Clinical Research Nurses Association and Associate Members
Constitution
1. The Association shall be called the Clinical Research Nurses Association and Associate Members
2. The objects of the Association are to promote the art and science of clinical
research nursing and advance the education of nurses, midwives and health visitors and for the
benefit of the public.
3. Funding Clause
The Association was formed by those who attended the May 1983 Inaugural Conference and held a qualification recognised by the General Nursing Council for England & Wales (now the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NM&C))
4. The Association shall consist of: i) Full Members ii) Fellows iii) Associate Members
4.i. Full Members shall have a registration recognised by the NM&C with a fully paid CRNA subscription.
The Association shall be governed exclusively by Full Members who alone may elect Officers and amend the Constitution and Standing Orders.
4.ii. Fellows (Honorary Members Who do not pay a fee) will be elected by Full Members based on the
contribution of the proposed Fellow to promoting the aims of the CRNA. Fellows will be proposed by
any two Full Members to the Secretary at least 4 weeks prior to the Summer Committee meeting, passed by the unanimous agreement of the Committee and announced at the AGM.
4 iii) Associate Members will be persons without an NMC or equivalent qualification with an interest in the Association and able to support Article 2 of the Constitution. A lower membership fee is set for Associate Members
5 All Full and Associate Members shall pay either an annual subscription, the amount to be reviewed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), or subscribe to Life Membership by a single payment at any time, the amount to be reviewed at the AGM.
Any Full Member whose subscription is 6 months in arrears will be duly informed of this by the Secretary and if the subscription still lapses at 12 months, membership will be terminated. Any non member may attend an Open Meeting on payment of an agreed fee.
6 The Committee shall be empowered to recommend to a Special General Meeting the removal from the Association of any Member for gross misconduct recognised by the appropriate Statutory Body provided that the member in question shall have the right to be heard by the Committee before the final decision is taken.
Standing Orders
7 The business of the Association shall be conducted by a Committee of Full Members of the Association consisting of the Officers.
Namely, the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer and up to 10 Full Members of the Association. Non voting liaison officers may be invited to join the Committee for a specific purpose.
8 The term of office for Officers and Committee Members shall be for two years and each may stand for election for a second term.
The returning Officer will circulate a call for nominations twelve weeks before the AGM.
9 In the event that there is more than one nominee elections will be by vote at the AGM.
10 A person may be co opted to the Committee with a defined remit for an agreed period not to exceed two years.
11 Any vacancy arising on the Committee shall be filled by a Full Member selected by the Committee and the person
appointed shall serve only for the remainder of the term of office of the person whose vacancy has been filled.
12 The funds of the Association shall be controlled by the Committee and managed by the Treasurer.
13 Full Members may make proposals to amend the Constitution or Standing Orders of the Association.
No amendment shall be made which would have the effect of causing the Association to cease to be a Charity at Law.
Proposed amendments will be discussed by the Committee and circulated to all Full Members four weeks before the AGM.
Voting will be at the AGM or by registered objection. A veto by one third of those voting is required to defer an amendment.
14 An AGM shall be held at which the annual business of the Association will be transacted: A Special General Meeting may be called at any time by the Committee or on written request of five per cent of Full Members to the Secretary. At least four week's notice of the AGM or a Special General Meeting shall be given with an agenda. The Chair at these meetings will be taken by the Chairman or in the absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman.
15 The business of the AGM shall be to announce the election of Officers and Committee Members, toamend the Constitution and to review the annual subscription.
16 At an AGM, only the business on the Agenda, which shall be circulated before the meeting, shall be discussed.A Special Meeting shall be called for any other business.
17 Any resolution put to a meeting shall be decided by a show of hands and the Chairman's declaration based on the count shall be decisive. The Chairman shall have a casting vote.
18 All Members may attend the AGM but only Full Members may vote.
19 A Financial Report shall be made out once a year and presented to the AGM and circulated to all Members.
20 A quorum at any General Meeting, including the AGM. shall consist of at least fifteen Full Members of whom five shall be elected Committee Members.
21 A quorum at any Committee Meeting shall consist of at least two Officers and five Committee Members.
22 At least one scientific meeting shall be held each year, combined with the AGM.
23 The dates of the meetings shall be arranged by the Committee and announced at the AGM. The Secretary will inform all Members of the dates and venues of the meetings.
24 The dissolution of the Association may be effected only by the resolution passed by a three – fourths majority of the Members of the Association present in person or by proxy at a special Meeting convened for that purpose and of which notice has been served on every member of the Association at her last known address in the United Kingdom. If a motion to dissolve the Association is carried by the said majority, the Association's surplus funds, property and assets (if any) shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institution or institutions having objectives similar to some or all of the objectives of the Association and if and insofar as effect cannot be given to this provision then to some other charitable purpose.
Clinical Research Nurses Association Constitution - October 2006
