Bylaws of the BC Shorthand Reporters Association
British Columbia Shorthand Reporters Association
633 – 1771 Robson Street
Vancouver, BC V6G 1C9
Website: bcsra.net
Society Act, RSBC 1979, Chapter 390
Constitution
The name of the Society is:
The British Columbia Shorthand Reporters Association
The purpose of the British Columbia Shorthand Reporters Association is to support and lead the communities of court reporting, captioning, communication access realtime translation (CART) and related fields within British Columbia, with a focus on education, professional standards and ethics, advocacy, and public relations.
Schedule A, Society Act
Bylaws of the British Columbia Shorthand Reporters Association
[Revised October 2022]
Index to Bylaws of the British Columbia Shorthand Reporters Association
Part
Title of Section
12
Part 1 - Interpretation
1 In these bylaws, unless the context otherwise requires,
1.1 "affiliate agency" means any incorporated business outside of British Columbia but within Canada that provides court reporting, broadcast captioning or CART services to the public.
1.2 "approved shorthand training course" means a program for the training or testing of shorthand reporters that has been approved by the board of directors.
1.3 "association" means The British Columbia Shorthand Reporters Association.
1.4 "board of directors" means the board of directors of the association.
1.5 "CART" means communication access realtime translation.
1.6 "dispute facilitation committee" means the dispute facilitation committee of the association.
1.7 "manager" means any person who is not a shorthand reporter and who works in a full-time management capacity for a shorthand agency or an affiliate agency.
1.8 "NCRA" means National Court Reporters Association.
1.9 "practising shorthand reporter" means anyone who is actively engaged in shorthand reporting.
1.10 "recognized Canadian association" means any other Canadian shorthand reporting association that has been approved by the board of directors.
1.11 "scoper" or "proofer" means any person who works in conjunction with a shorthand reporter in the preparation of transcripts.
1.12 "shorthand agency" means any incorporated business within British Columbia that, through strictly stenographic means, provides court reporting, broadcast captioning or CART services to the public.
1.13 "shorthand reporter" means a person who has successfully completed an approved shorthand training course and who has received designation as a shorthand reporter from the Province of British Columbia, and who currently engages in the taking of shorthand notes of speeches, testimony, argument or other verbal proceedings.
1.14 "shorthand reporting" and "court reporting" mean the taking of a verbatim record of the spoken word by means of shorthand symbols through stenographic shorthand and the reading back, real-time translation, and/or transcribing of those shorthand notes upon request.
1.15 "voting member" means any full participating member.
Part 2 - Membership
The following persons shall be eligible for membership in the association and, if granted membership into the association pursuant to the application process set out in Part 3 of these bylaws, shall:
(a) uphold the constitution and bylaws of the association
(b) pay the annual membership fee as hereinafter prescribed.
(c) advise the board of directors within 30 days of any change of personal
contact information:
2.1 Full Participating Membership
2.1.1 A person is eligible to be a full participating member of the association, subject to the application procedure set out in Part 3 of these bylaws, if that person
(a) has graduated from an NCRA-recognized school of shorthand reporting or has at least two years of work experience as a shorthand reporter in the last five years or has successfully passed all portions of the NCRA’s Registered Professional Reporter examination;
(b) is sponsored by a full participating member in good standing or provides one reference letter from a non-family member;
(c) resides in Canada and is a practising shorthand reporter certified in British Columbia as an official reporter; and
(d) is of good character and reputation.
2.1.2 Full participating members shall be entitled to vote.
2.1.3 Only full participating members shall be entitled to a FPM number from the association.
2.2 Associate Membership
2.2.1 A teacher of shorthand or shorthand reporting or anyone connected in an official capacity with a school or college conducting a shorthand reporting course recognized by this association may become an associate member of this association;
2.2.2 A full participating member who ceases to be actively engaged in shorthand reporting and who assumes a management position in a shorthand agency and who has been a full participating member of the association in good standing for a minimum of two consecutive years immediately prior to the assumption of a management position of a shorthand agency may become an associate member of this association.
2.2.3 A person who is a full participating member in good standing of a recognized Canadian association may become an associate member of this association.
2.2.4 Associate members shall not be entitled to vote.
2.3 Student Membership
2.3.1 A person who is enrolled in or who has completed an approved shorthand training course but who has not yet received designation as a shorthand reporter may become a student member of the association.
2.3.2 Student members whose membership becomes effective from 2005 forward shall not be entitled to vote.
2.4 Affiliate Membership
2.4.1 A manager of an affiliate agency may become an affiliate member of the association subject to provision 2.4.4.
2.4.2 A scoper or proofer residing in the province of British Columbia may become an affiliate member of the association subject to provision 2.4.4.
2.4.3 A person who is involved in a business relevant to the court reporting profession may become an affiliate member of this association subject to provision 2.4.4.
2.4.4 Affiliate members must be sponsored by a full participating member of the association and must submit their application to the board of directors for approval and acceptance. The decision to accept an affiliate member's application for membership is the sole discretion of the board of directors of the association.
2.4.5 Affiliate members shall not be entitled to attend the annual general meeting of the association.
2.4.6 Affiliate members shall not be entitled to vote.
2.5 Retired Members
2.5.1 Any full participating member of this association in good standing shall, upon retirement, be deemed to be a retired member and shall be entitled to all the privileges of full participating membership except as set out in these bylaws.
2.5.2 There shall be no annual membership fee for retired members.
2.5.3 Retired members shall not be entitled to vote.
2.6 Honorary Membership
2.6.1 Any person in the reporting profession, either as a shorthand reporter, as an author of shorthand literature, or as a benefactor of the profession but who is not now in the active practice of shorthand reporting may, upon recommendation of the board of directors, be elected to honorary membership. Two-thirds of the members present and voting at any annual general meeting must approve this recommendation. Any person so elected shall be considered a life member.
2.6.2 Honorary membership shall cease at once if such person returns to the active practice of shorthand reporting.
2.6.3 There shall be no annual membership fee for honorary members.
2.6.4 Honorary members who have not been verbatim stenographic reporters shall not be entitled to vote.
Part 3 - Application Procedure
3.1 Application for Membership
3.1.1 An application for membership shall be filed with the secretary and shall be subject to the discretion of the board of directors.
3.1.2 The board of directors shall admit or reject the applicant within ten days after receiving the application and may reject the applicant only if the applicant:
(a) does not meet the criteria as set forth in Part 2 hereof
(b) has not correctly completed an application form in the manner as prescribed by the board of directors
(c) has committed fraud or misrepresentation in relation to their application.
3.1.3 In rejecting an applicant, the board of directors may require the applicant to refile a correctly completed application form or complete further examinations as specified by the board of directors.
3.1.4 If the applicant is rejected, the secretary shall send the applicant a notice of rejection and refund any membership fee(s) paid.
3.2 Application Appeal Procedure
3.2.1 An applicant for membership may appeal a rejection within ten days after receiving a rejection notice.
3.2.2 The appeal shall be submitted to the appeal board.
3.2.3 The appeal board shall consist of the vice-president, and in the absence of the vice-president, the president, neither of whom shall have voting privileges during the appeal process, and three members appointed at the annual general meeting for a term of one year.
3.2.4 The secretary shall, within twenty days of receiving notification of the appeal, forward to each member of the appeal board all correspondence regarding the rejection of the applicant and the reasons for rejection.
3.2.5 Upon receiving all correspondence and the reasons for rejection, the appeal board shall forthwith vote on sustaining or rejecting the appeal.
3.2.6 A vote by the majority of the appeal board shall be final and binding upon the applicant.
Part 4 - Membership Fees
4.1 Membership Fees
4.1.1 Membership fees are due on or before the 31st day of December each year.
4.1.2 On or before the 30th day of November in each year, every member shall be entitled to a reduced annual membership fee.
4.1.3 Members who fail to pay their membership fees on or before the 30th day of November shall be charged the full amount as set out in these bylaws.
4.1.4 Members who let their membership lapse for more than two consecutive years may be subject to undergo practical and/or written testing, as deemed necessary by the board of directors.
4.1.5 The annual membership fees are as set out on Schedule A, which is attached to but does not form part of these bylaws.
4.1.6 Any proposed increase to the amount of the annual membership fee shall be determined by a majority vote at the annual general meeting.
4.1.7 Receipts shall be forwarded to each member within three months of receipt of membership fees.
4.1.8 Failure to pay the annual membership fee by the 31st day of December in each year terminates the membership of the member.
4.1.9 Any recent graduate, upon application and acceptance to become a full participating member of the BCSRA within one year of their graduation, shall be eligible for a reduced first year membership as set out in Schedule A (iii).
Part 5 - Member Benefits
The board of directors shall provide to each member the material as set out on Schedule B, which is attached to but does not form part of these bylaws.
Part 6 - Dissemination of Information
The board of directors shall provide to each member information and material in the manner set out on Schedule C, which is attached to but does not form part of these bylaws.
Part 7 - Examination Procedures
7.1 The board shall arrange for the examination of full participating members who are registered for the Realtime Certified Reporter (RCR) examination and shall include the marking of examinations.
7.2 The board shall arrange for RCR examinations at least twice a year and as set out on Schedule E, which is attached to but does not form part of these bylaws.
7.3 The board shall grant an RCR certificate to any full participating member who successfully completes 180 words per minute on five minutes of straight material at a level of 96% accuracy based on the National Court Reporting Association Certified Realtime Reporter testing criteria.
7.4 Those who have achieved a certificate of proficiency and/or a certificate of achievement prior to October 16, 2022, shall retain said certificate(s) for as long as they remain full participating members in good standing.
Part 8 - Management of the Association
8.1 Board of Directors
8.1.1 There shall be a board of directors composed of eight directors, four of whom shall be officers.
8.1.2 Only full participating members are entitled to become directors of the association.
8.1.3 The officers of the association shall consist of a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer who shall be elected officers by a majority vote of those present and entitled to vote at the annual general meeting and shall hold office for one year from the date of their election and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
8.1.4 The other four directors shall be elected, two at each alternate annual general meeting, by a majority vote of those members present and entitled to vote. Elected directors shall hold office for two years from the date of their election and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
8.1.5 In those years where the president has been newly elected, the past president shall be considered a member of the board of directors and shall not be entitled to vote.
8.1.6 If a director resigns from office or otherwise ceases to hold office, the remaining directors may appoint a member to take the place of the former director. In no case shall the board of directors consist of less than three directors.
8.1.7 No act or proceeding of the directors is invalid only by reason of there being less than the prescribed number of directors in office.
8.1.8 A director shall be reimbursed for all expenses necessarily and reasonably incurred by them while engaged in the affairs of the association upon provision of receipts to the treasurer.
8.2 Power of the Board of Directors
The business of the association shall be managed by the board of directors. The board of directors may exercise all powers of the association not required by these bylaws to be exercised by the association in general meeting or by a committee, panel or other body constituted under these bylaws.
8.3 Duties of Officers
8.3.1 The president shall preside at all meetings of the association and shall perform all duties of the office of president and any duties assigned by the board of directors;
8.3.2 The vice-president shall perform all duties in the president's absence and shall perform such other duties as assigned by the president or the board of directors;
8.3.3 The secretary shall perform such duties as properly pertain to this office including but not limited to preparation and management of all minutes of the proceedings of the association and the board of directors and shall perform such other duties as assigned by the president or the board of directors;
8.3.4 The treasurer shall perform such duties as pertain to this office including but not limited to:
(a) payment of all accounts authorized by the board of directors of the association by means of cheques signed by themself or signed by the president or officer acting in their stead. All cheques exceeding $500.00 must be signed by the treasurer and a second authorized signatory;
(b) keep the financial records, including books of account, necessary to comply with the Society Act;
(c) prepare and submit financial statements to the directors, members and others, when required;
(d) the treasurer shall be responsible for all funds and financial records and shall present a detailed written statement of receipts and disbursements together with books and vouchers at the annual general meeting
8.4 Removal of Officers and Directors
8.4.1 An officer or a director shall cease to hold office upon:
(a) ceasing to be a member of the association;
(b) misconduct;
(c) failure to attend sufficient meetings, as determined by the board of directors;
(d) assumption of an associate, retired or honorary membership position
8.4.2 The members may, by special resolution, remove an officer or a director before the expiration of their term of office and may elect a successor to complete the term of office.
8.4.3 Officers of the association may be removed as officers by a majority vote of the directors. Officers so removed shall remain members of the board of directors.
Part 9 - Meetings and Procedure
9.1 Order and Conduct
Robert's Rules of Order shall apply in all meetings of the association.
9.2 Meetings of the Board of Directors
9.2.1 A meeting of the board of directors may be called by the president whenever the business of the association requires, and they shall call a meeting of that body whenever requested to do so by three members of the board of directors; and in any event, the president shall call at least one meeting of the board of directors in each one-year period, and communicate by e-mail on matters arising between meetings.
9.2.2 Questions arising at a meeting of directors and committee of directors shall be decided by a majority of votes.
9.2.3 When a matter requiring immediate attention arises, the secretary shall submit such matter in writing to the members of the board of directors so that they may indicate thereon their approval or otherwise of the action requested.
9.3 Annual General Meetings
9.3.1 The first annual general meeting of the association shall be held in the month of October, 1976, and thereafter the annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as shall be decided upon by the board of directors, but must be held once per calendar year.
9.3.2 Notice of the holding of an annual general meeting shall be e-mailed to each member entitled to receive notice at least 30 days before the date thereof and shall specify the place, day and hour of meeting and, in case of special business, the general nature of the business.
9.3.3 The accidental omission to give notice of such meeting to or the nonreceipt of a notice by any of the members entitled to receive notice does not invalidate proceedings at that meeting.
9.3.4 Ten percent of paid-up voting members shall constitute a quorum of the association, whether special or annual general meetings.
9.3.5 No business other than the election of a chair and the adjournment or termination of the meeting shall be conducted at an annual general meeting when a quorum is not present.
9.3.6 If at any time during an annual general meeting there is not a quorum present, business then in progress shall be suspended until there is a quorum present or until the meeting is adjourned or terminated.
9.3.7 If within 30 minutes from the time appointed for an annual general meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened on the requisition of members, shall be terminated; but in any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within 30 minutes from the time appointed for a meeting, the members present shall constitute a quorum.
9.3.8 Subject to Bylaw 9.3.9, the president, the vice-president or, in the absence of both, one of the other directors present, shall preside as chair of a general meeting.
9.3.9 If at an annual general meeting:
(a) there is no president, vice-president or other director present within 30 minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting; or
(b) the president and all the other directors present are unwilling to act as chair,
the members present shall choose one of their number to be chair.
9.3.10 An annual general meeting may be adjourned from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at an adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place.
9.3.11 When an annual general meeting is adjourned for ten days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of the original meeting.
9.3.12 Except as provided in this bylaw, it is not necessary to give notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned annual general meeting.
9.3.13 Voting members are entitled to one vote at an annual general meeting.
9.3.14 Voting is by show of hands of voting members present at an annual general meeting or by proxy in accordance with Bylaw 9.7.1.
9.4 Procedure at Annual General Meeting
9.4.1 At the annual general meeting of the association, a quorum being present, the following order of business shall be observed:
(a) The president shall take the chair and call the meeting to order.
(b) The minutes of the previous meeting shall be read and confirmed and signed by the presiding officer. No business shall be considered valid until this is done.
(c) The address of welcome to new members.
(d) The president's address.
(e) Treasurer's report.
(f) Auditor's report, if required.
(g) Reports of committees.
(h) Report of board of directors.
(i) Election of auditors and Board of Appeal.
(j) General business.
(k) Election of officers and board of directors.
(l) Adjournment.
9.5 Special Meetings
9.5.1 The president shall call a special meeting of the association at any time upon authority from the board of directors to do so or upon requisition in writing over the signature of 10 percent or more of the paid-up voting members of the society, whichever is less.
9.5.2 The provisions set out in Bylaws 9.3.1 through 9.3.14 apply, making the necessary alterations, to this Bylaw 9.5.
9.6 Committee Meetings
Committees shall be formed to further the aims and objectives of the association in accordance with the constitution and bylaws.
9.7 Proxies
9.7.1 Any member who is unable to attend any annual or general meeting may vote by proxy, subject to the following conditions:
(a) Proxies shall not be counted towards the formation of a quorum at any meeting and shall not be applicable to any question unless written notice thereof has been given at least two weeks before the meeting.
(b) There shall be a separate proxy for each question upon which an absentee member desires to vote, such proxy to be in the following form:
“I hereby instruct the secretary to cast on my behalf a ballot (for)/(against) the motion (to be clearly designated) when it is voted upon at the meeting to be held on the _____ day of _______________, 20_____”
(c) A proxy shall apply onto the question designated and, to be valid, must be in the hands of the secretary not later than the hour set for the commencement of the meeting at which the question is to be considered; it shall remain valid for that meeting only unless the decision of the question to which it relates is deferred to a definite later date when a new proxy shall not be necessary.
Part 10 - Miscellaneous
10.1 Inspection of Minutes of Meetings and Other Records and Books
Any member of the association may inspect the minutes of proceedings of the meetings of the association and of the directors and all other books and records of the association at a time and place agreed upon with the secretary.
10.2 Appointment of Auditors
At each annual general meeting of the association there shall be elected two members (not members of the board of directors) to act as auditors, whose duty it shall be to audit the treasurer's accounts, if and when requested, and to report their findings to the board of directors.
10.3 Audits of the Accounts of the Association
The directors shall present before the members of the association at the annual general meeting a financial statement showing the income and expenditures, assets and liabilities of the association during the preceding fiscal year; the said financial statement to be signed by two or more members of the directors or by the association's auditor.
10.4 Borrowing Powers
10.4.1 In order to carry out the purposes of the association the directors may, on behalf of and in the name of the society, raise or secure the payment or repayment of money in the manner they decide and in particular, without limiting the foregoing, by the issue of debentures.
10.4.2 No debenture shall be issued without the sanction of a special resolution.
10.4.3 The members may by special resolution restrict the borrowing powers of the directors, but a restriction imposed expires at the next general meeting.
10.5 Special Levy
10.5.1 For expenses in connection with the attaining of the objectives of the association, the members by majority vote at any general meeting may make a levy upon the members of the association except honorary, associate, affiliate, retired and student members;
10.5.2 Such levy shall be paid by each active member on or before a date to be determined by the general meeting or, failing such determination, by the directors.
10.5.3 Any member who fails to pay such levy in the required time shall not be in good standing until such levy is paid.
Part 11 - Dispute Facilitation
The BCSRA shall adopt the dispute facilitation procedure as set out on Schedule D, which is attached to but does not form part of these bylaws.
Part 12 - Amendments
12.1 The constitution and bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those members entitled to vote who are present and voting at any annual general meeting or special meeting provided notice of such amendment has been filed with the secretary not less than 60 days before the date of the meeting. The secretary shall provide written notice to all members that there are proposed changes to the bylaws. Such amendment shall take effect immediately after its adoption by a two-thirds majority vote of those present and voting thereon.
12.2 Any proposed amendment to the constitution or bylaws must be transmitted to the secretary in writing, who shall give notice thereof to the membership not less than 14 days prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendment is to be voted on.
Part 13 - Liability Exclusion
13.1 No liability is incurred by the association, the board of directors or by a committee or member of those bodies or by an officer, employee, agent or
13.2 appointee of the association for an act done or omitted in good faith in the performance or intended performance of a duty or in the exercise or intended exercise of a power under the Society Act, a rule, the constitution or a bylaw or for neglect or default in the performance or exercise in good faith of that power or duty.
Schedule A
(Part 4 - Fees)
A.1 Annual Membership Fees
The amount of the annual membership fees shall be as follows:
(a) Full participating and participating membership fees:
(i) $130 if paid by the 30th of November of each year, available to current members only.
(ii) $170 if paid by the 31st of December of each year or for a renewing but lapsed member.
(iii) $85 reduced first year membership if paid by the 31st of December of the enrolling year for a new graduate, providing they join the association within one year of graduation from a recognized court reporting program.
(b) Associate membership fee:
(i) $35 annually.
(c) Student membership fee:
(i) $15 annually.
(d) Affiliate membership fee:
(i) $35 annually.
A.2 Examination Fees
In-Person Realtime Testing
The fee for initial testing shall be $150. Subsequent testing thereafter shall be $80 per sitting.
Remote Realtime Testing
The fee shall be $185.
Schedule B
(Part 5 - Member Benefits)
B.1 List of Members
A list of current members is available at www.bcsra.net.
B.2 Membership Certificates
Membership certificates available from the board upon request.
B.3 Membership Information
Information posted on the website may include any or all of the following:
(a) association directives and guidelines
(b) case law, Rules of Court, and other various authorities
(c) association members directory
(d) Court Transcription Standards and Guidelines
(e) any other information deemed appropriate by the board of directors
B.4 Membership Numbers and Date Seals
B.4.1 Full participating members shall be entitled to a membership number.
B.4.2 Full participating members shall be entitled to a BCSRA seal and shall, upon acceptance of their application for membership and upon receipt of their annual dues, be forwarded an application for a BCSRA seal.
B.4.3 The BCSRA seal shall be effective for a period of the paid membership of a full participating member.
B.4.4 BCSRA seals must be returned to the board of directors immediately upon a full participating member ceasing to be a member of the association.
B.5 Legal Directory Membership Listing
B.5.1 Full participating members shall be entitled to a listing in the British Columbia publication of the Canadian Bar Association legal directory. This listing is subject to the terms and conditions as set forth by the Canadian Bar Association and is subject to the discretion of the board of directors.
Schedule C
(Part 6 - Dissemination of Information)
C.1 Information Sent Via Email
The following information may be forwarded to the membership in electronic-mail format and need not be provided to the membership in hard copy:
C.1.1 Any correspondence regarding employment opportunities
C.1.2 Any requests for member information, including confirmation of information for publication in any legal directories and the association directory
C.1.3 Any queries from the general public received by the association in any format
C.2 Information Sent Via Email, Hard Copy to Follow Via Mail and/or Posted on BCSRA Website
The following information may be forwarded to the membership in electronic-mail format and shall be provided to the membership in hard copy and/or made available to the membership on the association website:
C.2.1 Minutes of board meetings
C.2.2 Notices of association examination dates
C.2.3 Association members directory
C.2.4 Association newsletters, if applicable
C.2.5 Notices of social events
C.3 Information Sent Via Email and Mail
The following information may be forwarded to the membership in electronic-mail format and shall be provided to the membership in hard copy via regular Canada Post immediately thereafter:
C.3.1 Notices of annual general meeting
C.3.2 Notices of special meetings
Schedule D
(Part 11 - Dispute Facilitation)
D.1 At each annual general meeting, the membership shall elect a dispute facilitation committee consisting of three full participating members and one alternate full participating member.
D.2 The purpose of the dispute facilitation committee shall be strictly limited to reviewing any and all complaints made by or against any member of the association and providing recommendations to all parties involved in the complaint.
D.3 Complaints made to the association against any member of the association shall only be accepted on the following grounds:
D.3.1 Complaints must be in writing.
D.3.2 All complaints shall be fully disclosed to all parties involved.
D.3.3 Complaints must be made directly to a member of the dispute facilitation committee.
D.4 Upon receipt of a valid complaint, the dispute facilitation committee shall immediately advise the board of directors as to the date upon which a complaint has been made. No other details with respect to the complaint shall be provided to the board of directors.
D.5 The dispute facilitation committee shall implement all measures necessary to ensure that the details of all complaints remain strictly confidential.
D.6 Once a complaint has been fully reviewed, the dispute facilitation committee shall provide its comments and/or recommendations to all parties involved and shall return all documentation pertaining to the complaint to the original parties.
D.7 Under no circumstances shall any documentation pertaining to complaints against any members be retained in the possession of the dispute facilitation committee once the matter is resolved. Any documentation created by the dispute facilitation committee during the course of a complaint process shall be immediately shredded upon completion of the matter.
D.8 The dispute facilitation committee shall advise the board of directors immediately upon the completion of each complaint that the matter has been resolved but shall provide no further details regarding the matter.
D.9 Any member found to be in breach of the strict requirement for confidentiality shall be immediately removed from the dispute facilitation committee upon a majority vote of the board of directors.