SIN Constitution
Name of Organisation
The Scottish Interpretation Network is a voluntary association based in Scotland. It may also be known by the acronym SIN.
Object
The purpose of the association shall be to support the development of and the quality and understanding of natural and cultural heritage interpretation in Scotland.
Aims
- Provide a network for professionals and interested parties to make and maintain contacts and to share advice, information and best practice.
- Offer support and advice and encourage discussion, through the SIN network, to individuals and organisations working in or interested in the field of interpretation.
- Promote good practice in interpretation.
- Instigate and /or facilitate training initiatives to support interpreters working in Scotland.
- Promote the benefits of quality interpretation, at senior decision-making level, across all aspects of Scottish life.
- That the executive of SIN will produce a policy document, approved by the membership.
Structure
SIN is a member organisation composed of a membership body, an executive committee and working groups.
- The membership body is defined as all current members who have paid annual fees.
- The executive committee shall be responsible for the management of the affairs and property of the association and shall be elected by the membership.
- Working groups may be established within the association as and when appropriate, in order to take forward individual projects of benefit to the organisation, such as the organisation of conferences and events, the development of the website or the writing of reports and newsletters.
SIN can develop links of a formal or informal nature with interpretive or other relevant groups and networks that would further the aims and policies of SIN.
Membership
Members
Membership of SIN shall be open to any individual or any organisation involved in or interested in interpretation in Scotland, whose work or interest is compatible with the policies of SIN and in furthering its aims and objectives.
Membership is only deemed active if the membership fee decided by an Annual General Meeting of SIN has been paid in full. Only fully paid up members shall be eligible to vote at the AGM.
Membership fees shall be determined by the association’s AGM.
A register of members shall be held by SIN and shall comply with current legislative requirements.
Executive Committee
SIN members shall at each AGM elect its committee members and three office-bearers (chairperson, secretary and treasurer) and such other officials as are deemed necessary by SIN.
Executive members shall be proposed and seconded by two members of SIN. The office-bearers shall be appointed for a minimum period of one year and a maximum of three, but shall be eligible for re-election on retiral. All elected officer-bearers of the association must be fully paid up members of SIN.
There shall be a minimum of three and a maximum of nine committee members including office-bearers, and in the event of any vote at a committee meeting being tied, the person chairing that meeting shall have an additional tie-breaking vote. A committee meeting shall be quorate if three members are present.
The executive committee can co-opt individuals or representatives from other organisations, who may assist in fulfilling the aims and objectives of SIN, to sit on the executive committee of SIN in a non-voting capacity.
Executive members of SIN must declare any professional or financial interest that may arise as a result of their undertaking work on behalf of SIN.
Members of the committee may not receive financial benefit for the normal and ongoing committee work and usual responsibilities of a committee member or office-bearer, other than reimbursement of expenses properly incurred on behalf of the association. However, members of the committee may be paid by the association on a fee basis for services rendered to SIN in an artistic, performing, educational, administrative, technical, research or consultative capacity. Any committee member entering into such an agreement will not be able to vote on their own appointment and remuneration and at all meetings of the association there shall always be present a majority of committee members who are not paid for their services.
Ordinary members of SIN are entitled to attend executive committee meetings, and minutes will be published on the SIN website.
Working Groups
The committee may establish working groups for such purposes and on such terms and conditions as they deem necessary.
Interpretation Gatherings
Gatherings of the Scottish Interpretation Network shall take place regularly in order to further the aims of the association.
Annual and Emergency General Meetings
There shall be a general meeting of the association’s members held within a period of fifteen calendar months from the date of the previous annual general meeting. The association’s AGM shall be notified to members 30 days in advance of the date of meeting.
An Emergency General Meeting shall be held at the written request of twenty percent of the association’s then current membership, within thirty days of receipt by the committee of such a written request.
Changes to the Constitution of SIN
No change shall be made to this constitution except by a resolution approved at an Annual General Meeting or Emergency General Meeting of the association by a two thirds majority of those members present and voting at the meeting, providing always that due notice of the proposed resolution has been given to all members.
Any alterations to the constitution shall be notified to the Inland Revenue Charities or successor body. No changes to the constitution shall be made to the constitution that would cause the Inland Revenue to cease to recognise it as a charity for tax purposes.
An annual report shall be produced each year and launched at the AGM.
Dissolution of SIN
Should a majority of two thirds of those present and eligible as current association members to vote, at an AGM or EGM, decide to wind up the affairs of the association, any unspent funds held by the association at that time shall be donated to a recognised charitable organisation with similar aims and objectives to that of the association.