Article III.   MEMBERSHIP

Section 3.01                       Qualifications

Section 3.02                       Types of Membership

Section 3.03                       Mode of Acquiring Membership

Section 3.04                       Membership Fees:

Section 3.05                       Rights and Privileges of Members

Section 3.06                       Revocation and Termination of Membership:

Article III.   MEMBERSHIP

Section 3.01                       Qualifications

(a)            The Membership of the Association shall be obtainable by payment of the prescribed registration and annual membership fees and signing up of an undertaking application-cum-bio- data form subject to the following qualifications:

 (i)     Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or legal resident of Canada with over sixteen years of age.

(ii)     Be a person of Pashtun origin or a spouse of such person, regardless of national origin.

(iii)     Agree and confirm with the Association’s objectives and membership responsibilities in writing through a prescribed membership undertaking form.

 (iv)     Not be implicated in war crimes or any criminal act against the vital national interest and ideals of the Pashtun nation.

 (v)     Submit a properly completed form of application as dully recommended and signed by two good- standing members of the Association.

(b)            The qualifications of the Association’s elected executive and appointed senior administrative officials shall necessarily include at least:  a) 2-year of residence in Canada; b) a certificate of high school education;  c) language skills of better oral and written communication in both the English and Pashto languages;  d) sufficient knowledge of Pashtun history, culture and national norms of social behavior as embodied in Pashto ( the Pashtun laws of social justice), and Pashtunwalee (the Pashtun code of national honor);  and  e) clearance by the Committee of Hiring and Monitoring of Performances.

Section 3.02                        Types of Membership

The Association’s membership shall consist of three categories of the Permanent (regular) members, the Honorary Members, and the Patron members.

(a)                                                  Permanent Membership:

(i)     Any Canadian citizen and landed immigrants of Pashtun origin who fulfils the qualifications and pays the prescribed registration and annual registration fees, shall have the honor of being life time permanent members of the Association.  They shall enjoy their permanent voting right as long as they are able to pay their fees and fulfill their obligations.

(ii)     All the signatories of this Memorandum who have paid the prescribed Registration and Annual Membership fees shall be the lifetime Permanent Members of the Association.

(b)                                                 Honorary Membership:

(i)    The Executive Council may invite imminent Pashtun scholars, writers and other influential personalities interested in the promotion of the cause and ideals of the Association or those who have made outstanding contribution to Pashtun cultural cause or are likely to make such contribution as Honorary Members subject to the approval by the Board of Directors.

 (ii)  A distinguished Honorary Member shall be bestowed the status of Permanent Membership if his/her services and contributions to the Pashtun cause are found to be exceptional or extraordinary subject to approval of the Board of Directors.

(c)                                                  Patron Membership

(i)     Any humanitarian organization or an individual of a sound and reliable character who is distinguished for his /her spirit of dedication to the common ideals of human advancement and betterment can and shall have the opportunity and privilege of contributing philanthropically to the cause of Association as Patron Members.

 (ii)   Patron Members shall be of two categories: the occasional donors and the permanent contributors.  Permanent Patrons or the regular contributors and major donors shall have same rights and privileges as other members except the right of voting in the elections.

Section 3.03                       Mode of Acquiring Membership

(a)            Membership of the Association shall be obtainable by filling and signing up the Application and Membership Undertaking Form attached with a printed copy of the Constitution of the Association and by paying of the prescribed registration and annual membership fees.

(b)             Membership shall be granted or refused to a candidate after due consideration of his/her membership application form followed by the release of an intimation letter of refusal or admission with “Membership Identity Card” by the Secretary-General.  Non-receipt of an intimation letter within a reasonable period of time shall mean misplacement of the Application Form, which the candidate concerned, shall have the right to be looked into.

Section 3.04                       Membership Fees:

(a)             All Permanent Members shall pay twenty ($ 20) Canadian dollars or it’s equivalent as one-time Registration Fee at the time of submitting application.

(b)            All members of the Association shall pay a flat annual contribution of sixty ($ 60) Canadian dollars or its equivalent as Annual Membership Fee, payable annually, half-yearly, or quarterly as convenient.

(c)            Permanent Patrons excluding donors shall have the honor and privilege of making regular discretionary contributions in addition to their normal membership fees, payable separately or together with membership fees in a lump sum or in installments as feasible and convenient.

(d)            Membership fees, regular contributions by patrons, and voluntary donations shall be receivable in the name of the Association against prescribed demand bills and receipts given or dispatched formally.

(e)            Membership fees for periods longer than a year can also be accepted in advance for the sake of convenience and with a view to easing the initial financial hardships faced by the Association.

Section 3.05                       Rights and Privileges of Members

(a)            All members, including honorary members, permanent patrons and major donors, shall have the right to vote and participate in all the decision-making deliberations of the General Assembly excluding the election of Board of Directors.  Honorary members, Patrons and occasional donors shall not have the right to vote in the election of the executives but can participate in the meetings as observers.

(b)             All members of the Association, including the patrons and major donors, shall be entitled to receive all the benefits and services generated and all the products and publications brought up and produced by the Association.

(c)             All the members shall have their inalienable right of lawful protection by the Association including the right of defending their legitimate interests.

Section 3.06                       Revocation and Termination of Membership:

(a)             A member of the Association shall be expelled by a two-third vote of the Board of Directors for willfully engaging in an activity or conduct which, in the opinion of the Board, is contrary to the objectives of the Association or is detrimental to its vital interests.

(b)            A membership in the Association shall automatically terminate if a member 1) dies;  2) is expelled;  3) resigns in writing; or 4) fails to pay his/her annual membership fees for more than three months from the due payable date.

(c)             A terminated membership or an expelled member in good standing shall be reinstated by a two-third vote of the Board of Directors and final approval by the General Assembly.

(d)            Members of the Association shall not be accountable or responsible for any act, default, loss, injury, transaction, matter or anything related to the conduct or running of the affairs of the Association.

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