Irish Science Centres Awareness Network

Constitution
Adopted 24 April 1999, amended 24 Nov 2001 and 11 May 2002

Section 1: Title

The title of the Network shall be the 'Irish Science Centres Awareness Network' hereafter referred to as 'iSCAN'. The Irish equivalent of the title shall be 'Gréasán Ionaid Eolaíochta na hÉireann'.

 

Section 2: Objectives

The objectives of the Network shall be:

  1. To promote co-operation and collaboration between organisations and individuals in Ireland that share the common aim of fostering the public understanding of science and technology.
  2. To collect, evaluate and disseminate information about science centres.
  3. To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and the formulation of common aims.
  4. To present agreed submissions to the relevant agencies or institutions.
  5. To co-ordinate and facilitate the activities of members in relation to the stated aims.
  6. To create and maintain links with similar organisations overseas.
  7. iSCAN will facilitate networking by issuing a regular newsletter, by maintaining a directory of scientific and technological attractions in Ireland, by holding regular meetings (at least twice a year) and by promoting travelling exhibitions.

 

Section 3: Membership

  1. Ordinary Membership is open to Irish science centres, museums, visitor attractions or organisations committed to the public understanding of science and technology.
  2. Individual Membership is open to all individuals who support iSCAN's aims but who do not meet the criteria for ordinary membership. Full-time students may be admitted at a discounted subscription fee.
  3. Commercial Membership is open to firms, suppliers or consultants who create products and services for science centres.
  4. Annual Subscriptions shall become due on the first day of February.
  5. Only members in good standing will be entitled to vote at meetings of the Network and to enjoy the benefits of membership.
  6. The Committee shall have discretion to elect a President who will be an honorary member and to confer honorary membership on persons who have contributed notably to iSCAN's objectives.

 

Section 4: Administration

The affairs of the Network shall be managed by a Committee elected each year at an Annual General Meeting.

 

Section 5: The Committee

  1. All members of the Committee shall be members of the Network.
  2. The Committee will consist of four officers and eight other members.
  3. Ordinary members shall form a majority of the Committee.
  4. The officers of the Network shall be:
    • Chairperson
    • Vice-Chairperson
    • Honorary Secretary
    • Honorary Treasurer

    Other responsibilities may be assigned by the Committee, as necessary

  5. The Committee shall have power to co-opt up to three additional members.
  6. The quorum at Committee meetings shall be five, of whom at least two are officers.
  7. All decisions shall be by a majority of the Committee members present.

 

Section 6: The Annual General Meeting
  1. An Annual General Meeting shall be held each year on a date and at a location agreed by the Committee.
  2. Twenty-one days written notice of the agenda and motions shall be given.
  3. The business of the Meeting will be:
    1. To receive a Report and Statement of Accounts from the Committee.
    2. To consider any motions proposed.
    3. To set the amounts of membership subscriptions for the coming year.
    4. To elect Officiers and a Committee for the coming year; the AGM may delegate the election of Officers to the Committee.
    5. To appoint an Honorary Auditor.
  4. All decisions, other than changes to the Constitution (see Section 9) shall be by a majority vote of members present and voting.

 

Section 7: Special General Meetings

  1. A Special General Meeting may be convened at any time by direction of the Committee.
  2. A Special General Meeting may also be convened on the written request of not less than ten members of the Network. Such a request must specify the purpose of the meeting.
  3. At least twenty-one days written notice shall be given of the meeting.
  4. A two-thirds majority vote of members present is required for the adoption of any motion at the Meeting and it must be supported by at least ten members.

 

Section 8: Finance
  1. The Committee shall control the finances of the Network.
  2. Membership fees for Ordinary, Individual and Commercial Members shall be set at the Annual General Meeting of the Network.
  3. Each year the Honorary Treasurer shall present the accounts to the Honorary Auditor.
  4. The audited accounts shall be presented to the Annual General Meeting.

 

Section 9: Constitutional Changes

Changes to the Constitution may be made only at an Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting. Proposed changes must be submitted in writing to the Secretary at least twenty-eight days before the Meeting. A two-thirds majority of those voting will be required for adoption of a motion to change the Constitution; recorded abstentions will be counted.

 

Section 10: Dissolution of the Network

The Network may be dissolved only at a Special General Meeting, called for that sole purpose. After all debts have been paid, the balance of the Network funds shall be donated to an organisation with similar aims to iSCAN.

 

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