ABOUT
多倫多台灣同鄉會
Taiwanese Canadian Association of Toronto
The Brief Story of TCAT
Taiwanese Canadian Association of Toronto (TCAT), the largest Taiwanese organization in the Toronto area, was established in the 1960’s by a few fellow Taiwanese Canadian university students when they had a gathering at Niagara Fall. Later in 1963 the association was informally formed, it was not officially registered later in Ontario as non-for-profit Corporation in October 22nd, 1975.
The main objectives of TCAT are to promote the common interests and welfare of the members, to provide cultural and recreational activities for the Taiwanese community, and to better the inter-group relations within the context of Canadian multiculturalism.
The activities and services offered by TCAT usually include community educational workshops, summer BBQ, Taiwan Fest at Harbour Front Centre, sports meetup, concerts, picnics, like the Formosan Cup Softball Tournament and parties on special occasions such as Lunar New year, Mother’s Day Celebration, Mid-Autumn Festival etc.
The Taiwanese Canadian Association of Toronto and its leaderships has been working hard and stepping in to key position as community stakeholders that bridge the communities together. Other Canadian ethnic cultural members can relied on the contribution of what Taiwanese Canadian is able to bring to the table and better the land now we call our home.
多倫多台灣同鄉會簡介
1963年春天,在Waterloo大學擔任助教授的黃義明與留學生吳居宏、林哲夫聯名發函邀請在安大略及魁北克兩省的台灣留學生到尼加拉瀑布郊遊,約有二十多人參加,大家互相認識、交誼,互訴鄉愁。歸途在多倫多的晚餐席上,有人建議應該成立同鄉會,以便相互照顧,聯絡感情。經過熱烈討論後,大家一致通過成立「加拿大台灣同鄉會」,並選出黃義明、鄭建駟兩位博士為第一任正、副會長。第二年,同鄉會年會在安省的Cornwall舉行,參加人數大增,林瑞祥教授當選為第二任會長。早期,多倫多本地出身的加拿大台灣同鄉會會長,亦身兼多倫多地區台灣同鄉的聯絡工作,後來,多倫多台灣同鄉會與加拿大各地的分會陸續成立。
本會於1975年10月22日正式向安省政府登記為非營利社團法人 (Non-profit Corporation)。章程也經過幾次修訂。目前的章程是於2012年會員大會修訂通過實施。五十四年來,同鄉會宗旨以協助僑居多倫多大都會區之台僑,融和會員於加拿大生活環境與政府機關之溝通的媒介;並保持台灣文化與介紹宣揚台灣文化於加拿大社會。致力於促進社區的和諧。近年來,同鄉會每年固定的大型集會有母親節、中秋節以及農曆新年晚會。1974年開始,於每年夏季舉辦台灣盃 (Formosan Cup)壘球賽,邀請美加兩國的台灣鄉親球隊前來比賽。
多倫多台灣同鄉會本身是一個聯誼性質的團體,並沒有特別強調任何的政治主張。早期同鄉會的成員大都是留學生,他們來到加拿大以後,受到西方自由、民主的薰陶,大家聚會除了聯誼之外,也自然的關心故鄉的前途,出錢出力,為台灣的民主化貢獻心力。台灣移民到加拿大的人數逐漸增加,同鄉會因為新移民的加入,也因而更加多元化。
Congratulatory Scroll from Ontario Premier Ford and Toronto City Mayor Olivia Chow
We are very proud for being recognized by Ontario Premier Honourable Doug Ford for our PPE donation efforts!
Known Members 會員全盛期
Active Members 活躍的會員
Years of Serving 年的社區服務
%
Taiwanese 台灣人
By-Law of TCAT
1 OVERVIEW
1.1 The Taiwanese Canadian Association of Toronto (TCAT) is registered as a corporation in accordance with the Corporations Act of Ontario in 1976.
1.2 TCAT shall be located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), as determined by TCAT’s Board of Directors (Board).
2 MISSIONS
2.1 The missions of TCAT are:
2.1.1 to assist with Taiwanese immigrants, who reside in the GTA, in adapting to the environment of Canada;
2.1.2 to gather members to serve local communities within the GTA;
2.1.3 to provide methods of communications between members and all three levels of Canadian governments; and
2.1.4 to maintain and promote Taiwanese culture to the Canadian society.
3 MEMBERS
3.1 All membership applications must be approved by the Board. The Association has three (3) categories of membership as set out in Sections 3.2 to Section 3.4. All applicants must meet the following two (2) criteria:
3.1.1 Be 18 years of age or older, or with the permission of the legal guardian for those under the age of 18.
3.1.2 Agree with all missions of TCAT as stated in Section 2 and has paid membership dues within reasonable period.
3.2 Regular Member: Meets the requirement of Section 3.1 and resides in the vicinity of the Greater Toronto Area. The member, or his/her spouse, or one of the parents was born in Taiwan. Regular Members have the rights to vote, to be elected, to recall, and to resolve.
3.3 Supporting Member: Meets the requirements of Section 3.1 but does not meet the requirements of Regular Member. The applicant must be nominated by two (2) Regular Members and be approved by the Board. Supporting Members have all the membership privileges except for the following: rights to vote, to be elected, to recall, and to resolve.
3.4 Honourary Member: Meets the requirements of Section 3.1 and has made outstanding contributions to the Taiwanese Canadian community or TCAT, or made one time donation of more than $3,000. Honourary Members are nominated and approved by the Board.
3.4.1 Honourary Members pay no membership dues.
3.4.2 Honourary Members have all the membership privileges except for the following: rights to vote, to be elected, to recall, and to resolve.
3.5 All members have the right to cancel their membership; such cancellation is effective immediately upon the approval of the Application of Withdrawal by the Board. The member is still required to pay membership dues prior to the approval of the application.
4 ORGANIZATION
4.1 General Meeting
4.1.1 General Meeting is the entity with the highest authority within TCAT. The meeting is held one (1) month within the Chinese Lunar New Year. Temporary Meeting may be held when a petition is signed by over 50 Regular Members, or by the President based on the request from the Board. A notification, with time, location, and agenda, shall be delivered to all members 15 days prior to the meeting.
4.1.2 President, Secretary(s), Treasurer(s), and Auditor(s) must present a report detailing past affairs and financial status for the previous year at the General Meeting. In addition, elections for new directors and auditors, or discussions for regular or special affairs are also held at the General Meeting.
4.1.3 At least 1/5 of all Regular Members of TCAT must be in presence to reach the quorum for the General Meeting.
4.1.4 Unless regulated by the Charter or other laws when appropriate, any resolution at the General Meeting would only be approved by at least half (50%) of the Regular Members in presence. Only when a Regular Member requests decision using ballot, otherwise all resolutions are decided by vote of showing hands. Under the situation when the votes are equal, the President shall make the final decision.
4.2 Board of Directors
4.2.1 The Board of Directors (Board) consists of 10 to 16 directors. All directors are elected by Regular Members at the General Meeting. The term of office for each director is a period of two (2) years, or when a qualified successor is elected. On top of electing sufficient number of directors, up to five (5) candidates with the next most votes are considered as Reserve Directors. All elections are carried out in the form of ballot. Any acting director may be terminated at the General Meeting with at least 2/3 of the Regular Members in presence in favour of the termination. Any vacancies in the Board shall be filled by the Reserved Directors as determined by the Board. All new directors shall be inaugurated within three (3) weeks after being elected, of when the first Director Meeting is held.
4.2.2 All acting directors must attend the Director Meeting in person. If any director is absent three (3) times continuously without legitimate reasons, his or her directorial status may be terminated by 2/3 of the directors in presence who are in favour of the termination.
4.2.3 Under the situation when the total number of directors is less than 10, Reserve Director(s) shall fill in the vacancy(s). When no Reserve Director is available, the Board may fill the vacancy(s) with Regular Member(s) and then announce the replacement(s) to the public. These substituting directors shall act as acting directors for the remaining term of office of the original directors who they replace.
4.2.4 The quorum for the Director Meeting is set at half (50%) of all acting directors. Unless prohibited by unforeseen reasons, Director Meeting shall be hosted at least once per every two (2) months. Time and location of the Director Meeting are to be determined by the President. Director Meeting can be called for by the President, or requested in writing by at least 1/3 of all acting directors. A Meeting Notice with date, time, location, and agenda shall be delivered to all directors seven (7) days prior to the Director Meeting. Notification can also be communicated via phone calls.
4.2.5 Any outcome or decision from the Director Meeting shall not be affected and shall remain effective even when the Meeting Notice is found to be incomplete or erroneous later on.
4.2.6 Any resolution at the Director Meeting, unless otherwise regulated, is decided by the votes of at least half (50%) of the directors in presence. The President does not cast his or her vote; however, under the situation where the votes are equal, the President shall make the final decision. Unless requested for ballot by any of the directors in presence, all voting are conducted by showing of hands. All decisions are considered official once they are announced by the President and recorded into Meeting Minutes.
4.2.7 Directors are authorized to carry out affairs and perform duties on behalf of TCAT. The Board may, under appropriate considerations and for the benefit of TCAT, processes stocks, dividends, mortgages, securities, insurances, permissions, lands, buildings, and any other visible or invisible properties of any form through buying, renting, striving, sending, selling, trading, transferring, or other methods anytime. However, when dealing with monetary capitals, any action shall be approved by the Board with at least 2/3 of all directors agreeing to the motion, as well as by at least 2/3 of all Regular Members in presence at the General Meeting.
4.2.8 All directorial and advisory positions are voluntary and thus shall not receive any compensation of any form. When performing duties involving external procurements, directors shall avoid potential violations such as conflict of interests.
4.3 Structure and Responsibility
4.3.1 Within the Board are of one (1) President, two (2) Vice Presidents, one (1) Secretary, one (1) Treasurer, and a number of Advisors. The Board may add additional staff when necessary. All of the aforementioned positions, excluding Advisors, have the term of office of one (1) year. All positions can be re-elected and re-inaugurated either continuously or intermittently for multiple times; however, the President may only be re-elected once. All directors may take on several roles and positions as needed. All positions are inaugurated at the first Director Meeting. All Advisors are appointed by the President; term of office for all Advisors is synchronized with the President.
4.3.2 The President is elected among Directors at the first Director Meeting. The President represents and acts on behalf of TCAT externally, while take charge of all affairs and operations within TCAT internally. The President chairs all TCAT meetings such as the General Meeting and the Director Meeting. In the situation where the President is absent or is determined incapable of performing required duties, the Vice President shall take over and become the acting President until further notice.
4.3.3 Two (2) Vice Presidents are Directors who are nominated by the President and approved by the Board. Vice President External shall assist the President in external activities such as public relations, while Vice President Internal shall assist the President with internal affairs such as interactions among directors and members. In the situation where a Vice President is absent or is determined incapable of performing required duties, a director shall be elected as the acting Vice President until further notice.
4.3.4 The Secretary is the operational personnel authorized by the Board. He or she shall attend all Director Meetings and be responsible for taking Meeting Minutes. The Secretary shall be responsible for taking care of TCAT’s official seal, member database, meeting minutes, signed contracts, and any other relevant documents. In addition, he or she shall prepare and deliver necessary notifications to directors and members. At the first Director Meeting, all documents shall be transferred from the retiring Secretary to the newly-elected one. The Secretary shall also execute the decision from the Board. In the situation where the Secretary is absent or is determined incapable of performing required duties, a director shall be elected as the acting Secretary until further notice.
4.3.5 The Treasurer and its assistant(s), if any, are responsible for recording any revenue and expenditure into the account book and at the same time depositing money and valuable goods into the financial institution(s) appointed by the Board under the name of TCAT. The Treasurer and its assistant(s) shall pay all necessary expenses and collect relevant receipts as instructed by the Board. During the Director Meeting, or when requested, the Treasurer shall provide a report detailing current financial status. In the situation where the Treasurer is absent or is determined incapable of performing required duties, a director shall be elected as the acting Treasurer until further notice.
4.3.6 Two (2) Auditors, who do not belong to the Board, are elected by Regular Members at the General Meeting. Its term of office is one (1) year, multiple and continuous inaugurations are permitted. Auditors are responsible for monitoring financial statements and accounting books, and then providing a detailed report at the General Meeting.
4.3.7 Duties for other staffs are based on the requirements when they are hired, or based on the requirements set up by the Board when appropriate.
4.4 Election
4.4.1 New or renewal members, who pay their annual membership fee by December 31 of each year, shall receive all membership privileges; however, only members who have joined TCAT for more than one (1) year have the right to vote and be elected.
4.4.2 Two ways for a member to be nominated as a directorial candidate are: by TCAT’s Nomination Committee; or by any Regular Member during the General Meeting.
4.4.3 A list of all directorial candidates shall be provided to members who have the right to vote, and then announce at the General Meeting.
4.4.4 Members who have the right to vote may receive ballot form(s) from the registration desk at the General Meeting.
4.4.5 All elections within TCAT are in the form of anonymous multi-notation; each member can vote up to half (50%) of the elected quota announced at the General Meeting. Any ballot form that casts more than half (50%) of the elected quota is considered invalid.
5 FINANCE
5.1 All members have the obligation to pay the TCAT annual membership fee, of which the amount is determined by the Board. If any member failed to pay the annual membership fee a reasonable period after being informed by the staff of TCAT, his or her membership status may be suspended upon the decision from the Board. However, once the balance is cleared, membership status may be reinstated upon the decision from the Board.
5.2 The Fiscal Year for TCAT is set to be on December 31 of each year.
5.3 Any revenue or expenditure shall be handled by the Treasurer of TCAT or its staff.
6 APPENDIX
6.1 Amendments: To amend this By-Law, the Board shall be attended by two-thirds of the members of the Board, and passed with two-thirds of the members of the Board in agreement, or by motion of signature of more than 20 members to move the matters to, and calling of the General Assembly; It will required more than half of the attending Members to passed the resolution at the General Assembly.
修訂: 本會章程之修訂須由有三分之二委員出席的委員會,經出席委員三分之二表決通過後,或由二十名以上之會員連署提出會員大會,由會員大會過半數的出席會員決議通過。
6.2 This Charter was established in accordance with the Corporations Act of Ontario, which is effective immediately upon approvals from first the Board and then the General Meeting
多倫多台灣同鄉會章程
一. 總則
1.1 名稱: 本會係於 1976年 依安大略省 CORPORATIONS ACT 註冊登記之社團法人,定名為TAIWANESE CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF TORONTO,漢名譯為「多倫多台灣同鄉會」,簡稱 TCAT。
1.2 會址: 本會會址設於大多倫多地區,由委員會決定之。
二. 宗旨
2.1 本會之宗旨為
2.1.1 協助僑居多倫多大都會區之台僑,融和於加拿大之生活環境。
2.1.2 集結會員為多倫多地方當地社區服務。
2.1.3 當為會員與政府機關之溝通媒介。
2.1.4 保持台灣文化並介紹宣揚台灣文化於加拿大社會。
三. 會員
3.1 凡滿足下列所有條件者,即符合本會之入會資格:
3.1.1 年滿十八歲。未滿十八歲則須法定監護人許可。
3.1.2 認同本會之宗旨並按時繳交會費。
3.2 普通會員: 凡符合入會資格並僑居於大多倫多地區附近,且本人、配偶、或其父母為來自台灣者,即可申請成為普通會員,並由委員會通過。普通會員具有選舉權、被選舉權、罷免權、及議決權。
3.3 贊助會員: 凡符合入會資格,但本人、配偶、及其父母均非來自台灣者,即可由兩位普通會員推薦申請成爲贊助會員,並由委員會通過。贊助會員雖無選舉權、被選舉權、罷免權、及議決權,但其他權利及義務與普通會員相同。
3.4 榮譽會員: 凡符合入會資格,且對台加社區有卓越貢獻、對本會有特殊貢獻、或捐贈加幣一次達三千元以上者,由委員會推薦及審核通過,並於年會獲頒榮譽會員之稱譽。
3.4.1 榮譽會員無須繳交每年會費。
3.4.2 不符合普通會員資格之榮譽會員,則沒有選舉權、被選舉權、罷免權、及議決權,但其他權利及義務與普通會員相同。
3.5 會員得以退會申請書申請退會,該退會申請書一俟被委員會接受後即刻生效。若申請退會,在退會成效之前,會員仍有義務繳付同鄉會會費。
四. 組織與權責
4.1 會員大會
4.1.1 會員大會為本會之最高權責機構。每年在農曆春節前後一個月內召開之。如有會員五十名以上之親自簽署,或委員會得要求會長召開臨時大會。召開大會時應在開會之前15 天,將載有時間,地點與議程之開會通告,通知所有會員。
4.1.2 年度會員大會應聽取會長、祕書、財務委員及稽核在過去一年之工作與財務狀態之報告;選任委員及稽核,並討論一般或特別的會務。
4.1.3 會員大會所需的法定人數,須有親自出席人數達全體會員數的五分之一以上。
4.1.4 除非同鄉會章程或其他法律另有規定,會員大會之議決均須經親自出席會員過半數通過。除非有會員要求投票表決,否則一切議案均以舉手表決。會中不論舉手表決或投票表決,若可否同數時,由主席裁決。
4.2 委員會
4.2.1 同鄉會設委員會由十至十六名委員組成之。委員之產生係由每年會員大會選出。委員之任期為兩年,或合格繼任人選出為止。每次年會應選出補足委員名額外,就次多票五名為候補委員。選舉概以投票決定之。同鄉會會員大會得由三分之二以上票決罷免未期滿委員之職務,並由候補委員遞補其未盡之任期。新當選之委員應於當選後三星期內就任,並召開第一次委員會。
4.2.2 委員必須親自出席。如無正當理由而連續三次未出席委員會者,委員會得經出席委員三分之二以上票決解除該委員之資格。
4.2.3 委員出缺: 委員若人數低於十位時,由候補委員順次遞補。若無候補委員可補時,委員會得遴選會員遞補並公告之,其任期為被遞補委員之未盡任期為限。
4.2.4 委員會會議: 委員會開會的法定人數為選任委員之過半數出席。除非另有臨時需要,至少應每兩個月舉行一次,其地點由會長決定之。委員會的召開,應由會長或有三分之一委員以書面要求,會長應授意祕書事先發出開會通知召開之。召開委員會,應將載明時間、地點、議程的開會通知,於七日前以書面通知各委員。或以電話知會。
4.2.5 委員會之開會通知: 委員會之開會通知,如發生疏漏或錯誤時,並不影響該會議,會議中的各項決議事項仍然有效。
4.2.6 委員會議決: 委員會中的議決,除另有規定外均依出席過半數之表決為原則。主席不參加投票。若投票結果,正反人數相同時,主席有權裁決。任何出席委員均得要求投票表決,若無特別要求,即按舉手的方法進行。主席宣稱作成決議並列入會議記錄,乃為議決成案。
4.2.7 委員會權力: 同鄉會委員會依據同鄉會所授予之合法權力執行各項會務,及各種行為。在不損害同鄉會權益下,委員會基於合宜的考量下,得隨時購買、租貸、爭取、贈與、銷售、交換或其他方法處置同鄉會所擁有的股票、股份、權利、擔保、特許、證券、土地、建物、及其他有形無形的動產或不動產或權益。委員會在處理本會財產時,應有全體委員三分之二同意後,才得向會員大會提出徵求同意。經會員大會出席會員的三分之二贊成,才得執行。
4.2.8 委員的酬勞: 委員對各種工作不支酬勞。委員對同鄉會的採購事宜,應持利益迴避之立場。
4.3 同鄉會組織: 同鄉會設有一名會長、二名副會長, 祕書及財務各一名、得聘顧問若干名。委員會得視需要而決定其他職員。服務期限為一年、所有職員均得連選連任多次、但會長得連選連任一次。一人得兼多職。會長, 副會長及其他負有分組責任的委員、均係委員會在年度選舉後舉行之第一次委員會中選任。顧問由會長聘任,其任期與會長相同。
4.3.1 會長: 會長從委員中互選,對外代表多倫多台灣同鄉會,對內負責同鄉會會務作業的運作與監督。同鄉會會員大會與委員會均由會長主持。在會長因故出缺或喪失行為能力期間,其職務與權責由副會長執行。
4.3.2 副會長: 二名副會長由會長提名具備有委員資格之人選, 經由委員會通過後擔任。副會長應輔佐會長之職務與權責,第一副會長負責同鄉會外務工作, 第二另一副會長負責內務工作, 包括會員聯繫。副會長因故出缺或喪失行為能力時,得由委員會推選委員遞補之。
4.3.3 祕書: 祕書為委員會授權的執行人員。祕書應參加所有委員會會議,擔任會議記錄。負責監護保管同鄉會會印及所有名冊、文件、記錄、通訊、合約及同鄉會所屬之一切文件;對各會員及委員送達必要的通知。年度交接時祕書應辦理移交手續、並應執行委員會隨時決定之職責。
4.3.4 財務: 財務或在其負責下執行財務之人員、應將同鄉會各項收支詳實登錄帳簿內、並將所有錢財或有價物品用同鄉會名義存入委員會所指定之銀行或財務機構。財務得依委員會指示支付同鄉會各項費用,收取單據,在召開委員會時,或有所要求時,就各項業務及財務狀況一併送呈委員會報告。
4.3.5 本會設稽核二名,由會員大會每次年會選舉之。其任期為一年,連選得連任。稽核負責監督和審核同鄉會之財務與會計帳冊,向大會提出書面報告。
4.3.6 其他職員: 同鄉會其他職員的職責按聘僱時的條件,或按委員會隨時的需要而定之。
4.4 選舉辦法
4.4.1 資格: 凡於每年12月31日前繳交會費,或舊會員於年會時補繳者,得享該年度會員資格。選舉及被選舉人應有一年以上之會員資格。
4.4.2 提名: 兩種方式,一由委員會『委員提名小組』徵詢有意願出任並有被選舉權的會員為候選人。另一為會員大會當場提名候選人。
4.4.3 名單: 具有選舉權之會員名單應由祕書組提供給候選人,並於會員大會時公佈之。
4.4.4 選票: 會員報到時,如具選舉權,可向註冊組領取選票。
4.4.5 投票: 投票採多記法,可圈選至會員大會時公佈之應選名額一半以下,如超過,該選票無效。
五. 會計
5.1 會費: 會員有繳年會費之義務,其金額由委員會決定之。祕書應通知會員應繳會費,若會員在收到通知經過一段合理時間後仍未繳年費者,經委員會決議,得停止該會員資格,但若將未付的會費繳清後,仍得經委員會恢復其會員資格。
5.2 會計年度: 本法人組織的會計年度定為每年的十二月三十一日。
5.3 出納: 同鄉會之收入開支均由財務或其職員負責行之。
六. 附則
6.1 修訂: 本會章程之修訂須由有三分之二委員出席的委員會,經出席委員三分之二表決通過後,或由二十名以上之會員連署提出會員大會,由會員大會過半數的出席會員決議通過。
6.2 本章程依安大略省社團法人法制定,經同鄉會委員會決議通過,由會員大會通過後立即生效。
Organization Structure 組織架構
General Member 會員
Board of Directors 委員
President and Executive Directors 會長與執行委員
Advisors and Consultants 顧問
Auditor 稽核監督委員
Formosan Cup Division 福爾摩莎杯
2022 – 2023 執行團隊 The Team
DAVID HU
President 會長
WOODY YAO
VP External 外務副會長
MICHAEL CHEN
VP Internal 內務副會長
DANNY WU
Secretary 祕書
DAVID YANG
Treasure 財務
ALAN LIN
Director 委員
COLUMBUS LEO
Director 委員
PAUL SHIH
Director 委員
JEAN CHEN
Director 委員
NANCY LIANG
Director 委員
Alice Lee
Director 委員