Article I – Members

SECTION 1 – CLASS OF MEMBERSHIP
There shall be 3 classes of membership – Active, Associate and Honorary – as defined in the Constitution.

 

SECTION 2 – ADMISSION
Applications for membership shall be made in writing on prescribed forms and all such applications shall be first considered by a membership Committee comprising the Chairman and any two other Committee Members to be nominated by the Committee. Upon the favourable recommendation of the Membership Committee such applications shall be presented to the main Committee for a final decision to be carried out by ballots.

In the event of a tie, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

A person, firm or company must abide by the following guide-lines to be eligible for Membership with the DIRECT SELLING ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE:-

1. Person, firm or company must be registered in Singapore and the business must have
   been in operation for one (1) year.
2. On completion of the Application Forms and presentation of documents and payment as
   required by the Association, the person, firm or company shall undergo an “Observation
   Period” of six (6) months.
3. During the “Observation Period’ the cheque shall be banked into the Association’s
   account and the person, firm or company shall be allowed to attend all functions
   organised by the Association i.e. lunch meeting, seminars, etc. with the exception of
   Executive Committee Meetings of the Association.
4. Towards the close of the ‘Observation Period’ the Membership Sub-Committee shall meet
   with the person, firm or company to explain fully the role of the Association and its
   expectations of Members.
5. Subject to the Membership Sub-Committee’s recommendations and on completion of the
   “Observation Period’, the person, firm or company shall be invited to an interview
   with the Members of the Executive Committee.
6. At that interview, the Executive Committee shall decide if the person, firm or company
 should be accepted as a Member of the Association. However, part or all of the above
   guidelines may be waived at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

SECTION 3 – REPRESENTATION
No Active Member may have more than two representatives on the Committee except with the full consent of the Committee and unless it is warranted by special circumstances.

SECTION 4- TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
A member shall cease to be a member of the Association upon:-
(a) his death, in the case of an individual;
(b) a resignation, submitted in writing and accepted in writing by the Committee;
(c) disqualification in the class of membership held;
(d) expulsion by the Committee on any valid ground;
(e) failure to pay any dues within 45 days from the due date.
Memberships are not transferable to successors in business or otherwise.

SECTION 5 – EXPULSION FROM MEMBERSHIP
The Committee may, at any regular meeting, cancel the membership of any member for any reason, if it decides that retention of such membership is not in the best interest of the association or of the direct selling industry. Before expulsion or cancellation of membership for such cause, the Committee shall give the member the opportunity to explain his conduct orally and in writing. The vote for expulsion shall carry if a majority of the Committee is present and vote, by ballot, in favour of it.

Article II – Members’ Meeting

SECTION 1
An annual general meeting of the Association shall be held at such time and place as shall be designated by the Committee. Only duly authorised persons employed by member firms and Honorary Members shall be permitted to attend. Notice of such meetings shall be mailed to each member not less than 14 days prior to the date of the meeting.

SECTION 2
An extraordinary general meeting shall be convened upon the written request of any four Active or Honorary Members. Fourteen days written prior notice, stating the purposes for which the meeting is required, shall be given to every member.

SECTION 3
At all general meetings the quorum shall be not less than 4 Active or Honorary Members or 20% of the total Active and Honorary membership whichever is lesser. In the absence of a quorum the meeting shall be adjourned for at least 14 days and those then present shall form the quorum but they shall not alter, amend or make additions to the existing rules. those then present shall form the quorum but they shall not alter, amend or make additions to the existing rules.

SectionArticle III – Dues

SECTION 1
Each member shall pay dues in accordance with the schedule fixed from time to time by the Committee and approved at a general meeting. Such dues shall be paid on 1st January or on admission. Failure to pay any dues later than 45 days from the due date may result in the member being expelled from the association. Members whose membership has been terminated shall not receive a refund of dues already paid.

SectionArticle IV – Committee Members

SECTION 1
The association shall be managed by a Committee comprising the Chairman, 1st Vice-Chairman, 2nd Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and a minimum of 2 and not more than 7 members, all of whom shall be elected at the annual general meeting. All the office bearers, except for the Treasurer who has served for two consecutive terms, may offer themselves for re-election when their term of office expires.

SECTION 2
Immediately following the annual general meeting, a regular meeting of the committee shall be held at the same place. The committee shall meet at least once in two months and notice of such meetings shall be given 7 days in advance.

SECTION 3
As provided in the Constitution, a Committee meeting may be called by the Chairman provided 3 days’ prior notice has been given.

SECTION 4
A quorum for the transaction of business at such meetings shall consist of a majority of members of the Committee. In the absence of a quorum the meeting shall be adjourned for at least 7 days and those then present shall form the quorum but they shall not alter, amend or make additions to the existing rules.

SECTION 5
Only persons actively engaged in the day-to-day operations of their respective member firms and Honorary Members shall be eligible to hold the office of committee members.

SECTION 6
Vacancies on the committee arising out of death of a person, or resignation or termination of a committee member from their respective member firms or corporations may be filled by the remaining committee members voting by a simple majority to appoint a specific person or persons selected from member firms or corporations to the committee.

SECTION 7
The Committee shall be empowered to regulate control or dispose of any property belonging to the association and to have the power to retain counsel and fix the compensation thereof and shall exercise such other powers as may be delegated to or conferred upon it by law, the Constitution of the association or the bylaws.

Article V – Officers

SECTION 1
The Chairman
The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the association and shall act as the Chief Executive of the association and in his absence, the 1st Vice Chairman shall deputise for him and in the absence of 1st Vice-Chairman, the 2nd Vice-Chairman shall deputise. In the event, the Chairman and both the Vice-Chairmen are absent, any committee member present may be elected by majority of those members present at the meeting to act on behalf of the Chairman.

The Vice Chairmen
The two Vice-Chairmen shall assist the Chairman and in the latter’s absence, 1st Vice-Chairman shall deputise for him and in the absence of 1st Vice-Chairman, the 2nd Vice-Chairman shall deputise.

The Secretary and Assistant Secretary
The Secretary shall maintain all records except that of finance of the association and shall be responsible for their correctness. He shall keep the minutes of all meetings and maintain membership lists, draw up the annual report, preserve all documents received and present at all meetings such documents as are of importance either to the association or to the members, announce all meetings and keep general records of the association. Upon the expiration of his term of office or earlier determination he shall hand over all documents and records to the successor or the Chairman. The Assistant Secretary shall assist the Secretary in all his duties.

The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer
The Treasurer shall keep all funds and collect and disburse all monies on behalf of the association and shall keep an account of all monetary transactions and shall be responsible for their correctness and the Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer in his duties. The Committee may from time to time decide on the amount that he is authorised to expend on behalf of the association for petty expenses and the maximum amount he may keep in the form of cash. He shall prepare for distribution at the annual general meeting a Statement of Account and shall report the financial position of the association at each committee meeting.

Article VI – Committees

SECTION 1
The Committee shall meet at least once in two months to deal with administration and general matters. In addition, the following specific subjects will also be included on the agenda:-

Legal and Legislative Matters
The Committee shall consider laws and regulations affecting direct selling in Singapore as well as areas outside Singapore. It will also keep track of legal action taken by government bodies, consumer groups, individuals, member companies or the association.

Consumer Relations
The Committee shall consider problems brought to its attention by bonafide consumer groups, individuals, the press or government agencies and recommend ways to deal with problems so that the interests of the members and the public are served. It will handle the public relations and code of ethics promotion activities for the association and maintain general communications within Singapore.

Article VII– Contracts, Cheques, Deposits And Funds

SECTION 1
The Committee may authorise any officer or agent of the association to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of an on behalf of the association.

SECTION 2
All cheques, drafts or other orders for payment of money, notes or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the name of the association shall be signed by such officer or agent of the association and in such matter as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Committee. In the absence of such determination, such instruments shall be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the Chairman or Secretary.

SECTION 3
All funds of the association shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the association in such banks as the Committee may elect.

Article VIII (Seal) – Article XI (Obligation Members)

Article VIII – Seal
The corporate seal of the association shall be an impression upon paper or wax of a device bearing the words, “Direct Selling Association of Singapore”.

Article IX- Financial Years
The financial year of the association shall commence on lst January and end on 3lst December in each year.

Article IX- Amendments
SECTION 1
Amendments by Members
The members of the association may at any meeting amend these bylaws by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present provided the substance of the proposed amendments shall have been stated in the notice of the meeting.

SECTION 2
Amendment by Committee Members
The committee shall have the power to alter or amend or repeal any of these bylaws by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members present provided the substance of the proposed amendments shall have been stated in the notice of the meeting.

Article XI- Obligation Members

Members shall be bound:
(a) to comply with the bylaws, regulations, committee resolutions and any code of ethics adopted by the association.
(b) on request, to furnish complete and accurate information to the Committee verbally and in writing on any subject that may be of importance in furthering the selling practices. The Committee shall maintain such information in strict confidence until the matter has been completely dealt with.

Article XII- Disciplinary Measures

In the event of violation of the bylaws, or the code of ethics, the Committee may impose the following penalties commensurate with the offence:-
(a) Reprimand
(b) Suspension
(c) Expulsion
(d) Referral to the appropriate authority for disposition

The above measures shall not be taken until the Committee has considered the matter and given the offending party an opportunity to present his defence.

The reprimand shall be transmitted to the party in writing by registered mail to its last known address on the record of the association.

Suspension may be imposed for a maximum term of one year. A suspension may be followed by expulsion if the party does not take steps to remedy the problem which give rise to the suspension. A committee member may be suspended or expelled by the membership at an extraordinary general meeting only. Such suspension or expulsion shall automatically result in immediate termination of his office on the Committee.

Facts that may be cause for suspension or expulsion are as follows:-
(a) Deliberate violations of any duly adopted code of ethics;
(b) Wilful acts which are at variance with the Constitution and bylaws;
(c) Failure to meet financial or other obligations arising from membership in the association; (d) Any other wilful act that may be detrimental to the good name or reputation of the association in the judgement of the Committee.

A resolution for suspension or expulsion shall with statement of the reasons be communicated to the party in writing without delay. The party may appeal at the next general meeting. During the term of suspension, any activity wherein use is made of the rights and privileges connected with membership in the association is prohibited. In the case of expulsion, all rights and obligations as between the association on the one hand and the party of the other hand, shall cease beginning with the date on which the resolution for expulsion is taken.

Matters which constitute a violation of law shall be referred to the proper authority for further investigation and prosecution if appropriate.