CONSTITUTION AND RULES OF THE

FORMED A.D. 1942

NAME

The Association shall be called the “ ULSTER BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION”

AIMS

The purpose of the Association shall be to unite beekeepers for their mutual benefit, to serve the best interests of beekeeping by all means within its power, to foster the development of beekeeping and to ensure its survival in perpetuity.

OBJECTIVES

1.) To promote the formation of local Beekeepers’ Associations;

2.) To disseminate information and advice about Beekeeping by means of literature, leaflets and in any other manner the Association may think suitable;

3.) To support and encourage the improvement of the Honey Bee and the promotion of Honey Bee products;

4.) To improve the standard of Beekeeping, including the organising of Beekeeping classes and encouraging Beekeepers to acquire approved Beekeeping qualifications;

5.) To liaise with appropriate Associations and other Bodies for the benefit of Beekeeping;

6.) To obtain funds from legitimate sources, for the benefit of Beekeeping , such monies to be used as the Association may approve;

7.) To assist and advise on the improvement of the foraging environment of the Honey Bee

8.) To respond to any initiatives or activities which would be of benefit  to Beekeepers.

LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS
Beekeeping Associations in Ulster will become affiliated to the Ulster Beekeepers’ Association by payment of  an annual capitation fee, such fee to be decided by the Executive Committee from time to time. The capitation fee shall be due on 1st. January each year.
   All members in good standing in affiliated Associations shall be members of the Ulster Beekeepers’ Association.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Any person may become an Associate member of the Ulster Beekeepers’ Association by payment of an annual fee to be determined by the Executive Committee from time to time. The annual fee shall be due on 1st. January each year.

 GENERAL MEETINGS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The Association shall hold a Conference each year; the date, venue, format and all other details to be arranged by the Executive Committee.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS

The Annual General Meeting shall be held during the Annual Conference . The officers for the ensuing year shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

ORDINARY GENERAL MEETINGS

Ordinary General Meetings shall be held at such times as the Executive Committee may decide.

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

Special General Meetings may be held at such times as the Executive Committee or a General Meeting may decide. Special General Meetings shall also be held upon the requisition in writing of at least four Affiliated Associations such meeting to take place within 30 days of receipt of the requisition by the Secretary.

NOTICE OF MEETINGS

At least 15 days notice shall be given of every General Meeting. Notice of  General Meetings shall be sent to the Secretary of each Affiliated Association and it shall be their duty to notify their members. Associate members shall also be notified.

RESOLUTIONS

Any member, Associate member or Affiliated Association wishing to put a resolution before a General Meeting must notify the Secretary in writing 30 days before the date of the meeting. The resolution will be included in full in the notice summoning the meeting.

VOTING
Voting at General Meetings shall be confined to Members present. Each Member shall be entitled to one vote. Decisions shall be made on the basis of simple majority. The chairman of the meeting shall have a casting vote.

QUORUM

Unless otherwise determined by a previous General Meeting or the Executive Committee, a quorum at a General Meeting shall consist of 10 Members.

 OFFICERS

ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP
Only members of the Ulster Beekeepers’ Association are eligible to hold office in the Association. However, an office bearer does not, of necessity, have to be a representative of an Affiliated Association or the representative of the Associate Members.

PRESIDENT

A member who has rendered distinguished service to beekeeping shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting as President of the Association; shall hold office for one year; shall be eligible for re-election but may not hold office for more than three consecutive years. The Vice- President shall act in the absence of the President

VICE-PRESIDENT

A member shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting as Vice-President of the Association; shall hold office for one year and shall be eligible for re- election.

CHAIRPERSON

The Chairperson of the Association shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting; shall hold the office for one year; shall be eligible for re-election but after 3 consecutive years in the office shall not be eligible for re-election to that office in the following 2 years. The Chairperson shall preside over all General Meetings and all Executive Committee Meetings. The Chairperson shall be accountable to the Executive Committee. The Vice-Chairperson shall act in the absence of the Chairperson.

VICE-CHAIRPERSON

The Vice- Chairperson of the Association shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting; shall hold office for one year and shall be eligible for re-election.

SECRETARY

 The Secretary of the Association shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting; shall hold office for one year and shall be eligible for re-election but after 3 consecutive years in the office shall not be eligible for re-election to that office in the following 2 years. The Secretary shall, in collaboration with the Chairperson and other officers of the Executive Committee as appropriate, draw up agendas for meetings, issue minutes of meetings within 3 weeks of the meeting, deal with correspondence and generally carry out the wishes and decisions of the Executive Committee. The Secretary shall be accountable to the Executive Committee.

TREASURER

The Treasurer of the Association shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting; shall hold office for one year and shall be eligible for re-election but after 3 consecutive years in the office shall not be eligible for re-election to that office in the following 2 years. The Treasurer shall, in co-operation with the Chairperson and other officers of the Executive Committee, as appropriate, keep proper records of account, operate bank accounts, prepare and present audited statements of account to the Annual General Meeting and generally provide the Association with good financial stewardship. The Treasurer shall be accountable to the Executive Committee

CONFERENCE MANAGER

WEBMASTER

The Webmaster of the Association shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting; shall hold office for 1 year and shall be eligible for re-election. The Webmaster shall be accountable to a Public Relations Sub-Committee which shall review his/her responsibilities from time to time. The Webmaster shall set up, operate, amend and maintain the Internet Website of the Association using content provided by the Public Relations Sub-Committee and a format agreed with the Public Relations Sub-Committee. The Webmaster shall keep the Website up to date in general and in particular by updating within 4 weeks of each meeting of the Executive Committee.

AUDITOR

An Auditor shall be appointed each year at the Annual General Meeting.         

                          EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

All business of the Ulster Beekeepers’ Association shall be conducted by an Executive Committee.

ELIGIBILITY
Only Members of the Ulster Beekeepers’ Association are eligible to be members of the Executive Committee.

MEMBERSHIP

1. Each Affiliated Association shall be entitled to three representatives on the Executive Committee. The names of their representatives must be supplied to the Association Secretary not later than the 15th. March in each year.
2. One representative from the Associate Members. The name of their representative must be supplied to the Association Secretary not later than 15th. March in each year.
3. The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer of the Association shall be members of the Executive and shall hold the same offices on the Executive Committee.
4. The President and Vice-President shall be ex-officio members of the Executive Committee.

 MEETINGS
The Executive Committee shall meet at least twice a year and at such other times as is found necessary. The Executive Committee shall also meet upon the requisition to the Secretary, in writing, of at least eight members of the Executive Committee, such meetings to take place within twenty one days of receipt of the requisition by the Secretary.

NOTICE OF MEETING
At least seven days notice shall be given of every meeting of the Executive Committee.  

QUORUM
A  quorum at an Executive Committee meeting shall consist of ten  members. 

 
VOTING
Voting at meetings of the Executive Committee shall be confined to those members of the Executive Committee present. Each member shall be entitled to one vote. Decisions shall be made on the basis of simple majority. The Chairperson shall have a casting vote.

CO-OPTION
The Executive Committee shall have the power to co-opt up to five persons to serve as members of the Executive Committee. Co-opted members will not have voting rights.

STANDING AND SUB-COMMITTEES
The Executive Committee shall have the power to appoint and also disband such Standing and Sub-Committees, as it deems necessary to carry out specific tasks on behalf of the Executive Committee. Standing and Sub- Committees shall have the power to co-opt persons when specific expertise is required. Co-opted persons will not have voting rights. 

CONSTITUTION AND RULES

ALTERATION TO CONSTITUTION AND RULES

The Constitution and Rules of the Association shall only be altered at an Annual, Ordinary or Special General Meeting. Notice of any proposed alteration must be sent to the Secretary thirty days before the General Meeting and must be included in full in the notice summoning the meeting.

COPIES OF CONSTITUTION AND RULES

Following an alteration to the Constitution and Rules the Secretary of each Affiliated Association shall receive, free of charge, a copy of the altered Constitution and Rules. Copies will be furnished to others on payment of the current cost.

APPROVAL
   Approved at the Annual General Meeting in April 2006