PALSA
(Paralegal Association of SA)
PALSA UNION CONSTITUION
NAME : PALSA UNION
MISSION STATEMENT
We want to be instrumental in creating a better, whole and united South Africa through proactive and integral assistance and guidance of all Paralegals, Legal Secretaries and Professional Legal Assistants. To create the means for each individual South African person, irrespective of race, colour, religion or creed to become empowered in knowing their rights and in turn to become “Lead SA” citizens by example of the change they want to see. We will remain an apolitical organization at all times with the focus being on creating a balanced, united, equal and fully functioning country.
VISION STATEMENT
For all members to be in a position to know their rights and have their rights upheld through the support of the organization PALSA
To support, assist and guide each member so that they are able to achieve this for themselves and, in turn, the clients they serve and the citizens of South Africa.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective is to build and grow an organization that is efficient and effective in ways that allow the fulfillment of the Vision and Mission statements. This will be achieved through representation, information, training, YOUTUBE, Social Media, email, brochures, booklets and various other means.
POWERS
The Organization will have all the powers afforded a union. It is the intention of the Organization to become involved in and also to lobby for ways to add to, improve and increase or decrease these powers where they will best serve the interests of its member, resulting in a broader and effective organizational structure. This in turn will lead to a greater empowerment of the people of South Africa through PALSA.
ORGANIZATIONAL HANDBOOK MANUAL
Booklets will be drawn up incorporating all the information within this constitution as well as setting out all the rules
and criteria for each Committee member and general member of the organization. Any changes or amendments to
the Handbook will be done in accordance with the guidelines as setout therein.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
CHAIRMAN
GENERAL SECRETARY
ORGINISATION SECRETARY
TREASURER
OTHER POSITIONS
To be decided upon and elected in the first General Meeting
POWERS
The Executive Committee is the controlling body which works with and accounts to the Registered Association PALSA, and is responsible for the functioning, overseeing and roll out of all aspects of the organization in all regards.
SUB STRUCTURES AND OTHER COMMITEES
NATIONAL
PROVINCIAL
REGIONAL
WOMEN
YOUTH
DISABLED
PENSIONERS
TRADITIONAL
To be formalized within the first 12 months.
MEETINGS
Annual General Meeting x1 per year
General Meeting x2 per year
Executive/National x2 per year
Provincial x3 per year
Regional x1 per month
Other 2 or4 per year
QUORUM (ALL MEETINGS)
For a quorum to be in place, no less than 2/3 of the relevant committee’s members must be present. In the event that there is not a quorum, the meeting must be adjourned and reconvened within ten days, calling on all absent members to attend.
Failure of a member to attend both meetings without a valid reason, or not having excused themselves timeously, will result in the member being removed from their position. They will be entitled to lodge an appeal within FIVE (5) working days, which appeal will be heard by the Executive Committee.
RESOLUTIONS AND VOTING RULES
To be decided upon in the first General Meeting. In the meantime generally accepted standard and legal rules will
apply.
NOTICES
Notices between Committee members will be per email or fax only.
EXECUTIVE
NATIONAL
PROVINCIAL
REGIONAL
WOMEN
YOUTH
DISABLED
PENSIONERS
TRADITIONAL
Notices in regard to meetings will be made through the following means;
Annual General Meeting x1 per year
Traditional Main Stream Newspapers, Group email to ALL Committee members. Members will be notified by email
fax or SMS to organizational members. We will also post on FB, Twitter and make announcements on the Radio
where best so suited.
General Meeting x2 per year
Traditional Main Stream Newspapers, Group email to ALL Committee members. Members will be notified by email
fax or SMS to organizational members. We will also post on FB, Twitter and make announcements on the Radio
where best so suited.
Executive/National x2 per year
Provincial x3 per year
Regional x1 per month
Other 2/4 per year
A Group email to be sent to ALL Committee members. Members will be notified by email or Fax or SMS.
MINUTES
Besides the Standard Typed Minutes each meeting will be recorded and a MP3 of the meeting sent out to the relevant attending or pertinent members. The Secretary will be responsible for the recording, distributing, collecting and keeping copies of all meeting records. Typed minutes will be reduced to highlights and bullet points or short
sentences.
In the future all minutes will be translated into at least 3 languages of the main stream as used in South Africa.
URGENT ACTION/MEETINGS
Urgent Action or Urgent Action Meetings will be called for in the event of a situation or matter that requires immediate attention or action. The rules for this will be set out in the Organisational Manual.
RESOLUTIONS AND SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS
In Accordance with the rules as set out in the Organizational Handbook
OFFICE BEARERS
The rules, terms, electing, substituting, dismissing and or disciplining of office bearers will be according to the Organizational Handbook
MEMBERSHIP FEES
Initial Fee’s will be at a fixed rate for the first 6 months. Thereafter a sliding and / or escalating scale of membership will be offered with varying benefits. A percentage of all fees received will be utilized for community based projects both human and animal. A further percentage of all fees will be utilized towards the needs of members. The above will be in accordance with the regulations and criteria as set out in the Organizational Handbook.
BANKING DETAILS
BANK A Bank Account will be opened and the details recorded shortly.
SIGNATORIES General Secretary and or Treasurer Amounts under R50 000-00
Amounts over R50 000-00 will be made according to adopted negotiations
YEAR END August
FINANCIALS Yearly Audit
ANNUAL REPORT
Release date to be determined in First General Meeting.
INDEMNITY AND POWER TO INDEMNIFY
To be addressed in First General Meeting
MEMBERS
Anyone who works in the field of being a Paralegal, a Legal Secretary or a professional Legal Assistant and who signs a membership form, pays their monthly dues and complies with the requirements as set out in the Handbook is entitled to become a member of the organization.
AFFILIATES
Affiliate Members and Organizations will be considered in the future, in accordance with the Organizations Vision and Mission statements, as well as in fulfillment of the criteria as set out in the Handbook. In certain instances a vote from the Executive and National Committees will be required for approval of an affiliate.
STRIKES, PROTEST, PICKETING, LOCK OUT OR SIT DOWNS.
The rules and conditions for any of the aforementioned will be in strict accordance with those as set out in the Handbook and also in conjunction with the rule of the land, common law and Human and Constitutional Rights.
MARKETING
All marketing will be done at all times in an honest, just and sincere manner. No spin Doctors or Hyped up Media Marketing campaigns designed only to “Sell” or promote the organization by any means, will be tolerated. All promotion of the organization will be done based on good faith, facts and a genuine desire to inform members and
the public of the happenings or other events within the organization. All those involved in Marketing within or recruited/hired by the organization will adhere to these principles as well as those set out in the Handbook.
MEDIA
The same principles will apply as for Marketing. All media interaction will at all times be based on facts, truth and transparency. Press releases, interviews or other media campaigns will be approved by the relevant regulatory authority within the organization and in accordance with the rules as set out in the Handbook. Any personal opinion is to be stated as such, and not that of the collective organization. Any Sensationalism or manipulation in the media, by any union or committee member in any way or by whatsoever means, will not be accepted and will carry a zero tolerance policy from the Executive Committee.
Helpful Links
Social Workers:
Helpful Links