Article 1:

The Association shall be called the Irish Association of Alcohol and Addiction Counsellors, hereafter called the Association.

Article 2: Aims and Objectives of the Association.

1. To promote the highest ethical and professional standards in addiction counselling practice, training and accreditation.
   
2. To enhance and promote the level of services provided by addiction counsellors for their clients.
   
3. To represent and promote the views and interests of its members.
   
4. To promote research and evaluation in the field of addiction counselling.
   
5. To establish a communications network for the exchange of information and experience and to provide regular forums for discussion and debate.
   
6. To promote the recognition and value of addiction counselling by Government Departments, Professionals, Employers, Trade Unions, Media and others.
   
7. To liaise and co-operate with organisations in the addiction area, including health promotion and education at National and International level.
   
8. To provide support for members in the area of personal development, education and training.
   

Article 3: Administration.

1. A general meeting of all members shall be held in March of each year.
   
2. The association shall be administered by an Executive Committee elected by the accredited members at the Annual General Meeting and consisting of twelve persons.
   
3. The officers of the association shall be elected by and from the members of the Executive Committee.
   
4. The period of office of the Executive Committee shall be ONE year.
   
5. Only accredited members, as on the register maintained by the membership secretary and whose chosen subscription is up to date, shall be eligible to vote. This will become operational when a register of Members is adopted.
   
6. Candidates for election to the Executive Committee shall be nominated and seconded by the appropriate grade of members prior to or at the Annual General meeting.
   
7. An associate member shall be elected from among the associate membership and shall participate on the Executive Committee as an observer with no voting rights on the Committee.
   
8. In the event of an Executive Committee member terminating his/her services before the expiry of his/her term of office, the Executive shall have the power to co-opt a replacement.
   
9. A Member of the Committee failing, without reasonable excuse, to attend three consecutive meetings may be deemed to have resigned and his/her place may be filled by co-option.
   
10. Any motion adopted by the A.G.M. can only be changed or amended at a subsequent A.G.M.
    or E.G.M. with the consent of a simple majority of the members present.
    
11. An Executive Committee member can serve for three consecutive years only, after which he/she may present for election after one year.
    

Article 4: Role of the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee shall have authority to administer the business of the Association and to undertake all activities which they deem necessary or useful to achieve the aims of the Association subject to Articles 2 and 5 of the Constitution.

Article 5: Procedures.

1. Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be convened as often as is necessary but shall meet at least six times a year.
   
2. Meetings shall be convened by the Chairperson of the Executive Committee or, in exceptional cIrcumstances, by a two-third majority of the Executive Committee.
   
3. An agenda shall be circulated to Executive Members at least seven (7) days in advance.
   
4. The Executive Committee shall provide itself with rules laying down the allocation of responsibilities within the committee.
   
5. The Executive Committee may take decisions and deliberate only when at least six (6) of its members are present.
   
6. Meetings shall be chaired by the chairperson, or in his/her absence, by the vice/chairperson:
   or in the absence of both, a quorum being present, a chairperson will be proposed and seconded and elected for the duration of the meeting.
   
7. Decisions shall be taken by a majority. Where the vote is tied, the chairperson shall have the casting vote.
   
8. The minutes of the meeting shall be recorded by the Secretary and shall be signed by the Chairperson following discussion and acceptance at the next meeting.
   
9. An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be held if a two/thirds majority of the accredited members of the Association so agree.
   

Article 6: Assets.

The income of the Association shall consist of (a) members' subscriptions; (b) gifts; (c) revenue from assets; (d) any other income.

Article 7: Accounts and Auditing.

1. The financial year shall start on January 1 and end on December 31.
   
2. Proper accounts of the administration of the Association shall be kept by the Treasurer.
   
3. In the first quarter of the financial year, the annual accounts of the previous financial year shall be prepared for delivery to the Annual General Meeting.
   
4. The annual accounts shall be audited by an accredited and independent auditor.
   

Article 8: Amendment of the Constitution.

An amendment may be adopted by a two-thirds majority of the accredited members present in a ballot, the proposal having been circulated in written form with the proposer and seconder's signatures, at least seven days prior to the Annual General Meeting.

Article 9: Sub-Committees and Working parties.

The executive may set up sub-committees to carry out specific tasks.

Reports and proposals from these sub-committees shall be forwarded to the executive for a decision or approval.