Rules and Regulations of the Editors Guild of India (1978)

As on: 05/09/2023

RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE EDITORS OF GUILD OF INDIA

1. NAME
   The Name of the society is “THE EDITORS GUILD OF INDIA” (hereinafter referred to as “the Guild”)
2. REGISTERED OFFICE & AREA OF OPERATION
   The Registered office of the Guild is situated at B-62 Gulmohar Park (first floor), New Delhi-110049. The area of operations of the Guild shall be all India or as may be decided from time to time.
3. MEMBERSHIP
   1. ELIGIBILITY
      1. Only individuals shall be entitled to become members of the Guild. Institutions shall not be admitted as members.
      2. All individuals, who are functioning editors of bonafide, general interest newspapers, news agencies or periodicals, shall be eligible for membership. Editors of house journals, trade magazines and the like shall not be eligible for membership. However, members of the other national bodies of editors may, at the discretion of the Executive Committee, be enrolled as members.
      3. A person who is not functioning editor but has for a minimum period of 5 years, functioned as an editor of a newspaper, news agency or periodical and who otherwise qualifies as provided hereinabove shall be eligible for admission as member. Provided that the executive committee shall have the right to audit as an honorary member, at its sole discretion, any of person about whom they said committee, unanimously, comes to the opinion that it would be in the interest of the Guild to have as a member. An honorary member shall not be entitled to vote.
   2. SELECTION
      1. The Executive committee shall set up a credentials committee, comprising of three members of the executive committee, to screen and process application for membership.
      2. The credentials committee shall formulate norms on the basis of which it shall screen and process application for membership. These norms shall be based upon the aims and objects of Guild.Where the recommendation for membership, by the credentials committee, is not unanimous the matter shall be referred to the executive committee, which shall take a decision by a vote through a secret ballot. An applicant who fails to secure at least two-thirds of the votes cast by the members of the executive committee, shall not be admitted to membership. A rejected application may be reconsidered upon the passage of 12 calendar months from the date of its rejection.
   3. ADMISSION FEE & SUBSCRIPTION
      1. The fee for membership shall be Rs.500/-(rupee five hundred) and subscription Rs.500/- (Rupee five hundred) per annum, or such amount, as may be decided by the executive committee, and ratified by general body, from time to time.
      2. The executive committee may fix different fees for different categories of members if it thinks fit.
      3. The admission fee and the subscription shall be payable in advance.
   4. EXCLUSION/DISQUALIFICATION
      1. A member shall cease to be so:
         1. on submitting resignation from membership and executive committee accepting the same;
         2. on submitting resignation from membership and executive committee accepting the same;
         3. on committing default in payment of subscription for two consecutive years; on being declared insane/of unsound mind by any doctor or board of doctors, legally authorised to declare him so;
         4. on being declared bankrupt in the course of insolvency proceedings, or any other manner; on being convicted by any court for any offence involving moral turpitude;
         5. on becoming ineligible for membership of the Guild in accordance with the provisions of the Societies registration act 1860 or any other law for the time being in force;
         6. on being expelled from the membership of the Guild in accordance with the procedure laid down herein below.
      2. The executive committee shall have the power to expel any member, whether a full member or an associate member, by a vote by secret ballot, with a two-third majority of those present and voting, in case it is of the opinion that the member concerned has acted;
         1. In a manner prejudicial to the interest or contrary to the objects of the society or
         2. in a manner unbecoming of the position of an editor
      Provided that;
      1. No such vote shall be valid unless at least 50% of the total strength of the executive committee is present and votes, at such a meeting.
      2. A person shall not be expelled or removed from membership unless he has been given an opportunity to make a representation in this behalf.

• MEETINGS
  1. ANNUAL GENERAL/EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETINGS
     1. The Guild shall have an annual general meeting every year, convened with a clear notice of 30 days, to transact such business as it is authorised to do under the law.
     2. The first annual general meeting shall be convened and held within 18 months from the date of Guild’s registration. The subsequent meetings shall be held within 6 months from the date of the close of the financial year. Provided that, the executive committee shall have powers to extend the date of the annual general meeting, for reasons to be communicated in writing to all the members of the Guild.
     3. All other meetings of the general body shall be extraordinary general meetings. Such meeting may be called at any time by the executive committee or by the president, either on their own initiative or, on a requisition from not less than 25 members.
     4. Whosoever calls or requisitions an extraordinary general meeting shall have to give 21 clear days notice of their requisition to all members of the Guild. A copy of the agenda for the requisitioned meeting shall have to be supplied along with such notice.
        Provided that the president of the Guild may, for reason to be recorded in writing, waive the stipulated 21 day prior notice and permit such a meeting to be convened at such reduced notice as is necessary/expedient in the particular circumstances.
     5. Ten members present in person, shall form the quorum for a general /extraordinary general meeting. If at a general /extraordinary general meeting, a quorum is not available the meeting shall stand adjourned and shall be reconvened after such a lapse of a time as suggested by the president. No quorum shall be necessary for an adjourned meeting.
     6. Each member present in person shall have one vote. The president of the Guild shall, in addition have a casting vote in equality of votes.
  2. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS
     1. There shall be a meeting of the executive committee every quarter.
     2. Apart from the foregoing the president may convene a meeting of the executive committee, as and when necessary, for the dispatch of the business of the Guild.
     3. Five members of the executive committee present, shall form the quorum for a meeting of the executive committee.
     4. Every meeting of the executive committee shall be preceded by at least seven days notice in writing, specifying the place, date, hour, and the nature of business to be considered at the meeting, to all members of the executive committee. Provided that the president shall have the power, in appropriate cases, to relax the requirement of notice. In which case, intimation of the meeting as above, may be given by telephone/fax/telex/email, or any other method such as would amount effective communication of the proposed meeting, to all the members, or such of them as cannot be reached in the normal way within the time available. Provided that non-receipt of notice shall not invalidate the proceedings of a meeting.
     5. If a member of executive committee is consecutively absent for three meetings, without leave of absence, he/she shall cease to be a member of the committee, if the committee so decides.
     6. The president of the Guild shall preside over the meetings of the executive committee. In his absence either the president shall nominate a member of the committee to preside or the executive committee shall nominate a senior member from among itself to preside.
     7. The general secretary of the Guild, or such other person, whom he/she may nominate for his purpose, shall keep the minutes of committee’s meetings. The minutes, signed by the president of the meeting, shall be conclusive evidence of what transpired at the meeting.
     8. All decisions by committee, except when provided otherwise in these rules, shall be taken by a majority of votes. The president shall have a casting vote.
  3. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY CIRCULATION
     1. The president may conduct the business of the committee by circulation or by mutual consultation. A resolution by circulation, approved by a majority of the members of the committee, shall be effective and binding as if it had been passed at meeting of the committee. Such a resolution shall be placed before the next meeting of the committee and recorded in the minutes of the said meeting.
• MANAGEMENT
  1. The president and the executive committee shall manage the Guild in accordance with these rules and regulations.
     1. At every annual general meeting the general body shall elect a president, a general secretary and a treasurer of the Guild. Thereafter the president shall nominate, in consultation with senior members of the Guild, not more than 15 members to constitute the executive committee. In addition to the foregoing all former president of the Guild shall be permanent invitees to the executive committee. Besides these the president may invite up to three other members as special invitees. Permanent invitees to the executive committee shall have all the rights and privileges available to other members of the said committee.
     2. Provided that the president shall have the right to co-opt, from among members of the Guild, to fill vacancies that arise between two annual general meetings.
     3. Any vacancy in the post of the president, for whatever reason, shall be filled by the election from among the elected members of the executive committee. Provided that the president shall have the right to nominate any member of the executive committee that he/she may choose, as the acting president, in case he/she is temporarily unable to discharge his duties.
     4. A member of the executive committee may resign at any time, subject to the same being accepted by the president. In case the president refuses to accept the resignation of any member of the committee, he/she shall continue to remain as a member of the said committee, till next annual general meeting, or till the president accepts his/her resignation, whichever is earlier.
  2. POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
     1. The committee shall have full powers and authority to do at all acts, matters, deeds, and things which the Guild is authorised to do under the law, convention or otherwise and which may be necessary for fulfilment of the objects of the Guild, and in particular the following:
        1. To look after, manage and supervise the work of the Guild, its properties and assets, and to spend money for the purpose.
        2. To pay rents, rates, taxes and all other expenses and salaries and remuneration to employee and others.
        3. To invite and accept donations, subscription and gifts with or without any consideration, terms and conditions.
        4. To make, add, alter, modify or delete from the rules and regulations of the Guild from time to time.
        5. To create and abolish jobs and posts, to appoint and dismiss staff and employees to such posts and, to specify the terms and conditions for the same.
        6. To borrow against the security of the asset of the Guild, by way of bank overdrafts loan or otherwise, as may be necessary for the benefit of the Guild and for more effectively carrying out objects of the Guild; provided however, the executive committee unanimously agree on such borrowing.
        7. Limited to the terms of their decisions or agreement, to authorise two or more members of the executive committee to execute such documents, deeds, papers, etc. as may be necessary in connection therewith.
        8. To sign, or to arrange for and/or authorise the signing or execution of, any agreement, contract, instrument, documents or any other paper or writing required to be signed or executed on behalf of the executive committee by any two or more members of the executive committee, to be nominated in this behalf by the executive committee, and to make the same effective and binding as if the said agreement, contract, instrument or document or paper of writing were signed by all the members of the executive committee.
        9. To appoint or make provision for the appointment of a sub-committee of the executive committee, and/or any other member of the Guild, to attend to or supervise or conduct specified jobs or functions or Guild matters in such manner and subject to such rules and regulations as the executive committee may prescribe.
        10. To authorise any one or more executive committee member to hold any property or any fund or any investment of the Guild, subject however, to such terms and conditions, rules and regulations as the executive committee may from time to time think fit and proper.
        11. To spend any portion of the corpus or the income of the Guild for purchasing any land and or constructing any building or buildings for and in the name of the Guild for the purpose of carrying out promoting and /or executing any or all of the objects of the Guild.
        12. To invest the funds of the Guild in the purchase of immovable properties or such securities, in such manner as allowed by law, as may be in force from time to time, and to convert, alter, vary, dispose of or transfer such investments from time to time; provided that such investments shall not be made which are directly or indirectly for the benefit of any person referred to in sub-sec(3) 2 of sec.13 of income tax act 1961,or any subsequent amendments as may be made from time to time.
        13. To carry over from unexpended income of the Guild in a particular year, subject to the applicable provisions of the income tax act 1961, to the next year or years and spend the same in such subsequent year or years for the advancement of the objects of the Guild.
        14. To sell such portion or portions of the movable or immovable properties forming parts of the Guild’s Estate either by public auction or by private contract at such price or prices and in such terms and conditions relating to title or otherwise in all respects as they may, in their absolute discretion, think fit; and rescind or vary any contract for the sale thereof and to resell same without being answerable for any bonafide loss occasioned thereby; and to execute all conveyances or other assurances; and to pass valid and effectual receipts and discharge for all moneys received by them.
        15. To keep an account or accounts with any bank or banks, to operate such account or accounts whether in debit or in credit and to give all appropriate instructions to the banker or bankers concerning the operation of such account or accounts and to authorise, by appropriate resolution, two or more members of the executive committee to operate such account or accounts, on its behalf.
        16. To pay all charges and outgoings payable in respect of any immovable property for the time being forming part of the Guild. To carry out repairs, required to be done to the same, and keep the same insured against loss or damage by fire. To incur all other costs, charges and expenses incidental to the administration and management of the Guild Estate and the properties for the time being belonging to the Guild as they may in their absolute discretion think fit.
        17. To manage or supervise the management of any lands, hereditament, and premises for the time being comprised in the Guild estate or any part thereof with power to erect, pull down, rebuild, add to, alter and repair houses and other buildings and to build drains and to make roads and fences and otherwise to improve and develop and to cultivate or cause to be cultivated all or any of the said lands, hereditaments and premises and to insure houses and building against loss or damage by fire and/or other risks or to let, lease, make allowances to and arrangements with tenants ,agriculturists and generally to deal with the said lands, hereditaments and premises as they may deem fit in their absolute discretion.
        18. To appoint secretaries, managers, lawyers, solicitors, auditors, architects, engineers, surveyors or other employees for the purpose of management and supervision of the Guild Estate, for collection of rents, effects and profits, for keeping the accounts and for other purposes of the Guild.
        19. The executive committee may establish its office at such place or places and may change such places from time to time as it may think fit.
        20. To demise the immovable property or properties for time being and from time to time belonging to the Guild either from year to year or for any fixed term or for any term of years or on monthly tenancies at such rent and subject to such covenants and conditions as it may think proper; and also accepts surrenders of lease and tenancies and generally manage same in such manner as it thinks proper.
        21. To compromise or compound all actions, suits and other proceedings and settle differences and disputes touching the Guild Estate and to refer any such differences or disputes to arbitration and to adjust and settle all accounts relating to the Guild Estate and to all other acts and things fully and effectually without being liable or answerable for any bona fide loss occasioned thereby.
        22. To frame schemes and rules and regulations to carry out the objects of the Guild and for managing the affairs of the Guild and otherwise for giving effect to the objects and the purpose of the Guild and to vary the same from time to time as the executive committee may, in its discretion, deem fit and proper.
        23. The receipts granted by the executive committee or any one or more of them, for any moneys, stocks, funds, shares, securities or investments paid delivered or transferred to it in exercise of the powers specified herein shall effectually release and discharge the person or persons paying, delivering or transferring the same and from seeing or from being bound to see the application thereof or being answerable for the loss or misapplication thereof.
        24. To do all such acts, deeds and things as are necessary, incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objects of the Guild.
• DISCIPLINARY ACTION
  1. If a member acts in a manner prejudicial to the interests or contrary to the objects of the Guild or in a manner unbecoming of the position of an editor, the executive committee may, by two-third majority of those present and voting through a secret ballot, take appropriate action against the offending member. The action may take the form of a reprimand or removal from membership.Provided that a person shall not be removed from membership unless he/she has been given an opportunity to make a representation, and to be heard, in this behalf.
• ACCOUNTS
  1. All fees and donations will be kept in banks and the accounts will be operated by the executive committee in accordance with the rules framed by it in this regard.
• AUDIT
  1. A qualified auditor appointed by the executive committee shall audit the accounts of the Guild at least once in a year.
• CHAPTERS
  1. The executive committee may permit setting up of the chapters of the Guild in a town with at least three members on such terms and conditions as the committee may stipulate.
• LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
  1. The Guild may sue or be sued in the name of the president and shall be under jurisdiction of the courts where the registered office of the Guild is situated.
  2. The decisions/actions of the general body or the executive committee cannot be challenged before any court of law.
• EFFECTIVE DATE
  1. The Guild set up on March,1977, shall be deemed to have come into existence as a registered society on the date of its registration.
• FINANCIAL YEAR
  1. The Guild shall follow the Government of India’s financial year as its financial year.
• DISSOLUTION
  1. Not less than one-half of the total numbers of members may determine, at the meeting convened for the purpose, that the Guild shall be dissolved, whether forthwith or otherwise.
  2. If on dissolution of the Guild there shall remain, after the satisfaction of all the debts and the liabilities, any property or asset whatsoever, the same shall be given to a media related organisation or purpose or to an organisation having objects similar to those of the Guild, as may be decided by the executive committee.
• AMENDMENTS
  1. A meeting of the members of the Guild, convened for the purpose, with a clear 21 day notice in writing, shall be authorised to amend memorandum and articles of association/rules and regulations with at least two-third of the members present voting in favour of such amendment.
• INFORMATION TO THE REGISTRAR
  1. The registrar of societies of Delhi shall be informed of any addition, alteration, modification or deletion in the memorandum and article of association/rules and regulations of the Guild as and when these are made.