RMTA BYLAWS

  1. Membership Classes: Members of the Association shall be grouped into member classes according to their respective eligibility:
    1. Full member
    2. Inactive member
    3. Associate member
    4. Honorary member
  2. Eligibility

    3. 2.a) Full Membership: To become a Full member of the Association, the following qualifications must be met:

    1. be a graduate of a recognized massage therapy program with a minimum of 2200 hours of education
    2. submit proof of certification in First Aid and CPR for adults and children
    3. disclose any criminal convictions for which the Association may reserve the right to refuse membership based on related or relevant criminal convictions
    4. is responsible for behaving in accordance with the bylaws and objectives of the Association
    5. pay in advance all membership fees as required
    6. maintain Continuing Education credits as required
    7. maintain insurance coverage as required

    2.b) Inactive Membership: To become an Inactive member of the Association the following qualifications must be met:

    1. be a graduate of a recognized massage therapy program with a minimum of 2200 hours of education
    2. disclose any criminal convictions for which the Association may reserve the right to refuse membership based on related or relevant criminal convictions
    3. is responsible for behaving in accordance with the bylaws and objectives of the Association
    4. pay in advance all membership fees as required
    5. wishes to maintain membership in the Association but is no longer billing for massage treatments
    6. does not require insurance coverage

    2.c) Associate Membership: To become an Associate member of the Association the following qualifications must be met:

    1. will have completed a minimum of 1000 hours of education from a recognized massage therapy program
    2. will be enrolled in a second year (1200 hour minimum) recognized massage therapy program that when completed will meet the requirements necessary for full membership.
    3. will operate within the scope of practice of their current level of training
    4. is responsible for behaving in accordance with the bylaws and objectives of the Association
    5. pay in advance all membership fees as deemed necessary by the Association
    6. disclose any criminal convictions for which the Association may reserve the right to refuse membership based on related or relevant criminal conviction
    7. maintain insurance coverage as required

    2.d) Honorary Membership: Honorary member status may be bestowed by the board upon a massage therapist who has retired or any member or non-member who has by meritorious service supported the Association and its objectives.

  3. Rights of Membership
    1. all members have the right to receive information from the Association regarding Annual Meetings, Special Meetings, newsletters and any other news regarding the Association as a whole
    2. Full members have the right to attend, speak and vote at Annual Meetings and Special Meetings
    3. all other members may attend Annual Meetings and Special Meetings by invitation only. Invited members may attend and observe, but may not participate in speaking or voting at the meeting(s).
  4. Fees: All membership and remuneration rates shall be established by the Board annually.
    1. membership fees are paid annually and are due on or before October 31 for the following year
    2. members in arrears will have their membership cancelled effective Jan 1 of the following year
    3. mid year application fees will be prorated
  5. Withdrawal: Any member wishing to withdraw membership may do so upon notice in writing to the Association.
  6. Cancellation of Membership: A membership is automatically cancelled if:
    1. a FULL member does not attend at least one Annual General Meeting (AGM) in a three-year period
    2. a FULL member does not meet the Continuing Education requirements.
    3. any member does not behave in accordance with the bylaws and objectives of the Association
    4. any member is in arrears of fees
    5. an Associate member does not update their documentation in the required time period
    6. a Full or Associate member does not maintain adequate insurance coverage
  7. Expulsion:
    8. A member may be expelled by the Board following a hearing before the Disciplinary Committee as provided in these By-laws. The said committee if any, shall determine the terms and conditions of expulsion and if available, conditions for reinstatement.

    Board of Directors

  8. Composition: The Board of Directors shall be composed of the following individuals:
    1. President
    2. Vice President
    3. Past President
    4. Secretary
    5. Treasurer
    6. Historian

    8.a) The President shall:

    1. be responsible for chairing all meetings, or for appointing a Board member to do so
    2. preside when present at, and participate, in all meetings of the Association and of the Board
    3. be an ex-officio member of all committees
    4. have general supervision of all activities of the Association
    5. be the official spokesperson of the Association
    6. maintain the seal of the Association
    7. sign and seal all Association documentation as required

    8.b) The Vice-President shall:

    1. aid the President and serve as Chairman on sub-committees
    2. in the absence of the President, preside at any Association, Board or Committee meeting
    3. in the event of resignation or incapacity of the President, shall fulfill the President's responsibilities until the next Annual General Meeting
    4. in the event of the absence of the Secretary be responsible for recording the minutes of any regular or special meetings of the board, or for assigning a board member to do so
    5. is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the AGM and annual conference(s) with Board, Association and Committee members as required
    6. is responsible for insuring that the News and Announcements portion of the Association website is current and accurate.

    8.c) The Past President shall:

    1. attend all meetings of the Association and of the Board for a period of one year
    2. shall have the same rights and responsibilities as all other board members

    8.d) The Secretary shall:

    1. attend all meetings of the Association and the Board
    2. cause accurate minutes of all current meetings and insure that all motions and bylaw changes are recorded and resolved within the calendar year
    3. circulate agendas and previous minutes prior to relevant meetings
    4. maintain all related records of the Association
    5. forward all files older than the current and past year to the Historian

    8.e) The Treasurer shall:

    1. be responsible for any correspondence between financial institutions and the Association.
    2. properly account for all funds of the Association
    3. present a full and properly audited account of all financial transactions of the Association at the AGM.
    4. recommend and insure that the Board appoints an accountant or bookkeeper annually by motion
    5. be responsible to maintain and submit all proper financial records annually as required by the Societies Act.

    8.f) The Historian shall:

    1. maintain all association records older than the current and one previous year
    2. assist the Vice President and the Secretary with preparations for the Annual General Meeting and any related conferences
  9. Eligibility: Elected Board Members shall:
    1. hold FULL or INACTIVE membership
    2. not hold more than one elected office at a time within this Association
    3. not be employed by the Association
    4. no director, officer of the board, or member will receive remuneration for their activities, but may be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses.
  10. Employees: Employees of the Association may be utilized as required at the direction of the Board
    1. employees may attend and participate in Association functions at the direction of the Board
    2. employees shall not have voting or signing authority
  11. Term
    1. Elected Board Members may not hold office for more than four (4) consecutive years, but may be re-elected after an interim period of two (2) years.
    2. Employee positions will be evaluated annually by the Board
  12. Authority of the Board: The Board shall, subject to the by-laws or directions given them by majority vote at any meeting properly called and constituted, have full control and management of the business and affairs of the Association.
  13. Removal of Officers: Any officer may be removed from office by a majority vote of the remaining board members for cause which the board may deem reasonable, including activities which are deemed to be detrimental to the interest of or contrary to the objectives of the Association.
  14. Addition/ Replacement of Officers
    1. in the event of the resignation or removal of a board member an interim position may be appointed by the board, providing that the member meets all Board requirements.
    2. the interim position will remain in effect until the next AGM at which time elections for the regular board position will take place.
  15. Authority: Standing and Special Committees of the Association shall undertake specific responsibilities and activities designated by these by-laws and the Board.
  16. Disciplinary Committee: The Disciplinary Committee shall consist of 1 member of the Board and 4 appointed members who shall:
    1. Investigate all complaints and matters relating to the professional conduct of Members within 45 days of receiving a complaint
    2. Serve a notice of hearing in writing upon a member under investigation at least 30 days before the date of the hearing, specifying the complaint or matter under investigation in sufficient detail to enable the member to prepare an answer to the complaint or a submission on his/her behalf. The member may be represented by Council at the hearing, may call witnesses on his/her behalf, and may cross-examine witnesses called by the Committee
    3. The Disciplinary Committee is not bound by the rules of law respecting evidence applicable to judicial proceedings, but all testimony given at the hearing shall be given under oath
    4. The Disciplinary Committee shall report its findings in writing and shall notify the member investigated of the results of the hearing and the disposition of the complaint in writing not later than 30 days after the conclusion of the hearing
    5. If required, an Appeal Committee will be formed. It will consist of the remaining members of the Board who will have final say
    6. Appeals will be brought forward to the Appeal Committee within 30 days and the Appeal Committee will give notice of results within 30 days of receiving an appeal
  17. Meetings: General Meetings are to be referred to as Regular meetings hereinafter.

    18. 17.a) Annual Meeting: An Annual Meeting of the Association shall be held on or before the 31 of October each year for the purpose of election of officers, presentation of financial statements, and such other business as stated in the notice.

    17.b) Regular Meetings: The Secretary may call a regular meeting of the Association of the Board at any time, at the request of the President or Board for the conduct of any programs or business.

    17.c) Special Meetings: A Special meeting of the Association or the Board may be called by:

    1. the President or the Secretary upon receipt of a request by 20% of voting members as recorded on January 1 of the relevant year, setting forth the reasons for calling such a meeting, which shall be stated in the notice of meeting. The meeting must take place no later than 60 days after receipt of the request. No other business shall be transacted at a Special Meeting
    2. by the President or Secretary for the purpose of a Special Resolution regarding bylaw revisions as per the Societies Act
  18. Notice: Notice for meetings shall be mailed or emailed to the last known address of members:
    1. at least 21 days prior to the date of an Annual Meeting
    2. at least 21 days in advance of Regular Meetings of the Association and the Board
    3. at least 21 days prior to Special Meetings of the Association and the Board
  19. Voting: Business shall be decided by a vote with a show of hands or secret ballot upon request:
    1. any full Member may vote
    2. any duly elected Board member may vote
    3. such votes must be made in person and not by proxy
  20. Quorum: Quorum for meetings shall be:
    1. 15 voting members for the Annual Meeting
    2. 2/3 of the members for Regular and Special Meetings excluding Special Meetings for bylaw resolution as per the requirements of the Societies Act
  21. Nominations: Nominations shall be received by the Secretary at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the Annual meetings, or from the floor, provided that:
    1. the nominator is a FULL member
    2. the nominee is a FULL or INACTIVE member and has indicated that he or she is willing to allow his or her name to stand

    Finances

  22. Fiscal Year: The fiscal year of the Association shall be from January 1 to December 31.
  23. Signing Authority
    1. all board members shall have signing authority
    2. all expenses of the Association shall be paid by cheque signed by any two of the Board Members
    3. no Board Member will sign a cheque that is payable to them
  24. Audit: The books, accounts, and records of the Association shall be audited at least once each year by a duly qualified accountant or bookkeeper appointed annually by the Board .The audited report shall be made available in writing at the Annual Meeting, and be submitted annually as required.
  25. Borrowing Power: For the purpose of carrying out its objects, the Association may borrow, raise or secure the payment of money in any manner it deems fit, with the sanction of a special resolution of the Association, at the Annual Meeting.
  26. Records: Subject to the provision of the Societies Act and other applicable legislation, records, books, register of past and present members and minutes of the Association shall:
    1. be maintained for at least seven (7) years
    2. be available for inspection by a regular member upon reasonable notice in writing to the Association at a mutually agreed location

    Dissolution and By-laws Changes

  27. By-Law: The by-laws of the Association may be rescinded, amended or added to, by a special resolution as defined and prescribed in the Societies Act passed at the Annual Meeting of the Association
  28. Dissolution: The Association may be dissolved and the remaining assets donated to a registered charity at a Special Meeting of the Association's active members by passage of a Special Resolution as defined and prescribed in the Societies Act provided that 60 days notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution has been duly given.

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