The Constitution of the National Network of Assessment Centres

Constitution, October 2007
(MS Word document, 139 Kb)

The Network

The formal network of centres will be named the National Network of Assessment Centres, and is referred to in the Constitution as the NNAC.

Aims and Objectives

To facilitate a network of assessment centres conducting assessments for Disabled Students' Allowance
To exchange information, knowledge and expertise within the network.
To act as a lobbying organisation advocating and promoting the aims and interests of members.
To contribute to a Quality Assurance framework for assessment centres
To provide or otherwise arrange/co-ordinate training for members.
To promote the activities of the NNAC using a range of appropriate publicity materials and marketing opportunities.
To contribute to, or undertake research activities in the pursuit of enhancing disability equality
To offer guidance and information, and to support the activities of other providers wishing to promote equal opportunities for disabled people and those with specific learning difficulties.
To co-operate with other agencies in the development of regional, national and international networks designed to further the achievements of disabled individuals and those with specific learning difficulties.

Membership Standards

Membership of the NNAC will be open to all Disabled Students' Allowance Assessment Centres that:

to implement and comply with a Quality Assurance Framework
appear on the list circulated to funding authorities by an officially recognised regulatory body
participate fully in the Quality Assurance Framework audit and any self assessment and/or audit process developed by the NNAC
successfully complete self assessment and external audits against the QAF and NNAC standards.

The NNAC is organised into 5 area groups (North East, North West, Central, South East and South West) to reflect the regional development of the NNAC and to represent the interest of members in a local context. (Appendix 1; Terms of Reference for Regional Groups).

Each Region will elect a Centre Manager from that region to serve as the regional representative on the Executive committee. Regional representatives shall hold the position for one year. Post holders may stand for re-election. (Appendix 2; Terms of Reference for the Executive committee).

Regional groups will meet a minimum of three times per annum.

Executive Committee

The Executive will consist of Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and each regional representative.

The posts of Chair, Vice-Chair and Treasurer will be drawn from Centre Managers and will be held for one year. Post holders may stand for re-election. No member may hold more than one elected post at any one time.

Nominations for the three main posts should be made to the Administrative Centre on the nomination forms supplied prior to the AGM. In the event of there being more than one nomination for a post, a postal or electronic ballot will be conducted and the outcome announced at the AGM.

In the event of the post of Chair, Vice-Chair or Treasurer becoming vacant during the year of office, it will be filled by a volunteer from the Executive committee. The person so appointed will retire at the next AGM, but may be eligible for re-election to the post.

Members of the Executive will represent NNAC on any forum. If more than the required number of the Executive volunteer to be the representative(s), the NNAC Exec will elect the representative(s).

Obligations for Members

Members will agree to abide by the following commitments:

To comply with the aims , objectives and Quality Assurance Standards of the NNAC
To pay membership fees by the agreed date.
To attend the AGM and a minimum of 2 regional meetings each year
To implement and work within the current DfES DSA guidance

Cessation of Membership

Cessation of membership will be endorsed by the Executive.

Membership will cease;

If a member fails to meet the obligations for members as set out in this constitution.
If a member has not paid the Annual Membership Fee within the stipulated time (see Finance section).

With regard to 1 (above):

Where a member is considered to have failed to meet the obligations of membership, the Executive shall fully examine the facts and circumstances involved (including consultation with involved parties). The Executive will then make a decision regarding the cessation of membership. Cessation will be by Resolution by the Executive. The member concerned will be notified in writing of the decision by the Chair of the Executive. (See Finance section for information on fees)

On cessation of membership a member shall cease to have any interest in the funds of the NNAC but shall be liable for all NNAC fees up to and including the date that cessation of membership takes place, and for the return of any NNAC property or goods.

There will be no reimbursement of the membership fee.

On cessation of membership a Member shall forfeit the right to use the corporate identity of the NNAC in any of their activities, or on publicity and marketing materials.

NNAC Operations

The quorum at meetings shall be achieved by the presence of official representatives from at least 50% of the members.

An Annual General Meeting of the NNAC shall take place to review the activities of the organisation, to elect officers to posts, to receive year reports from elected officers, consider NNAC finances and constitutional matters, and any other business of importance to the organisation. The AGM will take place as an event itself or as part of a larger event each year. Centre managers are expected to attend. Centres are expected to only send one representative to the AGM.

Extraordinary Meetings of the NNAC may be called at the discretion of the Executive or through the combined wish of a minimum of 25% of the total membership, giving a minimum of 2 weeks notice of the date of the meeting.

Notice of all meetings should be in writing and distributed to the membership.

Items to be included on the agenda of meetings of the NNAC should be received by a member of the Executive no later than 7 days in advance of the relevant meeting.

All centres have voting rights at meetings of the NNAC including the AGM and Extraordinary Meetings. These rights can only be exercised by the Assessment Centre Manager or a nominee, on the basis of one Centre, one vote.

Members may not bring or send observers to the AGM but may bring personal assistants as necessary to aid mobility or communication to meetings. Personal Assistants have no voting rights.

Normal business will be agreed by a majority vote.

Voting at NNAC meetings shall be by a show of hands or other public indication unless a majority would like a secret ballot. Any matter put to the meeting shall be considered "passed" if a majority of votes are cast in favour of it. If the votes are otherwise equal, the Chair of the meeting shall have a casting vote.

The membership may appoint any other committees with such terms of reference as they may deem necessary. Committees and appointees shall be responsible to, and shall report directly to, the Executive. They may not act for or bind the NNAC unless authorised to do so in writing by the Executive.

Minutes are required to be made of all meetings and copied to the Executive for further circulation, where applicable.

Finance

The NNAC's monies shall be kept in such an account at a bank or building society. The Executive shall appoint persons to carry out transactions on any such accounts. Three signatories will be authorised - the Treasurer, the Chair and the Vice-Chair. Any two signatories will be required on cheques.

Unless otherwise decided by the membership, the NNAC's financial year shall run from April 1st to March 31st of the following year.

The NNAC shall cause proper books and accounts to be kept of all transactions, assets and liabilities. The accounts shall be certified by a qualified accountant. Annual accounts shall be prepared in respect of each financial year which, together with the Treasurer's report thereon, shall be presented to the AGM each year.

Save as otherwise provided in the Constitution or where otherwise determined by the Membership or Executive Committee, NNAC will not be responsible for the subsistence and travel expenses of members.

Membership Fees

All new Members shall pay an annual membership fee. The annual membership fee shall be paid pro-rata depending upon the timing of the acceptance of the new member.

Proposed changes to membership fees will be put to members and be subject to ratification at the AGM. Membership fees are due annually on April 1st.

Membership fees are due within one month of the beginning of the subscription year.

If the fee is not paid within that month, the member shall be advised in writing that if the fee is not received within one further calendar month, membership shall be deemed to have lapsed. In this circumstance a re-application for membership must be accompanied by all unpaid fees. (See Cessation of Membership for additional information on fees).

Miscellaneous

Members who require clarification on the interpretation of this Constitution should consult the Executive Committee.

No alteration shall be made to this Constitution except by Resolution proposed and passed at the AGM or an Extraordinary Meeting called for the purpose. Resolutions should be considered passed if agreed by a majority of not less than three-quarters of those eligible to vote. A postal or electronic ballot may be provided if supported by one-quarter of representatives present.

Dissolution

The NNAC may be dissolved if at least three-quarters of the total membership of the NNAC so resolve at a meeting of the membership on the day stated in that Resolution (being at least six months after the passing of that Resolution).

If demanded by one-quarter or more of the membership, a secret ballot shall be held on any such Resolution and this shall not be passed unless the total number of votes in favour should equal or exceed three-quarters of the total membership of the NNAC.

In the event of the NNAC being dissolved, all outstanding debts will be paid and any surplus funds shall be divided amongst the membership equally.

Oct 2007 Finalised by NNAC-EXEC

Constitution, October 2007
(MS Word document, 139 Kb)