1             INITA Constitution

1.1          The name of this Association shall be the “Independent National Inspection & Testing Association” (referred to in this Constitution as INITA).

1.2           INITA was established in 1998.

2             Mission Statement

2.1           INITA has the following mission statement:

“The Independent National Inspection & Testing Association is a trade association formed to promote the commercial and technical competence of member companies, by providing a forum for discussion on technical and professional issues and by providing information to assist members in their business activities”.

3             Objectives

               INITA shall have the following objectives:

3.1           To represent members’ views to any relevant organisationsand to all relevant enforcing authorities.

3.2          To be a technical forum providing commentary, guidance and advice on Safety Regulations and British & European Standards which are relevant to the membership.

3.3           To provide a forum for the exchange of information.

3.4           To promote the engineering inspection, examination & testing industry.

4             Membership

4.1           Membership of INITA is open to companies which carry out engineering inspection and/or testing activities.

4.2           Admission to membership is at the discretion of the current members.

5             Application for Membership

5.1           Applicants should meet the membership criteria (Section 6) and submit the following:

5.1.1        A formal written application addressed to the President of INITA, including a full curriculum vitae (CV).

5.1.2        Applicants should have a primary sponsor who is a current member (with at least one full year’s membership) and be seconded by a current full member.

5.2           A current joining fee plus the annual subscription will be due upon acceptance to membership.

5.3           The application shall be reviewed at a full meeting of the Association and approval shall be obtained by a majority vote of at least 75% attending members.

6             Membership Criteria

6.1           Shall meet any Quality Assurance and/or Accreditation programme as may be adopted by the Association. This to be achieved within any timescale laid down by the Association. Proof of current cover for Professional Indemnity & Public Liability insurance. A documented Health & Safety Policy, documented Generic Risk Assessment and Method Statement evidence of (or working towards) a Quality Assurance system.

6.2           Full payment of annual subscription by 31st October.

7             Code of Conduct

7.1           Members of the Association agree to abide by the INITA Code of Conduct.

7.2          Fundamental Principle 1 - Integrity

7.2.1        A member should behave with integrity in all professional business relationships. Integrity implies not merely honesty but fair dealings and truthfulness. A member’s advice and work must be uncorrupted by self-interest and not be influenced by the interests of other parties.

7.3          Fundamental Principle 2 - Objectivity

7.3.1        A member should strive for objectivity in all professional and businessjudgements. Objectivity is the state of mind which has regard to all considerations relevant to the task in hand but no other.

7.4          Fundamental Principle 3 - Competence

7.4.1       A member should undertake professional work only where he has the necessary competence required to carry out that work, supplemented where necessary by appropriate assistance or consultation.

7.5          Fundamental Principle 4 - Performance

7.5.1        A member should carry out his professional work with due skill, care, diligence and expedition and with proper regard for the technical and professional standards expected of him as a member.

7.6          Fundamental Principle 5 - Courtesy

7.6.1        A member should conduct himself with courtesy and consideration towards all with whom he comes in contact during the course of performing his work.

7.7          Disciplinary Procedures

7.7.1        Any disciplinary processes will be dealt with on an individual basis by the membership in the absence of the member concerned.

8             Meetings

8.1           INITA shall hold an annual general meeting between September and October. With at least 75% of membership must attend for the AGM to be a valid meeting. All members should attend meetings and if not attending apologies must be sent.

8.2          AGM Format

8.2.1        The AGM agenda should be circulated to the membership 21 days prior to meeting.

8.2.2        15% of the membership would represent a quorum.

8.2.3        Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM). 25% of the membership must agree to an EGM. ThePresident would be informed and he would give notice to the whole membership 21 days prior to the meeting with an agenda.

8.3          The Agenda

8.3.1        Apologies for Absences.

8.3.2        Minutes of the last AGM to be accepted by the meeting as a true record.

8.3.3        Matters arising from the minutes.

8.3.4        President’s Report

8.3.5        Secretary’s Report.

8.3.6        Treasurer’s Report.

8.3.7        Annual subscriptions.

8.3.8        Election of Three Trustees.

8.3.9        Election of Officers - Elected officers will take up their posts at the close of the AGM. Retiring officers must hand over all documentation and other items that will assist the incoming officer to carry out his/her duties. Nominations for the officers to be elected and the required number of members of Council shall be delivered to the Secretary not later than the close of the monthly meeting preceding the annual general meeting. All nominations duly seconded shall have received the prior consent of the nominee to serve if elected.  The names of those duly nominated and seconded shall be set out on the notice calling the Annual General Meeting.

8.3.10      Honorary members would be voted for by the membership.

8.3.11      Any issues and business which have been put on the agenda prior to the AGM.

8.3.12      At each AGM a schedule of ordinary INITA meetings shall be agreed.

8.3.13      Any Other Business.

8.3.14      Chairman’s closing statement.

9             Ordinary Meetings

9.1           Ordinary meetings take a format set by the organiser of the meeting and all members are expected to attend these meetings. Apologies for absence must be submitted.

10           Duties - President and Deputy President

10.1         The President is elected each year but limited to a maximum of 3 successive years.

10.2        The Deputy President is elected to office for a maximum of 3 successive years and would be expected to resume the role of President should the President not be re-elected or he chooses to retire from his duties. A new Deputy President would then be elected.

11           Duties - Secretary

11.1         The Secretary of the Association may comprise one or more individuals as appointed by the Council.

11.2         The Secretary need not be a member of the Association, but if not, the Secretary will not have voting rights.

11.3         The Secretary may receive remuneration at the discretion of the Council.

11.4         Officers shall, as far as possible, attend all meetings of the Council.

11.5         The Secretary shall notify officers of the meetings. Minutes of the Council meetings shall be taken.

12           Duties - The Treasurer

12.1         The Treasurer shall keep a record of all monies, received and expended.

12.2         Financial records and accounts shall be submitted annually for professional audit. The Council shall appoint the auditor.

12.3         The audited accounts shall be approved by the Council and put before members by the Treasurer at the Annual General Meeting.

12.4         The Treasurer shall keep an oversight of all monies, bank accounts and securities of the Association. He/she shall inform the Council if and when the Ordinary Fund Account exceeds a figure previously set by the Council so that a transfer of funds to a suitable investment, decided by the Council, can be made. All funds so deposited or invested shall be in the names of three trustees. The signature of any two of the trustees shall be required for withdrawal of the whole, or part, thereof. In the event of any trustee ceasing to be a member, he/she shall cease to be a trustee and his/her successor shall be appointed at the next Council meeting.

13           Duties - Executive Committee

13.1         The affairs of INITA shall be directed by an Executive Committee and shall consist of the following members:

13.1.1      President/Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer.

13.1.2      Any INITA member holding office.

13.1.3      Any Member elected to the Executive.

13.1.4      Each member of the Executive Committee shall have one vote. The President/Chairman shall have a second, or casting vote in the event of equality.

13.1.5      A member of the Executive Committee shall cease to be a member if they resign from the INITA office.

14           Publicity

14.1         INITA shall publish an annual report and a list of the membership.

15           Committees and Panels

15.1         The Executive Committee may establish and maintain sub-committees and project groups, and may delegate matters to them.

15.2         The Executive Committee may appoint technical panels to advise and assist it.

16           Revision of the Constitution

16.1         The Independent National Inspection & Testing Association shall amend the constitution, provided that at least 75% of the members of INITA present at the meeting vote in favour of amendments of which prior notice has been given.