By Laws
For the Regroupement des
Haï􀆟ens du Manitoba -
RDHM
June 2024

ARTICLE I – CREATION – MISSION – VISION – VALUES – WHAT WE DO
Section 1. NAME
The name of the association is: REROUPEMENT DES HAITIENS DU MANITOBA INC
referred to as RDHM. It was founded in Winnipeg, Manitoba on October 28, 2010. It is a not for
profit, non-partisan and non-political organization. RDHM is a cultural association aims to share
beliefs, knowledge, language, practices, rituals and artifacts which are at the heart of the Haitian
people survival and passes them on to future generations.
Section 2. VISION
The organization pursues the results that members of the community live happily, with pride in
their Haitian root identity and become active contributors in the development of Manitoba. As
Haitians, we believe that our culture holds strong values of respect and nurturing for each other.
We have a rich heritage and historical antecedents that it is valuable to transmit and to share more
importantly with the youth.
Section 3. MISSION
We seek to enhance growth opportunities to our members while engaging with varied groups in
pursuit to bridge understanding and as well to contribute in the building of strong diverse
communities in Manitoba.
Section 4. VALUES
We believe and commit to social responsibility. We guide our work towards main values such as
collaboration, Charity, Education, Empathy, Inclusivity, Integrity, Hard Work, Passion, Respect,
and long-term view.
Section 5. OUR ENGAGEMENT - WHAT WE DO
We engage in a variety of activities:
- Celebrating key historical events: (Haiti Independence Day (Jan1), Haiti Flag Day (May
18)
- Organizing recurrent get-together to facilitate connection among members and smooth the
integration of new-comers
- Preserving motherhood languages (Creole and French) by using these languages in
meetings and at occasion, organising teaching classes.
- Reaching, participating, developing alliances with other cultural associations to foster
fraternity and diversity, also continuing increasing knowledge about Haitian traditions.
ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP
May be a member of the REGROUPEMENT DES HAITIENS DU MANITOBA INC, anyone who
shares: • Vision • Mission • Goals •Values of the association and wishes to contribute to the
advancement of Haitian culture in Manitoba. Nevertheless, with no Haitian ascendance, a person
needs an endorsement from two active members. To become a member, a membership application
must be completed and filed with the association Secretary and annual dues are paid. A person of
any age can be a member; but only 18+ can vote.
ARTICLE III – FUNDING
We seek funding to sustain the realization of activities and the functioning of the organization. The
organization maintains no salaried services. Fees can be paid for a particular service and for a
particular event. However, members of the Board of Directors and committees must provide
support voluntarily and with no fees paid, regardless the duties and projects undertaken. We
accept:
DUES: Members annual dues as set forth by the Board of Directors resolution
CONTRIBUTIONS: Voluntary contribution, nevertheless we are not in position to provide
donation receipt as we are not a registered charity association. The Board of Directors is entitled
to initiate special contributions from members to cover gap in a year of expenditures.
GOVERNMENT AND CORPORATIONS: We seek grants to cover activities
All funds are set to be received by the Treasurer whom is in charge of deposits and disbursements
for the organization.
ARTICLE IV – GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Section 1. ANNUAL MEETING
We maintain (1) annual membership meeting. The date to be decided upon by the majority vote of
the Board of Directors. Notification requires fifteen (15) days advance written, telephone, web
posting notice to all members of the association.
At this meeting:
a. The President shall report on the state of the association
b. The Treasurer shall give an annual financial report
c. Elections for Members of the Board shall be held
Section 2. SPECIAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING:
A special meeting of the membership may be called by the President or by a majority of the Board
of Directors as deemed necessary. Notification and purpose of the special meeting shall require 10
days notice to all members.
Section 3 AGENDA:
The President shall prepare the agenda for general and special meetings of the membership. Any
member may suggest an item to be added to the agenda by submitting the item in writing to the
Board of Directors at least seven days in advance of the membership meeting.
On the day of the annual meeting, any member of the association may make a suggestion to add
an item to the attention of the board for review and reporting on next meeting or on a special
disclosure.
All actions or recommendations of the general or special meetings shall be communicated to all
members. The Secretary is in charge of writing the minutes.
Section 4 QUORUM:
A quorum for any general or special meeting of the association shall be the number of members in
attendance. Acceptance of a decision shall be made by a majority vote of those members present
at the meeting.
Section 5 VOTING:
All members, 18 years of age or older, shall have one vote each to be cast during attendance at any
general or special meeting.
Section 6. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
It is the highest authority of the grouping
• It ratifies the decisions and actions of the Board of Directors
• It gives recommendations to the Board of Directors
• It votes on amendments to the charter, if necessary
• It sets, under recommendation, the value of the contribution members.
Article V – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
It:
• Receives its authority from the General Assembly.
• Is elected for a term of two years following votes held during the Annual General Meeting. For
any director, 2 consecutive terms in the same position are the maximum.
• Absent members may, if they wish, send their vote by email which must be received no later than
one week before the elections.
• In the event of a vacancy, the Board has the obligation to fill it until the next General Assembly.
The transfer to the new Board of Directors should take place within 2 months after the vote no
later then October 1st. Each departing director needs to meet in person his.her counterpart for
training and encouragement.
Section 2. BOARD DIRECTORS - MEMBERS ELIGIBILITY
Only members 18+ shall be qualified to hold an elected position. All elected members will be asked
to provide a criminal checking record. A faulty will be automatically dismissed from the position.
Section 2 TERM OF THE BOARD:
Members of the Board shall be elected to serve for two years.
Section 3. METHOD OF ELECTION:
Elections shall be held at the annual meeting. Intentions to participate must be submitted to the
Board at least 3 days before the general meeting. If two candidates for a position, thus the elected
requires a majority vote of the membership present. If more than two candidates, the candidate
with the highest votes win the seat. Votes to be held by secret ballot.
Section 4. BOARD MANAGEMENT
•The Board will meet at least 4 times a year to resolve current affairs.
• All its decisions must be presented by an author of the proposal and a supporter in the form of
resolutions which will be discussed, voted on and adopted by the majority of the members present.
For each meeting the quorum is set to be the numbers of attendees.
• All members must support any resolution adopted by the Board. They can, if they wish, request
that their position of opposition or abstention be included in the minutes.
Section 5. DUTIES OF THE BOARD
• Carry out a census of all Haitians in the province
• Invite the Haitians identified to join RDHM
• Execute any mandate requested by the General Assembly
• Establish and maintain good relationships with government agencies and ethnic group
associations,
• Work jointly with said organizations for the advancement of Haitians in the Community
• Honorably represent the Haitian Community in the province.
• Organize group activities with the aim of maintaining the unity of our community
• Organize fundraising activities for its operation.
• Provide support to young Haitians, particularly those who have been adopted by Canadians
belonging to other ethnic groups.
• Establish and permanently maintain working contacts with other groups of Haitians from other
regions of the country.
• Convene the General Assembly in plenary and extraordinary sessions.
• Organize at least one annual celebration on the occasion of national independence
Section 6. TASKS AND ROLE OF EACH BOARD MEMBERS
The board comprises of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and 2 advisors
6.1 PRESIDENT
• Lead board meetings
• Attend external meetings or delegate a board member to them
• Undertake any action likely to contribute to the advancement of Haitians in the province
• Plan and chair assembly meetings
• Establish a report of everything he.she does between each meeting
• Establish the meeting schedule with the board and propose the agenda
• Ensure compliance with the by-Laws of the association
The qualities sought in a president are
Has connections to communities in Manitoba
Bilingual in French /English is a must
Ideally has administrative management experience
Know how to trust.
Set clear goals.
Personify the association values.
Enable the exchange and transmission of knowledge.
Reward good initiatives
Encourage change.
Transparent and effective communication
6.2 VICE-PRESIDENT
• Act as president in the event of the absence or vacancy. Its role will be the same as that
of the president
• Accept and carry out any responsibility entrusted to him by the president
• Support the president in the exercise of his/her duties
The qualities sought in a vice-president are the same as those of the president.
•Bilingual in French /English is a must
6.3 TREASURER
•Take care of all financial matters of RDHM
• Keep an account statement of all deposits and checks issued
• Issue and co-sign any check authorized in conjunction with the President or delegate.
• Issue a financial report after each event
• Required skills: Relational skills, mathematical, banking operations and Excel skills
6.4 SECRETARY
•Prepare the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors and/or the General Assembly
• Contribute to the drafting of the annual report of the Board of Directors by assisting the
President if necessary
• Distribute the minutes to members of the Board of Directors and invite them to monthly
meetings
Required skills: Good and written communication in both French and English
6.5 ADVISOR (S)
To provide insights that give the association an advantage. We encourage candidates with
skills in social medias, communication, marketing, website architecture, public speaking,
Cloud computing, sales leadership, audio and video production. An advisor could be asked
by the board to serve on a committee.
ARTICLE 7 – COMITTEES
Any member of the RDHM may be asked by the Board of Directors to form working committees,
depending on their field of expertise. At the general meeting, a member can also express interest.
Each committee shall be a maximum of 4 people.
Section 1. STANDING COMMITTEES:
The following Standing Committees shall be instituted to be responsible for programs and
activities of the association. The chairman of the committees shall be appointed by the President
with the agreement of the Board of Directors and may be dismissed without cause by the President
with the agreement of the Board.
All committee chairman report administratively to the President of the Board of directors (BOD).
A Committee Chairman is not required to attend (BOD) meetings. A Committee chairman may be
asked by the President to attend a board meeting depending on the nature of a project. However,
if a Committee Chairman judges a matter request the collective attention of the board; he.she may
submit such request to the President.
The President shall meet each committee chairman at least 3 times per year. Meetings are expected
to happen on mutual coordination in accordance with the events in preparation.
Standing Committees of the Association shall be:
Grievance
A person or group adversely affected by a decision or policy of the Association may submit in
writing a complaint to the Grievance Committee. Within 30 days, the committee should
recommend a resolution to be voted and adopted by the majority of the BOD.
Membership
To carry out a census of all Haitians in the province and invite the Haitians identified to join RDHM
Public Relations
In charge to establish a wide range of media to build and sustain a positive public image of RDHM.
To contact medias for publication of events. To Write press releases and prepare information for
the media
Fund Raising
Develop and implement fundraising strategies. To identify potential donors and funding including
individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies that are aligned with the
association's mission and values, and that are likely to support its activities.
ARTICLE VIII - ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT OF THE BYLAWS
Section 1 ADOPTION OF THE BYLAWS
Adoption of these bylaws shall require a two-thirds vote of the members present at a general
meeting.
Sec􀆟on 2. AMENDMENT OF THE BYLAWS
Amendments to the bylaws shall be made at any general or special meeting after the members have
been notified of all proposed amendments to the bylaws by a minimum of at least 10 days of
advance notification. Adoption of amendments shall require a two-thirds vote of the members
present at the meeting.
ARTICLE IX- CEASE OF ACTIVITIES
In case RDHM should become non-functional, the board of directors will pay all its debt and
transfers all remaining funds to a charity organization which will be chosen by the General
Assembly.