The name of the company shall be Sensory Integration Network (U.K. & Ireland) Limited. This may be abbreviated to S.I. Network (U.K. & Ireland) Ltd.

Mission Statement

Sensory Integration Network is committed to the promotion and development of sensory integration theory and practice.

Philosophy The aim of the association is to promote education, good practice and research in sensory integration, theory and practice.

This includes: • The relationship of sensory integration to a broad range of diagnostic groups.

• The relationship of sensory integration therapy to other intervention approaches.

This aim is based on the belief that:

• An understanding of sensory integration theory provides a framework for addressing sensory integrative dysfunction. • An understanding of a variety of treatment approaches enables a therapist to work in an integrated way to meet the needs of individual clients.

Aims:

• To provide a multidisciplinary special interest group.

• To provide structured training leading to recognised certification and registration.

• To promote research in the field of sensory integration and related difficulties.

• To provide a newsletter and a journal.

• To facilitate the exchange of information and publications, including a lending library resource.

• To facilitate the formation of regional branches, under the auspices of S.I. Network.

• To raise public awareness of sensory integration through advice and education.

• To provide information, advice and support to parents, carers, and teachers of people with sensory integrative or related difficulties.

• To link with Sensory Integration groups internationally. • To create links with professional bodies in the U.K. & Ireland.

Membership Membership:

• Open to Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, and Speech & Language Therapists.

• Full members are eligible to vote or hold office.

• Open to other health and educational professionals, students, parents and carers.

• Associate members are eligible to vote, but not to hold office

• Associate members may be co-opted to sub-committees of the Association.

Extra Ordinary General Meeting:

• This may be called on the written request, to the secretary, of the Executive Committee or not less than five members.

• The request must state the purpose for which the meeting is called; no other business will be discussed.

• Two weeks notice of such a meeting shall be given to all members.

• A quorum shall be seven members of the association.

Committee Meetings:

The Executive Committee shall meet as often as necessary, not less than twice a year.

Voting Procedure

• Every member shall have one vote, in the case of an equality of votes the Chairperson shall have an additional casting vote.

• Members unable to attend a meeting may register their votes by letter to reach the secretary before the commencement of the meeting.

Records

• Minutes of the A.G.M. shall be submitted for approval and signed by the Chairperson as an accurate record at the following A.G.M.

• Minutes of the Executive Committee Meetings shall be submitted for approval and signed by the Chairperson as an accurate record at the next Executive Committee meeting.

Finance

• Annual membership fees must be kept in a designated bank account.

• Funds may be accessed by authorised signatories of two members of the Executive Committee, one of whom shall be the Treasurer.

• Contributions, donations and all other income shall be banked, invested and used for the purpose of the Company as determined by the Executive Committee.

• No member of the company shall have the right to pledge the credit of the Company.

• Independent auditors, who are not Members, shall be appointed. At least once a year the accounts of the Company shall be examined and the correctness of the income and expenditure account be ascertained.

Amendments

• Alterations to this constitution shall receive the assent of two-thirds of the member present and voting, together with any postal votes, at an Annual General Meeting or an Extra Ordinary General Meeting.

• A resolution for the alteration of the Constitution must be received by the Secretary, at least one month before the meeting in which the resolution is to be brought forward.

• At least three weeks notice of such a meeting must be given by the Secretary to the membership, and must include notice of the alteration proposed.

• Terms of reference adopted by the Executive Committee may be amended by a majority vote at any properly constituted meeting of the Committee.

Dissolution

The Company may be dissolved by a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority at an Extra Ordinary General Meeting convened for the purpose. Twenty-one days notice of such a meeting shall be given to the members.

Honorary Membership • The status of Honorary member will be granted to:

• members of the advisory panel, for the duration of their term.

• members with distinctive contribution to the development of the Association.

• Honorary members who are eligible for full membership will be entitled to vote.

Membership Fee.

• The membership fees shall be fixed at the Annual General Meeting.

Termination of Membership

• Membership shall cease if a member is in default of payment by the set deadline.

• Membership may be renewed on payment of the annual subscription.

• The executive committee has the right to terminate the membership of any member who has behaved in such a manner as to bring disrepute to the Association.

Confidentiality

• All names and addresses of members shall be held in strict confidence unless permission for release is secured from individual members.

Management

• An executive committee who shall be the board of directors shall conduct the affairs of the company.

• An Executive Committee who shall be representative of the membership will support them.

• Committee membership should be multidisciplinary.

• Committee members may serve for two years. They will be eligible for re-election for a further two years.

• Vacancies may be filled by invitation of the Executive Committee. Members so appointed will serve until the next Annual General Meeting.

• All proceedings must be minuted and all accounts kept.

• A quorum shall consist of five committee members, the absence of which shall make the meeting null and void and no decision can be taken.

Attendance at Courses • Anyone registering for a course shall be a member of SI Network (UK and Ireland) ltd.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall be the board of directors and shall comprise of the following:

• Chairperson Vice-Chairperson

• General Secretary Treasurer

• Membership Secretary

There will be a minimum of four and a maximum of eight other officers in order to meet the obligations of the Association.

Chairperson: The chairperson is responsible for running and conducting the business of the meeting, according to the agenda, and ensuring rules of procedure are followed. The Chair must ensure that it is the decision of the majority that is acted upon.

Vice-Chairperson: The vice-chairperson shall stand in for the chairperson where the chairperson is unable to attend or chair meetings. In this role the vice-chair shall assume the responsibilities of the chair as listed above. The Vice-Chair shall support the Chair in carrying out duties necessary to the smooth running of the company.

Secretary: The Secretary should: keep an accurate record of all meetings, and write, keep and distribute minutes; be responsible for the preparation and distribution of agenda and relevant papers; be responsible for the safe keeping of a copy of the constitution; deal with correspondence as appropriate.

Treasurer: The Treasurer is responsible for managing the Associations finances, responding regularly on them, and for keeping income and expenditure accounts. Accounts must be audited once a year and presented to the Annual General Meeting.

Membership Secretary: The Membership secretary shall be responsible for receiving, processing, registering new members and re-registering existing members annually. Responsibilities shall be shared with the General Secretary by mutual agreement.

Sub-Committees: The Executive Committee shall have the power to arrange Sub-Committees to deal with special areas of responsibility as it sees fit; the procedures and duties of which shall be governed in all respects by the Executive Committee.

Advisory Panel: The Executive Committee may invite parents, carers and advisors from other professions to be part of an advisory panel.

Meetings

Annual General Meeting • This must be called annually, within six months of the end of the financial year.

• A minimum of three weeks notice of the A.G.M. will be given to each member.

• A quorum shall be seven members of the Company.

• If such a quorum is not present the secretary shall contact every member to ascertain whether they wish to continue with the company.

• The audited accounts and the Chairpersons report shall be submitted.

• The Executive Committee shall be elected for the following year.

Extra Ordinary General Meeting: • This may be called on the written request, to the secretary, of the Executive Committee or not less than five members.

• The request must state the purpose for which the meeting is called; no other business will be discussed.

• Two weeks notice of such a meeting shall be given to all members.

• A quorum shall be seven members of the association.

Committee Meetings:

• The Executive Committee shall meet as often as necessary, not less than twice a year.

Such resolution may give instructions for the disposal of any assets held by, or in the name of, the Company, provided that any property remains after Company, but shall be given or transferred to some other group or organisation having objectives similar to the objectives of the Company.

Constitution, September 2003 Sensory Integration Network Ltd