Constitution and Aims of the Lobby to End Age Discrimination (LEAD)

A Name

The name of the association is Lobby to End Age Discrimination (LEAD).

B Administration

Subject to the matters set out below LEAD shall be administered and managed in accordance with this constitution by the members of the Executive Committee, constituted by clause G of this constitution ("the Executive Committee").

C Objects

The objects of the organisation are:

· The achievement of comprehensive legislation designed to make discrimination on grounds of age in all its forms unlawful;and
· the establishment of a Commission to oversee, develop and monitor the legislation.

D Powers

In furtherance of the objects but not otherwise the Executive Committee may exercise the following powers:

i. Power to raise funds and to invite and receive contributions provided that in raising funds the Executive Committee shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities and shall conform to any relevant requirements of the law;
ii. Power to buy, take on lease or in exchange any property necessary for the achievement of the objects and to maintain and equip it for use;
iii. Power subject to any consents required by law to sell, lease or dispose of all or any part of the property of the organisation;
iv. Power subject to any consents required by law to borrow money and to charge all or any part of the property of the organisation with repayment of the money so borrowed;
v. Power to employ such staff (who shall not be members of the Executive Committee) as are necessary for the proper pursuit of the objects and to make all reasonable and necessary provision for the payment of pensions and superannuation for staff and their dependents;
vi. Power to co-operate with voluntary bodies, charities and statutory authorities operating in furtherance of the objects or of similar purposes and to exchange information and advice with them;
vii. Power to establish or support any charitable trusts, associations or institutions formed for all or any of the objects;
viii. Power to appoint and constitute such advisory committees as the Executive Committee may think fit;
ix. Power to do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of the objects.

E Membership

1. Membership of the organisation shall be open to any person interested in furthering the objects and who has paid the annual subscription laid down from time to time by the Executive Committee.
2. Membership of the organisation shall be open to any body corporate or unincorporated association which is interested in furthering the organisation's work and has paid any annual subscription (any such body being called in this constitution a "member organisation").
3. Each member organisation shall appoint an individual to represent it and to vote on its behalf at meetings of the organisation and may appoint an alternate to replace its appointed representative at any meeting if the appointed representative is unable to attend.
4. Each member organisation shall notify the name of the representative appointed by it and of any alternate to the secretary. If the representative or alternate resigns from or otherwise leaves the member organisation, he or she shall forthwith cease to be the representative of the member organisation.
5. Every member, whether an individual or organisation, shall have one vote.
6. The Executive Committee may by a two-thirds majority vote and for good reason terminate the membership of any individual or organisation. Provided that the individual concerned, or the appointed representative of the member organisation (as the case may be), shall have the right to be heard by the Executive Committee, accompanied by a friend, before a final decision is made.

F Honorary Officers

At the annual general meeting of the organisation the members shall elect from amongst themselves a chairperson, a vice-chair, a secretary, a treasurer and any other positions as is deemed appropriate who shall hold office from the conclusion of that meeting.

G Executive Committee

1. The Executive Committee shall consist of not less than eight members nor more than twelve members elected at the annual general meeting who shall hold office from the conclusion of that meeting.
2. The Executive Committee may in addition appoint not more than six co-opted members.
3. All the members of the Executive Committee shall retire from office together at the end of the annual general meeting next after the date on which they came into office but they may be re-elected or re-appointed.
4. The proceedings of the Executive Committee shall not be invalidated by any vacancy among their number or by any failure to appoint or any defect in the appointment of qualification of any member.
5. Nobody shall be appointed as a member of the Executive Committee who is aged under 18.

H Determination of Membership of Executive Committee

A member of the Executive Committee shall cease to hold office if he or she:

1. is disqualified from acting as a member of the Executive Committee by virtue of activities likely to being the organisation into disrepute;
2. Is absent without permission of the Executive Committee from all their meetings held within a period of six months and the Executive Committee resolve that his or her office be vacated; or
3. notifies to the Executive Committee a wish to resign (but only if at least three members of the Executive Committee will remain in office when the notice of resignation is to take effect).

I Executive Committee Members not to be personally interested

No member of the Executive committee shall acquire any interest in property belonging to the organisation or receive remuneration or be interested (other than as a member of the Executive Committee) in any contract entered into by the Executive Committee.

J Meetings and proceedings of the Executive Committee

1. The Executive Committee shall hold at least three ordinary meetings each year. A special meeting may be called at any time by the chairperson or by any two members of the Executive Committee upon not less than 14 days' notice being given to the other members of the Executive Committee of the matters to be discussed but if the matters include an appointment of a co-opted member then not less than 21 days' notice must be given.
2. The chairperson shall act as chair at meetings of the Executive Committee. If the chairperson is absent from any meeting the vice-chair will automatically chair the meeting. If s/he is absent, the members of the Executive Committee present shall choose one of their number to be chairperson of the meeting before any other business is transacted.
3. There shall be a quorum when at least one third of the number of members of the Executive Committee for the time being or three members of the Executive Committee, whichever is the greater, are present at a meeting.
4. Every matter shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members of the Executive Committee present and voting on the question but in the case of equality of votes the chairperson of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.
5. The Executive Committee shall keep minutes of the proceedings at meetings of the Executive Committee and any sub-committee.
6. The Executive Committee may from time to time make and alter rules for the conduct of their business, the summoning and conduct of their meetings and the custody of documents. No rule may be made which is inconsistent with this constitution.
7. The Executive Committee may appoint one or more sub-committees consisting of three or more members of the Executive Committee for the purpose of making any inquiry or supervising or performing any function or duty which in the opinion of the Executive Committee would be more conveniently undertaken or carried out by a sub-committee, provided that all acts and proceedings of any such sub-committees shall be fully and promptly reported to the Executive Committee.

K Receipts and expenditure

1. The funds of the organisation, including all donations, contributions and bequests, shall be paid into an account operated by the Executive Committee in the name of the organisation at such bank as the Executive Committee shall from time to time decide. All cheques drawn on the account must be signed by at least two members of the Executive Committee.
2. The funds belonging to the organisation shall be applied only in furthering the objects.

L Accounts

The Executive Committee shall comply with their legal obligations with regard to:

1. the keeping of accounting records;
2. the preparation of annual statements of account;
3. the auditing or independent examination of the statements of account; and
4. the transmission of the statements of account to whom they are legally required to be disclosed.

M Annual Report and Return

The Executive Committee shall prepare an annual report and comply with all legal requirements in respect of annual returns and accounts.

N Annual General Meeting

1. There shall be an annual general meeting of the organisation which shall be held in the month of May in each year or as soon as is practicable thereafter.
2. Every annual general meeting shall be called by the Executive Committee. The secretary shall give at least 21 days' notice of the annual general meeting to all the members of the organisation. All the members of the organisation shall be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting.
3. Before any other business is transacted at the first annual general meeting the persons present shall appoint a chairman of the meeting. The chairperson of the meeting shall be the chair of subsequent annual general meetings but if he or she is not present, before any other business is transacted the vice- chair shall take the chair. In their absence the persons present shall appoint a chairperson of the meeting.
4. The Executive Committee shall present to each annual general meeting the report and accounts of the organisation for the previous year.
5. Nominations for election to the Executive Committee must be made by members of the organisation in writing and must be in the hands of the secretary of the Executive Committee at least 14 days before the annual general meeting. Should nominations exceed vacancies, election shall be by ballot.

O Special General Meetings

The Executive Committee may call a special general meeting of the organisation at any time. If at least ten members request such a meeting in writing stating the business to be considered the secretary shall call such a meeting. At least 21 days' notice must be given. The notice must state the business to be discussed.

P Procedure at General Meetings

The secretary or other person specially appointed by the Executive Committee shall keep a full record of proceedings at every general meeting of the organisation.

Q Alterations to the Constitution

1. Subject to the following provisions of this clause the Constitution may be altered by a resolution passed by not less than two thirds of the members present and voting at a general meeting. The notice of the general meeting must include notice of the resolution, setting out the terms of the alteration proposed.
2. No amendments may be made which would have the effect of nullifying the objects of the organisation.

R Dissolution

If the Executive Committee decides that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the organisation it shall call a meeting of all members of the organisation of which not less than 21 days' notice (stating the terms of the resolution to be proposed) shall be given. If the proposal is confirmed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting the Executive Committee shall have power to realise any assets held by or on behalf of the organisation. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institutions having objects similar to the objects of the organisation as the members of the organisation may determine or failing that shall be applied for some other charitable purpose. A copy of the statement of accounts, or account and statement, for the final accounting period of the organisation must be sent to the relevant authority.

S Arrangements until first Annual General Meeting

Until the first annual general meeting takes place this constitution shall take effect as if references in it to the Executive Committee were references to the persons whose signatures appear at the bottom of this document.

T Financial liability of Executive Committee

Members of the Executive Committee may be liable for debts or loss of monies arising from a breach of trust, fraudulent action or gain of personal benefit by a committee member; or there is shown to be deliberate and serious negligence or breach of statutary duty by the committee.
Executive Committee members will at all times seek advice and act seriously in making decisions.
Executive Committee members may be relieved of personal liability if it can be shown that s/he acted reasonably and honestly.
LEAD, as an incorporated organisation, without charitable status, will not enter into leases or contracts except through named individuals, holding trustees or the whole committee who will be responsible for making payments under the terms of any contract or lease.
Opinions expressed by an individual Executive Committee member do not represent LEAD policy in any way unless such statements follow established policy of the organisation or have the prior approval of the Executive Committee.

This constitution was adopted on the date mentioned below by the persons whose signatures appear at the bottom of this document.