A national student federation sought declarations that a student union remained a member and owed unpaid membership fees after the union held a referendum purporting to withdraw from the federation.
The court held the referendum invalid because it did not comply with the federation’s bylaws governing defederation, including requirements that a petition from individual student members initiate the process and that proper notice be provided.
The court found the referendum had been initiated and orchestrated by the student union’s executive rather than by individual members, contrary to the bylaws, and that other procedural requirements were not followed.
Because the referendum was invalid, the student union remained a member of the federation and was contractually obligated to remit membership fees.
Damages were awarded for unpaid fees accrued since the purported withdrawal.
