CONSTITUTION SEPTEMBER 2001
- The name of the Federation shall be called “International Federation
of Aromatherapists (Australian Branch) Inc. and hereinafter called the
Federation. The Federation consists of Fellows, Members, Students,
Absentee, Honorary and Friend members in accordance with qualifications
specified by the Council.
. - The objects of the Federation shall be the preservation of health by
advancing the knowledge, practice of and expertise in Aromatherapy by
education, teaching and training and other lawfully charitable means. In
furtherance of the above objects but not further or otherwise the
Federation shall have the following powers:
- to promote the establishment and maintenance of a program of professional education, designed to improve the standards of the practice of aromatherapy by making available and disseminating as widely as possible all available information relating to the practice of aromatherapy.
- to promote the establishment of ethical and professional standards for the practice of aromatherapy for the benefits of the general public and the members of the profession.
- to promote the support and encouragement of scientific research applicable to aromatherapy and its practice.
- to promote the establishment and maintenance of a program to inform
the general public
of the benefits of aromatherapy and of the requirements for the ethical and professional practice thereof.
.
- Membership in the Federation shall be open to all individuals who meet
the professional standards for the practice of aromatherapy set, from time
it time, by the council for membership. The Council is also empowered, in
its sole discretion, to set such additional requirements or conditions for
membership as it may deem necessary or advisable in the best interest of
the Federation.
. - The affairs of the Federation shall be administered and managed by an
elected Council (hereinafter called the “Council”).
. - The Council shall consist of 11 members elected by the vote of the
fellows and members. The members of the Council shall elect a Chairperson
and two Vice Chairpersons from amongst its members.
. - An elected Council members may not be a member of a council or
committee of any other organization whose objects or practice conflict or
compete with the objects or practice of the Federation.
. - The Council shall meet as and when required by the Chairperson or a
Vice Chairperson but not less frequently than four times per annum.
Council members attendance will be requested by recorded posted delivery
and records kept of attendance and requests. Statistics of these meetings
will be included in the Annual report.
. - Twenty one days notice is to be given of any meeting of the Council
except in cases of emergency, or except if all members of the Council
concerned expressly waive such notice for that meeting. There must be a
minimum of five council members present at a duly called meeting for a
voting motion to be carried.
. - The Council may appoint an Officer, or Officers who shall be
responsible to the Council for the administration and organization of its
affairs. Non-elected officers may be invited to attend Council meetings by
agreement of the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson.
. - In the professed execution of the administration and organization of
the affairs of the Council and powers hereof no Officer of the Council
shall be liable for any loss to the property of the Council arising by
reason of any improper investment made in good faith (so long as he shall
have sought professional advice before making such investment) or for the
negligence of fraud of any agent employed by him in good faith (provided
reasonable supervision shall have been exercised) or by reason of any
mistake or omission made in good faith by an Officer of the Council hereof
or by reason of any other matter or thing that willful and individual
fraud or wrongdoing omission on the part of the Officer who is to be made
liable.
. - The Constitution except Clause 2 hereof may be altered by a vote of a
majority of two-thirds or more of the voting Members, present and voting.
Not less that two months notice of any proposed alteration to the
Constitution must be given prior to the meeting of the membership at which
the alteration is made. Provided that no amendment shall be made which
would result in the Federation ceasing to be established for exclusively
charitable purposes.
. - The assets and income of the Federation shall be applied solely in
furtherance of its above mentioned objectives and no portion shall be
distributed directly or indirectly to the members of the organization
except as bona fide compensation for services rendered or expenses
incurred on behalf of the Federation.
. - The Federation may be dissolved by a resolution passed by at least
two-thirds of the voting members present at a meeting called for that
purpose. Notice must be given to all members at least two months before
the day of the meeting stating the proposed dissolution.
If upon dissolution of the Federation there remains after satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid to or distributed among members of the Federation but shall be transferred to some charitable organization or organizations having the same or similar objects to the Federation.
. - Voting rights are extended only to Fellow and Full Members.
. - Election to Council is for a two year period after 1996.
In 1996, six members will stand for election for a two year period and five members will stand for election for a one year period. In 1997, five members will stand for election for a two year period.
A vacancy notice will be posted in the first Newsletter of Membership News after the vacancy occurs following the Annual General Meeting.
The Council has the power to co-opt members to the Council during each year but these must stand for election at the period of the Annual General Meeting.
. - Any Fellow or member can nominate themselves or another Fellow or
Member, with their consent, for election to the Council. Nomination in
writing to the IFA must be made no later than thirty days prior to the
AGM.
Each nomination must be accompanied by a statement of intent, biographical notes or similar, of not more that 300 words, for distribution to the voting members. The voting statement will include the nominators name. Voting will be by postal ballot, and by show of voting papers at the Annual General Meeting. A simple majority participating votes will carry.
Any Council member may offer themselves for re-election.
. - The Council at its sole discretion may award or offer prizes and other
honors to members and non-members who further or contribute to the objects
of the Federation.
. - The Council may appoint committees of its own members.
Sub-committees may be appointed by the committees provided that the members are approved by resolution of the Council and that the Chairing of such a sub-committee remains with a Council member. A Sub-committee shall have the power to co-opt specialist persons. Co-option will not exceed one year at a time.
. - All members shall pay to the Federation such minimum annual
subscription as may be fixed from time to time by resolution of the
Council. Payment is to be made at the due date.
. - Membership shall terminate;
- Upon receipt by the Federation of written notice of resignation.
- On the annual subscription remaining unpaid for a period of two months from the due date.
- On expulsion. The Council shall have the right to expel any member knowingly breaching this Constitution or the Federations Code of Ethics and Practice.
Expulsion will only be effective if written notice of expulsion, with reason and meeting date, be sent by recorded postal delivery to all Council members and the person/s concerned.
The member/s must be given the right of reply and the right to attend the Council meeting where a “Resolution of Expulsion” will be heard. The members may be represented by a third party.
A notice of resolution of expulsion must be sent 21 days prior to the meeting. This timing must be accepted as reasonable evidence of opportunity for right to reply.
. - Motions from members for discussion at the Annual General Meeting must
be received 60 days prior to the meeting. Instructions to the Council may
be made by the membership by resolution and ballot. A simply majority will
be binding on the Council.
. - The Council shall cause a record of affairs and attendance to be made
at its meeting. In particular all resolutions and appointments will be
recorded.
. - The Council will cause proper accounting and auditing procedures to be
followed. An annual statement of accounts to be given with a true and fair
view of the state of the Federation finances.
. - Any Fellow or Members may request Council to form a recognized
regional group to organize meetings to further the interests of the
Federation locally. The Council will recognize such regional group if such
a group can demonstrate written support by a representative number of
members within an area designated as local by the Council.
Such regional group will elect its own coordinator. Voting members of the group may only be Fellows and Members of the Federation and each group is responsible for its own financial affairs as authorized by the Federal Treasurer.
Such regional group may not authorize expenditure or cost on behalf of the IFA and may not represent itself as having any executive authority to bind the IFA to any agreement financial or otherwise.
The objects of a recognized group will remain;
Assisting the development of the practice of aromatherapy in designated area, fund raising, membership recruitment, publicity for Aromatherapy, the exchange of information, issue news, promoting the dignity and quality of the profession, liaison with other health care bodies on a local basis, membership support.
Meetings may be held on a regular basis and include talks, lectures in accordance with guidelines.
. - The Council shall determine a code of
ethics and code of practice which
shall be binding on all members.
. - The Annual General Meeting of the Federation shall take place not
later than three months after the end of the Federation’s financial year.
One months notice of venue and agenda shall be given to each member. The
Chairperson of the Council shall preside at the meting.
. - Grade and Qualification for new membership or a member changing
grades;
| Full member | Aromatherapists who have passed all required sections of the IFA Exams and hold current professional indemnity insurance. |
| Associate member | Aromatherapists who have meet the current training requirements as set by the council. |
| Student members | Those persons currently undertaking an IFA accredited aromatherapy course. This membership is limited to the duration of the course. |
| Friend Member | No specific qualifications required. |
| Absentee Member | Awarded at the discretion of the Council |
| Fellow Member | Awarded at the discretion of the Council |
| Honorary Member | Awarded at the discretion of the Council |
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The association supports the concept of industry self regulation in the event that;
.
- An industry umbrella organization is formed which agrees upon a
Code of Ethics and
Code of Practice and which stipulates
that its participation associations adopt these procedures, and
. - The association decides to affiliate with that organization for the purposes of participation in industry self-regulation, then, for the duration of the affiliation the association agrees that the code of ethics and code of practice replace those already existing.
Original on file as:
IFAconstitution2001.doc, 4 pagese&oe
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