| 1. |
Foundation
The Gasket Cutters' Association (GCA) is an unincorporated
association.
|
| 2. |
Mission
Statement
The aims of the GCA are: |
|
(a) |
to
represent to Government and other relevant national and international
agencies the commercial and professional interests of companies engaged in
the cutting of gaskets and in the conversion and application of suitable
materials as gaskets and joint sealants; |
|
(b) |
to
extend, increase and disseminate knowledge of the conversion/application
processes involved; |
|
(c) |
to
facilitate the exchange of information and ideas in regard to all
questions connected with such conversion/application processes; |
|
(d) |
to
bring to the attention of Members any new developments in or improved
methods of such processes; |
|
(e) |
to
enhance the reputation and professional standing of members; |
|
(f) |
to
provide a forum for the effective interchange of ideas both between
Members and those with whom they have commercial and professional
dealings; |
|
(g) |
to
enhance the professional status and esteem of all those engaged in the
gasket cutting profession(s) and |
|
(h) |
to
provide a ready point of contact between those engaged in
conversion/application processes and those with whom they have
professional, commercial or regulatory dealings.
|
| 3. |
Governance |
|
(a) |
The
sovereign body of the Association is a general meeting of all Members |
|
(b) |
Only
Members (as opposed to Associates and Affiliates) may vote in general
meetings and have the power to nominate representatives for election to
the Executive Committee. A member of any class of membership may
hold office on the Executive Committee. |
|
(c) |
The
Association is governed by a volunteer Executive Committee comprised of not
more than 10 representatives that have been elected
for a term of three years and who meet not less than 3 times per annum. |
|
(d) |
The maximum period any
member can be elected to the Executive Committee is three consecutive terms.
|
|
(e) |
Retirement of
approximately one third of the Executive Committee members will be by
rotation each year. |
|
(f) |
The Executive
Committee will elect from among their number each year the following
officers, Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. |
|
(g) |
The
Chairman, if the end of his appointment coincides with the end of his
maximum
period of three terms, may be allowed to remain on the Executive Committee
for a further period of one year as
Immediate Past Chairman but ex-officio. |
| |
(h) |
Elected Committee Members who
fail to attend three consecutive meetings without good reason as considered
by the Executive Committee will automatically cease to hold office and will
need to seek reappointment at the next election should they wish to do so. |
| |
(i) |
Subject only to a general
meeting of Members, the Executive Committee have full power to manage the
Association including the power to appoint and dismiss professional support
staff to assist them in the execution of their duties and responsibilities. |
| |
(j) |
Not more than 2 Associates and
2 Affiliate members may serve on the Executive Committee at any one time. |
| |
(k) |
All meetings should be
properly convened so each member would have the opportunity of attending but
it only needs four to attend for it to proceed to make binding decisions.
Less than four, no binding decisions can be made. (Four elected members present
shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Executive Committee). |
| 4. |
Membership |
|
(a) |
Membership
shall be corporate rather than personal. All employees of a company
in membership will have access to and may benefit from services provided
by the Association. |
|
(b) |
The following grades of membership are offered since
3rd December, 1996: |
|
|
(i) |
Member
- Any company, the primary business of which is the cutting of gaskets
from raw materials and which can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the
Executive Committee that it is acting independently and without
significant structural or legal links with another company, companies or
sections thereof in a way which can call into question its recognition by
the Executive Committee as a gasket cutter. |
|
|
(ii) |
Associate
- Any company or a section of a company which, while being able to
demonstrate a significant turnover derived from the cutting of gaskets
from raw materials nevertheless fails to demonstrate to the satisfaction
of the Executive Committee that it is acting independently and without and
significant structural or legal links with another company, companies or
sections thereof which are primarily recognised by the Executive Committee
for other commercial activities and/or services. |
|
|
(iii) |
Affiliate
- Any company, or section of a company which is not able to
demonstrate a significant turnover derived from the cutting of gaskets
from raw materials but which can, nevertheless, demonstrate to the
Executive Committee that it has a commercial or professional interest in
gaskets and is in a position to make a positive contribution to the aims
and objectives of the Association
|
| 5. |
Rights
and obligations of Members |
|
(a) |
All
classes of membership may attend, vote and participate full in the
activities of the Association and benefit from membership services. |
|
(b) |
As
a condition of membership, all classes of membership are bound by |
|
|
(i) |
the approved
rules and regulations of the Association for the time being in force |
|
|
(ii) |
the
GCA Code
of Practice dated 15th December, 1993 as approved by the
Members in General Meeting
|
| |
(c) |
|
As approved by the Members in
General Meeting. |
| 6. |
Elections
Every Member may nominate a named individual and a Deputy to serve on the
Executive Committee. In the event that there are more nominations
received than vacancies to be filled, a postal ballot of all Members will
be held.
|
| 7. |
Voting |
|
(a) |
In
general meeting each Member shall have one vote. In the event of an
equality of votes, the Chairman of the meeting shall have a second,
casting vote. |
|
(b) |
At
meetings of the Executive Committee every elected or co-opted member
present of whatever grade shall be entitled to a single vote. In the
event of an equality of votes, the Chairman of the meeting shall have a
second, casting vote.
|
| 8. |
Finance |
|
(a) |
The
Association financial year will run from 1st October to 30th September. |
|
(b) |
Annual
membership subscriptions become payable on 1st October. Half year
subscriptions will be permitted for those joining after 1st March in any
year. Any company joining after the 1st August in any year will be
entitled to (up to) 14 months' membership at the currently agreed annual
rate. |
|
(c) |
All
cheques drawn
over £500 on the Association account must be signed by any two signatories from the
Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary
|
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