Constitution

Constitution of the Sri Lankan Bankers
Association – UAE.

(Version 1.0 – dated 19th June 2023, As accepted by the Executive committee at the meeting held on 19th June 2023)

Vision

To be the leading institution for the advancement of Sri Lankan professionals engaged within the banking and finance fraternity and to empower our members to perform at the highest standards of professional conduct, thereby improving the brand of Sri Lankan banking professionals in the United Arab Emirates and the region as a whole.

Mission

To guide and encourage members to practice the highest standards of conduct, and to maintain highest internationally recognised standards of competence for the benefit of its members and the society at large.

We accomplish this by;

Encouraging all Sri Lankans employed in the Banking or in a sector that is/are regarded by the UAE Central Bank or a UAE regulatory as a Financial Institution, to join hands with the Sri Lankan Bankers Association – UAE (SLBA-UAE), and leading them to practice
professionalism at the highest standards.
Promoting opportunities for the advancement of Sri Lankan Banking professionals in the UAE.
Providing facilities for networking and interaction among its members and by participating in the activities of other Sri Lankan associations and the professionals at large.
Providing assistance to the Sri Lankan government to improve the Sri Lankan brand in the UAE.

01. PREAMBLE

There shall be a non-profitable organization called “The Sri Lankan Bankers Association – UAE” (More fully described in Article 2.0 herein), duly administrated under the Sri Lankan Professional Association and by the M/s. MCI in accordance with the applicable laws and
regulations of the Emirate of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Affairs and functions shall be performed in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution as stipulated hereinafter.

02. NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION

The formal name of the organization shall be the “Sri Lankan Bankers Association – UAE”. Commonly known as “SLBA-UAE”.

03. DEFINITIONS

In the Constitution (this Constitution), which include Appendices, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them, except where the context requires otherwise.

Association means “Sri Lankan Bankers Association – UAE”. (Hereinafter referred as “SLBA-UAE” or the “Association”).
Member means any Sri Lankan resident with a valid residence visa in the UAE, who are employed in the Banking or in a sector that is/are regarded by the UAE Central Bank or a UAE regulatory as a Financial Institution, who would apply and become a
member of the Association.
Executive Committee means a board consisting of the members nominated and elected from the Association’s membership.
Executive Committee Member means a member nominated to serve as an Executive Committee Member of the Association.
Patron means a person who is appointed by the Executive Committee by a 2/3rd majority to serve as the Patron to the Association.The holders of the post of the Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the UAE and the Consul General of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for Dubai and Northern Emirates shall be Patrons ex-officio and shall not be removed by the Executive Committee of the SLBA-UAE. The maximum number of Patrons of the Association, including those holding the post ex-officio, is limited to three (3).Any person appointed as a Patron except Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the UAE and the Consul General of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for Dubai and Northern Emirates shall serve unless resign or is removed by the Executive Committee with a 2/3rd majority of those present and voting.
Sub Committee means committee appointed by the Executive Committee by a 2/3rd majority of the Executive Committee Members present and voting, to perform various functions to achieve the objectives of the Association.
Professional means that a person formally certified by a professional body or belonging to a specific profession by virtue of having completed a required course of studies and/or practice, and whose competence can usually be measured against an established set of standards.
Profession means a disciplined group of individuals who adhere to ethical standards and who hold themselves out as and are accepted by the public as possessing special knowledge and skills in a widely recognised body of learning derived from research, education and training at a high level, and who are prepared to apply this knowledge and exercise these skills in the interest of others.
Day means the Gregorian calendar Days.

04. OBJECTIVES

The Sri Lanka Bankers Association – UAE, is the professional body to be established consisting of selected representatives of mainly Sri Lankan Professionals who are legally employed in the United Arab Emirates as employees of Banks or any Financial Institution (FI) engaged in banking activities which are governed by the Central Bank of the UAE or a UAE regulatory as a Financial Institution. Through its leadership, relevant standards and code of ethics, it ensures that members practicing within the UAE under their respective professions are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of professional excellence, promotion of the interests of their professions and the safeguarding of common interests of the professions and promote the image of the banking professionals from Sri Lanka.
The Primary objects of the Association shall be to:

(a). Undertake, promote and facilitate studies in the field of banking and allied subjects within and outside the UAE;

(b). Organise and promote research in this field and to undertake studies and research projects for the Government, Private sector, International agencies and other Institutions;

(c). Plan and organise teaching and arrange training programs, lectures, seminars, workshops in the field of banking and allied subjects;

(d). Train its members and others in research methodology with the idea of promoting knowledge and awareness in subjects relevant to banking and finance;

(e). Promote understanding, co-operation and friendship with similar professional associations within and outside the UAE;

(f). Undertake, promote and conduct on its own initiative or in collaboration with local or foreign associations such surveys and studies on banking, finance and economics in UAE or any other country or region of the world;

(g). Promote fellowship and understanding among members of the Association;

(h). Affiliate with any National, Regional or International Associations in related fields and with cognate aims;

(i). Promote and safeguard the common interests of the banking profession of Sri Lankans employed in the UAE.

(j). Provide a forum for discussion of matters of professional and academic interest to bankers;

(k). Provide necessary guidance to persons seeking employment opportunities in the UAE and to maintain a job bank where possible; and

(l). Engage in any other activities connected with the Embassy and Consulate of Sri Lanka in the UAE.

05. MEMBERSHIP TO THE SLBA-UAE

Enrolment
1. Membership is open to any Sri Lankan resident in the UAE who are
  employed in the Banking or in a sector that is/are regarded as a Financial
  Institution that falls within the jurisdiction of the UAE Central Bank or any
  other valid regulatory of the UAE which considers such institution as a
  Financial Institution.
2. Membership will not be based on any discriminatory factors such as an
  applicant’s designation, length of service in the industry or gender.
Removal from membership
1. No Member of the SLBA-UAE shall be dis-enrolled or suspended except
  upon a resolution passed at meeting of the Executive Committee by not
  less than two thirds of the total number of members of the committee in
  Office.
2. The membership will cease in instances where such persons are no longer
  a resident of the UAE and does not hold a valid residential visa in the UAE.
3. Any Member who has not paid their membership fee for a period of one
  year from the payment due date will be removed from membership and
  will require to reapply for membership with the payment of all outstanding
  membership fees.
Membership Fees
1. A Member will be required to pay an annual membership fee of AED 100/
  (One hundred Dirhams) before the end of the year.
2. The membership fees once paid may not be refunded.
3. Any Member who has not paid their membership fee is not eligible to vote
  at the Annual General Meeting or hold office in the Executive Committee.
Life / Honorary Membership
1. No such membership category exists within the Association. However, a
  provision will be kept to have such category in the future for Sri Lankan
  professionals who have rendered a yeoman service to financial fraternity in
  the UAE and as recognized by the Executive Committee.

06. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The administrative structure of the SLBA-UAE shall consist of a committee called Executive
Committee, elected from its membership at the Annual General Meeting.

Executive Committee (EC)
The EC shall consist of the following office bearers appointed at the AGM:
(a) President
(b) Vice President
(c) General Secretary
(d) Assistant Secretary cum Membership Secretary
(e) Treasurer
(f) Assistant Treasurer
(g) Media Coordinator
(g) Editor
(h) Internal Auditor
(j) Committee Members (10 positions)
1. The ten (10) Committee Members shall consist of the Immediate Past President
  and other nine (9) Members elected from among the membership, of whom at
  least one shall be from a licensed Financial Institution in the UAE, which are not
  represented by the positions mentioned from 6.1 (a) to (i).
2. All Members of the Association who have completed a period of one (1)
  year maturity within the SLBA-UAE, shall be eligible to hold positions of the
  Executive Committee of the SLBA-UAE defined under Article 6.1(a) to (i).
3. The terms of the Executive Committee shall be two (2) year period from the
  date of appointment at the AGM.
4. As mentioned in 6.1.1, the Immediate Past President shall serve in the next
  committee as a Committee Member and will be responsible provide all
  information (to the new committee) relating to the activities conducted during
  his/her tenure. In the event of non-availability of the immediate past
  president, the position will be filled by any single person of the past committee
  as listed from 6.1 (b) to (f).
5. An Executive Committee Member whose Membership ceased due to resign
  him/herself or cease to hold office as provided in this Constitution or cease
  to be a resident of the UAE (cancelling the UAE Resident Visa) or upon
  his/her death or become incapacitated to serve as a Member.
6. In the event of there being a vacancy in the position of the President, the Vice
  President shall automatically take over the role of the President until the next
  Annual General Meeting.
7. In the event a vacancy in the Executive Committee arises as provided above
  in Article 6.1 (b) to (j), the committee shall appoint a person to replace the
  Executive Member within 15 days from the date of notification of the resign
  or cease to hold office whose Membership ceased as described in the Article
  6.1.3 and the name of the new Member tabled at the next meeting of the
  Executive committee.
8. In case where an EC member is appointed after the AGM (due to any vacant
  position created) as mentioned above in 6.1.7, their term will also cease to
  exist along with all other members servicing in the present committee at
  the next AGM to be held. The time frame of two (2) yeas shall not apply to
  any such persons becoming a EC member due to condition under 6.1.7.
9. In the event vacancy arises within the appointed Executive Committee as
  provided in Article 6.1 (b) to (h), the position will be first filled by any
  Committee Member elected to the position mentioned by Article 6.1 (c) to
  (i). In the event that the positions cannot be filled as afore stated, such
  positions will be filled from the existing Committee Membership of Article
  6.1 (j).
10. Any void created within the Committee Membership provided under Article
  6.1 (j) will be appointed from within the SLBA-UAE membership, provided
  that such person nominated shall be from a licensed Financial Institution in
  the UAE, which are not represented by the positions mentioned from 6.1 (a) to
  (i).
11. The post of Internal Auditor if left vacant will be filled newly by a suitable
  candidate within the SLBA-UAE membership.
12. The Committee aspire to a 50/50 representation of gender equality. The
  SLBA-UAE membership shall nominate its representatives to the Executive
  Committee to fulfil this requirement.
Executive Committee Meetings
1. Executive Committee shall meet on a monthly basis or as agreed by the
  Executive Committee Members on a pre-agreed day of a week in each
  month and the Secretary shall prepare the minutes of meetings. In
  exceptional circumstances, President may call for an extra ordinary
  Executive Committee meeting.
2. The quorum for the Executive Committee meeting shall be 50% of the
  Executive Committee Members. The President may with the consent of the
  majority of Executive Committee Members present adjourn that meeting
  in case the mentioned quorum is not met.
3. At least seven (7) calendar days notices shall be given to the Members of
  the Executive Committee of the Executive Committee meeting intimating
  the time and place of such meeting, and the business to be brought up
  before it being specified in such notice, which shall be sent to each
  Executive Committee Member through electronic mail or an alternative
  electronic messaging channel.
4. Any question which arises at any meeting of the Executive Committee shall
  be decided by a majority of the Executive Committee Members present and
  in the case of an equality of votes, the President presiding at the meeting
  shall have a second or casting vote.
5. The Executive Committee shall cause minutes to be made of the
  proceedings of every meeting and the minutes of such proceedings shall be
  proposed and seconded by a Executive Committee Member presiding at
  the next succeeding meeting, wherein and the accepted minutes of the
  previous meeting shall be prima facie evidence of the matters discussed
  during the previous meeting.
Mandate of the Executive Committee
1. Direct and lead the activities of the Association and perform any other
  matter to achieve the objectives of the Association as mentioned in Section
  4.
2. Coordinate, facilitate, approve, implement or reject proposals of a Sub
  Committee that is appointed to serve a specific task or function as
  mandated by the Executive Committee.
3. Interpret the provisions of the Constitution.
4. Perform any function that the Executive Committee deem necessary to
  achieve the objectives of the Association.
5. Perform any function or activity entrusted to the Executive Committee by
  the General Membership at an Annual General Meeting or Extra Ordinary
  General Meeting.
6. All Members of the Committee has voting power in the Executive
  Committee.
7. In the event of an Executive Committee Member fails to attend three
  consecutive Executive Committee meetings without an acceptable reason,
  the Executive Committee Member shall be deemed considered as vacated
  the position of the Executive Committee.
8. Members of the Executive Committee must:
  (a). Act with reasonable care and diligence;
  (b). Act in good faith in the Association’s best interests and for a proper
  purpose;
  (c). Not misuse Association’s opportunities, and
  (d). Not misuse confidential information.

07 FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICE BEARERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President
The President is the principal elected officer of the Association and shall preside at
all meetings of the Association and shall be an ex-officio Member of all Sub
Committees.
The President shall conduct all business meetings in accordance with the
Association’s Constitution. As the chief elected officer, the President shall be
responsible for all Association business. He/she shall ensure that decisions and
resolutions of the Association are delegated and carried out.
The President’s specific accountabilities include:
(a). Driving the Association based on the approved strategic plan of the
Association.
(b). Overseeing development of Association operating plan.
(c). Adhering to the policies and principles of the Association including:
- Branding principles outlined in the Constitution
- Policy on speaking with the media
- Statements of position from the Association
- Privacy policy
(d). Liaising with government authorities and local representatives advocating
the benefits of engaging professionals who are member of the Associations.
(e). Be knowledgeable about and aware of all the activities conducted by the
Association.
(f). Determines the agenda for all Association meetings and the Association
Annual General Meeting
Vice – President
The Association Vice President should be prepared to assume the office of
President or temporarily act in that position at any time. The Vice President should
be familiar with the duties and responsibilities of the president and of the other
elected officers and executive committee members.
Secretary
The Secretary shall assist the President in the performance of his/her duties.
He/She shall be responsible for the maintenance of all registers and records and
maintain minutes of meetings, namely; Annual General Meetings, Extraordinary
General Meetings, Executive Committee Meetings and Extra Ordinary Executive
Committee meetings. The Secretary will be the custodian of the membership
register, minutes of meetings, all incoming and outgoing correspondences etc.
As Secretary, he/she may have some of the following duties:
(a). Attend all meetings and keep accurate minutes; distribute the minutes soon
after each meeting
(b). Be responsible for all Association correspondence (request, draft, proof
member correspondence)
(c). Coordinate the Executive Committee meetings and other meetings including
the AGM of the Association.
(d). Coordinate the votes by the members regarding matters presented at the
AGM and Executive Committee meetings.
(e). The custodian of the fixed assets of the Association and shall maintain an
inventory of assets.
(f). Maintain and compile all required correspondence and reports and archive
them and distributed them among the Members of the Associations as
required on a timely basis.
Assistant Secretary cum Membership Secretary
Primary duties shall include:
(a). Maintaining accurate membership records: Responsible for keeping an
accurate and up-to-date record of all Members of the association.
(b). Processing new membership applications: Responsible for reviewing and
processing new membership applications and ensuring that all required
information is collected.
(c). Managing membership renewals: Responsible for managing the process of
membership renewals, including sending out renewal notices and collecting
membership fees.
(d). Updating membership details: Responsible for updating Members’ details,
such as contact information or membership level, as needed.
(e). Communicating with Members: May be responsible for communicating with
Members, such as sending out newsletters, event announcements, or other
important information.
(f). Responding to Member inquiries: Responsible for responding to inquiries
from Members and addressing any concerns they may have.
(g). Maintaining membership confidentiality: Confidentiality of all membership
information must be maintained.
In addition, the Assistant Secretary shall assist the Secretary in the performance
of his/her duties. He/She should be prepared to assume the position of Secretary
or temporarily act in that position at any time in the absence of the Secretary.
Treasurer
The Treasurer administers and is responsible for the functioning and financial
management of the Association. The Treasurer shall record and monitor all
contributions, fees, dues, as required and is responsible for ensuring payments by
the appropriate deadlines by each Member who has sought membership in the
Association.
The Treasurer shall keep financial records in order and up to date; devises fund
raising activities with the cooperation of the appropriate committee or
committees preparing an annual budget and annual account statement and submit
to the Executive Committee on or before 31st December of each year.
The Treasurer will also be required to present monthly accounts statements at all
Executive Committee Meetings and will be responsible to answer question that
may arise from the Members of the Executive Committee.
Assistant Treasurer
The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer in the discharge of his/her duties,
and will also act for Treasurer in his/her absence
Media Coordinator
Media Coordinator writes and publishes content to promote an Association’s
brand, activities or services in printed form as well as electronically through media
and publicity channels available for public announcements.
The Media Coordinator shall act as a liaison between the Association, the public,
and the media to ensure that the Association’s name remains top of mind.
The Media Coordinator’s responsibility includes:
(a). Collaborate with Executive Committee to develop and implement an
effective communications strategy based on our target audience.
(b). Write, edit, and distribute content, including publications, press releases,
website content, annual reports, speeches, and other marketing material
that communicates the Associations’ activities, products and/or services.
(c). Respond to media inquiries, arrange interviews, and with the consent of
President, act as a spokesperson for the Association on case by case basis.
(d). Establish and maintain effective relationships with journalists and maintain
a media database.
(e). Seek opportunities to enhance the reputation of the Association, and
coordinate publicity events as required.
(f). Maintain records of media coverage and collate analytics and metrics for
future reference or strategies.