.
Notice of meeting shall be given at
least 7 days in advance by the Honorary Secretary to every
member of the Committee before the date of the meeting.
The President may call an Executive Committee Meeting by
giving five days' notice.
10.4.
Any member of the Executive Committee
absenting himself or herself from three (3) consecutive
meetings without reasonable cause acceptable to the Committee,
may be removed from office by the Executive Committee.
10.5.
In the event of a vacancy in the Executive
Committee, the successor shall be co-opted by the Executive
Committee to serve until the end of the term. Any change
in the Executive Committee shall be notified to the Registrar
of Societies within two weeks of change
10.6.
The Executive Committee shall have the power to:
10.6.1.
make, alter or
rescind any bye-laws and regulations which shall not
be inconsistent with this Constitution;
10.6.2.
appoint from among members
of the Club and/or members of the Executive Committee
or co-opt one member of the Club to serve in such
Sub-Committees as it deems fit and to define the duties
of such Sub-Committees;
10.6.3.
appoint such full-time or part-time
assistants or employees of the Club, as it deems fit
and to define their duties and to determine their
remuneration.
10.6.4.
authorize the expenditure of
a sum not exceeding the budget as appointed by the
Annual General Meeting from the Club's fund for the
Club's purposes.
10.7.
The duty of the Executive Committee is to organise and
supervise the daily activities of the Club and to make decisions
on matters affecting its running. The Club Manager shall report
to the President and work with Executive Committee on all
aspects of the Club’s operations, management and activities.
10.8.
The Executive Committee may not act contrary to the expressed
wishes of the General Meeting without prior reference to it
and always remains subordinate to the General Meeting.
11. Sub-Committees
11.1.
The Executive Committee shall appoint the Chairman of the
Sub-Committees and Ad-hoc Committees.
11.2.
The Chairperson
and members of the Sub-Committees and Ad-hoc Committees
shall each hold office for 1 year and they shall be eligible
for re-appointment.
12. Duties of Office Bearers
12.1.
President:
12.1.1.
The President shall
chair all General and Executive Committee Meetings
and represent the Club in its dealing with outside
persons.
12.2.
Vice-President
12.2.1.
The
Vice-President shall assist the President. In the
absence of the President from any meeting, the Vice-President
shall carry out the duties of the President. In the
absence of any appointment, the President shall be
elected by the Executive Committee from within the
Committee for a particular meeting.
12.3.
Honorary Secretary
12.3.1.
The
Honorary Secretary shall keep all records, except
financial, of the Club and shall be responsible for
their accuracy, convene all meetings, keep minutes
of all meetings and generally perform all the duties
entrusted by the Club. He or she shall maintain an
up-to-date Register of Members at all times.
12.4.
The Honorary Assistant Secretary
12.4.1.
The
Honorary Assistant Secretary shall assist the Honorary
Secretary in his or her duties and perform the duties
of the Honorary Secretary in his or her absence.
12.5.
The Honorary Treasurer
12.5.1.
The
Honorary Treasurer shall oversee the financial matters
of the Club and submit quarterly financial statements
at the Executive Committee meetings.
12.6.
The Honorary Assistant Treasurer
12.6.1.
The
Honorary Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Honorary
Treasurer in his or her duties and perform the duties
of the Honorary Treasurer in his or her absence.
12.7.
Ordinary Executive Committee Members
12.7.1.
The
Ordinary Executive Committee Members shall assist
the Executive Committee in the general administration
of the Club and perform any other duties assigned
by the Executive Committee from time to time.
13. Audit & Financial Year
13.1.
The accounts of the Club for each financial year shall be audited by the Club's
approved Company Auditor, An approved Company Auditor is one approved under
Section 9 of the Companies Act (Cap 50). The auditor's report must state:-
a) whether the financial statements accurately reflect the financial
transactions and the state of affairs of the Club;
b) whether proper accounts and other records have been kept, including
those of all assets and liabilities of the club;
c) other matters arising out of the audit as he considers necessary.
13.2.
The financial
year shall be from 1st August to 31st July.
14. Trustees
14.1.
If the Club at any time acquires any immovable
property, such property shall vbe vested in trustees subject
to a declaration of trust.
14.2.
The trustees of the Club shall:
14.2.1.
Not be more than 4 and not less than
2 in number.
14.2.2.
Be elected by a General Meeting of members.
14.2.3.
Not effect any sale or mortgage of property without
the prior approval of the General Meeting of members
14.3.
The office of the trustee shall be vacated:
14.3.1.
If the trustee dies or becomes a lunatic
or of unsound mind.
14.3.2.
If he is absent from the republic of Singapore for
a period of more than one year.
14.3.3.
If he is guilty of misconduct of such a kind as to
render it undesirable that he continues as a trustee.
14.3.4.
If he submits notice of resignation from his trusteeship.
14.4.
Notice of any proposal to remove a trustee from his trusteeship
or to appoint a new trustee to fill a vacancy must be given
by posting it on the notice board in the Society's premises
at least two weeks before the General Meeting at which the
proposal is to be discussed. The result of such General Meeting
shall then be notified to the Registrar of Societies.
14.5.
The address of each immovable property, name of each trustee
and any subsequent change must be notified to the Registrar
of Societies.
15. Visitors and Guests
15.1.
Visitors and guests may be admitted into the premises of
the Club but they shall not be admitted to the privileges
of the Club nor shall they be admitted into the premises more
than six times in a calendar year. These visits are to be
confined to not more than once in 14 days.
15.2.
A Visitors' Book shall
be kept, in which shall be entered the names of all visitors
and guests, together with the names and signatures of the
members nominating them and the dates of their visits. No
person shall be a visitor or guest till his name as been
entered in this book.
16. Prohibitions
16.1.
Gambling of any kind, excluding the promotion or conduct
of a private lottery which has been permitted under the Private
Lotteries Act Cap 250, is forbidden on the Club’s premises.
The introduction of materials for gambling or drug taking
and persons of bad characters are strictly prohibited in the
premises.
16.2.
The funds of the Club shall not be used to pay the fines
of members who have been convicted in a court of law.
16.3.
The Club shall not engage in any trade union activity as
defined in any written law relating to trade unions for the
time being in force in Singapore.
16.4.
The Club 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 affect consumer interests
16.5.
The Club shall not indulge in any political activities
or allow its funds and/or premises to be used for political
purposes.
16.6.
The Club shall not hold any lottery, whether
confined to its members or not, in the name of the Club or
its office-bearers, Executive Committee or members unless
with the prior approval from the relevant authorities.
16.7.
The club
shall not raise funds from the public for whatever purposes
without the prior approval in writing of the Head, Licensing
Division, Singapore Police Force and other relevant authorities.
17. Club Property
17.1.
No member shall take away,
or permit to be taken away from the club premises, except
with the written permission of the Club Manager, under any
pretence whatsoever or shall injure or destroy any property
of the Club.
18. Lost Property
18.1.
The Club shall not be
responsible for any property left at the Club by members,
their children or guests and visitors of the Club.
19. Liability of Club
19.1.
The Club shall not be liable in respect of the death of
or personal injuries to any member, his children or guests
or visitors of the Club arising in any way out of his membership
of the Club or though his or their use or enjoyment of the
Club, its amenities, privileges or facilities or otherwise
howsoever arising.
19.2.
The Club shall not be liable for the loss or damage to
any article or property whatsoever brought to the Club premises
or its compound by a member, his children or guests or visitors
of the Club or entrusted to any servant of the Club.
19.3.
No member shall be entitled
to maintain any claim whatsoever, howsoever they may arise,
against the Club or the Executive Committee in respect of
clauses (19.1) and (19.2) above.
20. Signatories for Cheques
20.1.
Cheques for withdrawal
from the bank shall be signed by the Club Manager, Honorary
Treasurer and the President based on the financial guidelines
of the Club.
21. Bye-Laws
21.1.
The Executive Committee
shall have the power to frame, rescind or alter the Bye-Laws
to provide for the administration of the Club's recreational
facilities or in furtherance of the objects of the Club.
Such Bye-Laws shall not be inconsistent with this Constitution.
22. Amendments to Constitution
22.1.
The Constitution shall
not be altered or amended unless such alteration and amendment
is proposed and approved at a General Meeting and with the
consent of two-thirds of the voting members present at the
General Meeting. Such alteration or amendment shall not
come into force without the prior sanction of the Registrar
of Societies.
23. Interpretation
23.1.
In the event of any question
or matter pertaining to day-to-day administration which
is not expressly provided for in this constitution, the
Executive Committee shall have power to use their discretion.
The decision of the Executive Committee shall be final unless
it is reversed at a General Meeting of members.
24. Disputes
24.1.
In the event of any dispute
arising amongst the members, the matter shall be brought
up before the Executive Committee who shall hear all parties
to the dispute and arbitrate the matter. Should the members
fail to resolve the matter, they may bring the matter to
a court of law for settlement.
25. Dissolution of Club
25.1.
The Club shall not be dissolved, except with
the consent of not less than three-fifth (3/5) of the total
voting membership of the Club for the time being resident
in Singapore expressed, either in person or by proxy, at a
General Meeting convened for the purpose.
25.2.
In the event of the Club being dissolved as provided above,
all debts and liabilities legally incurred on behalf of the
Club shall be fully discharged, and the remaining funds of
members nay determine or donated to an approved charity or
charities in Singapore.
25.3.
A certified of dissolution
shall be given within 7 days of the dissolution to the Registrar
of Societies.
International Researchers Club
