REVISED CONSTITUTION
FOR THE NATIONAL SERVICE VETERANS ASSOCIATION
 

1. NAME

The name shall be THE NATIONAL SERVICE VETERANS ASSOCIATION, herein after called the NSVA or the Association.

2. AIMS & OBJECTIVES

1. The main object will be to promote the welfare and interests of ex-service personnel within the United Kingdom.

2. To act as an umbrella organisation when making representations to the Government, members of Parliament, Members of the European Parliament, Health Authorities and other statutory and voluntary bodies dealing with matters affecting ex-service personnel.

3. To promote policies beneficial to ex-service personnel.

4. To encourage the development of educational and other opportunities to enable ex-service personnel to contribute to community activities.

5. To provide a platform where matters of concern can be raised and policies and practices developed, paying attention to the particular needs or problems of ex-service personnel.

6. To act in all respects and at all times without discrimination to gender, age, race, religion, disability or sexual orientation.

7. To act as an information resource for ex-service personnel’s organisations within the United Kingdom.

3. MEMBERSHIP

Application for membership of the NSVA shall be open to any organisation dealing with ex-service personnel people, subject to acceptance by the National Council.

4. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

1. The general business of the Association shall be conducted by the National Council and by an Executive Committee, the latter shall be empowered to act between meetings of the National Council. The Council and Executive Committee shall have power to appoint working groups or sub-committees to deal with specific subjects, who shall report back to the Council via the Executive Committee. There shall be a Biennial Delegate Conference which:

1. Shall determine NSVA policy and constitution.

2. Shall receive a biennial report, to include reports from the regions.

3. Shall elect NSVA officers including the President, two Vice Presidents, General Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity Officer and members of the Executive Committee.

2. The basis of delegate representation, each having full voting rights, shall be:

1. Regions: 1 delegate per 1000 members up to a maximum of 6 delegates

2. National affiliates: 1 delegate per 10,000 members up to a maximum of 6 delegates.

3. Other affiliates: 1 delegate.

4. NSVA elected officers shall attend the Conference as voting members. Full or part-time workers shall attend the Conference as ex-officio, non-voting members.

3. Resolutions:

Each Region and National affiliate will be limited to one resolution on policy and one amendment to the constitution. All resolutions on policy and the constitution must be received at the National Office at least 28 days before the Biennial Conference and circulated to all delegates at least 14 days before the Conference date.

5. NATIONAL COUNCIL

1. The Council shall consist of the elected Honorary Officers (President, two Vice-Presidents, General Secretary, Treasurer and Publicity Officer) and with delegates as set out in clause 4 (ii) above. The National Council shall have the power to co-opt additional members up to a maximum of 3 to serve on the Executive Committee. The National Council shall meet at least twice in a calendar year discounting the Biennial Conference.

2. The National Council may appoint an Honorary Life President who may attend meetings of the National Council, the biennial delegate conference and the ex-service personnel’ parliament.

3. The Executive Committee shall be elected as stated in clause 4 (i) and comprise of one delegate from each Region in good standing and one delegate from each National affiliate in good standing, plus the elected officers. The committee shall meet every two months.

6. MEETINGS
    

   1. Fourteen days notice of all normal meetings of the National Council and Executive Committee with their appropriate agendas shall be given by the General Secretary, who will receive and process any proposals for debate.

2. Minutes of the Biennial Conference, National Council and Executive Committee will be taken and retained by the National Office and copies circulated to all officers, co-opted personnel and appropriate delegates, each copy to be signed as correct by the elected Chairperson at each meeting.

3. Quorums:

No meeting shall be held or deliberations exercised in the name of the NSVA without a quorum of:

National Council – 20 delegates inclusive of elected officers.

Executive Committee – 10 delegates inclusive of elected officers.

Should members leave, breaking the quorum, the remaining business shall be held over.

7. FINANCE

1. The NSVA’s financial year shall run from the 1st of January to the 31^st December, an audited account shall be presented to the National Council in April of each year.

2. The NSVA shall have the power to obtain, collect and receive money and funds by means of contributions, donations, subscriptions, deeds of covenant, legacies, grants or other lawful methods. The income of the NSVA shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objects as set out in clause 2 of this constitution.

3. No portion of funds or income shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of profit to any member or organisation of the National Council unless authorised by the National Council.

4. Payment of out of pocket expenses may be made to any officer or approved representative of the Council at a rate agreed by the Council or the Executive Committee.

8. DISSOLUTION

If the National Council, by a two-thirds majority decides at any time not withstanding the rules applicable to the National Conference, that on the grounds of expense or otherwise, it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Association, it shall call a meeting through its elected officers of all associated or affiliated member organisations in good standing who have a right to vote, giving 21 clear days notice and stating the full terms of the dissolution motion which will give instructions for the disposal of assets held by or in the name of the Association, provided that any assets remain after all debts and liabilities have been cleared. Such assets shall not be paid or distributed among organisations of the Association but shall be given or gifted to such bodies with similar objects which exist to promote the well being of retired ex-service personnel.