International Consulting Economists’ Association

 

CONSTITUTION

 

(As amended on 2 October 1990 and 14 September 1994)

 

 

Clause:     1.      The name of the association shall be International Consulting Economists’ Association, constituted as a non-registered charity (hereinafter called ICEA).

 

2.      The aims and objectives shall be:

 

(i)     to increase overseas professional opportunities for UK economic consultants;

 

(ii)    to exchange information among members on topics of interest;

 

(iii)    to promote wider consideration of new methods of analysis and new approaches to economic issues of concern to members;

 

(iv)   to provide a social forum for members.

 

3.            Membership shall consist of individual members. Membership shall be open to suitably qualified individuals with a professional interest in overseas economic development, projects and analysis. Prospective members shall be required to complete an application form to be submitted to the Committee of Management (hereinafter called the Committee) for approval.

 

         Honorary membership may be offered at the discretion of the Committee for up to one year. Life membership may be conferred by the members in general meeting.

 

4.            Termination of Membership. The Committee shall have the right for good and sufficient reason, to terminate the membership of an individual member provided that the individual member shall have the right to be heard by the Committee before a decision is made.

 

5.            Subscriptions shall be determined annually by the Committee.

 

6.      An Annual General Meeting shall be convened annually in the month of September by the Committee, which all members shall be entitled to attend for the purpose of receiving the Annual Report of the Committee and the Annual Statement of audited accounts; of appointing honorary officers of ICEA; of accepting resignations of members of the Committee; of electing a maximum of 12 members to serve on the Committee; of appointing an auditor; of making recommendations to the Committee; and, whenever necessary, of voting on proposals to amend the Constitution in accordance with Clause 13 hereof.

 

7.      Officers  - Honorary Officers. The AGM shall elect a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and such other officers as it may from time to time determine. The Chairman shall hold office for a period of not more than 3 years. There would be 1 year’s compulsory retirement with possible re-election thereafter.

 

Paid officers. The Committee shall have power to appoint and dismiss any paid employees of ICEA as it may from time to time determine.

 

8.      Committee of Management. Subject to the limitations set out in Clause 6,  the policy and general management of the affairs of ICEA shall be directed by a Committee of Management which shall meet not less than 8 times a year. This Committee shall consist of all those members and officers elected at the AGM, and a further maximum of 5 co-opted members. Elected members shall hold office for three years, with one third retiring each year.

 

The Committee of Management shall have power to appoint such other Committees as it may from time to time decide and shall determine the powers of these Committees and their terms of reference. The Secretary shall have the right to attend any meeting of all Committees.

 

The Committee shall:

 

arrange to hold regular meetings of the ICEA;

 

publish a list of members;

 

publish a newsletter:   

 

provide members with services helpful to them in pursuit of’ their professional interests;

 

from time to time organise and hold conferences, seminars, courses, exhibitions and other events connected with any of the objectives of Clause 2;

 

form links and co-operate with other bodies or individuals concerned with the work of consulting economists at an international level;

 

provide informed comment on matters of interest to ICEA;

 

represent the ICEA.

 

9.     Special/Extraordinary General Meetings. The Chairman or Secretary may at any time at their discretion, and shall within 30 days of receiving a written request to do so signed by not less than 10 members and showing reasons for so doing, call a special General Meeting.

 

10.   Procedures:

 

a)      Voting. Subject to the provisions of Clause 13 all questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of members present. No member shall have more than I vote even if appointed to represent more than 1 interest.  Voting shall be restricted to members who have paid a subscription for the current year

 

        In cases of equal voting, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

 

b)           A quorum shall consist of 5 members of the Committee.

 

c)           Minutes shall be kept by the ICEA and the Committee of Management and all other Committees.

 

d)           The Committee shall have the power to suspend any member of the Committee for lack of attendance or an other action prejudicial to the work of the Committee.

 

11.    Finance:

 

a)      All money raised by the ICEA shall be applied to further the objectives of the ICEA and for no other purpose.

 

b)     The Treasurer shall keep proper accounts of the finances of the ICEA.

 

c)     The Accounts shall be audited once a year by an Auditor who shall be appointed at the AGM.

 

d)     An annual statement of accounts for the last financial year shall be submitted by the Committee to the AGM.

 

12.    Dissolution. If the Committee decides by a simple majority, at any time, that there is reason to dissolve the ICEA it shall call a meeting of all members.          Not less than 30 days notice shall be given, stating the terms of the resolution to be proposed.  If such decision should be confirmed by a simple majority of those present at such a meeting the Committee shall have the power to dis­pose of any assets held by the ICEA.

 

13.    Alterations to the Constitution. Any proposal to alter the Con­stitution must be delivered in writing to the Secretary not less than 30 days before the date of the meeting at which it is to be raised. Any alteration will require the approval of both:

 

a)      a simple majority of members of the Committee present and voting at a meeting;

 

b)     a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at a Special or Annual General Meeting.

 

Notice of such meeting must have been given an accordance with normal procedures, but not less than 21 days prior to the meeting in question and giving the wording of the proposed alteration.