The new proposed bylaws feature a new system of organization and numbering.

Organization

Several articles from the previous bylaws are moved to form integrated sections, making the document easier to read and use.

Numbering

The drafted bylaws feature a new system of numbering as follows:

• Article #
• Section #
• Subsection #
• Clause (letter)
• Sub-Clause (roman numerals)

For example, the first in the list of the President’s duties has an absolute reference as follows:

• Long-form: Article 6 Section 2.1 (d) i.
• Short-form: Article 6.2.1 (d) i.

Note that in the document, the article number is omitted from subsection numbering for readability. For example, the President’s role in its entirety can be referenced as Article 6.2.1 or Article 6 Section 2.1. The number beside this subsection in the list reads “2.1;” the article number is implied.

Replaces: Article 1: Definitions

Enhanced definitions section to include: Supermajority, Director(s), Region(s), the Act, Alumni, Presidential Trio, and In-Camera Session.

Removed: Delegate, Skillbuilder, Advisor.

While we recognize the importance of these terms to our organization, they mainly pertain to operations (running events) and are not needed in these Bylaws.

Replaces: Article 2: Name

New proposed article:

The name of the organization is the “Nova Scotia Secondary School Students’ Association” hereinafter known as NSSSA or the Association.

Proposed text:

We believe youth are the future and have the potential to contribute positively to our world. Through our welcoming and inspiring programs led by students, for students, we support high school students across the province to develop skills, confidence, and grow as leaders. Our Members uphold a commitment to be of service to others and their community.

Replaces: Article 5: Elections

• Changed Chief Electoral Officer to be the Past President, with a line of backups which includes: other previous Presidents, and finally, if no previous President is available, the Members can elect a Chief Electoral Officer at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to administer elections.
• Ensures Members can run and vote in elections without attending the AGM (usually during Provincial Conference) in-person.
• Sets requirements for a digital voting solution if one is used, but does not mandate electronic voting.
• Shortens nomination deadline to twelve hours before voting.
• Replaces signature by an advisor or current position holder with a nomination signatures requirement (25 for candidates for President and VP roles, 10 for Co-Premier roles).
• Protects time for speeches and Q&A before elections, and ensures Members can discuss the election openly after speeches.
• Extended election appeal window to three hours after a vote, with the Chief Electoral Officer or if available, a committee or advisor, having 12 hours to investigate and make a decision. Runoff elections are proposed to occur before the end of the AGM (provs).

Replaces:

• Article 4: Provincial Cabinet
• Article 6: Terms of Office for Provincial Cabinet Members.
• Article 7: Meetings of the Provincial Cabinet
• Article 10: Job Descriptions

This article consolidates four sections of the previous bylaws, bringing together Provincial Cabinet (PC) job descriptions, terms of office, meeting requirements, and composition.

Major changes include:

• Changes to the composition of Provincial Cabinet to rebalance power to elected roles.
  • Gala Co-Chair, Media Relations, Webmaster, Head School Rep Coordinator are removed from Provincial Cabinet and will be placed elsewhere in NSSSA.
  • Added non-voting Accessibility Liaison: optional, non-voting role to support the Accessibility Commitment.
  • Added requirement for PC ratification of appointed role candidates.
• Changes to Vice-Presidential eligibility to allow candidates in grade 12 to run, serving a term in their first-year our of school.
• Changed Conference Committee Co-Chair eligibility to allow appointments up to 12 months after graduation from high school.
• Consolidated role descriptions and PC composition sections.
  • Removed undefined language from role descriptions: “Finance Team” and “Chief Executive Officer.”
• Specific “Junior” and “Senior” Treasurer roles are defined, reflecting recent practice.
• Simplified Regional Co-Premier section by adding Region to the definitions section.
• Removed contradictions about voting rights of Directors (PC members) who are out of high school.
• Clarified terms of office and meeting frequency.
• Added process for calling special meetings of the Provincial Cabinet.
• Opens Provincial Cabinet meetings to all Members and establishes a seven day notice requirement.

Replaces: Article 8: Annual General Meeting

This proposal seeks to amend this section by:

• Adding a provision for calling Special General Meetings, including a member-driven mechanism to trigger a special general meeting.
• Ties the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to the Provincial Conference, with alternate provisions as a backup, and establishes a default agenda for the AGM.
• Sets quorum for the AGM at 150 members.
• Sets quorum for special meetings at 40 members, including three from each region and 15 not currently serving on an NSSSA cabinet or committee.
• Enhances notice requirements for the AGM and special general meetings.

Replaces: certain language from Article 4 and Article 10.

This proposal aims to add a Finance article which includes the following provisions:

• Enhances language preventing the Association from taking on debt.
• Provides for Members to appoint an auditor.
• Sets guidelines for access to financial reports.
• Changes bank account signing rights to: President, Treasurers, Provincial Advisor and Financial Advisor.
• Requires PC ratification of any contracts longer than one fiscal year.
• Sets baselines for financial controls (over $1,000 requires Treasurer approval), with Provincial Cabinet able to set further controls through Policies.
• Sets baseline levels of insurance coverage:
  • $2 million comprehensive general liability, and
  • Directors’ and Officers’ insurance.

Adds restrictions on the use of a seal, if NSSSA has one.

Replaces: Article 9: Amendments to the By-Laws

This section makes minor tweaks to the language of the former bylaw amendments section.

This new section allows Provincial Cabinet to establish policies that may aide in running the Organization. For example, the Code of Conduct and Discipline Appeals policies.

We hope this section is never needed, but its a common inclusion in Bylaws. This section defines how the Members may wind-up NSSSA.