Mess Constitution
1.Name: In this constitution and By-laws the name of the institute shall be the
“Edmonton Garrison Officers’ Mess”, hereinafter referred to as the “Mess”. The
Mess consists of one facility located at Steele Barracks, Namao, Alberta.
2.Commander: Wherever the appointment “Commander” Appears throughout the
Constitution and By-laws it will mean the Commander 3rd Canadian Division
Support Group (3 CDSG). The Commander is the final approval authority for:
a. Mess Constitution and By-laws;
b. General Mess and Mess Committee Meeting Minutes;
c. Budgets; and
d. Any and all policies, verbal and written, regulations, directives and orders
pertaining to the Mess.
3. Authority for Establishment and Operation: The Mess is established under
the authority of the Commander in accordance with QR&O 27.01. It shall be
operated pursuant to regulations. Orders and directives governing the operation of
Messes in the Canadian Forces as set out in A-AD-262-000\AG-000:The
instructions contained in this Constitution and By-laws amplify it.
4.Purpose of Operation: The Mess shall:
a. Be operated for the purpose of encouraging high esprit de corps and the
fostering of good fellowship amongst the members’;
b. Provide goods, services and amenities to the members; and
c. Receive and account for all allowances and donations that apply to it.
5. Membership: The membership of the Mess shall consist of the following
categories- as defined in CFAO 27.1:
a. Ordinary member (voting member);
b. Associate (non-voting member);
c. Honorary (non- voting member)
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6. Ordinary Membership: All Regular Force and full time Class B and C
Reservists posted to a unit supported by Edmonton Garrison are members of the
Mess Effective their COS date. All Ordinary members have one vote at General
meetings.
7. Application for Associate Membership: (Retired Officers’) This category is
for retired Officers’ of the Canadian Forces. Applicants for Associate membership;
(retired Officer category) will complete the membership application form. The
application need not be signed by a sponsor. Application will be subject to the
approval of the PMC. A certificate of service must be attached to the application
form. This membership is a non-voting membership. The associate members’
representative attends all Committee and General meetings to ensure the Associate
membership’s interest are known.
8. Application for Associate Membership: (Working category) This category is
reserved for DND employees holding Officer status positions. Applicants for
associate membership (working category) will complete the membership
application form. The application need not be signed by a sponsor. Application
will be subject to the approval of the PMC. This membership is a non-voting
membership. The Mess Executive may grant applicants for Associate membership,
probationary status, subject to the approval of the membership of the application at
the next General Mess Meeting. Applicants granted probationary statuses have the
rights and responsibilities of an Associate member.
9. Application for Associate Membership: (Social Category) This category is for
civilians interested in becoming a part of the Mess. Applicants for Associate
membership (social category) will complete the membership application form,
accompanied by a biography, which must be signed by a sponsor who is an
Ordinary member of the Mess. The application must be presented by the PMC for
approval by the Mess Membership at a General Mess Meeting and will also be
subject to the approval of the Commanding Officer of the Mess. This membership
is non-voting membership. The Mess Executive may grant applications for
Associate membership, probationary status, subject to the approval of the
membership of the application at the next General Mess Meeting. Applicants
granted probationary statuses have the rights and responsibilities of an associate
member.
10. Cancellation of Associate: It is the responsibility of all Associates/ Privilege
members to notify the PMC, in writing, when they wish to cancel their
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membership. This practice is not always possible. To assist in financial accounting
and to ensure no additional charges are incurred to Associate’s accounts after they
wish to cease membership, all members who lapse in their monthly payments will
be considered to have requested a membership cancellation (for accounting
purposes only) after three months. Members in arrears will be contacted to
determine their intention towards continued membership. It is understood that
unforeseen circumstances may prevent members from meeting payment deadlines;
therefore, payment of arrears will automatically constitute continuation of
membership.
11. Mess Executive Committee: The Commander of 3 CDSB will normally act as
the Commanding Officer for the Mess, though he may appoint another to act in his
stead. The Commanding Officer will appoint the Mess Executive. Nominations to
the Mess Executive Committee must have the concurrence of both the CO of the
EGOM and the member’s unit CO. The Mess Executive Committee shall consist
of:
a. A President of the Mess Committee (PMC)
b. A Vice-President of the Mess Committee (Vice-PMC)
c. A Representative from the following units
(a) 1 PPCLI
(b) 3 PPCLI
(c) LdSH (RC)
(d) 1 CER
(e) 1 Svc Bn
(f) 1 Fd Amb
(g) 408 Sqn
(h) 3rd Canadian Div HQ
(i) 3 CDSG; and
(j) 1 CMBG
1. The Garrison Food Svc Officer, Associate Members’ Rep and the Mess
Manager are ex-officio members of the Executive Committee.
2. The duties and responsibilities of Committee members shall be as set out
in the By-laws.
12. Meetings: The following meeting shall be held:
a. Mess Executive Committee meetings at the call of the PMC on a
frequency of no less than semi-annually;
b. General Mess Meetings at the call of the PMC on a frequency of no less
than annually; and
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c. Extra-ordinary General Mess Meetings, as set out in para 15.
13. Mess Executive Committee meetings will be held for the purpose of
considering:
a. Approval, subject to audit, of financial statements;
b. Approval of expenditures which come within Committee authority; and
c. Any other matters relevant to the operation of the Mess.
14. General Mess Meetings will be held to consider:
a. Financial statements presented by the Treasurer;
b. Proposed Mess activities;
c. Mess Executive Committee elections;
d. Review of nominations for associate membership; and
e. Any other business concerning the Mess.
15. An extra-ordinary General Mess Meeting will be convened at the request of:
a. The Commander;
b. The Commanding Officer of the Mess;
c. The PMC; or
d. The signed request of 25 percent of the Ordinary Membership
16. A quorum for a meeting of the Mess shall consist of 50 percent of Ordinary
membership reasonably able to attend and at no time less than 100 Ordinary
members. The Commander may authorize a lesser percentage as constituting a
quorum at a particular meeting; the circumstances will be attached to the minutes
of that General Mess meeting.
17. The business before any Mess Meeting shall be decided by a simple majority
vote of those in attendance with the PMC voting only in the event of a tie.
18. Power to make By-laws: A General Mess Meeting, subject to concurrence of
the Commander, may make By-laws for the efficient and detailed operation of the
Mess and its functions.
19. Amendments (Ref A-AD-262-000\AG-000)
a. Any Ordinary member may propose amendments to the Constitution.
Proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the PMC, as a Notice
of Motion, signed by the mover and the member who intends on seconding
the motion;
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b. The PMC shall ensure that any Notice of Motion to amend the
Constitution, properly received, is posted on the Mess notice board seven
full days before the next scheduled General Mess Meeting, and is included
on the agenda for discussion and voting at the meeting. Amendments shall
require a majority vote of at least two-thirds of the Ordinary Members
present.
20. Precedence: (Refer to A-AD-262-000\AG-000) None of the rules or
provisions contained in this Constitution shall be deemed to contravene any order,
publication or regulation taking precedence over this Constitution. Should any rule
or provision contravene or conflict with orders, publications or regulations issued
by higher authority for the operation of Messes, the Mess Executive Committee
shall cause the pertinent rule or provision in the Constitution or By-laws to be
replaced or amended as applicable.
21. Authority: The terms and provisions of this Constitution having been adopted
by a majority vote and approved by the Commander, supersede all previous
Constitutions of this Mess.
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