Full IBP Constitution

 
ARTICLE 1 - NAME
The generic name of the Association shall be International Building Press.
ARTICLE 2 - AIMS
The purpose of the Association is to bring together, both nationally and internationally, men and women professionally engaged in journalism, public relations and public affairs in the architectural, civil engineering, building, commercial property, residential property, house building, materials and related industries in order to: -
i Promote the interests of members in the industry.
ii Facilitate the exchange of information and ideas concerning the industry.
iii Provide a forum for discussion of issues in the industry.
iv Provide educational programmes that encourage the development of members in the industry.
While it is implicit that IBP will seek to co-operate with similar organisations, when there are common interests, IBP shall remain an independent Association serving the needs of its members (as defined in Article 3).
Any proposals to amalgamate or form part of another organisation or organisations, shall be notified to the Executive Committee for consideration. If such proposed change is approved by the Executive Committee, it shall be notified to members with the agenda of the next AGM and shall be an item of 'special interest'. Following approval of such proposed change at an AGM, the full membership of the Association shall be balloted and a simple majority of the membership shall be required to implement such proposed change.
ARTICLE 3 - MEMBERSHIP
Application for membership is open to journalists of the specialist business press, national and provincial press, freelance writers, press and public relations and corporate affairs officers concerned with the architectural, civil engineering, building, commercial property, residential property, house building, materials and related industries. Application which is in a personal capacity, shall be submitted for the approval of the Executive Committee on the appropriate form.
Acceptance into membership and continuation of membership is at the discretion of the Executive Committee. It is an obligation of membership of the Association that members who leave the industry, change their occupation or change the nature of their business, so as to invalidate the basis of their original application for membership, should notify the Secretary of such change of circumstances.
At the discretion of the Executive Committee, the title Honorary Member may be granted to a person who has contributed over a period of time to the well-being of the International Building Press.
ARTICLE 4 - ORGANISATION
IBP shall have the following honorary officers: a President, a Chairman/woman, up to two Vice-chairmen/women, a Secretary and a Treasurer and/or Bookkeeper (see Article 5) who shall be elected annually as provided herein and an Executive Committee of no fewer than six and not more than 16 persons. The officers are ex-officio members of the Executive Committee with full voting rights. The Executive Committee may appoint sub-committees to carry out specific tasks and shall also have the authority to co-opt.
The Executive Committee shall administer the affairs of the Association and shall have power in accordance with the Articles to do such things on behalf of the Association as may be appropriate. Unless specifically prevented by these Articles, the Executive Committee shall have power to interpret the Articles and to determine any question on which the Articles are silent.
At its first meeting in each year following its election, the Executive Committee shall appoint a board of management (hereafter called 'IBP Services') consisting of the Chairman and five full paid up members serving on the Executive Committee. At least half of the board of IBP Services shall be journalist members as opposed to press and public relations members.
IBP Services shall be responsible for dealing with the overall management of the business and administration of the affairs of the Association; for preparing and monitoring the annual plan and budget for approval by the Executive Committee; for carrying out all policies set by the Executive Committee and delegated to IBP Services for consideration and/or action.
IBP Services shall meet as necessary for the despatch of business and determine the quorum necessary for the transaction of business. Unless otherwise determined, four shall be a quorum. A meeting of IBP Services at which a quorum is present shall be competent to exercise all the authorities, powers and discretions by or under the regulations of these Articles.
Members of IBP Services, may appoint a Chief Executive from among their number, to carry out the day-to-day activities of the Association as instructed by the Executive Committee and/or IBP Services.
ARTICLE 5 - MEETINGS
Annual General Meeting (AGM): An AGM shall be held on a date to be decided by the Executive Committee, but which shall be between January and June effective from 1999. The purpose of the AGM shall be to receive the reports of the Chairman/woman, Secretary and Treasurer and/or Bookkeeper (see Article 5, second paragraph); to receive the audited accounts and the report of the auditors; to elect officers and Executive Committee for the ensuing year and to transact any other business relevant to an Annual General Meeting.
The AGM shall appoint honorary auditors from among the members who shall not be members of the Executive Committee. The AGM shall also confirm the appointment of an independent accountant/bookkeeper who shall be employed by the Association to monitor the income and expenditure of the Association and IBP Services and shall be responsible to the Executive Committee.
The decisions of the AGM/EGM shall be final other than decisions taken by a ballot of the members in which a simple majority of those voting shall decide the issue.
Ordinary meeting: Ordinary meetings will be held at intervals as the Executive Committee may decide. The form of such meetings shall be such as to be of benefit to members in their profession and may also be for the purpose of promoting social contact.
ARTICLE 6 - NOTICE OF MEETINGS
Annual General Meeting (AGM) or Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM): At least twenty-one days notice shall be given of the AGM or EGM.
The quorum necessary for AGMs and EGMs to be properly constituted shall be twenty-one members or 10 per cent of the membership, whichever is the smaller.