Founded in 1966 and reconstituted in 1995, FISA BC’s commitment to its founding purposes and principles, as expressed in Part 2 and 3 of the Constitution, remains unchanged. These express FISA BC’s “heart and soul.”

FISA BC welcomes the participation of those with similar commitments. Membership provisions may be found in Part 2 of the By-laws. Inquiries are welcome and may be addressed to the Executive Director, Peter Froese.

Constitution – Federation of Independent School Associations in British Columbia

Part 1 – Name

The name of the Society is the Federation of Independent School Associations in British Columbia (the “Society”).

Part 2 – Purposes

The purposes of the Society are:

(a) to make known to the public and government the rightful place and responsibility of independent schools within a democratic and pluralistic society;

(b) to strengthen understanding and co-operation between independent schools and other educational institutions in general, and between independent schools and government in particular;

(c) to support and encourage high standards in the independent schools of British Columbia;

(d) to administer funds, including the distribution and investment of such funds, received by the Society from government or any other source for any purpose; and

(e) to engage in such other related services and activities as the Board of Directors may decide.

Part 3 – Principles

The Society is committed to upholding the following principles in its activities:

(a) the child is entrusted to the parents (or guardians) who consequently have the first right and responsibility for their child’s (ward’s) education;

(b) parents have the prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their child (Article 26 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights);

(c) government has the obligation and responsibility to promote democratic freedom by assuring equal educational opportunity for all students;

(d) parents who exercise their right to choose an education for their child outside the public school system have the right to an equitable share of government funding for such education and government has the obligation to provide such funding; and

(e) all schools have an obligation to be educationally responsible.

This clause is alterable.

Part 4 – Non-Profit

The activities of the Society shall be carried on without purpose of gain for the Members and any profits or other accretions to the Society shall be used as and when determined by the Directors of the Society in promoting the purposes of the Society.

Part 5 – Amalgamation

The Society may only be amalgamated with one or more other societies each of which is a non-profit organization or a registered charity if, upon such amalgamation, all property, assets and accumulated income of the Society pass to and vest in the amalgamated society.

Part 6 – Dissolution

In the event of winding up or dissolution of the Society, any funds, assets or accumulated income of the Society remaining after the satisfaction of its debts and liabilities, shall be given or transferred to such one or more non·profit organizations or registered charities promoting similar objects to this Society, as may be determined by the Members of the Society at the time of winding up or dissolution, and if effect cannot be given to the aforesaid provisions, then such funds shall be given or transferred to such one or more non-profit organizations or registered charities as may be determined by the Members of the Society at the time of winding up or dissolution.

Part 7 – Unalterability Clause

Paragraphs 4, 5, and 6 of the Constitution are unalterable.