The Constitution of the WIP Alumni Network
1. The Association
1.1 Name
The name of the association shall be The Washington Ireland Program Alumni
Network, hereinafter referred to as the WIP Alumni Network.
1.2 Aims
The aims of the WIP Alumni Network shall be:
With Reference to the Members
i. To maintain and foster social and professional connections between participants of the Washington Ireland Program, in particular cross-border and crosscommunity alliances.
ii. To provide activities, news and support to help form past participants into a cohesive group with a sense of joint purpose and action.
iii. To support initiatives that the WIP Alumni Network members seek to undertake, and to link up with and support other similar young adult organisations, in order to foster a spirit of solidarity among the young people of Ireland, North and South.
iv. To provide support to members as they further their professional and
personal development.
With Reference to the Program
v. To support the Program in terms of recruitment, development and fundraising, and by any other means the association deems desirable, including the possibility if scholarships for disadvantaged students; and, as a means to this, to maintain strong links with the Washington Ireland Program and all persons involved in that Program.
vi. To provide a peer-to-peer mentoring network for new candidates of the Program, through offering encouragement, advice and support that may enhance their experience.
With Reference to other Matters
vii. To conduct any other matters that the Membership deems appropriate to their purposes.
1.3 Membership
Membership is open to all Alumni of the Washington-Ireland Program and the body of members shall have the power to set a subscription fee at the Annual General Meeting.
1.4 Life Membership
The members of the WIP Alumni Network have the power to elect, by simple majority at
AGMs, individuals to life membership. Life members have voting rights when in attendance.
2. The Committee
2.1 Composition
The entire administration and management of the WIP Alumni Network shall be the
responsibility of the committee. The members shall be:
a) The Chairperson
b) The Vice-Chairperson
c) The Secretary
d) The Treasurer
e) The Public Relations Officer
f) The Regional Officer (Dublin)
g) The Regional Officer (London)
h) The Regional Officer (Scotland)
i) Web Development Officer
2.2 Co-option
The Committee shall have the power to co-opt any additional members onto the Committee at any stage throughout each committee year. This may only be done with the unanimous approval of the Committee at a General Meeting.
2.3 Subcommittees
The Committee shall have the power to bring into being any subcommittees or workgroups it deems necessary to achieving the aims of the Network, at any stage throughout each committee year. This may only be done with the unanimous approval of the Committee at a General Meeting.
2.4 Other Provisions
In the event of a Committee member resigning his/her post, the Committee shall have the power to appoint a member to replace him/her until the next Annual General Meeting. The Secretary must call meetings within twelve (12) days of requests to hold meetings. At the meeting, the only issues to be discussed shall be those topics to which the request refers.
3. Meetings
3.1 Notice of Meetings
(a) General Meetings:
Notice shall be issued at least ten (10) clear days in advance.
Notice should be given through a newssheet, letter of notification, or email.
(b) Annual General Meetings:
Notice shall be issued at least fourteen (14) clear days in advance.
Notice shall be given through a newssheet, letter of notification, or email.
(c) Extra-Ordinary Meetings:
Notice shall be issued at least five (5) clear days in advance.
Notice shall be given through a newssheet, letter of notification, or email.
3.2 Notice of Business
(a) General Meeting:
Resolutions must be handed/sent to the Secretary (in writing or by email) at least two (2) days before the meeting. With the consent of two-thirds of the voting members present at the meeting items can be raised without notice.
(b) Annual General Meeting:
Members wishing to move any resolution at the Annual General Meeting must hand/send the resolution to the Secretary (in writing or by email), at least four (4) clear days before the meeting.
(c) Extra-Ordinary Meeting:
Members wishing to move any resolution must hand/send the resolution to the Secretary (in writing or by email), at least two (2) days before the meeting. With the consent of two-thirds of the voting members present at the meeting items can be raised without notice.
4. Powers of the WIP Alumni Network
4.1 Liability
The members of the WIP Alumni Network will not be liable for debts contracted by Committee members or by any persons purporting to act on behalf of the WIP Alumni
Network, unless such person has the authorization of the Committee in contracting such
debt.
5. Miscellaneous Provisions
5.1 Amendments
Theses rules may be added to, repealed or amended by resolution at any general meeting.
If the amendment entails the annulment of a pre-existing rule, the amendment must be passed by two-thirds (2/3) of the full members present. Otherwise the necessary majority shall be one-half (1/2).
