Membership
Membership Categories of the Dutch Burgher Union of Ceylon
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Membership Categories of the Dutch Burgher Union of Ceylon
Rule 3. Members:
Any Dutch descendant of full age and of respectable standing in the Community shall be eligible as a Member of the Union. The term “Dutch descendant” shall include the descendants in the male line of all those of European nationality who were in the service or under the rule of the Dutch East India Company in Ceylon, and the children of such descendants in the female line by marriage with Europeans.
4. Associate members:
4.1. Applicants unable to furnish sufficient genealogical evidence to qualify under Rule 3, may at the entire discretion of the General Committee be admitted as “Associates”. They will not have voting rights.
4.2. The total number of “Associates” admitted under Rule 4.1 shall at no time exceed two-thirds of the total number of Members and Overseas members.
5. Overseas Members:
Applicants residing permanently abroad who satisfy all the requirements set out in Rule 3 may at the entire discretion of the General Committee be admitted to membership of the Union under the classification of “Overseas Members” and shall be entitled to the rights and privileges of Members in Rule 3.
6. Overseas Associate members:
Applicants residing permanently abroad who satisfy the requirements set out in Rule 4.1 may at the entire discretion of the General Committee be admitted to membership of the Union under the classification of “Overseas Associate members” and subject to the limitations imposed in Rules 4.1 and 4.2.
6A. Members by Invitation:
6A.1 The General Committee may at its entire discretion and not withstanding anything to the contrary in Rules 9.1 and 9.2, invite and admit as a Member of the Union any permanent resident of Sri Lanka who is a member of and of respectable standing in the Burgher Community, and who is interested in the Objects of the Union even if such a person is not a “Dutch Descendant” within the meaning of Rule 3. Such members shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges and shall be subject to all the duties and responsibilities of Members, and shall be eligible to be elected as a member of the General Committee but shall not be eligible for election to The Dutch Burgher Union Board as mentioned in Rule 8.11.
6A.2. For the purpose of this Rule, the term “Burgher” shall apply to all persons of European descent, born in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and their descendants in the male or female lines, provided they are described on their birth certificates as “Burgher”. Their mother tongue must be English and they should be of a social and cultural background that is consistent with the ethos and culture of the Union.
6A.3 The General Committee shall be solely competent to determine the application of the definition in Rule 6A.2 to any candidate for membership under this rule.
6B. Honorary Members:
The General Committee may at its entire discretion and not withstanding anything to the contrary in Rules 9.1 and 9.2, invite and admit as a member of the Union any permanent resident of Sri Lanka of respectable standing who is interested in any of the Objects of the Union, even if such a person is not a “Dutch descendant” within the meaning of Rule 3. Honorary Members shall have no voting rights and shall not be eligible for election as an officer or member of the General Committee of the Union, but shall be entitled to all other rights and privileges and shall be subject to all the duties and responsibilities of members. Honorary Members shall be exempt from annual subscriptions.
6C. Temporary Honorary Members:
The General Committee may at its entire discretion and not withstanding anything to the contrary in Rules 9.1 and 9.2, invite and admit as a member of the Union, during any period of residence in Sri Lanka, any citizen or permanent resident of the Netherlands, who is interested in any of the Objects of the Union, even if such a person is not a “Dutch descendant” within the meaning of Rule 3. Temporary Members shall have no voting rights and shall not be eligible for election as an officer of the Union, but shall have such rights, privileges and obligations as the General Committee may determine. Temporary Honorary Members shall be exempt from annual subscriptions
6D. Temporary Members:
The General Committee may at its entire discretion and not withstanding anything to the contrary in Rules 9.1 and 9.2, invite and admit as a member of the Union, during any period of residence in Sri Lanka, any foreign citizen, who is interested in any of the Objects of the Union, even if such a person is not a “Dutch descendant” within the meaning of Rule 3. Temporary Members shall have no voting rights and shall not be eligible for election as an officer of the Union, but shall have such rights, privileges and obligations as the General Committee may determine.
6E. Honorary Life Members:
The General Committee may at its entire discretion confer Honorary Life Membership of the Union on any Member of the Dutch Burgher Community who has given outstanding service to the Community and / or the Union. Honorary Life Members shall continue to having voting rights.