About us

1. General Provisions

The GTA Senior Mutual Support Association (GTASMSA, “the Association” hereafter; Number 1177908-7) is an association registered with the Federal Government of Canada in accordance with relevant laws. All activities and work of the association must observe the laws and rules applicable in the jurisdiction of Ontario.

2. Nature of the Association

The Association is a non-religious, non-political, not-for-profit group in nature. Formed by elderly members of the local community on a voluntary basis, the Association is administered and governed by its members, whose best interest must be represented.

3. Purpose of the Association

The Association aims to provide its members with a supportive civic space dedicated to their physical and mental wellbeing. By organizing various cultural and recreational activities, the Association will contribute to a more active, healthy and engaged way of life among the elderly members of the GTA community by offering them a place to interact with and learn from each other and to exercise the values of multiculturalism, belonging and care. The Association encourages its members and other senior citizens to participate in community and charitable activities that serve the collective wellbeing of a culturally diverse membership.

Activities of the Association will be primarily carried out in the following geographic areas: GTA areas。

The Association is registered at the address of: 6672 Bethesda rd stouffville

4. Membership

Membership of the Association is open to legal residents of Canada aged 50 or above who identify with the values of The Association and agree to observe the bylaws of The Association. Eligible candidates may become a member of the Association by submitting the "Application Form" and paying the membership fee.

5. Rights and Duties of Members

1) Members have the right to oversee the conduct of the Board of Directors in observing The Association’s bylaws as well as all provincial and federal laws relating to the activities of the Association.

2) Members may raise their concerns or make recommendations to the Board.

3). Members have the duty of making timely payment for their membership dues as required.

4). Members should actively participate in the various activities organized by the Association.

5) Members have both the privilege and the duties to provide voluntary services to the Association to best leverage each member’s capabilities and specialties.

6) Members are expected to provide mutual support to each other in a collective effort to build a community beneficial to all members.

6. Funds and Financial Matters

1) The association's main sources of funding are membership dues and donations from members and community organizations.

2) The Association is established in accordance to relevant rules and procedures under the laws of Ontario. Its financial matters should be managed by designated and qualified personnel and with banking accounts in the name of the association. To ensure full transparency, it is the duty of the treasurer of The Association to provide quarterly updates on The Association’s financial status, income and expenditure. Annual financial report and budget for the following year should be presented to members at the end of each year.

3) Any expenditure must be approved with signature from designated by two board directors before funds are withdrawn from bank account or payments made to an external entity. Any one-time transaction exceeding the amount of $200 should be approved by the board before funds are released. Cash assets of the Association must be deposited with a financial institution and must not be deposited in any individual’s personal accounts.

7. Organizational Structure of the Association

The Association may set up subsidiary working groups or departments in organizing activities and events to best serve its members. The Board will be responsible for nominating individual members for leadership positions of working groups and departments.

8. Meetings of the Association

The Annual General Meeting should be held once a year as the highest decision-making body of the Association for important matters such as the selection of directors, policies, and approval of the work report of the Board. The Board of Directors shall meet once a month, otherwise decided in light of special circumstances. Agenda of the meeting shall be made available to either in writing or by oral notice prior to the meeting so member attendees can prepare adequately and accordingly. All members shall be invited to attend the meeting.

The AGM shall discuss and decide on the major issues and form decisions on the principles of majority rule. Objecting opinions can be expressed and reserved, but the decision, once adopted, must be implemented resolutely.

The meeting shall be conducted in the spirit of candid, open and transparent discussions. Meeting minutes should be produced and made available.

9. Other matters

The Association’s bylaws are available in both Chinese and English, with both texts being equally valid, and both filed with the Federal Government upon registration of the Association.

Any matter not sufficiently addressed by these bylaws may be added in future revisions upon the request of members and discussion by the Board.

The Board of Directors of the Association reserves the right to interpret these bylaws.