PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS’ ASSOCIATION of NORTHERN IRELAND

CONSTITUTION and RULES. (DOWNLOAD PDF VERSION)

1. The Professional Photographers’ Association of Northern Ireland was founded by the common consent of those present at the General Meeting on the 14th February 1966. The first Council of those elected was as follows:-

Charles Gray (President)
Jim Nickell (Vice President)
Reg Perry (Hon. Secretary)
R.A. McCullough (Hon. Treasurer)
Jim Stewart (Asst. Secretary)

 

Jim Boreland (Committee Member)
Clifford Bourke (Committee Member)
George Baxter (Committee Member)

The Association shall be known as:-

“The Professional Photographers’ Association of Northern Ireland.”

2a. OBJECTS AND AIMS.
To promote the efficiency, elevate the attainments and watch over, support and protect the status, privileges and interests of photographers practising in Northern Ireland; and for that purpose, to confer and advise public bodies and others, on all matters affecting the interest of the profession and, if necessary, to take active means to protect such privileges and interests and to suppress dishonourable and unethical professional conduct and practices.

2b. To obtain, collect and disseminate news and to publish a periodical journal of the work of the Association.

2c. To act as arbitrators in disputes between Members of the Association; and between Members and other persons, firms, companies etc., not being Members of the Association.

2d. To reimburse any Officer or Member of the Association all expenses for travelling, or other expenses incurred by them in relation to the business of the Association, or in relation to the business of a Member or Members. Any of the above being undertaken at the request of or buy direction of Council and considered reasonable and necessary.

2e. To hold Conferences or Congresses of Members of the Association in the art or business of Photography and to promote and hold exhibitions of Photographic Work.

3a. MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASSOCIATION.
Membership of the Association shall comprise of the following categories: Qualified, Probationary, Trade, Auxiliary, International and Honorary.

3b. QUALIFIED MEMBER.
Any Professional Photographer engaged in the production of photographs, who shall be in business, either on his own behalf or in partnership, or shall be employed by any person, firm or company shall be eligible for Qualified Membership of the Association. Provided always that any person, who is in full time employment other than that of photography, is not eligible for Membership.

Only Qualified Members of the Association shall use the Signs and Symbols of the Association and the title “Member of the Professional Photographers’ Association of Northern Ireland”, in connection with their own name in their business.

Only Qualified Members have voting rights and can serve on council.

Qualified Membership of the Association shall be taken to indicate agreement:-

To exclude from casual employment in an operating capacity, any persons who are not themselves bone fide Professional Photographers, or who are in remunerative employment other than as bone fide Professional Photographers.

Not to pass on work to or recommend the services of any persons who are not themselves bone fide Professional Photographers, or who are in remunerative employment other than as bone fide Professional Photographers.

(i) LICENTIATE.(L.P.P.A.N.I.)

Any person wishing to become a Licentiate of the Association, must first apply for Probationary membership. If accepted as Probationary Member, application for Licentiate must be made within a period of one year from the date of acceptance as Probationary Member.

(ii) ASSOCIATE. (A.P.P.A.N.I.)
Any person wishing to become an Associate of the Association must be a Licentiate for rat least one year. Members of the IPPA, BIPP or MPA who hold an Associate qualification with that body may apply on the prescribed form to become an Associate of the PPANI without submitting a body of work for assessment.

(iii) FELLOW (F.P.P.A.N.I.)
Any person wishing to become a Fellow of the Association must be an Associate for at least one year.Members of the IPPA, BIPP or MPA who hold a Fellowship qualification with that body may apply on the prescribed form to become a Fellow of the PPANI without submitting a body of work for assessment.

3c. TRADE MEMBER.
Firms engaged in the supply of materials and services to the Professional Photographer may be accepted as Trade Member of the Association. The firm may nominate representatives to attend meetings etc,.

3d. AUXILIARY MEMBER
Application for Auxiliary Member may be accepted from Retired Members, receptionists, darkroom assistants, workroom staff, and spouses of Qualified Members.

3e. HONORARY MEMBER.
Any person who in the opinion of Council merits such recognition in respect of service to the Profession in general or to the Association in particular, may be accepted as Honorary Member of the Association.

3f. INTERNATIONAL MEMBER.
Application for International Member may be accepted from practising photographers who reside outside Northern Ireland, on the recommendation of Council.

3g. RETIRED MEMBER.
Application for Retired Member may be accepted from members who have reached retirement age but wish to continue with the privileges of Full Qualified membership. The fee for retired membership will be 50% of that of a Qualified membership. Members who have reached retirement age and do not want privileges of full membership may join as Auxiliary members.

4a. APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASSOCIATION.
Except for Associate or fellow, all persons applying for Membership of the Association shall forward their application on the prescribed form, together with a panel of examples of their work (if applicable) and appropriate Membership Fee to the Honorary Secretary.

The application shall be considered t the first available Council Meeting. If accepted, the names of the Applicant shall be inserted in the monthly circular following this Council Meeting, together with their Proposer and Seconder (if applicable), who should be Qualified Members of the Association and with who the Applicant should be personally acquainted. If the Applicant is not personally acquainted with Members of the Association, Council shall have the power to act as Proposer and Seconder.

Any Member having objection to the Applicant being admitted to Membership of the Association, shall inform the Honorary Secretary in writing ten days of the date of insertion in the monthly circular.

4b. The Council shall have the power not to admit to Membership any applicant who in the opinion of Council is considered to be unsuitable for Membership.

4c. APPLICATION FOR ASSOCIATE AND FELLOW.
Application for Associate and Fellow membership must be made on the prescribed forms, and all applications must comply with the rules governing the entry to these qualifications that may be passed by Council, from time to time.

5. GOVERNMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION.
The Association shall be governed by a Council consisting of eight Members. Such a Council shall include a President, Vice President, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer, (who shall be called the Officers) and four elected Members. The term of office shall be from the Annual General Meeting after the date of election until the next Annual Meeting. The Vice President shall be the President Elect. The Immediate Past-President shall be an ex-officio Member of Council.

6. QUORUM AT COUNCIL MEETINGS.
At meetings of Council, five Members shall form a quorum. All business except routine shall be stated in the notice convening such meeting.

7a. POWERS OF COUNCIL.
The Council shall have the management of the affairs of the Association, shall make its own Bye-Laws, elect all subordinate officers and shall have power to dispense with any such persons, and shall have power to co-opt additional Members.

7b. The Council may at any time co-opt any Member of the Association to fill a vacancy as a Member of the Council. Any Member so co-opted shall retain his office for the remainder of the term of the office of his predecessor.

7c. The Council may from time to time appoint a Secretary at a salary to be decided by Council.
Any person so appointed shall be deemed during the term of the appointment to be the secretary of the Professional Photographers’ Association of Northern Ireland.

7d. A Meeting of the Members of Council at which a quorum is present, shall be competent to exercise all authorities, powers and discretions by or under the rules of the Association, for the time being vested in Council generally.

7e. The Council shall have sole interpretation of the rules.

7f. The Council shall have at least four General Meetings in the course of one year.

7g. In cases where a Member is guilty of:- breaking the Rules of the Association, acting in a manner liable to cause the Association embarrassment or behaving in a unprofessional manner, council shall have the power to suspend or expel the said Member at its discretion.

8a. COUNCIL MEETINGS.
The Council on order of the President (or in his absence the Vice President) shall be summoned from time to time and as frequently as may be necessary for the transaction of business. Seven days’ notice shall be given for a Council Meeting. In the absence of the President or Vice President, a Meeting may be summoned at the instigation of any three Council Members and one Office. In the cases of emergency a Meeting may be convened immediately.

8b. The Council shall cause proper minutes to be made of the, proceedings of all Meetings of the Association and of the Council, and the business transacted at such Meetings. Any minute of any such Meeting if sighed by chairman of such meeting, or by the chairman of the succeeding Meeting, shall without further proof be conclusive evidence of the facts therein stated.

8c. At the Meetings of Council minutes of Sub-Council Meetings held since the last Meeting shall be read.

9. SPECIAL COMMITTTEES.
The Council may appoint such special Sub-Committees as may be deemed expedient to carry out such duties of the Association as may be assigned by the Council, membership of which shall not necessarily be confined to Members of Council.

10. VOTES HOW TAKEN.
In a division on any question at a Meeting of council, Sub-Committee or at any General meeting, the votes shall be taken by a show of hands or by ballot if demanded by the chairman.

11. CHAIRMAN’S CASTING VOTE.
In the even of an equality of votes, the chairman of the Meeting is entitled to a casting vote and the decision of the chairman shall be final.

12. NON-ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS.
Should any Member of the Council absent himself from three consecutive Council Meetings without an explanation acceptable to Council, he shall ipso facto on the termination of the third Meeting, cease to be a Member of Council and the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with Rule 7b.

13. PRESIDENT.
The President shall summon all Council and General Meetings and shall attend and preside at same, and all other Meetings of the Association. In his absence the vice-President shall preside. In the absence of both, the Members present shall elect a Chairman.

14. HONORARY TREASURER.
The Honorary treasurer shall receive all monies as may be due to the Association and pay all such sums as may be voted for the use and account of the Association. All monies so received by the Honorary Treasurer shall be lodged to the credit of the Association with the Association’s Bankers.

The account shall be kept in the names of the President, the Honorary Treasurer and the Honorary Secretary. Any two signatures shall be necessary to all cheques.

The Honorary Treasurer shall annually make u the accounts, produce the books, vouchers etc., and lay a detailed Statement of Account and Balance Sheet, duty audited by the Association’s auditors, before the Association for adoption at the Annual General Meeting.

Copies of such Statement of Account and Balance Sheet shall be available to each Member at such a Meeting and on retiring from office shall hand over any balance remaining on hand to the credit of the Association and all books, vouchers and documents belonging to the Association.

15. DUTIES OF HONORARY SECRETARY.
The Honorary Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of the Association, conduct all correspondence and perform such other duties connected with the Office as the Council may from time to time determine.

The Honorary Secretary shall issue all circulars convening Meetings and cause them to be delivered by post or otherwise in accordance with Rule 8a, except in the case of emergency Meetings, and shall prepare the carious forms and documents for the several elections in accordance with these Rules.

16. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
The Annual General Meeting (of which 21 days’ notice shall be given) shall be held in the Month of June in each year to:-

(i) Receive the report of Council, Accounts and Balance Sheet.
(ii) Install the new Council.
(iii) Fix the Annual Subscriptions.
(iv) Dispatch routine business.

17. ELECTION OF COUNCIL.
The election of Council shall be held in the month of April. The voting shall be by ballot. The maximum term for Council Members in any one office shall be two consecutive years, (except the office of Honorary secretary and Honorary Treasurer).

18. QUALIFICATION FOR COUNCIL. (AFTER 1ST FEBRUARY 1967).
A candidate for Council must be a Member of not less than one year’s standing.

19. SUBSCRIPTIONS.
Subscriptions will be due from the date of the Annual General Meeting.

20. FINANCIAL YEAR.
The financial year shall be from the 1st April to the 31st March.

21. ARREARS.
Any Member whose Subscription is three months in arrears in the current year, shall be deemed by Council to have resigned from the Association, and a letter shall be sent to the Member to this effect.

22. RESIGNATION OF MEMBER.
Any person desiring to resign Membership must give two months’ notice in writing to the Honorary secretary and must return all Association property within this period.

23. QUORUM AT MEETINGS.
At the Annual General Meeting, Extraordinary General Meetings and general Meetings of the Association, six Members together with two Officers shall forma a quorum. None but Qualified, Trade, Auxiliary, International, or Honorary Members shall be permitted to be present unless specially invited by the President or Council to attend. None but Members so entitled shall be permitted to speak.

24. BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED.
No business shall be dealt with at any Meeting except such as shall appear on the notice convening the Meeting or other urgent business, at the leave of the chairman of the Meeting. Amendments to the Rules and Constitution shall be considered only in accordance with the provisions contained in these rules.

25a. DISTURBANCE AT MEETINGS.
Should any person create any disturbance at Meetings, it shall be within the power of any Member to move his withdrawal. The person must at once leave the meeting at the discretion of the Chairman.

25b. The chairman shall have power to adjourn, dissolve or close any Meeting that has become impossible to control owing to disorder or lack of decorum, and also determining whether a motion before the chair shall be further debated.

26a. ORDER OF DEBATE AT ALL MEETINGS.
No Member shall have the right to speak more than once in a debate except by the sanction of the Chairman.

26b. Any Member moving a resolution shall have the right of reply.

26c. Every resolution and amendment must be seconded. The seconder, provided tat he has only formally seconded, has the right to reply later in the debate.

26d. The Chairman, after every resolution or amendment has been proposed shall call for a seconder. If not seconded such resolution or amendment shall lapse.

26e. All resolutions or amendments before being put to the Meeting must be reduced to writing. No resolution or amendment can be withdrawn without the consent of the Meeting. Should two or more Members rise at the same time the chairman shall select the one to speak first. No Member shall be allowed to interrupt a speaker unless he has been misrepresented or on a point of order, except with the sanction of the chair.

26f. The chairman’s decision on all points shall be final.

26g. Should a Member travel from the region of debate the chairman shall have the power of calling him to order.

26h. Any Member may move that a debate be closed and the motion if seconded, shall be put without discussion.

26i. Any Member may move the adjournment of the debate or Meeting and the motion if seconded shall be put without discussion.

27a. ALTERATION OF RULES.
Any Member wishing to alter, amend or repeal any of the existing Rules of the Association, or propose a new rule, shall give a Notice of Motion in writing to the Honorary Secretary. The Honorary Secretary may then cal an Extraordinary General meeting to consider such Motion. At least seven days’ notice in writing shall be given of the Extraordinary general Meeting.

27b. Any alteration, amendment, repeal or proposal of new rules must be passed by two thirds of the votes cast.

27c. Any such alteration, amendment, repeal or proposal of new rules passed in accordance with rule 27b, shall come into operation immediately.

28a. DISSOLUTION
Any proposal for the dissolution of the Association shall be considered only at an Extraordinary general Meeting, which shall determine whether the Association shall be dissolved and if so, the formal date of the dissolution and how the property or funds, if any, shall be realise.

28b. In the event of dissolution of the Association, monies held by the Association shall be donated to agreed charities and any equipment or goods owned by the Association, be sold and the resultant monies also donated to these charities.

Revised August 2007

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