United For A Stronger Community
Ekker a Miss Umazigh
Afous Ghoufous
Association Profile
Amazigh (Berber)
Welcome Association Profile
L’ACASO is an Independent Federally Registered Amazigh Cultural Association, it is strictly political, cultural vocation and prohibits any religious activity within it. It was created on 20 Juin 2014.
Main objectives of this association:
Disseminating and promoting the Amazigh (Berber) culture and language in Canada.
Develop and maintain an Amazigh (Berber)cultural environment for the community in celebrating the great events of Amazigh (Be civilization’s history and organizing artistic and cultural events.
Our main objective is to support the teaching of Tamazight (Berber)in the Programme for International Languages Ontario.
Contribute to the integration and adaptation of new immigrants Amazigh culture by pairing with families already installed and providing them with information.
To develop an extended solidarity within the Amazigh community
Cooperation and friendships development with other communities in Canada
Artistic encouragement and creation by providing a platform for artistic talent (theater, music, singing, dance, poetry, arts and crafts…) Amazigh culture and expression.
Principal achievements:
Highlight details:
Consolidation and full integration of Tamazight in the International Languages Program Ontario
Organizing a platform that facilitate the emergence of Amazigh term artistic talents in different disciplines of songs, dance, theater, poetry, arts and crafts…)
Organization and development of an Amazigh cultural environment and acquisition of recognition in the landscape Amazigh culture in the region of the G.T.A. (Greater Toronto Area) Hamilton and its surroundings.
Developing and consolidating ties of friendship and solidarity of the Amazigh community among its members.
Creating and recognizing an ACASO prizes awarded each year to a person or entity who has done an outstanding work to promote the Amazigh culture in Southern Ontario region.
Developing links with other associations in the area.
Main recurring Activities
Annual Yennayer celebration, Tafsut Imazighen commemoration, celebrating the anniversary of the ACASO and school, film club, music, dancing, having a good time and chatting …
Important occasional activities
Musical, dance and theatrical performances, conferences, participation in events organized by municipalities or other organizations …
For more, information feel free to contact us at: info@dinooz.club
MANDATE AND MISSION
A mazigh C ultural A ssociation Of S outhern O ntario (ACASO) is an independent federally registered cultural association. It is strictly political, cultural vocation and prohibits any religious activity within it. It was created on on 20 Juin 2014.
Our values
The ACASO believes in the importance of culture for the development of a society we live in as it reflects the way we are, we think, we speak and how we behave in the same orientation. Investing in cultural development, is to enrich and develop the community, the economy, the environment as well as the well-being of all its members.
This association prohibits religious character and is limited only to the cultural and social activities. All members ACASO volunteer in the association for the promotion of the objectives of the association in principal.
Our mission,
The main objectives of Southern Ontario Amazigh Cultural Association are:
Educational Amazigh Support in The G.T.A (Greater Toronto Area) and Hamilton region by acquirement of educational resources, seminars, symposia, conferences and contacts with the School Board (Department of International Languages) and other matters.
Promotion of the Amazigh language and culture in our region.
Participate and contribute to the integration and adaptation of new immigrants of Amazigh origin in the host society by providing them with information and assistance required in their efforts to installation process.
Develop and maintain tied relations of friendship and solidarity with all other ethnic communities in Canadian society.
Celebrate events relating to the history and the Amazigh culture and civilization.
Organize meetings and family excursions to allow members of our community to get to know each other and to strengthen their ties.
Foster and cultivate friendship, networking and solidarity between members.
Contribute to the creation of cultural groups (music, dance, theatre) and sports teams and organize cultural gatherings and sporting events (while the financial, human resources (human, financial, human resources and other are permitting)
Main achievements:
Full integration and consolidation of Tamazight in the International Languages Program Ontario
Creating a platform that allowed the emergence of Amazigh term artistic talents in the areas of singing, dance and theater.
Creation, organization and development of an Amazigh cultural environment and acquisition of recognition of Amazigh in the cultural landscape of the region in the region of the G.T.A (Greater Toronto Area) and Southern Ontario.
Consolidation and development of the Amazigh community ties of friendship and solidarity among its members.
Creating an ACASO prizes awarded yearly to a person, persons or an entity that has achieved a remarkable work in promoting Amazigh-Canadian culture.
Developing and maintaining links with other associations
Recurrent activities and casual :
Recurring Activities
The annual Yennayer celebration, commemorating Tafsut Imazighen, celebrating the anniversary of the ACASO and school,
film club, dancing, networking and chatting …
Special activities
Theatrical performances, seminars, conferences, meetings and participation in events organized by regional municipalities or other organizations and associations …
Important Dates :
-10 May 2014: meeting of members of the community to inform the creation of the School of Tamazight of the G.T.A (Greater Toronto Area), explain the operating procedures, registration …
During the meeting, “the Amazigh Cultural Association of Southern Ontario – Hamilton” (ACASO) was created, a cultural and a political association serving the Amazigh community in the region” s Toronto and Hamilton (Ontario).
A provisional committee was appointed to define the status, the association’s missions …
The creation of this association follows the necessity of getting our community of Amazigh origin to reunite in order to preserve our Amazigh heritage for our children as well as to take an advantage of the introduction and the recognition of Tamazight as an international language in the Ontario education system and is conditioned by the existence of an organized community that is committed to supporting the teaching of language in addition to School Council.
– June 20 2014: application for registration of the ACASO submitted to Industry Canada level.
– August 8, 2014: Registration of ACASO at the direction of corporations (Industry Canada)
The Association’s Charter
Welcome to the Charter of the Association
Article – A Name
1. It is founded by members to these statutes a cultural association nonprofit entitled: Amazigh Cultural Association of Southern Ontario- G.T.A Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (Canada) ACASO, gathering the members of our Amazigh community residing in the area of the (G.T.A) Toronto, the Super City of Hamilton (Ontario) and their regions.
2 . This association is strictly limited to the political, cultural vocation and social activities only and prohibits any religious character.
3. This association has a website whose address is:
4. The email address of this association is: info@dinooz.club
Article – B addresses
5. The registered office is located in the Toronto-Hamilton region
Amazigh Cultural Association of Southern Ontario (ACASO)
6. The above addresses may be changed by resolution of the Board of Directors (BOD).
Article – C Objectives
The main objectives of this association are as follows:
7. Supporting teaching Amazigh in the (G.T.A) Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton about the teaching of Amazigh language, the acquisition of educational resources, seminars, symposia, conferences and contacts with the school board (international languages department) and all other matters.
8. Contribute to the creation of cultural groups (music, dance, theater) and sports teams and organize cultural gatherings and sporting events (while the financial, human resources (human, financial, human resources and other are permitting)
9. Organize meetings and family excursions to allow members of our community to get to know each other and to strengthen their ties.
10. Promoting and apportioning the Amazigh language and culture in our region.
11. Foster and cultivate friendship, networking and solidarity between members.
12. Celebrate events relating to the history and the Amazigh culture and civilization.
13. Participate and contribute to the integration and adaptation of new immigrants of Amazigh origin in the host society by providing them with information and assistance required in their efforts to installation process.
14. Consolidation and development of the Amazigh community ties of friendship and solidarity among its members and development and maintenance of friendship and solidarity with other associations and all other ethnic groups that make up Canadian society.
15. Contributions and benefactions.
16. Grants administrations concerned (governments and local authorities).
17. All donations and different contributions are not subject to any refunds nor returns, negotiable or conditioned. They may however be predetermined to a goal or a specific activity.
18. All additional resourced funds (contributions and other donations) are acceptable after the reviewed approval of the majority of the board members.
19. Business’s products.
20. Maintain and defend the objectives of the association in all circumstances.
21. To comply with these articles of this association.
22. Members ACASO must not engage in activities or develop ideas that oppose:
•Strict and total compliance with the laws of Canada;
•Respect for human rights as defined by the Canadian Charter of Rights and the principle of respect for all members of Canadian society;
23. To comply with decisions taken by the Board of Directors.
24. All members ACASO should not belong to foreign political, religious or other cultural professional union organizations, whose objectives and/or conflicting interests with those of the ACASO, in particular the promotion of Amazigh culture.
25. To commonly attend association reunions (general meetings) and activities. It organizes.
26. To demonstrate honesty, integrity, loyalty, faithfulness and full trustworthiness with respect to the association.
27. Members must be aged 18 years and older.
28. To Pay your membership dues / contributions.
29. Having conduct themselves in accordance and compliance with democratic principles.
30. To demonstrate openness, forthrightness and tolerance.
31. Anyone of our members shall receive the benefits the association provides to its members.
32. Any members associating to the CA wanting to withdraw, he or she must do so in writing, within a reasonable notification to the President who shall inform the AC’s Board members.
33. All nominations and applications must be endorsed by the CA Board of Directors.
Article – D Composition of the Board and their mandate
34. The Association activities’ are handled by a Board elected by a simple majority for two years decree by the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting. To ensure and guarding its continuity, not surpassing 50% of possible renewable seats.
35 a. The Board of Directors shall consist of seven (07) members whose terms are:
. a (e) President (e)
. a (e) Vice President (s), responsible for cultural activities
. a (e) executive (e) Finance
. a (e) executive (e) of administration
. a (e) executive (e) logistics
. a (e) executive (e) support for the teaching of Tamazight
. a (e) executive (e) relations with municipalities
35 b. The board’s candidates must be members for not less than 3 consecutive years.
35 c . The appointed candidates for the Board of Directors must be members of the association for not less than 3 consecutive years and must exercise their duties voluntarily.
36 a. A board member at least must be a resident of the G.T.A Greater Toronto Area. A board member must at least be resident of Hamilton.
36 b . As a reminder, the board members and must exercise their duties voluntarily.
Article – E Role and powers of the Board
37. Administers current affairs, convenes meetings, prepares the budget, program and organizing the secretariat and cash.
38. Execute the decisions of the general meeting, reports on its administration to the AG.
39. The Chairman or his representative chairs the meetings.
40. The Committee meets as often as necessary with a minimum of four meetings per year. It is convened by the President or upon the request of at least half of its members. At least three members of the board must be present to hold the meeting.
a – Provision In the event the number of candidates for election to the CA is equal to or less than the number of seats to be filled, the candidates are endorsed as members of the Board. Provision
b – The meeting may reinstate forthwith campaign nominations for unfilled seats. Candidates will be elected by a simple majority on the same day. Provision
c – In the event when the seats are not filled during the AG under Provisions a and b above, elections will be coordinated and run at the next meeting of the association or at a special meeting called for that function..
41. All decisions are taken by majority vote. In case of equality of votes, the chairman exercises its duty and shall have the casting vote.
42. The nominations for the Board of Directors must be received at least 10 working days before the meeting.
43. Any Board of Directors members’ who does not attend three consecutive meetings without an acceptable reason by the Board will be considered resigned in accordance with this close.
44. The members may be reappointed if eligible.
45. If there is a case of vacancy, the Board of Directors shall fill the vacancy within a reasonable amount of time under the same conditions of his appointment.
46. The Board of Directors may nominate special assignment to members.
47. The Annual General Meeting comprises of all members of the association and welcomed to take part of this event.
48. The Board Of Directors will determine and notify the date, time and location where the meeting will be held.
Article – F The Shareholders
49. The Annual General Meeting is forgathered once a year, ideally in April. It will be notified by email and, unless 50% or more members inform 10 days before the meeting’s date of their inability to attend the AGM will take place disregarding the number of members attended. If the General Meeting is postponed because an attendance is not reached, a second meeting is notified within 10 working days and the General Meeting held disregarding the number of members attended.
50. All members should ensure that their contact information such as addresses (phone and / or email address) are registered at the Association’s office and must always be up to date in order to convey their invitations as well as other news letters in a good timely manner.
51. All members are convoked by the Secretary of the Board, indicating the agenda of the meeting within ten (10) working days before the planned date.
52. The President, in assistance with the members of the Board, presides and presents the activity report of the past year along with his approval for projects and programs of the assembly as well as he exposes the moral situation of the association.
53. All matters on the agenda submitted by the Secretary for approval at the beginning of each meeting will not be a subject of any discussions during the Annual General Meeting.
54. The assembly’s meeting acknowledge, examine and decides on all proposals that are submitted.
55. The treasurer disclose the financial management and submits the annual report for approval by Board of Directors at the meeting.
56. During a rightfully convoked general meeting, a member may object decisions made while the meeting is held.
57. It adopts the minutes of the general meeting.
58. The proxy votes are accepted, although it can only relate to the proposed questions and addressed before the general meeting and may also extend to an electronic proxy vote to be valid as well as admissible and accepted to one proxy per family, must be dated, signed and sent by email to the ACASO.
59. Members must decide on each issue by a majority vote during the meetings, unless otherwise provided in these bylaws, in case of an even result, the president’s vote counts double, therefor the vote is taken by show of hands unless a minimum of two members require a secret ballot.
60. The Board may request the membership vote electronically, Between General Assemblies.
Article – G Extraordinary General Meeting
61. At As per the president request as well as if its inquired by 50 % (fifty per cent) plus one of the members, in that case the president can convoke an extraordinary general meeting following the measures assigned in Article I.
Article – H Financial Administrations
62. The Board of Directors and (the) Treasurer (e) of the association keep in their holding all accounting books as well as the financial statements and transaction records of the association.
63. An auditor will be elected by a simple majority and shall be appointed for this duty at each annual general meeting of members, he or she will audit the books and financial statements of the association after each fiscal year.
64. The investment expenses of the equipment will not be refunded unless justified with proofs and must be pre-approved by the Board of Directors.
65. All checks, promissory notes, drafts and other banking papers exceeding the amount of $ 100 must be signed by the president and treasurer of the association.
66. The fiscal year of the association for accounting and tax filling is set from 01 January to 31 December.
67. The Rules and regulations are eventually intended to address situations not supported by the charter.
Article – I The association’s resources
With the exception of being exclusive, the association’s resources include:
Article – J Rules
68. The Board of Directors may establish a procedure which is approved by the AG.
Article – K The discipline, Dissolution
69. Any member responsible for facts or acts which affect the existence, good working order or prestige of the association, or which contravene the objectives of the association, failed to pay its dues (membership fees) will result to his or resignation immediately.
70. The Board of Directors will adopt sanctions ranging from censure to discharge.
71. The Board of Directors and the member in question must meet for a hearing before any punishment decision, unless they refuse to attend.
Article – L Association’s members, membership, expulsion, resignation.
Any person interested to promote the association’s objectives can join. Each association’s member is required (e):
A paragraph – In the situation where the number of candidates for election to the CA is equal to or less than the number of seats to be completed, the candidates are approved as members of the Board Paragraph b – The meeting may reopen forthwith campaign nominations to fill vacant seats. Candidates will be elected by a simple majority on the same day. Paragraph c – where all the seats had not been filled during the AG under paragraphs a and b above, elections will be organized and held at the next meeting of the Association or at a special meeting called for that reason ..
72. The Board of Directors decisions are final and without appeal.
Article – M Amendments
73. The regulations (decrees) may be amended during any Annual General Meeting by a simple majority vote of the members present, provided that a proposal to this issue has been submitted to the Board of Directors in writing at least fifteen(15) business days before the General Meeting. In case of an even votes result, the President’s vote counts double.
Article – N Duties of N CA
The President’s office:
74. All duties and responsibilities assigned by the Board of Directors must be performed.
75. Ensures that regulations are enforced.
76. Convokes, presides, maintains order and directs the discussions of the meetings of the GA and CA.
77. Along with the Secretary or the Treasurer, as convenient, the President signs guidelines, records and other documents.
78. They will vote a second time, in case of a tie in the votes.
79. Whenever necessary he represents officially represents the association.
Duties of the Vice President.
80. Exercises the responsibilities and duties assigned by the Board of Directors.
81. Replaces and exercises the responsibilities of the President in case of his absence or unavailability.
He must assumes the responsibility for the organization of cultural and sports activities.
Duties of the Administration Staff.
82. Writes the summaries of Board meetings and GA.
83. Exercises the duties and responsibilities assigned by the Board.
84. Assumes the preparation of the official correspondences.
85. Communicates and transmits the notices (by email, phone or mail).
86. Keeps and maintains records and all documents related of the association and its operations.
Duties of Finance Staff.
87. Collects or arranges collecting contributions as well as donations from all legitimate sources.
88. Exercises an assumes responsibilities and the duties assigned by the Board of Directors.
89. Presents a financial report to the Board of Directors for examination whenever he’s been asked.
90. Signs banking checks for a maximum of one hundred (100) Dollars). Thus to this amount the co-signature of the President (or his/her appointee) is required. This amount may be changed once a year by the CA.
91. Submits a complete and detailed financial report of the fiscal year-end of to the Board of Directors or at the AGM.
92. Coordinate and manage the fundraising organization.
93. Continue proceeding to all expenditures that the CA or the AG decides.
Duties and responsible in charge of the Tamazight teaching:
94. Exercises the responsibilities and the functions implemented by the Board of Directors.
95. In charge for relations with the school board and the school concerning the Tamazight classes.
96. Replaces and exercises the responsibilities as well as the duties of Vice-President during his absence or his/her unavailability.
Duties of the responsible of relations with the municipality:
97. Exercises the functions and assigned responsibilities by the Board of Directors.
Duties for logistics
98. Exercises the responsibilities and duties assigned by the Board of Directors.
Article – O Price ACASO
99. The ACASO awarded a symbolic prize to a person or persons (institution, cultural association, group …), in Southern Ontario Region, has contributed and worked in the interest of the community in Southern Ontario Region, language or Amazigh culture.
Article – P Website
100-The management of the site remain the responsibility of the Board Of Directors.
101. The direct access to emails by the President and Secretary shall be open at any time.
102. The CA must approve at first any page to add or modify on the site.
103. Webmaster is responsible for the site’s changes or additions and management and is appointed by the Board of Directors.
104. Any association’s member may submit a page to the CA in order to be add it to the site.
105. Any member who owns and publish their pages on the site his or her name and (copyright) will show on the page. At his or her own choice to keep or withdraw his or her page if he or she decides to leave the association.
Article – Q Cancellation.
106. If the association is in a dissolution case, the AG will decide its asset allocation.
107. Only a statutory unanimous decision by the General Meeting to dissolve the association.
108. The President’s office must keep the official seal of the association.
Article – R Drafts.
109. The hearing of the decisions(s) is determined by the General Assembly attended by the members of the association.
110. In all references to people (members) in the articles above, the feminine includes as well the masculine unless already précised.
111. Abbreviations:
. CA: Board of Directors
. AG: Annual General Meeting Profile
Courtesy: prod.acaoh.ca
