The Leeds Association Of Engineers
Founded in 1865
Revised January 2008
Objects of the Association
The Association was formed in 1865 for the purpose of bringing together those engaged in the direction and superintendence of the Engineering Industry, for mutual acquaintance and the exchange of opinions on interesting questions constantly arising from the progressive nature of the Engineering Industry; to arrange Lectures, Works Visits and social functions; and the circulation of information on technical and scientific subjects, or any questions or knowledge which, from its novelty or usefulness, may be instructive or interesting to its members.
Rules of the Association
RULE 1.
The Association shall comprise Full Members, Life Members, Corporate Members, Life Honorary Members, Student / Associate Members.
Qualifications
RULE 2. Full Members
Full Members shall be:
- Actively engaged in engineering, science, technology or a manufacturing industry and shall have been involved in a recognised engineering discipline as an employer, manager, supervisor, draughts person, technician, tutor, consultant or similar.
- A person previously, but no longer actively, involved in engineering (e.g. retired engineers )
- Persons having a strong interest in or having a connection with, some form of engineering.
Rule 3. Life Member.
A Full Member may choose to become a Life Member on payment of a single sum (which has previously been recommended by Council for the purpose and accepted by a General Meeting.) and thereafter pay no further subscriptions.
RULE 4. Corporate Member.
A company or any bona fide group of persons engaged to any degree in any form of engineering may apply for Corporate Membership which will entitle all staff, employees or group members to the same benefits as Full Members except that a Corporate Member has only one vote. The person named as their “contact” will normally exercise this vote but may designate a company / group member as proxy. The “contact”, who will receive newsletters etc., will be responsible for copying and circulating all Association information to the company / group members.
RULE 5. Honorary Life Member.
At the discretion of Council any Full or Honorary Member may be elected an Honorary Life Member with no further subscription required. He/she will have full voting powers.
RULE 6. Student / Associate Member
Student / Associate Member shall be students or apprentices in any recognised engineering discipline, aged from sixteen to twenty one years when submitting their application. They will not have voting rights. They may remain in this category until the age of twenty five when they will be required to apply for Full Membership.
Order of Election
RULE 7.
Applicants for Membership shall be proposed and seconded on the prescribed form which shall be put to the Council for consideration. After approval by Council the application shall be put to the vote of those Members with voting rights present at the next meeting on the syllabus (providing there are twelve such members present) when three quarters of the votes cast must be in favour.
Nomination Fee and Subscriptions.
RULE 8
All applicants shall pay a Nomination Fee. This shall be returned if he/she is not elected.
- On election all Members (except Life and Honorary Life Members) shall pay an Annual Subscription. The Nomination Fee and Annual Subscription shall be such a sum as has been recommended for the relevant grade of Membership by Council and has been accepted by a General Meeting of the Association.
- All subscriptions are due on election and thereafter at the start of each financial year (1st November) and not later than the 30th April of that year
RULE 9.
Members should be clear on the books on 31st October each year. A member one year or more in arrears shall be notified in writing and if then they do not pay the arrears within three months, Council shall have the power to remove their name from the membership list. However, if a satisfactory reason is forthcoming, the person may re-join in accordance with Rules 2 to 6.
Voting Rights.
RULE 10.
Members of all grades except Students / Associates shall have full voting rights, but see Rule 4
Officers and Election of Officers
RULE 11.
The business of the Association shall be conducted by a Council consisting of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Journal Editor, Secretary and eight council members.
The immediate Past President shall be an ex-officio Council Member during the term of Presidential office of his successor. Five of these shall form a quorum.
The Treasurer, Journal Editor and Secretary shall be elected for a period of one year; the President, Vice President and ordinary Council Members for two years, four of the latter to retire in rotation each year. All those retiring shall be eligible for re-election.
Nominations of persons who are willing to seek election/re-election (duly seconded) shall be delivered to the Association at or before the end of the ordinary meeting preceding the Annual General Meeting.
The names of these persons are to be set out on the notice calling the Annual General Meeting.
If necessary the election of Council Members shall be by ballot and other officers by show of hands, at the discretion of the Chairperson. The duties of those newly elected shall commence at the conclusion of business of the Annual General Meeting when the Chairperson shall induct the new President to the Chair. The Council may fill any vacancy occurring between Annual General Meetings
RULE 12.
The Secretary of the Association
- Need not be a Member, in which case he/she shall not have voting rights.
- May be paid such remuneration as determined by the Council
Duties of Officers.
RULE 13.
Officers and Council Members shall be notified of all Council meetings and, so far as possible, shall attend such meetings. Minutes of the proceedings shall be taken
RULE 14.
The Treasurer shall deal with all financial matters, keep a correct account of all moneys received and expended, pay to the Association’s banking account all moneys received, report to the Council on financial matters and supply the auditor with all books and information for preparation of a Yearly Balance Sheet, this to be approved by Council before circulation to Members.
RULE 15.
A professional audit of the accounts shall take place annually, the Auditor to be appointed by Council
RULE 16.
Members wishing to bring a subject before the Association for discussion shall give notice in writing to the President stating the subject. If there is no subject before the meeting, the President may introduce one or a member may do so having obtained the Chairperson’s permission
RULE 17.
In the programme of events arranged by Council, visitors (non members) shall be welcome but in some instances (when stated on the notice of the event) they, and also Members, may be required to apply for permission to attend. This might apply particularly to works/site visits when sometimes it may be necessary to limit the numbers.
Member Leaving His/her Situation
RULE 18.
When a Member leaves his/her situation they should inform Council. If so requested, this information can then be included in the next circular to Members so that they may assist in finding another situation.
Finance and Accounts
RULE 19.
Council shall appoint three members (not necessarily Council Members) as Trustees who, along with the Treasurer will advise and assist Council on financial matters, banking, investment etc. Trustees signatures will be required as stated in Rules20 and 21. If a Trustee ceases to be a Member of the Association he/she shall cease to be a Trustee and a successor shall be appointed.
RULE 20 Current Account.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for all moneys and keep an oversight on all banking accounts and securities of the Association. When the Current Account reaches £1000 (one thousand), or a sum recommended by the Trustees and agreed by Council, he/she shall inform Council so that they can decide on a possible transfer to the Deposit Account.
All funds deposited in the Current Account shall be in the names of three Trustees. The signature of one of them shall be required for the withdrawal of the whole or any part thereof .The administration of the Current Account shall be in the hands of the Council.
RULE 21.
The Deposit Account created by donations from any source or by any surplus from the Current Account as decided by Council, shall be invested in the names of three Trustees. The signatures of two of them shall be required for the withdrawal of the whole or any part thereof.
The administration of the Deposit Account shall be in the hands of Council, advised by the Trustees
RULE 22.
Technical and Scientific Contributions. Sums may be taken from the Associations’ Funds and donated at Councils discretion for purposes with an “engineering connection”.
Residence and Occupation of Members
RULE 23.
All Members shall furnish the Association with their private and business addresses and notify any change in either as soon as possible.
Arbitration.
RULE 24.
In the case of a dispute arising between a Member (or a person acting on his/her behalf) and the Association, the disputant and the Council shall each appoint three arbitrators from among the legitimate voting membership.
The arbitrators shall appoint an independent Chairperson who shall have power to give a casting vote. The decision of the arbitrators to be final and binding on both parties.
Alteration of Rules
RULE 25.
The rules of the Association shall not be altered or rescinded unless there are at least twenty legitimate voting Members present at a special meeting and a minimum of three quarters of those are in favour.
The proposed changes to be in pursuance of a requisition are to be signed by at least seven members with full voting rights. This requisition and the proposed changes to have been read out at an ordinary meeting and all members to have been notified of their contents at least seven days prior to the special meeting
Dissolution of the Association
RULE 26.
The Association shall not be dissolved so long as twenty members (with full voting rights) are willing to continue the same, nor without obtaining the votes of four-fifths of the existing members. In the event of dissolution, and after meeting all financial obligations, the balance of any funds remaining shall be distributed among such charities as determined by the Trustees.