General
1. Name
1.1 The name of the Party shall be the “Progress Singapore Party”, hereinafter referred to as the “Party”.
2. Place of Business
2.1 Its place of business shall be at 170 UPPER BUKIT TIMAH ROAD,#14-04, SINGAPORE 588179 or such other address as may subsequently be decided upon by the Central Executive Committee and approved by the Registrar of Societies. The Party shall carry out its activities only in places and premises which have the prior written approval from the relevant authorities, where necessary.
Index:
- Our Vision
- Our Ideals, Principles and Values
- Our Objects
- Membership matters
- Party Conference
- Party General Meeting
- The CEC
- Amendments to Constitution
- General Matters
Our Vision
3. Vision
3.1 To be a strong, credible and enduring Party that serves the interests of Singapore and its people.
Our Ideals, Principles and Values
4.1 Ideals
The Party’s ideals are those represented by the 5 stars on the Singapore National Flag (in alphabetical order):
(1) Democracy
(2) Equality
(3) Justice
(4) Peace
(5) Progress
4.2 Principles
The Party’s core principles are:
(1) Transparency
(2) Accountability
(3) Independence
4.3 Values
The Party’s values are:
(1) Compassion
(2) Discipline
(3) Diversity
(4) Integrity
(5) Teamwork
(6) Respect
(7) Commitment
Our Objects
5. Objects
5.1 The Party’s objects are:
(1) To preserve, protect and defend Singapore.
(2) To uphold and preserve the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (hereinafter referred to as the “Constitution of Singapore”), safeguarding the rights, freedom and well-being of Singaporeans.
(3) To uphold, foster and protect a plural society for all to live in harmony.
(4) To build a thriving and flourishing economy for Singaporeans.
(5) To ensure progress and sustainability for Singapore and Singaporeans.
(6) To empower and enable every Singaporean to achieve their aspirations and full potential.
(7) To foster community support and ensure government support for the vulnerable and less fortunate.
(8) To serve all Singaporeans equally, responsively and responsibly, attentive to immediate concerns, focused on
long-term challenges and opportunities, and governing with integrity and honesty.
(9) To create and maintain co-operation with all local and international lawful associations for the benefit of Singapore and Singaporeans.
(10) To uphold and apply the Party’s core principles in all matters.
Membership Matters
6. Membership
6.1 Applicants are only considered eligible for party membership under the following conditions:
(1) Must be a Singapore citizen;
(2) Must not be less than 17 years of age;
(3) Must agree to comply with the Party’s Constitution;
(4) Must accept all membership conditions; and
(5) Must not be a member or have any affiliation with any other political party.
6.2 Cadre members will be selected from the Party membership.
6.3 Only Cadre members who are above 21 years of age shall have the right to vote and to hold office in the Central Executive Committee.
6.4 Every member shall be loyal to Singapore and uphold the Constitution of Singapore.
6.5 Every member must accept and subscribe to the Constitution, code of conduct, principles and policy of the Party.
7. Conditions of Membership
Election of Members
7.1 Application for membership shall be made in writing to the Secretary-General of the Party and shall be considered by the Central Executive Committee.
7.2 It shall be the duty of the Central Executive Committee in exercising its powers of election to consider carefully the suitability of the applicant for admission as a member, having regard to the objects of the Party.
7.3 An applicant shall be elected if a simple majority of the members of the Central Executive Committee vote in favour of his election
7.4 The Central Executive Committee may reject any application for membership without assigning any reason.
7.5 Upon the election of a member, notice in writing thereof shall be given to him, and he shall be furnished with a copy of the Constitution of the Party and a request to pay to the Treasurer within 14 days from the date of such request, the amount of his first subscription. Upon payment of his subscription but not before, he shall become a member of the Party, and be bound by the Constitution.
7.6 If the first subscription is not paid within 14 days from the date of such request as aforesaid, the election of such member could be void at the discretion of the Central Executive Committee.
7.7 All members shall have the right to attend Party General Meetings.
Appointment to Cadre Membership
7.8 A member shall be appointed as a Cadre member if a simple majority of the Central Executive Committee vote in favour of his or her appointment.
7.9 A member shall be removed as a Cadre member if two-thirds or more of the Central Executive Committee vote in favour of his or her removal
7.10 Only Cadre members shall have the right to attend Party Conferences and to vote for and elect and to be elected to the Central Executive Committee.
7.11 Any Cadre member who is absent for two consecutive Party Conferences without having given sufficient reason(s) may have his Cadre membership terminated by the Central Executive Committee. Before taking a decision, the Central Executive Committee shall send the member a written notice (or its equivalent) requesting him to submit his explanation for such absence within a reasonable time. The Central Executive Committee shall give due consideration to his explanation. In the event that the Cadre Member fails to provide such explanation, the Central Executive Committee shall proceed to deal with the termination of his Cadre membership in his absence.
7.12 A member whose cadre membership is thus terminated shall, however, continue to be a non-Cadre member of the Party.
8. Subscription Fees
8.1 The annual subscription for all Members shall be SGD$10/-, or such other amount determined by the Central Executive Committee from time to time.
8.2 All annual subscriptions shall be payable on the anniversary date of the member joining the Party.
8.3 If any member shall fail to pay his subscription within two months of such subscription becoming due, a written notice shall be sent to him calling his attention thereto, and if he does not pay the amount within two months from such notice, the Central Executive Committee may terminate his membership of the Party. But if at any time he, shall give to the Central Executive Committee a satisfactory explanation, he may, at the discretion of the Central Executive Committee, and upon payment of all arrears, be re-admitted as a Member.
9. Resignation of Member
9.1 Any member may resign his membership by giving to the Secretary-General one month’s notice in writing to that effect, provided that any member giving such notice shall be liable to pay his subscription up to and including the current year in which such notice is given.
10. Demotion, Suspension or Termination of a Member
10.1 It shall be the duty of the Central Executive Committee if, at any time, it shall be of the opinion that the interests of the Party so require, to consider the question of the suspension or expulsion of any member or demotion of any Cadre member at a Central Executive Committee meeting . If at such meeting two-thirds of the members of the Central Executive Committee present and voting for his suspension, demotion or expulsion, he shall thereupon be suspended for such period as the Central Executive Committee may specify or cease to be a member or a Cadre member as the case may be of the Party.
10.2 A member expelled under Article 10.1, may within one month of the notification of the decision, appeal to the Special Party Conference against the decision of the Central Executive Committee. The decision of the Special Party Conference shall be final.
Party Conference
11. Party Conference
11.1 The supreme authority of the Party is vested in a Party Conference of the Cadre Members.
11.2 The Party Conference shall meet once in every two years within 6 months from the close of the financial year.
11.3 Only members of the Party who have been appointed as Cadre members shall be entitled to be present and to vote at Party Conferences.
11.4 At other times, a Special Party Conference must be called by the Chairman on the request in writing of not less than 51% of the total Cadre membership, and may be called any time by order of the Central Executive Committee. The notice in writing shall be given to the Secretary-General setting forth the business that is to be transacted. The Special Party Conference shall be convened within 2 months from receiving this request to convene the Special Party Conference. Only members of the Party who have been appointed as Cadre members shall be entitled to be present and to vote at Special Party Conferences.
11.5 If the Central Executive Committee does not within 2 months after the date of the receipt of the written request proceed to convene the Special Party Conference, the Cadre members who requested for the Special Party Conference shall convene the Special Party Conference by giving 10 days’ notice to Cadre members setting forth the business to be transacted.
11.6 A quorum of at least 20% of the total Cadre membership’s presence is required at all Party Conferences and Special Party Conferences.
11.7 In the event of there being no quorum at the commencement of a Party Conference, the Party Conference shall be adjourned for half an hour and should the number then present be insufficient to form a quorum, those present shall be considered a quorum, but they shall have no power to amend any part of the Party’s existing Constitution.
11.8 The Agenda of every Party Conference shall include, but are not limited to:
(a) Receive from the Central Executive Committee the Report and Accounts of the work of the Party;
(b) Elect a Central Executive Committee;
(c) Appointment of Auditor or two Honorary Auditors;
(d) Decide on any resolutions which may be submitted or approved for consideration by the Central Executive Committee. 11.9 All decisions of the Party Conference shall be binding on all the Party’s members.
Party General Meeting
12. Party General Meeting
12.1 Whenever the Central Executive Committee deems it necessary, it may convene a Party General Meeting at such time and with such agenda as the Central Executive Committee shall determine.
12.2 At least three weeks before the date fixed for a Party General Meeting, the Secretary-General shall inform all members in writing of the date fixed for the Party General Meeting.
12.3 At least one week before the Party General Meeting, the Secretary-General shall notify all members of the business to be transacted.
12.4 A Party General Meeting shall not involve matters that require voting process.
12.5 A quorum is not required for Party General Meeting
The CEC
13. Management of the Party
Election of the Central Executive Committee:
13.1 The term of office of the Central Executive Committee is 2 years and it shall take effect from its election at the Party Conference and co-option by the Central Executive Committee until the conclusion of the following Party Conference.
13.2 The Central Executive Committee shall consist of not more than eighteen (18) Cadre members of whom a maximum of twelve (12) shall be elected at the Party Conference and shall hold office until the conclusion of the following Party Conference. They shall be eligible for re-election. The Central Executive Committee shall have the power to co-opt not more than six (6) members to the Central Executive Committee who shall hold office until the conclusion of the following Party Conference.
13.3 The Central Executive Committee shall elect, from amongst its members, the office-bearers for the posts of Chairman, Secretary-General and Treasurer. In addition, the Central Executive Committee may elect from amongst its members, the office-bearers for the posts of Vice-Chairman, Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Treasurer or such other posts as it deems necessary to establish.
13.4 The first Central Executive Committee shall be co-opted by the Convenors (or “founding members”) on the adoption of this Constitution, and the inaugural meeting of this Party at which this Constitution shall be first adopted shall be deemed to be the Party’s first Party Conference.
13.5 Any changes in the Central Executive Committee shall be notified to the Registrar of Societies within 2 weeks of the change.
14. Duties and Responsibilities of the Central Executive Committee
14.1 The Central Executive Committee shall be the body responsible for the administration of the affairs of the Party under the authority and direction of the Party Conference.
14.2 The Central Executive Committee shall have power to do all acts, either general or specific, on behalf of the Party between one Party Conference of the Party and the next but it must report its activities to the Party Conference.
14.3 The Central Executive Committee shall make such Bylaws as it considers necessary for the proper administration and discipline of the Party.
14.4 The Central Executive Committee shall propose to the Party Conference, such amendments to the Party’s Constitution as may be, deemed desirable and necessary.
14.5 If two-thirds or more of the members of the Central Executive Committee shall resign simultaneously, the Secretary-General shall call a Special Party Conference for the purpose of forming a new Central Executive Committee and the appointment of new members. Until the new Central Executive Committee shall have been reconstituted, the members of the Central Executive Committee who resigned shall continue to administer the affairs of the Party.
14.6 The Central Executive Committee shall meet as and when necessary to manage the affairs, administration and operations of the Party, and whenever necessary to examine the account books and Party records.
The quorum for meetings of the Central Executive Committee shall be more than fifty per cent of Central Executive Committee members present. Minutes shall be kept of all the meetings of the Central Executive Committee.
The Chairman and Vice-Chairman
14.7 The Chairman shall have the right to call meetings of the Central Executive Committee.
14.8 All duties, powers and responsibilities of the Chairman of the Party shall, in his absence, devolve upon the Vice-Chairman or a Chairman elected by the Central Executive Committee.
The Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary-General
14.9 The Secretary-General of the Party shall be responsible for summoning Party Conferences, Special Party Conferences and Party Congresses and all meetings of the Central Executive Committee.
14.10 The Secretary-General shall conduct its correspondences under the directions of the Central Executive Committee and shall keep an up-to-date Register of members at all times.
14.11 The Secretary-General shall keep all members fully informed of all important activities of the Central Executive Committee. He shall keep minutes of all Party Conferences, and any special minutes of the Party Congresses, and of any Special Party Conferences and of the meetings of the Central Executive Committee.
14.12 At least one calendar month before the date fixed for the Party Conference, the Secretary-General shall inform Cadre members in writing of the date fixed for the Party Conference.
14.13 The Assistant Secretary-General shall assist the Secretary-General in the discharge of his duties, powers and responsibilities and in the absence of the Secretary-General shall act in his place.
The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer
14.14 The Treasurer shall be responsible for all the funds of the Party and shall issue receipts for all payments made to the Party.
14.15 Notice shall be given by the Treasurer to all members whose subscriptions are in arrears.
14.16 The Treasurer shall open such a banking account as the Central Executive Committee may direct and shall deposit therein all monies received by him on behalf of the Party.
14.17 All cheques and other financial instruments shall be duly signed by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer and one of two other signatories authorised by the Central Executive Committee.
14.18 The Treasurer shall be responsible for drawing up the Financial Statement and Accounts for presentation to the Party Conference.
14.19 The term of office for the Treasurer shall be limited to not more than two consecutive terms.
14.20 The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer in the discharge of his duties, powers and responsibilities and in the absence of the Treasurer shall act in his place.
Central Executive Committee Members
14.21 Central Executive Committee Members shall assist in the general administration of the Party and perform duties assigned by the Central Executive Committee from time to time.
15. Powers of The Central Executive Committee
15.1 The Central Executive Committee shall have power to appoint a member to fill any vacancy on the Central Executive Committee until the next Party Conference.
15.2 The Central Executive Committee shall have the power to appoint sub-committees with powers to co-opt members into the sub-committees. Such sub-committees shall be responsible to the Central Executive Committee.
15.3 The Central Executive Committee shall have the power to appoint, pay and dismiss staff employed by the Party.
15.4 The Central Executive Committee shall have power, on behalf of the Party to purchase, take on lease or in exchange, license, hire or otherwise, acquire, movable or immovable property of any kind in furtherance of the objectives and administration of the Party and to exchange, lease or license of any movable or immovable property or interest thereon on such terms as may be considered expedient and necessary.
15.5 The Central Executive Committee shall be empowered to borrow for the purposes of the Party such amount of money either from time to time and to enter into such agreements for the above purpose and to give such security as may be necessary.
15.6 The Central Executive Committee shall have the power, on behalf of the Party, to build, construct, improve, develop and maintain any property necessary or convenient for the purposes and objectives of the Party.
15.7 The Central Executive Committee shall have the power, on behalf of the Party, to sign and execute all deeds, documents and other instruments of every nature and kind whatsoever for carrying out the purposes and administration of the Party.
15.8 The Central Executive Committee shall have the power, on behalf of the Party, to accept, undertake or execute any trust or gift which may be deemed to be in accordance with or which may further or benefit the objectives of the Party or any of them.
15.9 The Central Executive Committee shall organise and maintain Party’s funds for the administration, operations and or purpose of the Party.
15.10 In any event when the Central Executive Committee is required to cast its votes, and in the event where the total votes cast by the Central Executive Committee is split equally, the Secretary-General shall be given the authority to cast an additional vote to break the tie in the number of votes cast.
16. Trustees
16.1 If the Party at any time acquires any immoveable property, such property shall be vested in trustees subject to a declaration of trust.
16.2 The trustees of the Party shall:
a) Not be more than 4 and not less than 2 in number.
b) Be elected by a Party Conference of Cadre Members.
c) Not effect any sale or mortgage of property without the prior approval of the Party Conferenceof Cadre Members.
16.3 The office of the trustee shall be vacated:
a) If the trustee dies or becomes a lunatic or of unsound mind.
b) If he is absent from the Republic of Singapore for a period of more than 1 year.
c) If he is guilty of misconduct of such a kind as to render it undesirable that he continues as a trustee.
d) If he submits notice of resignation from his trusteeship.
16.4 The address of each immovable property, name of each trustee and any subsequent change must be notified to the Registrar of Societies.
Amendments to Constitution
17. Amendments to the Party’s Constitution
17.1 Amendments to the Party’s Constitution shall only be made at the Party Conference.
17.2 The proposed amendments to the Constitution shall be sent in writing to the Secretary-General at least 21 days before the Party Conference.
17.3 The proposed amendments shall be circulated by the Central Executive Committee to Cadre members at least 14 days before the Party Conference.
17.4 The Party shall not amend its Constitution without the prior approval in writing of the Registrar of Societies. Any resolution proposing the repeal, addition to or amendments of any of the Articles in this Constitution at any Party Conference shall be null and void, unless two-thirds (2/3) of the Cadre members present and voting, vote in favour of such resolution.
18. Audit and Financial Year
18.2 The Financial Year of the Party shall commence on the 1st of January and end on the 31st of December. Within six months after the end of the Financial Year, the Central Executive Committee shall call the Party Conference and shall submit to it a Report with a financial statement and the duly audited accounts of the Party during its term of office.
18.3 The accounts of the Party shall be audited by an appointed firm of Public Accountants and Chartered Accountants or two elected Honorary Auditors who shall certify the correctness of the Statement of Accounts to be submitted to the Party Conference. The appointment of a firm of Public Accountants and Chartered Accountants or election of Honorary Auditors shall take place at the Party Conference. The accounts of the Party shall be audited by a firm of Public Accountants and Chartered Accountants if the gross income or expenditure of the Party exceeds $500,000 in that financial year, in accordance with Section 4 of the Societies Regulations.
19. General
19.1 No member shall, except for professional services rendered at the request of the Central Executive Committee, receive any profit, salary or emolument from the funds or transactions of the Party.
19.2 Every member shall faithfully and fully abide by every decision made by the Party Conference or by the Central Executive Committee until such time as the decision is amended or revoked. Every member shall also abide by the Party’s Code of Conduct.
20. Visitors and guests
20.1 Visitors and guests may be admitted into the premises of the Party but they shall not be admitted into the privileges of the Party. All visitors and guests shall abide by the Party’s rules and regulations.
21. Prohibitions
21.1 Gambling of any kind, excluding the promotion or conduct of a private lottery which has been permitted under the Private Lotteries Act Cap 250, is forbidden on the Party’s premises. The introduction of materials for gambling or drug taking and of bad characters into the premises is prohibited.
21.2 The funds of the Party shall not be used to pay the fines of members who have been convicted in court of law.
21.3 The Party shall not engage in any trade union activity as defined in any written law relating to trade unions for the time being in force in Singapore.
21.4 The Party shall not hold any lottery, whether confined to its members or not, in the name of the Party or its office-bearers, Central Executive Committee or members unless with the prior approval of the relevant authorities.
21.5 The Party shall not raise funds from the public for whatever purposes without the prior approval in writing from relevant authorities as required by law.
22. Interpretation
22.1 In the event of any question or matter pertaining to day-to-day administration which is not expressly provided for in this Constitution, the Central Executive Committee shall have power to use their own discretion. The decision of the Central Executive Committee shall be final unless it is reversed at a Party Conference.
23. Disputes
23.1 In the event of any dispute arising amongst members, they shall attempt to resolve the matter at a Special Party Conference in accordance with this Constitution. Should the members fail to resolve the matter, they may bring the matter to a court of law for settlement.
24. Dissolution
24.1 The Party shall not be dissolved, except with the consent of not less than three-fifths (3/5) of the total voting membership of the Party for the time being resident in Singapore expressed, either in person or by proxy, at a Party Conference convened for the purpose.
24.2 In the event of the Party being dissolved as provided above, all debts and liabilities legally incurred on behalf of the Party shall be fully discharged, and the remaining funds will be disposed of in such manner as the Party Conference may determine or donated to an approved charity or charities in Singapore.
24.3 A Certificate of Dissolution shall be given within 7 days of the dissolution to the Registrar of Societies.