The Constitution of The National Association of Teachers of Travellers and other Professionals
As amended 29th June 2011
NATT+ is a Professional Association.
Members of the Association will conduct themselves according to the principles and values as expressed in this constitution.
Purpose
The Association is committed to facilitating an active and supportive network for the benefit of its members.
1.0 Aims
1.1 To support members of the Association by:
- being proactive at local, national and European levels with regard to improving education for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers
- providing a forum for the exchange of knowledge and information
- promoting inclusion of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller cultures in the curriculum through projects and members' work
- promoting the professional development of members by providing training, information and guidance.
1.2 To actively promote the educational rights of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers.
1.3 To promote awareness of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers as minority, cultural and/or ethnic groups and for their Education to be provided within a framework of Inclusion and Equality.
2.0 Membership
2.1 Membership of the Association is open to individuals who are qualified teachers and other professionals (including those retired) involved or interested in the education of Gypsy, Roma and Travellers communities.
2.1b Group membership (e.g. a school) should be £50 with one nominated person for emails etc.
2.2 Members are entitled to:
- Vote
- Stand for election for Officer posts and other Executive positions. e.g. Chairs of Working Groups within the Association
- attend the National and Annual General Meetings of the Association
- receive information at least once a term
- join Working Groups and projects
- receive priority allocation of places at NATT+ residential conferences
- be co-opted to the Executive with their agreement
- invite visitors to attend general meetings
2.3 Membership is terminated by non-payment of subscription at the due date of 1st June
3.0 National Meetings
3.1 Each year there will be an Annual General Meeting in May and a minimum of two other national meetings. Dates of national meetings to be confirmed annually at the AGM.
3.2 National meetings can reach decisions if quorate. A quorate meeting shall be one where 10% of the membership is in attendance.
3.3 Non-quorate meetings may proceed and make recommendations to the Executive Committee.
3.4 Additional National meetings may be called by the elected Officers of the Association, or at the request of 10% of the membership of the Association.
3.5 NATT+ national meetings will be chaired by the President of the Association. In the absence of the President, the Chair will be taken by the Vice President or by another Executive member.
3.6 The Executive Committee shall appoint a Minute Secretary.
3.7 Members may only invite visitors to National Meetings if the visitor is hosting or presenting.
3.8 Resolutions may be moved by any member present at a meeting, or in writing in advance of national meetings providing the proposal is seconded by another member.
4.0 National Meetings' Agenda
4.1 The writing and dissemination of the agenda will be the responsibility of the Executive Committee.
4.2 Members may contribute to the agenda by contacting the Vice President of the Association one month before meetings.
4.3 The agenda will be sent to members two weeks before meetings.
4.4 Members unable to attend meetings may make comments on agenda items by writing to the Vice President of the Association one month before meetings.
5.0 Executive Committee
5.1 There will be appointed a President, Vice President, Treasurer and a Membership secretary who will be known as Officers of the Association.
5.2 Officers together with the Chairs of the Working Groups constitute the Executive Committee.
5.3 The Executive may co-opt members when appropriate.
5.4 The Executive Committee may invite people with particular expertise to advise them at the meetings and support representations.
5.5 The President and Vice President should have Qualified Teacher Status and be currently employed in a teaching or managerial capacity and be currently involved and up to date in education of GRT communities.5.6 Officers will be elected at alternative Annual General Meetings, for a term of office of two years.
5.6 The role of Treasurer and Secretary can be held by members who are not currently active in the education of GRT but have skills relevant to the positions.
5.7. Officers will be elected at alternative Annual General Meetings, for a term of office of two years.
5.8 An Executive Committee member will be deemed to have resigned if three consecutive meetings are missed without reason.
5.9. An Executive member shall give notice of resignation in writing to the President and it shall take immediate effect.
5.10. Executive Committee Meetings will take place at least once each term.
5.11 An annual cycle of general meeting dates will be agreed at each Executive Meeting.
6.0 Duties of Officers
The President, Vice President, Membership Secretary and Treasurer of the Association shall:
- be known as Officers of the Association and members of the Executive Committee.
- fulfil all responsibilities and duties of the Executive as detailed in the constitution.
- uphold the aims and rules of the association as detailed in the constitution
- respond to the wishes and concerns of the members.
7.0 Working Groups
7.1 The Officers of the Association shall commission and decommission such groups as are considered necessary to support the work of the Association.
7.2 The Membership of Working Groups shall be recruited from the membership
7.3 Working Groups shall appoint their own chair, who should be currently employed in a teaching or managerial capacity and be currently involved and up-to-date in education of GRT communities and will be a member of the Executive Committee. Normally their term of office shall be for two years, ideally commencing in the second year of the President’s term of office.
7.4 At each AGM the purpose, membership and business of Working Groups shall be reported to members.
8.0 Nominations and Elections
8.1 Nominations of officers shall be made in writing to the Vice President one calendar month before the relevant AGM.
8.2 Names of candidates will be made known to the membership in the mailing for the AGM.
8.3 In the event of no nominations being received, the consent of members present at the AGM will be sought to accept nominations from the floor, or to agree an interim arrangement where necessary.
8.4 Nominations of absent members will be valid if their consent has been received by the Vice President prior to the meeting.
8.5 Absent members wishing to vote may do so in writing to the Vice President, indicating choices, to arrive before the meeting.
8.6 A simple majority of the membership will determine the results of the voting. In the event of a hung vote, the Chair will have the casting vote.
8.7 An interim Officer may be elected from the floor at a national meeting in the event of the resignation of an officer and there being no nominations
8.8 Election of new Officers will be the last item on the agenda of alternate AGM’s. The retiring Committee will be responsible for the minutes of their final AGM.
9. 0 Subscriptions and Finance
9.1 Any changes to annual membership subscription will be proposed by the Executive and voted upon by the membership at Annual General Meetings.
9.2 Accounts will be properly kept, independently verified and presented to the membership at AGMs.
9.3 Financial procedures will be adopted and adhered to as laid down in ‘NATT+ Finance Guidelines’.
9.4 A Budget plan will be agreed by the Executive and will be reviewed annually.
10.0 Constitution
10.1 Members and meetings are bound by the terms of the Constitution.
10.2 The constitution may be amended by proposals moved at the AGM providing ;
· Proposed and seconded proposals are made in writing to the Vice President two calendar months before the AGM
· The membership shall be informed in writing of proposed constitutional amendments in the mailing for the AGM at which they will be considered
· The amendments are agreed by a simple majority of the voting membership at the AGM
· Proposals may be amended from the floor with the agreement of the membership
10.3 The Constitution shall be reviewed annually.
11.0 Complaints procedure
11.1 Complaints about the conduct of Officers, Executive Committee or Members shall be made in writing to the President. A complaint about the conduct of the President shall be made in writing to the Vice President. A reply must be issued within ten days. In the event of the reply being deemed unsatisfactory by the complainant, the President, or where the complaint is about the President, the Vice Officer, must bring the complaint and the response to an Executive Committee meeting.
The complainant and the defendant will have the right to respond to/and attend and contribute to the deliberations of the Executive Committee and are entitled to bring a friend. The Executive Committee will determine the final outcome in the event of a sanction being deemed necessary the membership will be notified at a general meeting.
12.0 Dissolution
12.1 The Association may be dissolved at a meeting called for this purpose, of which not less than 21 days notice in writing shall be given to all members.
12.2 The Association shall be dissolved with the agreement of 75% of members present and voting at such a meeting.
12.3 After the payment of all claims on the association the assets shall be distributed according to proposals from the Executive, or from the floor, agreed by 75% of the membership, present and voting.
