1. TITLE
The Association shall be called the National Association of Music Educators (NAME).

2. AIMS
The association's aim is to support its members in the delivery of high quality music education through:-

(a) contributing to the creation of a strong and unified voice for music education nationally
(b) providing a forum for professional exchange through local, national and regional events
(c) promoting the professional development of members
(d) informing members of current developments by publications, newsletters and the Association's Website
(e) collaborating with other appropriate organisations

The promotion of Equal Opportunities is fundamental to the practice of the Association.

3. FINANCIAL YEAR
The association's financial year shall end on 31st December. The Executive committee shall appoint an Auditor.

4. INCOME AND ASSETS
The income and assets of NAME shall be applied exclusively in the interests of the Association and only upon the direction of the Officers.

5. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION
The annual subscription shall be determined from time to time by the Association at the Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General Meeting duly convened, and shall be payable in advance to the Honorary Treasurer. A conference fee shall be payable by all members attending the Annual Conference. New members joining within three months of the end of the financial year shall be entitled to membership until the end of the next financial year. New members joining and paying their subscriptions or submitting completed direct debit mandate forms at regional conferences taking place between June and December inclusive will be entitled to membership covering the remaining months of the current year plus the full 12 months of the following year. Membership shall be deemed to have lapsed on failure to pay the annual subscription by the end of the current year.

6. MEMBERSHIP

(a) Full membership shall be open to all individuals involved in music education. Full membership carries full voting rights.

(b) Corporate membership shall be open to companies involved in music education. Two categories of membership shall be available: Full Corporate Membership and Associate Corporate Membership, each of which carries one vote per corporate member, with full voting rights.

(c) Emeritus Membership may be conferred as an honour upon any member or non-member who has in the opinion of the Association made a distinguished contribution to the world of music education. Emeritus members have all the benefits and rights of Full Membership.

(d) An Eligibility Panel shall be appointed consisting of:

(i) the Chair or, in her/his absence, the Vice-Chair, and
(ii) two other members of the Executive Committee.

The executive, in consultation with the eligibility Panel, will exercise discretion in respect of each application for membership.

Application for membership shall be made on the appropriate form. Applicants who have been accepted and who have paid their first subscription shall be admitted to the privileges of membership and shall be bound by the constitution.

7. ORGANISATION

(a) Officers of the Association
At the Annual General Meeting the Association shall elect the following honorary officers:

The Association may appoint professional staff in support of its role.
In order to provide maximum continuity

(i) The Vice-Chair will be deemed Chair Elect for the following year
(ii) The Past Chair, in whatever form of membership, retains voting rights during the term of office.

Due regard to the composition of the membership will be taken into account in the constitution of the Officers of the Association.

All officers shall be eligible for re-election annually within the tenure of office detailed above. A period of two years must normally elapse before they are again eligible for office. The exception to this rule is the post of Vice-Chair who may be any member who has served or is serving on the Executive in another capacity.

(b) National and English Regional Structure
The Association's members shall be grouped into geographical regions organised by Regional Convenors, and national representatives for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland who must be in current membership. Only full members of NAME have voting rights at regional meetings. Regional convenors shall normally serve for a maximum of three years and will submit to an election each year.

(c) Executive Committee

(i) The Association shall be managed by an Executive Committee consisting of the elected officers, national representatives of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and convenors of regions,
(ii) Nominations for election to the Executive Committee must be proposed and seconded in writing, the consent of the nominee having been obtained.
(iii) In the same way, before the Annual General Meeting, the members in Wales, Scotland Northern Ireland and the regions shall each elect Convenors for their own areas.
(iv) Two further members shall be elected to the Executive committee.
(v) The Executive Committee shall have the power to co-opt up to four further members of the Association to ensure balance. Co-options will be reviewed annually and no member will normally be co-opted for more than three consecutive years.

(d) Minutes
A written record shall be maintained of Annual General Meetings, Extraordinary General Meetings and Executive Committee Meetings of the Association and meetings of the Association in the regions, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

(e) Quorum

(i) The quorum of the Association at an Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General Meeting shall be 20 members.
(ii) The quorum of the executive Committee shall be six members at least one of whom shall be an Officer of the Association.

(f) General Meetings

(i) The Annual General Meeting shall be held at a time and place decided upon by the Executive Committee, with three months notice being given to members. Items for the agenda shall be sent to the Secretary at least 28 days before the date of the AGM.
(ii) An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called either following a resolution passed by the Executive Committee, or at any time within 28 days of the Secretary receiving a written request signed by at least 20 members, stating fully the reasons for such a meeting.

8. ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT
The Annual Report and fully audited financial statement shall be submitted at the Annual General Meeting.

9. DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION
The Association may be dissolved by a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at an Extraordinary General Meeting convened for the purpose. Twenty-one days notice of such a meeting will be given to members. Such a resolution shall give instructions for the disposal of any assets held by, or in the name of, the Association. If any property remains after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, that property shall not be paid to, or distributed among, members of the Association but shall be given or transferred to such other objects similar to the objectives of the Association.

10. ALTERATION OF THE CONSTITUTION
Alterations to this constitution shall receive the assent of two-thirds of the members present and voting at an Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary Meeting. The Secretary must receive a resolution for alteration of the Constitution at least 21 days before the meeting at which the resolution is to be brought forward. At least 14 days notice of such a meeting must be given to members by the Association's Secretary, and must include notification of the alteration proposed. No alteration shall be made which have the effect of causing the Association to cease to be a Charity at law.

11. NOTICE

(a) Notices for the purpose of this Constitution shall be properly served if sent by post in a prepaid envelope or delivered by hand to the last recorded address of any member as maintained in the records of the organisation.
(b) It is incumbent upon each member to notify the Secretary or professional staff of any change of address.