Consultation regarding the eligibility requirements of our membership
For many years, the School Management Committee has an alumni manager (校友校董). Wah Yan College Kowloon Past Students’ Association Limited (“WYKPSA”) was responsible for organizing the election of alumni manager bi-annually.
Our School will establish the Incorporated Management Committee (法團校董會) (“IMC”) in accordance with the requirements of the Education Ordinance (Chapter 279 of the Laws of Hong Kong).
Relevant provisions of the Education Ordinance
According to the Education Ordinance:
(a) the IMC shall comprise, inter alia, one or more alumni managers;
(b) the IMC may recognize one body of persons as “recognized alumni association (認可校友會)” for the purposes of making nomination of the alumni manager;
(c) a body of person shall not be recognized as “recognized alumni association” unless, under its constitution, its membership is open to all alumni of the school;
(d) “alumnus” is defined as a person who has been a pupil of the school but is no longer such a pupil.
Both the School Management and WYKPSA have discussed with the Education Bureau of the HKSAR Government on their interpretation about the definition of “alumnus”. Their interpretation is that, a person, who has been a pupil of a school but is no longer such a pupil and regardless of how short the duration which he has studied in the school (e.g. one day, one morning or even one lesson), falls within the definition of “alumnus” for the purpose of the Education Ordinance.
Articles of Association of WYKPSA (the “Articles”)
Under the existing Articles, any alumnus of WYK who has attended our School for not less than one academic year is qualified to become a member.
Amendments to the Articles required
In light of the Education Ordinance and the establishment of IMC of our School, the Articles may have to be amended, pursuant to which the membership of WYKPSA shall be open to all alumni of our School, i.e. any person who has been a pupil of WYK, regardless of how short the duration which he has attended the class of WYK. Otherwise, WYKPSA shall not be eligible as “recognized alumni association” for the purpose of election of alumni manager. Without the status as recognized alumni association, WYKPSA can no longer organize the alumni manager election.
Issues
There are some opinions from our Exco and members that, while they agree that we should amend the definition of membership for the purposes of election of alumni manager, there is no need to adjust our eligibility requirements for other matters of WYKPSA, e.g. other welfare and election of Exco of WYKPSA, which are beyond the authority of the Education Bureau.
Possible options for WYKPSA
WYKPSA will proceed to prepare the amendments to the Articles and we would like to seek your opinion as to which of the following options you consider most appropriate:
Option 1:
Amend the definition of alumnus of WYK as “any pupil who has studied in WYK but has left WYK”. If this option is adopted, all alumni of WYK, regardless of how short the duration which he has attended our School (i.e. one day, one morning or even one lesson), shall be eligible to be members of WYKPSA and shall be eligible to (i) participate in the alumni manager election, (ii) vote at the general meetings of WYKPSA and (ii) enjoy all other welfare and rights as a member of WYKPSA, including, inter alia, being elected as Exco of WYKPSA.
Option 2:
Amend the definition of alumni of WYK as in Option 1 but authorize the Exco of WYKPSA to set special eligibility requirements for other matters of WYKPSA from time to time so far it is permitted under the laws.
Option 3
Adopt two levels of membership: Ordinary Membership and Special Membership (names may be further discussed).
Ordinary Membership:
Alumni who have studied in WYK, regardless of how short the duration which he has attended our School, are eligible to be ordinary members of WYKPSA. Ordinary members shall (i) have the right to participate in the alumni manager election and vote at the general meetings of WYKPSA but (ii) DO NOT have the right to be elected as Exco of WYKPSA nor enjoy other welfare of WYKPSA.
Special Membership:
Alumni who have studied in WYK for not less than one year are eligible to be special members of WYKPSA. Special members shall have all rights of ordinary members. Further, special members may participate in the election of Exco of WYKPSA and enjoy all other welfare of WYKPSA.
Option 4:
Remain the status quo and give up the status as “recognized alumni association” of WYK. If this option is adopted, the School will have to find another alumni organization as “recognized alumni association”.
WYKPSA will hold its annual general meeting in late May 2014 and will propose a special resolution amending its Articles.
We would be grateful if you could let us know which option you consider most appropriate on or before 30 April 2014 by filling in the reply slip below and sending the same by email to [email protected] or by fax 2801 4548. Alternatively, you may also simply send an email to [email protected] stating your preference.
Your attention to this matter is highly appreciated.