|
This constitution has been agreed by the following committee members:
Mrs Treley Woolger 8th October
2005
Mr Trevor Cope 8th October
2005
Mrs Julie Bennett 9th October 2005
The Constitution of
The Dyslexic Teachers' Association
(1) Charity Details:
(1.1) The Charities name is:
The Dyslexic Teachers’
Association, or The
D.T.A.
(1.2) The Director of The D.T.A. is:
Mrs. Treley Emma Woolger
(1.2) The committee members of The D.T.A.
are:
Mrs
Treley Woolger
Mrs
Julie Bennett
Mr Trevor
Cope
Mr Giles
Millner
(2.1) The Dyslexic Teachers’ Association and its committee
aims to fulfil the following objects:
(2.11) To promote that “reasonable adjustments” are made in schools across the UK, to help Teachers with Dyslexia, in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act.
(2.12) To offer support and guidance to Teachers, Trainee Teachers and Teaching Assistants with Dyslexia and related SpLD
in the UK.
(2.13) To offer support and
guidance to Mentors, Tutors and Heads of department who support dyslexic Teachers.
(2.14) To offer guidance to colleagues of Teachers with
Dyslexia.
(2.15) To educate L.E.A.s, Schools and Teachers about dyslexia and how it affects Teachers.
(2.16) To provide a network
across the UK for Teachers with Dyslexia.
(2.17) To promote awareness of the existence of Dyslexic Teachers.
(2.2) To fulfil these objects the D.T.A.
will provide:
(2.21) A website which will include:
(a) Information on what Dyslexia is, and how it
affects teachers.
(b) Information on the Disability Discrimination
Act.
(c) Resources and strategies for teachers with
Dyslexia.
(d) A forum where teachers can share ideas and
ask questions.
(e) Information and guidance for Mentors, about what they can do to help.
(f) Information and guidance for colleagues.
(g) Links to other sites on dyslexia and related
SpLD’s.
(2.22) An e-mail help service for Teachers with Dyslexia and Mentors, Heads
or colleagues with questions.
(2.3) It is the intention that in the
future The D.T.A. with also provide:
(2.31) Seminars and Workshops:
(a) For
Teachers with Dyslexia:
On strategies to cope with Dyslexia.
On self-confidence.
(b) For Mentors:
On how to effectively mentor a Teacher with Dyslexia.
(c) For
Schools and LEAs:
On how to support dyslexic teachers in schools.
(2.3.2)
A help line, for teachers who need
emergency advice or support.
(2.3.3) A monthly newsletter, including developments
in Dyslexia and new strategies and resources.
(3)
Powers
(3.1) Designated committee members have the power to contact schools, LEAs
and other organisations to provide advice about and for Dyslexic Teachers.
(3.2) Designated committee members have the power to give advice and support to
individual Dyslexic Teachers under the banner of The D.T.A.
(3.3) The committee have the power to apply for funding for activities and resources
such as the website, telephone lines and seminars in accordance to the guidelines of decisions outlined in section (9).
(3.4) The committee members have the power to publicise and promote the awareness
and understanding of Dyslexic Teachers.
(3.5) The committee members have the power to arrange meetings, in accordance to
the guidelines for decisions outlined in section (9)
(3.6) The committee members have the power to refuse membership to The D.T.A. in accordance
to the guidelines for decisions outlined in section (9)
(3.7) The committee members have the power to amend this constitution in accordance
to the guidelines for decisions outlined in section (9)
(4) The Committee
(4.1) All committee members must participate in the running of The D.T.A.
(4.2) All committee members must:
(a) Agree to work towards the objects of The D.T.A.
(b) Have experience in the field of Dyslexia, have familiarity with the UK Education system,
and be prepared to undertake initial training, provided through the DTA, to enhance their knowledge.
(c) Endeavour to see that The D.T.A.’s finances are used appropriately, lawfully
and in accordance with its objects, by reviewing the annual finance report and making appropriate decisions in accordance
to the guidelines for decisions outlined in section (9)
(d) Work co-operatively with other members of the committee.
(e) Be in regular contact with each other, through e-mail, meetings, telephone or written
mail.
(f) Have awareness of current issues, ideas and theories regarding Dyslexia.
(4.3) The committee members must not:
(a) Knowingly put themselves in any danger, financially, physically or mentally in relation
to The D.T.A.
(b) Knowingly put anyone involved in the D.T.A. in danger financially, physically or mentally.
(c) Knowingly give out wrong or inaccurate advice on behalf of The D.T.A.
(d) Be discourteous to anyone involved in The D.T.A.
(e) Gain financially from The D.T.A. unless contracted by the D.T.A. to provide a service.
(4.4) Committee members will be appointed by the Director.
(4.5) In taking appointment as a committee member of The D.T.A. the committee
member will receive a copy of this constitution by e-mail. To accept their position they must agree to all terms outlined
in this constitution and reply sending a copy of the constitution with the final paragraph filled in. This is an electronic signature and is binding.
(4.6) Any committee member who does not conform to the regulations stated
in this governing document will be dismissed following the guidelines under section (4.7) of this document.
(4.7) In the event of a committee member having to be dismissed from the
governing body, a meeting will be held to discuss the individual situation and agree an action in accordance to the guidelines
for decisions outlined in section (9). If a committee member is dismissed they will no longer hold any responsibly to The
D.T.A.
(4.8) If a committee member decides to leave or is dismissed from the governing
body of The D.T.A. they will sign an agreement that they no longer hold any responsibility to The D.T.A.
(4.9) All decisions made by the committee members must be in accordance
to the guidelines for decisions outlined in section. (9)
(5) Meetings
(5.1) At least one Meeting will be held each year to discuss how the objects
of The D.T.A. have been fulfilled and improvements for the next year. This will be the Annual General Meeting, A.G.M.
(a) The A.G.M. will be held at the end of the academic
year, or after the 30th June, and before the start of the autumn term, or before the 1st September.
(b) The A.G.M. will be held in a central location. This may
mean that some committee members will have to travel further than others. This is unavoidable.
(5.2) Other meetings will also be held in various locations when there is
a need.
(5.3)
Meetings can be called by any committee member for the following reasons:
(a) For committee members to read material or sign documents,
including cheques.
(b) New developments in fulfilling the objects of the charity.
(c) Any problems or issues.
(d) To organise events.
(e) Other reasons to be first agreed in accordance to the guidelines
for decisions outlined in section (9)
(5.4) Minutes will be taken at all meetings and distributed to all committee
members.
(5.5) A meeting must consist of at least two committee members, and the
director. This constitutes a quorum, where decisions can be made without the agreement of other members.
(5.6) Members of the D.T.A. may also be present at meetings, where it is
agreed.
(5.7) Notice of meetings must be given to all committee members and members at
least 10 days before the meeting.
(6) Membership
When membership to The D.T.A.
is established the following regulations will apply:
(6.1) All committee members must have paid current membership subscription
to The D.T.A.
(6.2) Committee members have the right to refuse membership to anyone, providing
an agreement is made in accordance to the guidelines for decisions outlined in section (9)
(6.3) Membership to the D.T.A. will require a payment which will go to the charity
fund.
(6.4) Membership rates will be decided by the committee members, and can
be changed at any time, in accordance to the outlines guidelines for decisions outlined section (9)
(6.5) The benefits of membership are:
(a) A monthly newsletter including personal stories, events, strategies,
news and information.
(b) Reduced rates to events.
(c) Input in to the decision making of The D.T.A.
including attending meetings.
(d) An initial information pack.
(e) Members only events.
(6.6) Any person wishing to join The D.T.A. as a member may do so,
they do not have to be involved in education or be Dyslexic themselves.
(6.7) Membership will expire exactly one year after payment and can be renewed.
(7) Finances
(7.1) All finances are the responsibility of the designated committee members.
(7.2) Designated committee members will have access to the account; all
other members will have access to account details on request.
(7.3) All committee members must be informed of any expenditure over £10
prior to monies being taken from the account in accordance to guidelines for decisions outlined in section (9)
(7.4) All committee members must be informed of any income from membership
or funding on a regular basis.
(7.5) At least two designated committee members’ signatures will be required
for cheques.
(7.6) At no exception should the monies from the account be used for any purpose other
than to fulfil the objects of The D.T.A.
(7.7) In the event of dissolution, all of the monies in the account will go to
a chosen and agreed dyslexia related charity in accordance to the guidelines for decisions outlined in section (9)
(7.8) Under no circumstances will The D.T.A. borrow money without unanimous
agreement of all of the committee in accordance to the guidelines for decisions outlined in section (9)
(7.9) A small petty cash float will be kept at the Directors residence (as
shown in 1.2) for expenditure under £10. This float will never be more than £40.
(7.10) Any expenditure claims from committee members will be paid by cheque after a
receipt has been seen by the treasurer or the director.
(8) Holding of land
(8.1) The D.T.A. does not hold land. In the event that The D.T.A. buy or
acquire land or property, guidelines will be drawn up by the committee in accordance to the guidelines for decisions outlined
in section (9)
(9) Decisions
(9.1) Decisions regarding the running of The D.T.A. can be made through
the following communication:
(a) At A.G.M.s or other meetings
(b) Through e-mail contacts
(c) Through telephone contact and confirmed in writing or by
e-mail
(d) Through written contact
All agreements must be
finalised by e-mail contact or in the minutes of a meeting and be available to all committee members.
(9.2) If a decision does not require unanimous agreement (9.5) the following
rules apply:
(a) In the case of a meeting: The decision goes with the
majority (51%) of committee members present at the meeting, or who have made prior contact regarding the decision.
(b) in the case of other contact: The decision goes with the majority
(51%) of committee members who have made prior contact regarding the decision before the prescribed deadline.
(9.3) The following decisions can be made by the Director without agreement
by the Committee:
(a) Spending of money below £10.
(b) Publication of The D.T.A. to any individual, company, school
or to the press.
(c) All decisions outlined in (9.6) in accordance to the
guidelines written there.
(9.4) For communication through e-mail or other written contact the following
rules apply:
(a) Proposals and opinions about proposals should be submitted
by committee members to the director before a prescribed deadline.
(b) of the e-mails received by the Director at least 50%
of them must agree to a decision before it can be made.
(c) Deadlines will be between 48 hours and 7 days.
(d) A reply to an e-mail with the words “I [name]
support / I [name] do not support this proposal” is accepted as an electronically binding.
(9.5)
The following decisions require unanimous agreement by the committee:
(a) The purchase of Land
(b) The borrowing or lending of monies
(c) The dissolution of The D.T.A.
(9.6) The following actions do not have to have the agreement of the committee,
however all committee members must be notified within 48 hours:
(a) The amendment of The D.T.A. website
(b) Communicating with anyone who has contacted you as a committee
member of The D.T.A.
(c) Publicising The D.T.A. to members of the public who
you do not have a personal or professional connection with. (Please use your own judgement here, for example, it would be
advisable to let people know if you have asked someone to contact us).
(10) Communications
(10.1) All communication from a committee member representing the D.T.A. must be done in accordance
to these rules:
(a) As a committee member you are responsible for the information
that you give out. You are not currently covered by the indemnity insurance of The D.T.A. – You may acquire your own
indemnity insurance if you wish.
(b) You must use professional language in all communications related
to The D.T.A.
(c) All e-mails, written to people who you do not know personally
or professionally, publicising The D.T.A., must be written from The D.T.A’s current e-mail address.
(d) All e-mails, written to people who you don’t know personally
or professionally, offering advice on behalf of The D.T.A., must be written from The D.T.A’s current e-mail address.
(e) All e-mails offering information, advice and/or guidance (IAG)
must start with the following phrase, or similar according to your position:
“The opinion expressed in this e-mail is that of someone who does not hold official qualifications
in the field of dyslexia, but is a dyslexic teacher, with an understanding of the problems that are faced by dyslexic students
and teachers, and a willingness to see that teachers with dyslexia are fairly treated. I hope that the advice and information
in this e-mail is helpful to you, however I accept no responsibility for the outcome.”
This
does not cover you in law.
(f) All e-mails written from The D.T.A. e-mail address must
end with the following phrase, or similar:
“If you think that you are receiving this e-mail in error, or do not want any further information from the Dyslexic
Teacher’s Association, please send an e-mail saying “STOP” to dyslexicteachers@yahoo.co.uk”
(g) All other written communications must include similar and relevant
phrases to those written above, and be written on paper including The D.T.A. logo.
|
