ROUND TABLE SRI LANKA

CONSTITUTION
Article I : General
Section 1 : Name
The name of the Association shall be Round Table Sri Lanka.

Section 2 : Definitions
Active Tabler means any person duly elected by a Table and who is not an honorary one.
Associate Member means a Table which has been inaugurated but not chartered.
Association means Round Table Sri Lanka.
Dues means any money owed to the Association.
Full Member means a Table which has been inaugurated and chartered.
General Body means all active Tables and the National Executive.
National Delegates means the representatives of Tables duly elected to represent the Tables at
the National General Meetings.
Table means any Round Table, which affiliates itself as an Associate or Full Member of the
Association.
Tablet means the official publication of the Association.

Section 3 : Motto
The motto of the Association shall be Adopt, Adapt, Improve.

Section 4 : Emblem and Symbol

The official Emblem of the Association shall be the following design :

It has 12 alternate black and white segments with a lion on a red background in the centre. It has
the figure of King Arthur at the top.
The colours of the Emblem are black, white and red.

Section 5 : Aims and Objects

The purposes of the Association shall be to promote amongst its Tables the following objects :
I.
II.
III.
IV.

To develop the fellowship of young men through the medium of their business and
professional occupations and community service activities.
To encourage active, and responsible citizenship by cultivating the highest ideals in
business, professional and civic traditions.
To promote and further international understanding, friendship and co-operation.
To promote the extension of the Association.

Section 6 : Powers
The powers of the Association shall be :
a)

to consolidate, co-ordinate, supervise and regulate the functioning of its Tables;

b)

to promote goodwill and co-operation between Tables;

c)

to formulate rules and regulations for Tables, to be oriented in their constitution for
efficient and smooth functioning and uniformity;

d)

to direct, control and manage the organization, property, monies of the Association.

e)

to accept or reject Tables as Associate or Full Members of the Association and to issue
and revoke certificates of Charter;

f)

to promote and undertake such action as may seem desirable consistent with the
Constitution to achieve its objects.

Section 7 : Miscellaneous
a)

There shall be no auxiliary bodies created or organised within the organisation, or

associated or affiliated with Tables without the permission of the National Executive.
Any body so formed must submit its audited financial statements to the National
Executive. Further the audited financial statements of any body created or associated
or affiliated directly to the association (Round Table Sri Lanka) shall be presented to
the General Body at the Annual General Meeting in the manner suggested in section 2
of Article 4.

b)

The Association shall be non-sectarian and non-political.

c)

The Association may appoint a patron as decided by the General Body from time to
time.

d)

All decisions taken either unanimously or by majority by the Association in any

matter relating to the Association, Tables or Active Tablers shall be final and

conclusive and binding on the Association, Tables and Active Tablers and the same
shall not be subject to proceedings in a Court of Law.
e)

The Association shall be affiliated to the World Council of Service Clubs and Round
Table International.

f)

To further its objects, the Association and its Tables may raise monies or accept
donations or bequests required for the Association and its Tables or in executing any
task undertaken by the Association or its Tables which is consistent with the objects of
the Association.

Article II : Membership
Section 1 : Members
Members are all Tables who were affiliated to the Association as on August 07 th, 2003, or since
that date admitted as Members from time to time under the provisions of the Constitution. The
Association shall have the sole discretion in admitting or refusing admission and its decision shall
not be liable to be questioned in any Court of Law.

Section 2 : Types of Membership

There shall be only three kinds of Membership-Associate, Full and Honorary.
I.

Associate Membership : Any organised group of young men between the ages of 18
and 40 may be granted Associate Membership after fulfilling the requirements and
after following the necessary procedures laid down for Associate Membership in the
Extension Manual of the Association. Associate Membership shall be deemed to have
been granted immediately on a Table being inaugurated.

II.

Full Membership : Any Associate Member may be granted Full Membership after
fulfilling the requirements for Full Membership and after following the procedures
laid down in the Extension Manual of the Association. Full Membership shall be
deemed to have been granted immediately on a Table being presented with a
Certificate of Charter.

III.

Honorary Membership : Honorary Membership of the Association may be

bestowed on any Past Active Tabler who has rendered distinguished service to the
country or to the Round Table movement. This Honorary Membership may be
granted only by the National Executive and its decision shall not be questioned.
Honorary Membership may also be granted to any other person provided the National
Executive has the approval of the National Delegates at the AGM. No person may be
an Honorary Member of the Association for a total period of more than two years
cumulatively. Such Honorary Members enjoy all the privileges of Active Tablers but
shall have no vote.

A Table is at liberty to recommend to the National Executive any person who, it feels,
may be considered for Honorary Membership.

Section 3 : Revocation of Membership

a)

Membership of the Association can be revoked at any Annual or Special General

Meeting at which at least two-thirds of the National Delegates, including proxies,
present and entitled to vote are in favour of such revocation for any of the following
reasons :
i) failure to effect payment of annual fees and other levies within six months from the
date when they are due as set out in the Constitution.
ii) failure to effect payment of any other dues within six months from the date of
demand.
iii) failure to file the C form to the Association for a consecutive period of three
years.
iv) Action contrary to the Constitution of the Association.
v) Any other cause which shall be deemed to include any action on the part of a Table
which, had it been taken prior to its admission to membership would have rendered it
ineligible for Membership.

b)

Notices of motion of expulsion along with the grounds on which the motion is said to
be proposed must be sent by registered post to the Chairman and Secretary of the
Table concerned by the National Secretary on or before 60 days prior to the date of the
meeting of the Association at which the resolution is proposed to be considered.
Membership of the Association shall cease on passing of the resolution.

c)

Any Table may withdraw from the Association after giving 365 days notice to the
Secretary of the Association and such Table shall cease to be a member upon
expiration of the above period.

d)

Any Table who shall by any means cease its membership of the Association shall
nevertheless remain liable for and shall pay to the association all monies that may be
due to the Association at the time of such Table ceasing its membership.

e)

The winding up of the Table shall be under the supervision of a member of the
National Executive and the Tables Charter, Badges, Insignia, etc. shall be returned
together with any funds held in trust for the Association. Any funds of such a Table
raised for community service shall be disposed off by the Table only with the consent
of the Association.

f)

The following clause shall also be included in the mandatory Table Rules of all Tables
in the Association. In the event of revocation of Membership or Associate
Membership of any Table in the Association, the President and Treasurer of the
Association are authorised to operate the bank account jointly.

g)

Upon cessation of membership this group of persons shall not thereafter use the words
Round Table or the name or emblem or symbol of the Association in any manner
whatsoever.

Section 4 : Reinstatement of Membership

a)

Membership of the association which has been revoked may be reinstated at the
discretion of the General Body, if the revocation was for non-payment of annual fees,
levies, and other dues, upon payment of such monies within 30 days of such table
being advised of such revocation together with any further sums which may then be
payable to the Association.

b)

Membership revoked for any other reason may not be reinstated for a period of six
months and only upon receipt of satisfactory assurance as to the future conduct of the
former Member in question. Such reinstatement is at the discretion of the General
Body.

Article III : National Executive

Section 1:

General

a)

Each Member of the National Executive shall be an Active Tabler during his term.

b)

The National Executive may comprise of the following:

President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Immediate Past President
Committee Convenors
The president, vice president, secretary and treasurer shall be the officers elected at
the association's annual general meeting.. The immediate past president shall be a
member by virtue of being president at the conclusion of the last AGM when he hands
over the jewel of office.

c)

Only the elected Officers will have voting right at National Executive Meetings.

d)

No person shall be eligible for nomination and election as a member of the National
Executive unless he had held office (any or the same office) for at least two complete
Table years in any Table, with the exception of Charter Chairmen of Tables.

e)

i) The Association shall at its Annual General Meeting elect the officers of the
National Executive. No Officer shall be elected unless more than 50% of the votes
cast or votes cast and allocated are in his favour.
ii) All nominations for elective offices shall be sent to the Secretary on or before June
30th preceding the Annual General Meeting at which such election shall take place.
These nominations along with any relevant bio-data of the candidates received with
such nominations shall be circulated to the Secretaries of all Tables on or before July
15th preceding the said Annual General Meeting by the Secretary of the Association.
The nomination shall be sent in any manner or form but must contain the nominees
name, date of birth, date of joining Table, the post for which the nomination is made
and details of his Table, Association and World Council career. All nominations must
be signed by any one of the Table Executive of the nominees Table even when the
nomination is made by another Table. If the meeting is held on or before August 01 st
the last date for sending nominations shall be on or before Thirty (30) days before the
meeting and the same shall be circulated on or before Fifteen (15) days before the
meeting.

f)

Only if no nominations are sent by the Tables on or before June 30 th, Tables shall have
a second opportunity to send in nominations on or before July 15th. In the case of the
Annual General Meeting taking place on or before August 01 st , the last date for this
will be 21 days prior to the meeting.

g)

In the event of no nominations being received even under the preceding clause, the
National Executive will at the meeting at which the election takes place, submit
suitable proposals and these candidates shall be declared elected without a poll. There
shall be no nominations from the floor.

h)

Any member of the National Executive shall be eligible for re-election or reappointment provided his occupancy of that office shall not exceed two cumulative
years.

i)

No person shall be eligible for election or appointment as an Officer or a Convenor of

any committee of the Association, Area or Table if he shall have completed the age of
forty years on or before June 30, in the Tables fiscal year in which the election or
appointment shall take place except as Table Chairman, Association President,
Immediate Past Table Chairman, Immediate Past President, WOCO President or
WOCO Regional Chairman. For the purpose of this rule completed means a person
born on June 1, 1960 will complete 40 years on June 1, 2000.

j)

No person shall at any one Annual General Meeting be nominated for more than one
office.

k)

In case any member of the National Executive may resign or die or be unable or
unwilling to continue in office, the other members of the National Executive may
appoint another person in his place or share his duties.

l)

Members of the National Executive shall assume office at the conclusion of the
Annual General Meeting at which they are either elected or appointed and shall serve
until their successors take office at the first constitutional moment.

i) All members of the National Executive shall serve without any remuneration
whatsoever. But the National Executive may authorise payment out of the budgeted
fund of the Association for all reasonable expenses incurred by any member of the
National Executive or member of any Committee or any Sub Committee of the
Association.
ii) The National Executive may engage, dismiss and remunerate any person not being
an Active or Honorary Tabler in the capacity of general secretary, clerk, servant or
organiser to assist in the activities of the Association.
m)

Members of the National Executive shall assume office at the National Annual
General Meeting and shall serve until their successors take office at the first
constitutional moment.

Section 2:

Duties

President:
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association. He shall appoint the Convenors and
Members of all the Committees of the Association. He shall be the Chief Executive Officer
exercising general supervision over the work and activities of the Association. He shall perform
such other duties as usually pertain to the office of President and be the ex-officio member of all
Committees. He may create any additional Committees not hereunder mentioned as deemed
necessary in the interest of the Association. He may also change the duties of each Officer for a
better working of the Association. He shall supervise and be responsible for the National
Convention. He shall also be in charge of extension at the National level.
Vice President
The Vice President shall preside at all meetings of the association. If the president is unable to
perform his duties for any reason, the secretary in consultation with the vice president requests
him to act on behalf of the president.
Immediate Past President:
He shall be the Convenor of the Forward Planning Committee, which may be constituted of
members from each Area and preferably the convenors of such Area Committee. He shall be the
convenor of Past Members Travel Fund (PMTF).
Secretary:
Receive minutes of all Tables and take follow up action in each Tables activity where necessary.
He shall convene all General Meetings of the Association and National Executive and prepare
agenda papers for the Executive Meetings and General Meetings. He shall be responsible for
organising business session of AGMs.

Treasurer:
He shall oversee the financial records of the Association and shall be responsible for receipts and
payments of all accounts and expenses including annual fees and levies. He shall make a financial
report to the General Body at each Annual General Meeting, or more often if required. He shall
have the right to withhold any payment and refer it to the appropriate committee, President or the
General Body.
He shall present at each Annual General Meeting the financial statement of the fiscal year
immediately preceding. He shall be entitled to call for any explanation from Officers and
Convenors and others on any matter concerning the financial aspects of the Associations affairs
with which they may be or have been concerned. He may perform such other duties as may be
assigned to him by the President and Association.
He shall assist in preparation of the Budget for the new financial year. He shall present at each
AGM audited statement of the fiscal year and updates.
Editor:
He shall be responsible on behalf of the Association for the production of the Tablet. He shall
be the Convenor of the Editorial Committee.
The International Relations Convenor:
This Convenor will consider, report on and promote all matters relating to goodwill in
international relationships and all matters relating to fellow membership associations of Round
Table International and World Council, including international service and fellowship schemes.
The Committee should be conversant with all the programmes of the Round Table International
and World Council of Young Mens Service Clubs and should pass on information to the
magazine or other publications of Round Table International and World Council regarding the
Associations activities and encourage each member to hold a Round Table International and
World Council Week to enable Active Tablers to learn about the activities of and to publicise
Round Table International and World Council. It shall organise and encourage all travels of
members to other Associations overseas and vice versa. It shall endeavor to promote international
relationship among Tables through Area International Relations Convenor Convenors.

Rules Convenor:
This Convenor may advise the Officers of Tables with regard to any proposed rules to be
considered by their respective Tables. It shall further be the duty of the Convenor to interpret any
and all provisions of the Constitution. In the event of any dispute this Convenor will lay the
matter before the General Body for a decision. This Convenor will also be responsible for
publishing the Handbook.
Fund Raising and Sponsorship Convenor:
This Convenor will investigate ways and means of raising funds for the administration of the
Association as well as its Tables and for the Associations Conventions. The Convenor will also
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continuously monitor the expenses of the Association relative to the budget approved and report
to the National Executive and General Body.
Community Service Convenor:
This Convenor shall have the power to approve or disapprove any application from Tables
requesting permission to appeal for funds from abroad. He shall keep the Tables advised of any
offers of aid from other Clubs or Members Associations. He shall also advise Tables on projects
considered worthwhile. He shall arrange to keep a record of all project activities of Tables. He
shall be the liaison for all project help received from clubs overseas.
Publicity Convenor:
This Convenor shall endeavor to publicise the activities of the Association and Member Tables
amongst the public. The Convenor shall also publicise the movement amongst its Members in
order to make them more aware of the same.
Extension Convenor :
This Convenor shall devise ways and means of maintaining adequate membership. It will
consider all proposals for Full Membership and shall give the final approval for issue of numbers
to new tables and grant Certificates of Charter.
Budget Presentation :
The incoming President will present the Budget of the Association for the ensuing year at the
AGM, after his election.

Article IV : Finance and Administration

Section 1 : Fiscal Year and Budget
a)

The fiscal year shall begin on the 01st day of July each year and shall end on the 30th
day of June following.

b)

The Treasurer shall be responsible for the preparation of the Income and Expenditure
statement and assist the incoming President in the preparation of an Annual Budget
which shall be subject to the approval of the General Body.

c)

The General Body may from time to time create separate funds and may draw up the
guidelines for the same to be administered by the National Executive. The Presidents
Emergency Fund, the Past Members Travel Fund, the Convention Reserve Fund are
deemed to have been created.

Section 2 : Audit

a)

The draft accounts of the association and its auxiliary bodies shall be presented at the
National Executive meeting by the Treasurer and should be approved by the National
Executive for presenting audited statement of accounts for the year at the Annual General
Meeting.

b)

An audit of the books and accounts of the Association and the auxiliary bodies associated
with it shall be done for each Fiscal Year by auditors appointed by the General Body. A
report and statement of accounts i.e. Receipts & Payments and Income & Expenditure
Account for the Fiscal Year and a Balance Sheet as on the last day of the Fiscal year shall
be presented to the General Body at each Annual General Meeting.

c)

The audited accounts and balance sheet will be presented to the General Body at the
Annual General Meeting for approval by the General body.

Section 3 : Winding up
In the event of a decision to wind up the affairs of the Association, which shall be made only at a
General Meeting at which not less than two-thirds of the full Members of the Association vote in
favour, and after the payment of all debts and liabilities the realised assets shall be given only to
another organization whose Aims and Objects and activities are similar to that of the Association.

Section 4 : Annual Fees and Levies

a) Rates for the various areas of fees will be decided on at the AGM and voting on same will
be as per Article V Section 3b. All Tables shall pay the following Annual Fees :
i)
Membership fees at the prevailing rate per Active Tabler based on the
strength of the Table as at July 1st. (Tablers retiring in the following AGM need not be
included).
ii)
Entrance fees, which includes the cost of New Member Kit, at the
prevailing rate per Active Tabler be payable to the National Association upon
induction of a new member. Associate Members will pay an entrance fee at the
prevailing rate per Active Tabler prior to attaining Associate Membership i.e. prior to
their Inauguration. They shall be liable for further entrance fees only for any further
Active Tablers taken subsequent to the inauguration till June 30th of the particular
year specified above.
Tables will not have to pay entrance fees for Active Tablers transferred to their
Table from another. Any Active Tabler ceasing his active membership within a Table
will not be required to pay the entrance fees if such a Tabler rejoins within a period of
two years from the date of cessation of membership.
All Tables who are members of the Association on July 1st shall pay the following
annual levies :
iii)
Presidents Travel Fund levy at the prevailing rate per Table. This levy
which is meant for use as per the guidelines given separately and is to be kept in a

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separate bank account along with the monies received on this account and shall not be
merged with the General Fund.

b) The General Body may impose from time to time any other levies after giving adequate
notice as provided in the Constitution.
c)
The following shall be sent to the Treasurer of the Association on or
before August 15th each year.

d)

i)

All the annual fees and levies mentioned in above clauses a i), ii) and iii)
&b

ii)

Form C duly filled up.

iii)

A copy of the audited financial statements of each Tables accounts

(separate statements for charity and administrative funds) and any other
auxiliary body created or organised by the Table for the Table financial
year immediately preceding, however in the case of an auxiliary body
being created jointly by more than one Table then the Tables so forming
this auxiliary body shall nominate one Table who shall submit the
audited accounts along with their 'C' Form to the National Executive.

i) Failure to comply with any of the requirements under clauses c i), ii) and
iii) within the due date will result in the Table losing all its rights for the
immediately following Annual or Special General Meeting of the
Association and Area.
ii)

On payments of penalty, as mentioned hereafter, in addition to fulfilling

the annual fees, levies and other requirements specified under clauses d
i), ii) and iii) above, all rights of the Table will be restored immediately
after the payment is made by cash or demand draft. If the payment is by
cheque, restoration will take place only on realisation of the cheque.

iii)

The penalty for non-payment as per clause d i) is 15 per cent of the

amount in question or at the present rate determined by the Association
whichever is lower.

iv)

The penalty at the prevailing rate for non-compliance as per clause d ii)
and iii) each.

v)

The total penalties payable under this section for any one meeting shall
not exceed the present rate determined.

vi)

At any annual or Special General Meeting of the Association no Table

will have any rights if the requirements mentioned under clause d i), ii)
and iii) have not been met for prior year though these requirements may
have been met for the current year. On clearing the past arrears these

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rights will be restored without penalty for such past arrears.

vii)

Penalty is payable only for the current years arrears if the Table wishes
to have its rights restored.

viii)

In the event that a Table has not submitted the C form as on the last
date of filing nominations, it will not have the right to submit
nominations for Area or National positions and no other Table will also
have the right to nominate any Tabler from the defaulting Table for any
Area or National position.
e) All funds and levies received by the Association under this section shall be utilised for its
operational expenses for the fiscal year starting on July 1st.

Section 5 : Travelling Expenses

Each member of the National Executive (ASSOCIATION) including the convention convenors
shall be paid actual travel expenses to attend all meetings of the National Executive. Travel
expenses shall however not be paid for attending the ASSOCIATION meeting held along with the
National AGM in the city of the AGM.

Article V : Convention Procedure

Section 1 : Order of Business
The Agenda for Annual General Meetings may include :
1.

Reading of notice convening the meeting

2.

Preliminaries, communications and greetings

3.

Reading of Aims & Objects and singing Round Table Sri Lanka song.

4.

Appointment of Sergeant-at-arms.

5.

Confirmation of minutes of the previous meeting (if not already done by circulation)

6.

Matter arising (not covered elsewhere)

7.

Reports of the members of the National Executive (Immediate past)

8.

Presentation of Annual Report for the previous year

9.

Approval of Audited Accounts and Balance Sheet for the year ended 30 th June

10.

Address by President (Immediate Past)

11.

Report of Workshop discussions.

13.

Motions :

14.

a.

Affecting the Constitution

b.

Other motions

Election of Officers

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15.

Announcement of Team for the next Tabling year

16.

Budget for the next Tabling year beginning July 01st

17.

Appointment of Auditors and Bankers of the Association.

18.

Address by the incoming President

19.

Any other business.

Section 2 : Meetings
a)

There shall be at least one General Meeting of the Association annually which shall
take place at a venue to be decided by the General Body. The date of such Meeting
must be at least Nine (9) months and not more than Fifteen (15) months from the date
of the last Meeting if such a meeting be the Annual General Meeting. The National
Executive shall decide the date of each Annual General Meeting. If the date of the
Annual General Meeting has been informed to Tables, either by incorporation in the
previous meeting minutes or through any publication of the Association or by any
other means it shall not be necessary for the Secretary to give notice convening the
Annual General Meeting. In any case a minimum of 21 days notice should be given.

b)

i)
ii)

c)

The Annual General Meeting shall as far as possible be held each year between
July 15th and August 15th each year.
The National Executive in conjunction with the Tables acting as hosts shall be
responsible for all arrangements and make the necessary financial provisions out
of the funds of the Association as authorised by the General Body in respect of
such meeting.

d)

Quorum for any meeting of the General Body shall be 60 per cent of the Tables
entitled to vote. For purposes of quorum, a Table will be considered present even if
only one of its National Delegates is present or if it is represented by proxy.
Either on the written request of at least 50 per cent of Full Members or at the
discretion of the National Executive a Special General Meeting shall be called by the
President. The National Executive shall fix the date and venue of such Special
General Meeting and a notice convening the same shall be circulated to all Tables on
or before 21 days prior to the date of the meeting.

e)

Motions may be submitted by the National Executive, or any Full Member.

f)

The Chairman of the Workshop Discussion Group or of any other Committee shall
come forward with relevant motions arising from the discussion to be considered for
adoption at the very same meeting, provided these resolutions neither amend the
Constitution nor involve any obligatory financial levy or fees on Tables or Active
Tablers.

g)

All motions for consideration at the Annual General Meeting shall be sent to the
National Secretary on or before 30 days prior to the AGM and such motions together
with other agenda papers shall be circulated to Tables at least 21 days prior to the
AGM. If the Annual General Meeting is held on or before August 15th, the deadline
for submission of motions and the subsequent circulation by the Secretary shall be the

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same as for the Special General Meeting specified hereunder. All motions for
consideration at a Special General Meeting shall be sent to the Secretary on or before
45 days prior to the meeting and these together with the other agenda papers shall be
circulated on or before 21 days prior to the said meeting.
h)

Any surplus which may accrue out of any National Convention or any other
convention of the association shall be to the account of the host Tables only. It need
not be shared with the National Association. The surplus emanating out of such
activity, shall be shared by the host Tables. Any loss at any such convention or
meetings under any circumstances will not be subsidised by Round Table Sri Lanka.

i)

Party politics and sectarian problems shall not be discussed at any meeting.

j)

Any Table or Tables hosting any National Conventions or Meeting should submit
audited accounts within 90 days from the conclusion of the meet to the National
Executive failing which the concerned Table/Tables will in addition to submitting the
audited accounts pay a penalty of Rs. 1,000.00 for every month of default upto a
maximum of Rs.5,000.00 They will also lose their voting rights until such time.

k)

All motions proposed by the ASSOCIATION for consideration at the annual or special
general meetings of the association will have to be forwarded by the secretary to the
rules Convenor for scrutiny. The rules Convenor should check if the changes confirm
to the constitution of Round Table Sri Lanka and do not contradict any other rule. The
Rule Convenor should suitably append his comments on the above points and return
the motions to the secretary who will include the same in agenda papers. The rules
Convenor should however desist from giving his opinion on the subject of the motion.

Section 3 : Representation and Voting

a)

(i) Each Full and Associate Member shall be represented on the General Body by
two National Delegates who must be Active Tablers. Only Delegates of Full Members
are entitled to vote. Each Delegate will have one vote except where provided for
otherwise in the Constitution. If a Table is represented by only one Delegate instead of
the normal two Delegates, then such Delegate shall have two votes even if he carries
no proxy. In the event of a tie the Chairman of the meeting shall have a casting vote.
(ii) All other Active Tablers and Honorary Tablers of the Tables and Honorary
Members of the Association may attend the Annual General Meeting and shall take
part in all discussions with the permission of the Chairman, but without the right to
vote.
(iii) Any Table that is unable to send a National Delegate to a meeting may in writing
duly authorised by the signature of any one of its National Delegates or the Chairman
or Secretary of that Table may confer its privilege of vote or votes upon any other
Active Tabler belonging to it.

b)

At any meeting of the Association a motion put to the vote shall be decided by a show
of hands, each National Delegate or his proxy having one vote. On any motion
affecting the annual fees and levies as provided for under the Constitution and any
other compulsory levies on each Table or Active Tabler of the Association that may be
proposed, a poll may be demanded (either before or immediately after it has been put
to vote) by at least Two Full Members eligible to vote. On a poll, each Table shall
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have as many votes as its number of Active Tablers on the First of October
immediately preceding. The poll vote decision will supersede any previous vote taken
by a show of hands.
c)

For the election of Officers the following system shall be adopted:

(i) A ballot paper (duly signed by the National Secretary) for each office shall be
provided for each Delegate entitled to vote which shall contain the title of the office
and the names of all candidates for that office in alphabetical order but shall contain
no other material.
(ii) Each Delegate entitled to vote shall record his vote for each candidate in order of
preference. He shall place the figure 1 by the name of the candidate who is his first
choice, shall place the figure 2 by the name of the candidate who is his second choice
and shall place the figure 3, 4 or 5 (and so on as the case requires) by the name of all
remaining candidates to indicate his order of preference but no ballot paper shall be
treated as spoiled by reason only of the fact that the voter has failed to record
successive preferences for all candidates.
(iii) The Secretary shall count the number of first preference votes cast in favour of
each candidate. If more than 50% of first preference votes cast shall be cast in favour
of one candidate, he shall be declared as elected.
(iv) If no candidate may be declared elected under the preceding sub-paragraph the
candidate in whose favour the least number of first preference votes shall have been
cast shall be excluded from the poll and the ballot papers recording that candidate as
first preference shall be allocated to the remaining candidates in accordance with the
second preferences recorded therein. If more than 50% of votes cast shall have been
cast or allocated in favour of one candidate he shall be declared elected.
(v) If no candidate may be declared elected under either of the two preceding subparagraphs the procedure outlined in sub-paragraph (iv) shall be repeated as often as
may be necessary excluding from the poll on each repetition the candidate with the
lowest number of votes and allocating those votes and ballot papers in accordance
with the next preference recorded thereon until more than 50% of the votes cast shall
have been cast or allocated to one candidate who shall be declared elected.
(vi) If at any time two or more candidates have the same number of cast and allocated
votes and are together lowest on the poll, the candidate in whose favour the least
number of first preference votes shall have been cast shall be excluded. If equality of
first preference votes shall be found, the number of second and subsequent preference
votes shall be considered and treated in like manner until one candidate may be
excluded under this sub-paragraph. If the secretary shall find equality of number of
total, first and all subsequent preference votes they shall exclude all the candidates
being considered under this sub-paragraph.
(vii) If at any time the secretary shall find that all candidates then remaining in the
ballot shall have an equal number of total, first and all subsequent preference votes the
President shall have a casting vote.

d)

For all other motions requiring a decision a simple majority shall prevail except where
otherwise specified in the Constitution
15

Article VII : Table Rules

Section 1 : General
Each Table shall provide in its rules the obligatory provision set out under Section 2 to 15 of this
Article and shall adhere to the same. Tables are at liberty to make these rules stricter but may not
relax them. However, Tables are advised to implement them as far as possible only as per the
provisions given below:

Section 2 : Name
Each Table shall designate itself by the name of the City in which it is located along with a word
describing the geographical location (or any other name to distinguish it from another Table in the
same city), followed by the words Round Table No.
For example:Colombo Round Table No.1
Colombo Serendib Round Table No.2
Colombo Taprobane Round Table No.3

Section 3 : Motto and Emblem

The motto of the Table shall be Adopt, Adapt, Improve. The emblem of the Table shall include
the emblem of the Association.

Section 4 : Affiliation
The Table shall be a member of Round Table Sri Lanka.

Section 5 : Aims and Objects

The Aims and Objects of the Table shall be:
a)

to develop the fellowship of young men through the medium of their business and
professional occupations and community service activities;

b)

to encourage active and responsible citizenship by the highest ideals in business,

professional and civic traditions;
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c)

to promote and further international understanding, friendship and co-operation

d)

to promote the extension of the Association.

Section 6 : Membership
There shall be only three kinds of membership.
a)

Active: Any man not less than 18 years nor more than 40 years of age and resident in
the vicinity of the Table shall be eligible for election as an Active Tabler. Such
persons shall be elected according to the Rules of the Table.

b)

Honorary : Any man (whether a past Active Tabler or not) whom it is desired to
honour may be elected an Honorary Tabler. Honorary membership is the highest mark
of esteem a Table can bestow and shall only be given to those who have rendered
special and distinguished service to the country or to the Round Table Movement or to
the locality in which the Table is situated. The total number of Honorary Tablers in a
Table shall not exceed one for every ten Active Tablers or part number thereon.
Honorary Tablers shall be elected according to the Rules of the Table and may attend
meetings and enjoy all the privileges of membership but shall have no vote. No person
shall be an Honorary Tabler of the same Table for more than a period of two years
cumulatively.

c)

Temporary Associate : In order that Round Table may make contacts with similar
organisations in other countries and make known further its ideals, overseas visitors
shall be eligible for election as Temporary Associate Tablers according to the Rules of
the Table.

d)

Honorary Life : Any past Active Tabler whom it is desired to honour may be elected
an Honorary Life Tabler. Honorary Life is the highest mark of esteem a Table can
bestow and shall only be given to those who have rendered special and distinguished
service to the Round Table Movement. This appointment should be approved by the
National Executive.

Section 7 : Membership of more than one Table

a)

Membership of more than one Table is permitted only in cases where a Tabler has
played an active part in the formation of a new Table.

b)

He can become a member of the new Table any time after it is inaugurated but before
it is chartered and he will be allowed to retain the dual membership for a period of one
year from the date of joining the new Table after which he shall resign from one of the
two Tables.

c)

Such dual membership is subject to the approval of both the Tables concerned.

d)

He shall have to fulfil his mandatory 60% attendance in both the Tables . For this
purpose, attendance at one of the Tables cannot be considered as attendance for
calculating the attendance at the other as permitted in Section 11 c of this Article.

e)

Both the Tables concerned shall take his membership into account for all purposes
such as quorum for meetings, elections, eligibility to vote etc.

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f)

No such Tabler shall be member of more than 2 Tables at any one time.

g)

Membership of such Tablers in the new Table shall not be considered for fulfilling the
minimum membership requirements for Associate and Full Membership as stipulated
in the Extension Manual.

h)

At any one time not more than 50 per cent or 10 persons whichever is lower shall be
allowed to retain dual membership in the same two Tables. The new Table shall not be
liable for payment of Annual Fees, Levies or Entrance Fees for such Tablers holding
dual membership.

Section 8 : Active Members on Transfer

a)

Active Tablers wishing to join another Table, either due to reasons of transfer of
residence from one city to another or for any other reason, shall not be accepted into
membership of the new Table unless a no objection certificate from the parent Table is
produced. No entrance fee is payable to the Association for such transferee Tablers.
The new Table shall be liable for the Annual Fees, Levies and other dues owed to the
National Association for this new Active Tabler only after the date of joining this
Table.

b)

In the case of Tablers who have resigned or who were dismissed from a Table joining
another Table, membership to such ex-Tablers shall be granted only if the no objection
certificate is obtained from the previous parent Table. Entrance fee is not payable if
the Tabler rejoins the Table movement within a period of 2 years from the date of his
resignation or dismissal.

Section 9 : Classification
a)

As far as possible Tables should endeavor not to have more than 2 Active Tablers
from the same profession.

b)

In the event of a member of a Table leaving one city to another he shall,

notwithstanding that his classification is filled, be eligible to become a member of
another Table.

Section 10 : Leave of absence

a) (i)
An Active Tabler changing his residence from one city to another shall
be entitled to leave of absence for a maximum period of six months from the
Table in which he is in current membership and at the expiration of this period his
membership of Round Table shall cease if he has not been accepted into
membership of another Table.
(ii)
Leave of absence may also be given for Table meetings at the discretion
of the Table in cases of Active Tablers being out of station or for personal illness.
Leave of absence granted under this sub-clause shall be at the discretion of the
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Table and shall be considered only for purposes of quorum as per Section 14 e of
this Article and not for calculation of attendance as required under Section 11 c.
b) (i)
All Active Tablers on leave of absence are considered to be on the roll of
the Table and the Table is liable to the Association for all Annual Fees, Levies and
any other dues for such Tablers.
(ii)

Tablers on leave of absence are entitled to vote by proxy.

Section 11 : Cessation of Membership

Active membership in the Table shall cease on the happening of any of the following events :
a) On June 30 of the Table financial year in which he completes the age of forty,
provided that such retiring Tabler will be eligible to attend but not vote at Table,
or Table Executive Meetings upto and including the Table Annual General
Meeting immediately following and that any member of the World Council Board,
National, or Table Executive who is due to retire under this clause shall continue
as such until his successor takes office at the first constitutional moment.
b) In the case of a Table Chairman, Association or World Council President or World
Council Regional Chairman who completes 40 years on or before June 30 of the
Table financial year he will continue as such until his successor takes office at the
first constitutional moment and will then be permitted to succeed to the post of
Immediate Past Chairman, Immediate Past President of the Association or
Immediate Past President of World Council or Immediate Past World Council
Regional Chairman respectively for a period of one year at the end of which his
membership in Round Table will cease. Such persons will also not be eligible to
vote at all meetings after the June 30 referred to above.
c) After less than 60 per cent attendance or 15 meetings, whichever is less, by an
Active Tabler at all meetings of the Table including the Ordinary, Special and
Annual General Meetings held during the Tables fiscal year, unless explanation
of such absence shall be made to the satisfaction of the Table or the Table
Executive. Provided that for the purpose of this rule attendance during the same
fiscal year at a World Council Conference, other Regional or Special Meetings of
the World Council, National Executive, Ordinary or Special or Annual General
Meetings of any Round Table (or of any proposed Round Table consent for the
formation of which has been given by the Association) shall be taken into account.
Leave of absence granted under Section 10a(i) above, for any meeting shall be
excluded from the total meetings before calculating the 60 per cent. For the
purpose of calculation of attendance under this rule the total number of Table
meetings taken for calculation shall not exceed 24.
All members of the Table Executive, Immediate Past Chairman and Immediate
Past President referred to in clause a & b above are considered as Active
Tablers of their respective Tables for purposes of payment of Annual Fees, Levies
etc. to the Association. These Active Tablers though not eligible to vote at Table
meetings are however eligible to attend and carry proxies at Table or Association
meetings. The National Executive/ Executive referred to in clause a above

19

though not eligible to vote at Table meetings, is eligible to vote as a National

Executive on behalf of his Table at Association/ Meetings.
For the purpose of this Article completed means a person born on June 1, 1960
will complete 40 years on June 1, 2000.
d) On the death, resignation, criminal conviction involving moral turpitude or
insanity of any member.

Section 12 : Conduct of Members

a) (i)
Any Tabler disregarding any rule or regulation of the Table, or being
guilty of conduct inimical to the interest of the Table, or the Association or who
does not take part and show sufficient interest in Table activities may be expelled
from membership at a meeting of the Table of which at least 30 days prior written
representation to the Table Chairman or Secretary has been given.
(ii)
On a motion for expulsion being passed the Tabler shall cease to be a
member of the Round Table Movement. The Table shall then inform all other
Tables in the Association of the expulsion of the Tabler.
(iii)

Such expelled Tablers shall not have a right to appeal to the Association.

b) (i)
Any grievance of any member of the Association relating to the activities
of the Association shall be referred to the ASSOCIATION who shall thereafter
appoint an Arbitration Committee in the immediately following meeting of the
ASSOCIATION.
(ii)
The Committee shall consist of 3 persons who are Active Tablers or have
been Active Tablers.
(iii)
The Committee shall thereafter make necessary inquiries and submit its
ruling to the ASSOCIATION at the next meeting of the ASSOCIATION or 60
days from their appointment whichever is later.
(iv)
The procedure to be followed at the inquiry shall be determined by the
Committee so appointed.
(v)
Any party aggrieved by the ruling of the Committee shall have a right of
appeal to the General Body and such appeal shall be submitted to the
ASSOCIATION within 30 days from the receipt of the ruling. In the event no
appeal is preferred within the stipulated time, then the decision of the committee
shall be final and binding on all parties concerned.
(vi)
The appeal so received shall be listed for discussion at the National
Annual General Meeting immediately following therefrom notwithstanding any
rule or provision in the Constitution of the Association.
(vii)

The decision of the General Body at such Annual General Meeting shall

20

be final, conclusive and binding on all parties to the dispute and no court of law
shall have jurisdiction and entertain any dispute in connection therewith.
(viii) Notwithstanding anything contained in Article VII Section 12 clause a
of the Constitution, any action by a Member of the Association contrary to the
priorities outlined above shall be deemed to be a conduct inimical to the interests
of the Association and such members shall be subject to expulsion from the
membership of the Association by the Table, or ASSOCIATION.

Section 13 : Officers and Management

a) The officers of the Table will be, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer
and Immediate Past Chairman. The first four shall be active Tablers who shall be
elected by the Table and the Immediate Past Chairman shall be an officer by
virtue of being the Chairman at the conclusion of the last annual General meeting
when hands over the Jewel of Office. They shall take office at the annual General
meeting and shall continue till their successors take Office at the first
constitutional moment.
b) The business of the Table shall be conducted by the Table Executive which may
constitute the Officers of the Table referred to above and 4 elected Convenors all
of whom shall be Active Tablers and at the discretion of the Table, the immediate
Past Chairman.
c) The Table may from time to time appoint the other Active Tablers to hold such
Offices as may be desirable and the Table Executive at its discretion may invite
them permanently for the period of their office or temporarily as it may otherwise
decide to serve as members of the Executive.
d) A Tabler cannot serve for more than two consecutive years on the Table Executive
except as an Officer or as the Immediate Past Chairman, unless specific sanction
for the same has been given by the Table at the Table AGM in which the candidate
is taking over office.
e) A Tabler cannot be elected or re-elected to an Office for more than two
consecutive years.
f) All members of the Table Executive subject to Section 11, clauses a and b of
this Article shall be entitled to exercise a vote on all matters decided by the Table
Executive except that the Chairman presiding shall have a casting vote only.
g) The Table shall have power to fill vacancies in Offices and the Table Executive
occurring between Annual General Meetings.
h) The Executive shall have powers to form all necessary sub-committees and to coopt Active Tablers to serve thereon. Such sub-committees shall report regularly to
the Executive. Under no circumstances shall the Table Executive commit the
Table to any act of service or to support financially or otherwise for charitable or
other projects without the approval of the majority of the Active Tablers present at
a Table meeting at which such project or projects shall have been previously
discussed.

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i)

The Table shall elect according to its rules two Active Tablers to serve as its
National Delegates to represent the Table at Association meetings.

j)

The National Delegates, if they are not already in the Executive shall attend
Executive meetings.

k) No person shall be elected or appointed as a member of the Table Executive or

National Delegate or appointed as a convenor of any committee of the Table if he
shall have completed the age of 40 years on or before June 30 in the Table fiscal
year in which the election or appointment shall take place, except as otherwise
provided in the Constitution.
l)

The members of the National Executive and any Active Tabler who serves on any
Committee shall serve without any remuneration.

m) Officers of the Table for the subsequent year shall be elected before June 15 th
every year. The names of the elected officers should be communicated to the
National Executive before June 30th.

Section 14 : Meetings
a) The Table shall meet at least 24 times each year including the Annual General
Meeting.
b) The Table financial year shall be from July 1 to June 30 following.
c) The Annual General Meeting of the Table must be held on or before August 15 th.
d) At any meeting of the Table or Table Executive or at any of its sub-committees
only Active Tablers of the Table shall be eligible to vote.
e) The quorum for Ordinary, Special and Annual General Meetings of the Table must
be at least 40 per cent of the total Active membership or 50 per cent of the Active
Membership reduced by those on leave of absence whichever is higher. The 50
per cent requirement shall be calculated as follows :
Total Active Membership - Leave of Absence
2
f) On all matters except those pertaining to approval or election of new members the
Chairman of the meeting shall have a casting vote only.
g) Party politics and sectarian religion shall be excluded from all Table discussions.
h) Ladies shall only be permitted in the capacity of Speakers at any meeting.
However, they may be admitted as guests at AGMs and Special Occasion
meetings
i)

Guests including past Active Tablers shall be admitted to Table meetings only
with the permission of the Chairman presiding.

Section 15 : General

22

a) The Table shall maintain separate books of accounts as well as separate bank
accounts for charity and administrative funds. Separate financial statements shall
be prepared and submitted to the Table at each Annual General Meeting and shall
be forwarded to the association along with Form C on or before September 15th
each year.
b) All Annual fees payable by the Table shall be paid only from the administrative
funds. However payments to the Association for the Presidents Emergency Levy,
or any other levies, or requests made by the Association for funds required to be
spent on projects or community service activities, the Table may make such
payments from its charity funds.
c) The Table shall have its banner and its rules approved by the Association.
d) On a Tabler ceasing his membership of a Table he shall not be entitled to wear the
lapel badge. He may however, be permitted to retain the same as a souvenir and
may be permitted to wear and use any other Round Table personal items such as
cufflinks, car stickers, etc.
e) In the event of a Table not forming or adopting its Table Rules, the Model Table
Rules specified in the Handbook of the Association will automatically be deemed
to be implemented.
f) In order to safeguard Tables interests, Tables are recommended to provide the
following clause in their rules:
All decisions taken either unanimously or by majority by the Table in any matter
relating to the Table or Tabler shall be final and conclusive, binding on the Table
and the Tablers and the same shall not be subject to proceedings in a Court of
Law.
g) In case of any inconsistency in the Table rules the National Rules shall apply.
h) Any amendments to the foregoing obligatory provisions of the Table Rules will
automatically be deemed to be incorporated in each Tables rules from the date of
the amendment by the General Body of the Association.

Article VIII - Miscellaneous

Section 1 : Circulation of Papers
a) Minutes of any General Meeting may be passed either by circulation or at the next
General Meeting. In the event of passing by circulation such minutes shall be
deemed to have been passed if after sixty days from the date of circulation by the
Secretary no corrections or dissents are received. In the event of any corrections
being received, the same shall again be circulated and similar time periods given.
Non-receipt of a reply from a Table shall be considered as assent for this purpose.
Any Table may request that the confirmation be made only at the next General
Meeting and it shall then not be confirmed by post.
b) Any motion proposed by a Table or the National Executive not involving
amendments to the Constitution or any compulsory levies or fees on Tables or
23

Active Tablers may be passed in circulation. The Secretary shall circulate the
motion to all Tables by registered post/courier post/Email, and after a period of
sixty days the same shall be considered as passed 40% of the Full Member Tables
respond to the motion and two-thirds of the same are in favour of the Resolution,
such confirmation being received by post/courier/e-mail or in writing.

Section 2 : Procedures
a) Any procedural matters not covered in the Constitution shall be decided by the
General Body at any meeting of the Association.
b) The National Executive shall have the right to propose and introduce such other
administrative procedures/standing orders for the running of the Associations
affairs and for the execution of their responsibilities, provided that all such
procedures/standing orders shall be submitted for ratification at the next
immediate General Meeting. Provided further that in the event of non-ratification
the actions taken under this clause remain valid ab-initio.
c) In the Constitution where any mater in writing has to be sent or circulated either
to the Association or to a Table or to an Active Tabler, it shall be considered to
have been sent or circulated if it was posted, emailed or handed over on or before
the specified date.
The post mark on the envelopes or the date shown on the email shall be the
criterion for deciding the compliance to the time limit. Where the post mark is not
legible, the benefit of doubt shall be given to the addresser.

Section 3 : Amendment to Constitution

All amendments to the Constitution shall be made only at an Annual or a Special General
Meeting of the Association at which at least two-thirds of the National Delegates including
proxies present and entitled to vote are in favour of such amendments or if a poll is demanded at
least two-thirds of the votes cast are in favour of any such amendment.

Section 4:

Suspension of Constitution

a) Sections 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 of Article I cannot be suspended. Any other Article in the
Constitution can be suspended at any annual or Special General Meeting of the
Association at which at least two-thirds of the National Delegates including
proxies present and entitled to vote are in favour of such suspension.
b) No notice period is required for such motions for suspension. Such a suspension
will be valid only for the duration of the meeting at which it is made or for any
other length of time specified in the motion, whichever is less.
c) Any decisions made during the period of suspension shall be valid.
d) Any decision taken in violation of the Constitution at any meeting of the Area or
Table by suspending the constitution or otherwise will not be valid and the
24

National Executive can intervene to ensure that the rules laid in the Constitution
of Round Table Sri Lanka is adhered to.

25