National Parents’ & Siblings’ Alliance – Constitution

(Adopted at First Annual General Meeting – 13th February 1999)
 
1.    The name of the organisation shall be the National Parents’ & Siblings’ Alliance.

2.    The Alliance shall not engage in the provision of services, nor in fundraising for any purpose other than those set out below.

3.    The aims of the Alliance shall be, in general:
♦    To secure full recognition of the right of people with a learning disability to participate in our society as full and equal citizens, and the removal of all barriers to that citizenship;
♦    To secure the highest level of service provision for people with learning disabilities, in the areas of assessment, healthcare, education, training, employment opportunities, social life, and residential and respite care;
♦    To secure the highest level of support, including counselling and respite services, for the parents, carers, and families of people with learning disabilities;
♦    To secure the full implementation of the Report on the Status of People with Disabilities;
♦    To secure an active role for parents in the development of national and local policy in the area of learning disability;
♦    To seek to participate in, and support, the continuing development of a strong united disability movement throughout Ireland.

4.    The Alliance shall seek to pursue its aims through the following methods:
♦    By seeking to function as a network of organisations and parents, co-ordinating the efforts of individuals and groups;
♦    By seeking to inform and unite parents of people with learning disabilities, either individually or as members of existing organisations, into a strong national voice;
♦    By working with other groups representing people with learning and other disabilities towards the development of a totally united voice for people with disabilities;
♦    By organising national and local campaigns to highlight the aims and objectives of the Alliance;
♦    By campaigning and lobbying for constitutional, legislative, financial, administrative and policy changes as appropriate.

5.    Organisations of parents and friends already established, who support its aims and objectives, shall be welcome to affiliate to the Alliance.

6.    Parents and siblings of children who are without a service, and/or who are not eligible to join any local organisation of parents and friends, will be welcome to join the Alliance in an individual capacity.

7.    Each organisation of parents and friends which chooses to join the Alliance shall be free to pursue its own activities in its own area, and shall not be bound by any rule or directive from the Alliance.

8.    The Alliance shall be managed by a National Network, which shall consist of two representatives nominated by each affiliated organisation.  The National Network shall be responsible for overall management of the Alliance and policy development.

9.    The National Network shall meet at least twice a year.  One meeting shall constitute the Annual General Meeting.

10.    The Annual General meeting shall:
♦    Elect a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and Public Relations Officer;
♦    Elect a Coordination Group, to consist of the officers above and eight others, who shall be broadly representative of the four regions;
♦    Adopt motions on policy;
♦    Conduct other appropriate business, including the establishment of an action fund.

11.    Any elections necessary at the Annual General Meeting shall be conducted in accordance with the rules suggested by the Coordination Group, but decided by the Meeting itself.

12.    The Coordination Group shall conduct day-to-day affairs of the Alliance, in pursuit of the overall aims and objectives, and shall be responsible to the National Network, reporting its activities to each meeting of the Network.  The Coordination Group may propose campaigns of action and policy initiatives, agendas and procedures for Network meetings, and may conduct meetings with other organisations and with public representatives for the purpose of pursuing the aims of the Alliance.  The Coordination Group may delegate any of its functions to its officers.

13.    This Constitution, once adopted, may be changed by a 60% majority at any AGM, provided a motion to that effect, containing proposed changes, is placed before the AGM by any affiliated organisation.