NORAC Constitution

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The name of the Association shall be The National Organisation of Asbestos Consultants otherwise referred to as NORAC.

The aims of the Association shall be:

To promote best practice and improvements in the asbestos analytical and surveying sectors.
To share knowledge and understanding of asbestos related matters.
To provide independent technical guidance for analysts and surveyors where gaps exist.
To assist, where appropriate, with technical advice and guidance for Clients and Duty Holders
To act as a focal point for members seeking advice and assistance with asbestos queries.
To allow members to co-operate with each other and sharing experiences including unusual finds and uses of asbestos.
Where appropriate, to collaborate with other similar international associations.

To further these aims the committee shall have power to:

Obtain, collect and receive money or funds by way of membership contributions, donations, grants and any other lawful method towards the aims of the Association.
Associate local and regulatory authorities, voluntary organisations and other organisations with similar aims in a common effort to carry out the aims of the Association.
Do all such lawful things as will further the aims of the Association.

The Association shall have a membership. Organisations who support the work of the Association can apply through the website to become a member.
All members will be entitled to vote, where required, at meetings.
The Management Committee shall have the power to approve or reject applications for membership or to terminate the membership of any member provided that the member shall have the right to be heard by the committee before a final decision is made
The Principles of Data Protection, as detailed in the Data Protection Act 1998,
will be adhered to so as to ensure that all personal data is safeguarded.

A Management Committee elected annually at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall manage the Association with support from the general manager.
The committee shall consist of a chair, secretary, treasurer, the general manager and other ordinary members as considered appropriate up to a maximum of 15.
Members wishing to apply to be considered for the management committee will be required to submit a personal statement outlining their experience. The personal statement will also identify why they believe they would be an appropriate member of the management committee. Personal statements will be required at least 4 weeks in advance of the AGM.
All applications will be reviewed in the first instance by the management committee. Where applications are received which would result in the committee exceeding its maximum capacity then a member voting system will be utilized.
The member voting system will consider all ordinary committee members as part of the election process. The post of general manager will be a permanent role and not subject to re-election unless the need arises.
The committee may co-opt up to a further two voting members who shall resign at the next Annual General Meeting.
The committee shall meet at least 4 times each year.
At least 3 committee members must be present at a committee meeting to be able to make decisions.
A proper record of all transactions and meetings shall be kept.

An Annual General Meeting shall be held within 12 months of the date of the adoption of this constitution and each year thereafter.
Notices of the AGM shall be published three weeks beforehand and a report on the Association’s financial position for the previous year will be made available at the AGM.
Member meetings will be called periodically throughout the year. There will be at least 2 member meetings per year in addition to the AGM. A notice explaining the place, date and time will be sent to all members at least three weeks beforehand. These meetings may be online or face to face depending upon circumstances.
Proposals to change the constitution must be given to the secretary at least 14 days before a management committee meeting and approved by a two thirds majority of those present.

The funds of the association including all donations, contributions and bequests, shall be paid into an account operated by the management committee.
The funds belonging to the association shall be applied only to further the aims of the association.
A current record of all income, funding and expenditure will be kept.

The Association may be dissolved by a resolution passed by a simple two-thirds majority of those present and voting at a Special General Meeting.
If confirmed, the committee shall distribute any assets remaining after the payment of all bills to other group(s) or organisation(s) having aims similar to the Association or some other charitable purpose(s) as the Association may decide.