Liberty For Youth - Code of Ethics

Code of Ethics

A member shall respect all faiths represented on the board, service recipient population and community at large.
A member shall consider the best interests of the youth with all monetary execution.
A member shall be guided by the Liberty's mission statements.
A member shall act within the limits, roles and responsibilities of the LFY constitution, as identified by Liberty's operating guidelines, Liberty board, and Liberty Executive Council.
A member shall become familiar with Liberty's policies and operating practices, regarding fundraising and must act in accordance with them.
A member shall recognize and respect the personal integrity of each member of Liberty.
A member shall treat all members with respect and allow for diverse opinions to be shared without interruption.
A member shall encourage a positive environment in which individual contributions are encouraged and valued.
A member shall acknowledge democratic principles and accept the consensus of the council.
A member shall respect the confidential nature of Liberty's business and respect limitations this may place on the operation of the council.
A member shall not disclose any confidential information.
A member shall limit discussion at meetings to matters of concern to Liberty as a whole.
A member shall use established communication channels when questions or concerns arise.
A member shall promote high standards of ethical practice within Liberty.
A member shall declare any conflict of interest.

CONSTITUTION OF LIBERTY FOR YOUTH

Article 1: Name

An Organization is hereby established called Liberty For Youth.

Article 2: Purpose and Objectives

2.1 Liberty For Youth is a youth development organization, with an emphasis on character development through leadership and personal skills for the youth of Canada and the goal of creating a better society through positive participation in youth activities and projects.

a. The Objectives of Liberty For Youth shall be:

To organize, promote and undertake community, and economic projects.
To assist in bringing about greater participation of youth in the development of Canada and to help youth become better citizens.
To develop the character and leadership skills of young people through their participation in projects that can benefit themselves and the wider community.
To provide a forum for young people to gather and discuss matters of importance to the development of the community.
To promote cooperation, a sense of good will and respect for authority among people of different races, cultures, religion/faith/spirituality, ages, abilities/disabilities and authority.
To provide the opportunity for parents, teachers and community leaders to work with the youth in achieving common goals.
To cooperate with school boards, public authorities, business organizations, youth organizations and voluntary organizations.
To establish Refuge Place faith based Youth Home for young people aged 14 to 18. Refuge Place will offer a safe residential setting with programming and mentoring to support post incarcerated youth reintegrate successfully back into our society.

Article 3: Membership

3.1 Membership Classification

Ordinary Membership: All young persons (ages of 10 to 21) who share the commitment to the principles and objectives of the organization, shall be eligible for ordinary membership of Liberty For Youth with all the rights and privileges thereof.
Associate Membership: All adults (over the age of 21 years) who share the commitment to the principles and objectives of the organization shall be eligible for Associate Membership of Liberty For Youth will all the rights and privileges thereof.
Honorary Membership: Any person recommended by three or more Directors of the Organization, and so approved by the members voting at a general meeting may be awarded honorary membership. Honorary members shall be entitled to all the privileges of membership except the right:

To hold office
To speak on behalf of the organization
To vote at any meeting

3.2 Community Advisory Team

The Executive Committee shall establish a community advisory team made up of a minimum of three community leaders representing schools, business, government, and service organizations. The function of the team will be to provide support and guidance to the Executive, and the Organization as required.

3.3 Application And Eligibility For Membership

The Executive Committee of the organization shall consider and approve membership applications, and notify the applicants, in writing or by email, of approval of membership (either ordinary members or associate members).
Applications shall be on such forms as will be prescribed from time to time by the Executive Committee.

Each prospective member shall be sponsored by two Ordinary Members or Associate Members who shall sign the official application form of the organization. Any young person who is duly nominated by two Ordinary or Associate Members of Liberty, and who agrees to subscribe to and uphold the tenets stated; the aims, objectives, and code of conduct of Liberty as written into this constitution, will be eligible for membership.
All prospective members shall have an introductory period of three months during which the Executive Committee will ensure that they qualify for Ordinary or Associate membership. Thereafter any prospective member shall be accepted as Ordinary or Associate members.

3.4 Code Of Conduct

Members will subscribe to a code of conduct, adopted by the ordinary and associate membership at an ordinary general meeting.

The code shall enshrine the values of integrity, industry, self development, responsible citizenship, as well as respect for authority and shall govern the relationships among Liberty's members; between members and adults; between members and community advisor team; and between the Executive Committee and staff.

Article 4: Officers

4.1 Board of Directors

There shall be up to nine (9) members of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has the authority to appoint or hire an Executive Director who shall report solely to the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors shall execute all the functions of the organization. The Board of Directors may delegate special responsibilities to the Executive Committee.

4.2 Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of four Directors: a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. This committee shall work closely with the Executive Director who is responsible for the day to day management of the organization.

The Executive Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy which may arise on the Committee, and to delegate any of its power of management as it deems necessary for the efficient operation of Liberty For Youth.

4.3 Term of Office

Member of the Board of Directors shall hold office for a period of three years. A slate of officers shall be put forth at every Annual General Meeting.

Members of the Board of Directors will be eligible for re-election to the same office for a maximum of three consecutive terms.
Only half of the Board of Directors will ‘turn over’ in any one year of election to maintain stability and experience on the Board.

4.4 Committees

The Board of Directors may appoint such special or new committees as the need of Liberty For Youth may dictate.

Any committee appointed shall be given special terms of reference and length of term of the committee’s existence.

Article 5: Elections and Meetings

5.1 Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting shall be held no later than October 28th in each calendar year.

A Slate of Officers consisting of the Board of Directors shall be presented for election to Liberty For Youth at the Annual General Meeting. No nominations shall be accepted from the floor.
Notice of the Annual General Meeting, stating time and place, shall be given, in writing or email, to each member no less than sixty (60) days prior to the Annual General Meeting.
The quorum for the Annual General Meeting shall be fifty percent (50%) plus one of the voting members.
The business to be attended to at the Annual General Meeting will include, but is not necessarily limited to:

Presentation and consideration of the Annual Report of the Board of Directors.
The presentation of the name of the Auditor for the coming year and appointment thereof.
Accounts for the preceding financial year, audited by an Auditor.
Election of the Board of Directors for the following year.
Future strategies.

No resolution of an annual or special general meeting shall be rescinded unless the matter is raised again for ‘re-opening’ at a general or special general meeting by someone who voted against the motion at a previous meeting.
The business to be attended to at the Annual General Meeting will include, but is not necessarily limited to:

5.2 Elections

The quorum for election to the Board of Directors shall be fifty percent (50%) plus one of the voting members.

Candidates for office shall be nominated by three Ordinary Members in good standing.
Nominations shall be delivered to the Secretary at least ninety (90) days before the meeting at which elections are to be held and the Secretary shall notify members, in writing or by email, of the nominees for each position before no less than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the AGM at which elections shall take place.
To be eligible for nomination to the Board of Directors, one shall have been a member for no less than one year, except in the case of the initial Board of Directors elected under this constitution. Should there be a situation where a person with less than one year’s membership is being considered for the Board of Directors, it will be based on a recommendation of the Chair and Executive Director.
The slate of nominees for the Board of Directors shall be presented at the Annual General Meeting upon which the members shall vote. There shall be no nominations from the floor.
There is no provision for Proxy votes.

5.3 General Meetings

The Board of Directors shall meet monthly to attend to the business of Liberty For Youth.

The agenda, location and time of such meetings shall be determined by each committee.

The Executive Committee and other Committees of Liberty For Youth shall meet regularly as determined by the committee members.

The Executive Committee shall be comprised of four members who were elected at the Annual General Meeting. However, should an Executive Member resign or be removed from office, the Executive Committee may appoint someone to fill the position until the next Annual General Meeting.
The agenda, location and time of such meetings shall be determined by each committee.

5.4 Special Meeting

Special General Meetings of Liberty shall be convened by the Chair, on request of the Executive Committee, or upon the request of seven (7) Ordinary Members. Such a request shall be made in writing, specifying the purpose for the requested meeting. Such a request shall be honoured no less than fourteen (14) days after receipt of the request unless it is perceived to be so urgent that the special meeting may be called immediately, within 48 hours.

5.4 Resignation or Removal of Members

Role of the Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consider all resignations of all members in all membership categories. If accepted, shall notify the member of that acceptance.
Members of the Board of Directors who miss three consecutive executive meetings, without notice to the Chair, shall be considered for removal from Office, by the Executive Committee.
If the Board of Directors decides that any member should be removed from office, (for actions contrary to the Mission and Code of Ethics) the Chair shall personally serve notice in writing, through the Secretary, informing the person of the board’s decision to remove the member from the organization.
The notice will state the cause and invite the member to appear in person at a meeting of the Board of Directors to be held no later than fourteen (14) days after the notice has been delivered. The last known date, registered on the membership form, shall be considered the address of the member.

Article 6: Amendments to the By-Laws

The By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds majority of voting members at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting called for the purpose of By-Law amendment. Notice of proposed amendment shall be provided, in writing or email, not less than thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendments will be discussed.

Article 7: Accounts

Liberty For Youth may receive, hold and disburse money and other assets subscribed to it or acquired by it. The funds and/or assets of Liberty shall not be used for any purpose other than that stated herein.
The Board of Directors shall cause proper accounts of income and expenditure to be kept at all times. The books of Liberty For Youth shall be audited at the close of each financial year, and audited accounts shall be submitted to the following Annual General Meeting. Liberty For Youth shall work in congruence with the tax revenue office in the best way possible.

Article 8: Indemnity

The members of the Board of Directors, other appointed officers, and persons duly noted for the time being to exercise any administrative function on behalf of Liberty For Youth Board of Directors, shall be indemnified out of the assets from and against all actions proceeding, costs, charges, losses, damages, and expenses which they or any of them shall incur or sustain by or through their own deliberate neglect or default.

Article 9: Dissolution

If on dissolution or winding up of Liberty For Youth, there remain any properties or assets, the assets shall be freely given or transferred to some association, or associations having similar objectives as Liberty For Youth. This is to be determined by the members of Liberty For Youth at a meeting called for the purpose of dissolution, or in default thereof as otherwise prescribed by Canadian Law.

Article 10: Founding Members

The Founding Members of the organization have a lifelong place of honour in Liberty For Youth. These individuals include those who had the vision of Liberty For Youth and the first Board of Directors. These Founding Members are: