Hong Kong Catholic Diocesan Schools Council

HONG KONG CATHOLIC DIOCESAN SCHOOLS COUNCIL CONSTITUTION

1. NAME (1) The name of this organization shall be “Hong Kong Catholic Diocesan Schools Council” (hereinafter referred to as “The Council”). (2) “Hong Kong Catholic Diocesan Schools” (hereinafter referred to as “Diocesan Schools”) are those establishments of education at any level whose sponsoring body is the “Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong” (hereinafter referred to as “The Diocese”). (3) In this Constitution, “The Bishop” refers to the “Diocesan Bishop”.

2. ADDRESS The registered address of the Council is: c/o Catholic Education Office 2/F Block C, 2-8 Caine Road, Hong Kong. 3. OBJECTIVES The objectives of the Council are: (1) to radiate the Gospel spirit in Diocesan Schools and to help them attain a common policy in education; (2) to promote a closer union and co-operation among these schools; and (3) to organize such activities as will enhance the mutual understanding between these schools.

4. MEMBERSHIP All Diocesan Schools are members of the Council. They are grouped into Sections as set forth in Art. 5.

5. ORGANIZATION (1) The Council shall comprise three School Sections: (a) The Kindergarten Section shall include all kindergartens. (b) The Primary Section shall include all primary schools. (c) The Secondary Section shall include all secondary schools, both day and evening. (2) Each School Section shall have its own written Regulations, which shall take effect only after the approval of the Bishop.

6. REPRESENTATION AND RIGHT TO VOTE Each Diocesan School shall have two representatives, namely its Supervisor and Principal. Each representative shall have the right to cast one vote.

7. THE PRESIDENT (1) The Bishop is the President of the Council. (2) The President shall have the power of veto in matters of faith and morals which are contrary to the teaching of the Church.

1 8. THE CHAIRPERSON (1) Duties The Chairperson shall (a) represent the Council; (b) convene and conduct the General Meeting and the meetings of the Executive Committee of the Council, and see to it that meetings are properly managed; (c) see to it that decisions are effectively carried out; and (d) compile the annual report to be presented to the General Meeting. (2) Appointment (a) Each school representative shall have the right to nominate three candidates for this post and shall submit the names in writing to the Episcopal Delegate/ Vicar for Education. (b) The full list of nominees shall be submitted to the Bishop at least one month before the General Meeting. (c) The Bishop shall appoint a Chairperson from among the nominees and announce his appointment at the General Meeting. (3) The Chairperson of the Council shall serve for two years and shall be eligible for re-appointments.

9. ORGANS The chief organs of the Council are: (1) the General Meeting of the Council; (2) the Executive Committee of the Council; and (3) the Executive Committee of each School Section, i.e. Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary.

10. THE GENERAL MEETING (1) The General Meeting of the Council is the deliberative organ of the Council. (2) The members of the General Meeting are:

2 (a) the Bishop and/or the Episcopal Delegate/Vicar for Education; (b) the Chairperson of the Council; and (c) the representatives of each member school as set forth in Art. 6 (3) Annual General Meeting and Extraordinary General Meetings (A) The Annual General Meeting shall (a) review and approve the reports of the Executive Committee of the Council; (b) review and approve the reports of the Executive Committee of the School Sections; (c) review and approve the reports of committees related to the Council when necessary; (d) determine general policies with a view to achieving the objectives of the Council; (e) approve the plans of the activities for the coming year; (f) decide on matters submitted for discussion; and (g) have the power to amend this Constitution as stated in Art. 16. (B) Extraordinary General Meetings: An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be held by order of the Bishop, or at the discretion of the Executive Committee of the Council, or at the written request of at least one-third of the representatives of member schools.

(4) General Meetings shall be held upon convocation by the Chairperson who shall also determine the place, date and time of the meetings. The notice and agenda of these meetings shall be sent to all concerned at least two weeks in advance. (5) The necessary quorum for the above General Meetings of the Council shall be a simple majority of the representatives of member schools. Decisions shall be carried by a simple majority of the members present and voting. In case of an equality of votes, the Chairperson shall have a second or casting vote.

11. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL (1) The Executive Committee is the executive organ of the Council; (2) The Executive Committee shall (a) find means and ways to achieve the objectives of the Council; (b) see to it that decisions made at the General Meetings are carried out; (c) have the power to make its own decisions in cases of urgent matters; (d) appoint ad hoc committees if and when necessary, these committees being required to send the minutes of their meetings or reports to the Executive Committee; and (e) seek the guidance of the Bishop or the Episcopal Delegate/Vicar for Education concerning the principles of Catholic education and/or important matters on education that affect the Diocese as a whole. (3) The Episcopal Delegate/Vicar for Education presides over the Executive Committee Meetings. (4) The Executive Committee shall comprise: (a) the Chairperson of the Council; and (b) the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer of each of the three School Sections. (5) The Chairperson of the Council shall ex officio be the Chairperson of the Executive Committee. (6) The Chairperson of each of the School Sections shall ex officio be Vice-Chairperson of the Executive Committee.

3 (7) The Executive Committee shall appoint from among their members a Secretary and a Treasurer. (8) The Executive Committee shall meet four times a year, or more often, if necessary. (9) The necessary quorum for the meetings of the Executive Committee shall be a simple majority of the members. Decisions shall be carried by a simple majority of the members present and voting. In case of an equality of votes, the Chairperson shall have a second or casting vote. (10) The Executive Committee shall be responsible to the Bishop in all matters.

12. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE SCHOOL SECTIONS (1) Each School Section shall have its own Executive Committee. (2) The Officers of the Executive Committee of each Section shall comprise a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, a Secretary and a Treasurer. (3) These Officers shall be elected by the member schools of their respective School Section according to the regulations as stated in Art. 5(2).

13. FUNDS The funds of the Council shall be provided by the Bishop. They shall be used only to achieve the aims of the Council and the proper running of its affairs.

14. LIABILITIES Any debts or liabilities of the Council shall be borne by the Bishop in accordance with Art. 13.

15. DISSOLUTION The Council may be dissolved only at the express order of the Bishop. In that event, any liabilities shall be borne by the Bishop and any assets shall be disposed of by him.

16. AMENDMENTS This Constitution may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the member school representatives present and voting at a General Meeting. Proposals for amendments to this Constitution must be submitted to the Executive Committee, in writing, at least one month before the General Meeting. Resolutions for amendments to this Constitution shall take effect only after the approval of the Bishop.

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I hereby approve this Constitution with effect from 12th November 2008, and repeal the former one dated 12th December 2003.

4 Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun 12th November 2008