STATUTE OF ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF MERIDIAN ENERGY TECHNIQUES (AAMET)

Article One:

NAME

The name of the association shall be "Association for the Advancement of Meridian Energy Techniques’ (AAMET).

The association is referred to in this statute as the “Association”

Article Two:

NATURE AND PURPOSE

The Association is a charitable, voluntary, a-political and non-profit-making organisation set up in pursuance of the aims and objectives hereunder stipulated. This association shall be a non-profit making organisation as defined in the Voluntary Organisations Act (Chapter 492 of the Laws of Malta).

Article Three:

0BJECTIVES AND AIMS

The main objective of the Association shall be to be an independent professional body representing approved and accredited Meridian Energy Practitioners and Trainers. The Association shall use all its resources to achieve this aim particularly through the following:

1. Establish and uphold the highest standards of ethics and conduct which are at least required by regulatory bodies but may exceed them
2. Act independently of any regulatory body
3. Publish a complaints procedure for all members and the general public
4. Encourage professional practice and that teaching/training follows the core curriculum laid down in the training guidelines.
5. Provide information to the general public and forge links with relevant professionals about the benefits and working practices of Meridian Energy Techniques.
6. Maintain a list of members and only allow practicing members to join on the proviso that they agree to, and abide by, (where applicable) AAMET Training Regulations, the AAMET Code of Conduct and Ethics, and AAMET Guidelines on CPD and Mentoring as updated and amended from time to time.
7. Provide support by making available, meetings for members to be a forum for sharing ideas, concerns that may arise in practice.
8. Produce a regular newsletter
9. Make available, affordable Professional Liability Insurance for members

Article Four:

ADDRESS OF THE ASSOCIATION

The address of the Association shall be at 5, Ta’ Bullara, Giuseppi Bajada Street, Xaghra, Gozo Malta or at such other address as the Executive Committee shall from time to time by a resolution, determine.

Article Five:

ADMINISTRATION OF THE ASSOCIATION

All the association’s work shall be undertaken by the Executive Committee, that is elected every three years during an annual general meeting.

Article Six:

FORMATION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee shall be composed of not more than six (6) members, elected directly by paid up and practising members of the Association during the Annual General Meeting.

The members shall be appointed for a period of three (3) years and may be eligible for further re-appointment.

The First Executive Committee shall be composed as follows:-

Article Seven:

SCHEDULE OF WORKING PROCEDURES

The Executive Committee shall meet at least once a year either face to face or via teleconference. The quorum of the committee is three (3). If there is no quorum, the Executive Committee cannot take any decisions. The Chairman shall preside at Board meetings and in her absence the Vice-Chairperson will act in her stead. In the absence of both, the members present shall appoint one of themselves to preside over a properly­ convened meeting. In the event that no agreement can be reached, the Chairman, or in his/her absence the Vice-Chair, will make the final decision.

The Treasurer and the Chairperson of the Executive Committee will have the right to authorise expenditure not exceeding 500 Euro (EUR 500). Amounts in excess of 500 Euro (EUR 500) will require authorisation by the majority of the Executive Committee members.

All fund raising activities need to be authorized by the said Executive Committee and any money thus raised shall become the absolute property of the Association. Any donations and other things, whether movables or immovables, given to the Association become the property of the said Association.

If a member of the Executive Committee absents him/herself for three consecutive meetings without informing the committee, the Secretary shall inform this member that his/her post is vacant.

Article Eight:

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

Each member of the Executive Committee shall not be entitled to any fee or remuneration, except for re­imbursement of authorised expenses as may be decided by the same Board.

Where a member of the Executive Committee intends to resign his office before the expiration of the period mentioned in his appointment, he shall call a general meeting to discuss the appointment of a substitute. If during such meeting no agreement is reached as to the appointment of such a substitute, or such meeting is not held, the executive Committee shall co-opt to replace the vacant post from members of the Association. Any such co-opted member shall serve for the remainder of the original member’s term of office.

A decision for the removal of any member of the Executive Committee from his appointment is only valid if it is approved by two-thirds majority of the Executive Committee.

Article Nine:

SUB- COMMITTEES

The Executive Committee has the authority to appoint any number of sub-committees as it deems fit. Such sub-Committees shall be comprised from members elected by the said Executive Committee as it deems fit. The duties and responsibilities of the sub-committee members shall be determined by the Executive Committee and amended from time to time as may be considered necessary.

The Sub-Committees established within the Associations shall not have the authority to raise funds unless they have the prior approval of the Executive Committee.

Article Ten:

LOCAL ADMINISTRATOR

With respect to the members of the Executive Committee who are non-residents of Malta, Helena Fone of 5, Ta’ Bullara, Giuseppi Bajada Street, Xaghra, Gozo, Malta, 0036795A shall be appointed to act as the local representative of the association in Malta.

The said local representative shall not be entitled to any fee or remuneration, except for re­imbursement of authorised expenses in lieu of the fulfilment of his/her office.

Article Eleven:

POWER OF ADMINISTRATION

To enable the Association to reach its aims and objectives, it is empowered to:

a) Receive grants, subsidies, contributions, bequests, endowments, donations and other gifts and to utilise, invest and administer the same as it deems fit, so long as not for business purposes;

b) From time to time, acquire, administer and dispose of any property, movable or immovable, so long as not for business purposes;

c) Raise funds and encourage bequests, contributions, donations and gifts of any natur

d) Organise activities in general and prepare its own publications;

e) Borrow and raise money from banks and third parties, even by way of overdraft facilities, provide such security as may be requested by the bank and other lenders including granting hypothecation of the property of the Association, and warrant the repayment of funds borrowed or the facilities received;

f) Affiliate or associate with National and International Organisations having similar or complementary aims and objectives;

g) Set up committees or sub-groups to facilitate the efficient performance of its work and to delegate any powers to such committees or sub-groups;

h) Take up and employ the required staff whether on a whole time or a part time basis;

i) Generally to do every act which is necessary or conducive to the foregoing.

Article Twelve:

MEMBERSHIP

Membership of the Association is open to all persons who are interested in meridian energy techniques and have reached the age of consent as defined by the law in their country of residence at the time of their application.

An annual membership fee will apply as determined and agreed by the Committee. Categories of membership worldwide will be as follows:-

FRIENDS
Eligible to all who have an interest in energy techniques.

STUDENTS
Eligible to all who have undertaken a basic form of qualification in energy techniques but have not reached the required standard to work with clients. They will either be studying towards a higher qualification or have chosen not to work with clients.
 
AAMET PRACTITIONERS
Eligible to anyone who is currently recognised as an AAMET Practitioner or who has met the required standards of their AAMET Trainer. 

MASTER PRACTITIONERS
Eligible to those who hold the status of Master Practitioner.

AAMET TRAINERS
Eligible to anyone who is currently recognised as an AAMET Trainer or who has met the required standards by their AAMET Trainer of Trainers. 
 
AAMET TRAINERS OF THE TRAINERS
Eligible to anyone who is currently recognised as AAMET Trainer of the Trainers. 

FELLOWS
Eligible to those who are currently listed as Fellows of AAMET

Membership may be terminated in case of resignation, expulsion or failure to pay membership fees for more than two months.

The Committee, after due consideration as defined in the AAMET Complaints Procedure, shall have the right to suspend for expel any member of the Association in the following cases:

1. Failure of the member to sign and agree to the Association Code of Conduct and Ethics;
2. Failure to act in way in line with the AAMET Code of Conduct and Ethics;
3. Disclosure of false or inaccurate statements in the respective application for membership to the Association;
4. Acting in a way which is detrimental to the Association.

Any member who is so expelled, suspended or has one’s membership terminated, shall have the right to appeal against suspension or expulsion in accordance with the AAMET Complaints Procedure in force at the time of the said suspension, expulsion or termination.

Article Thirteen:

SIGNING OF DOCUMENTS & JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS

The legal and judicial representation of the Association shall be vested in the Chairman existing from time to time.

Article Fourteen:

ACCOUNTS AND AUDITS

The Treasurer shall draw up and submit audited accounts of the Association's financial position at the end of each calendar year for the Executive Committee’s examination and approval;

The Treasurer shall keep an inventory of all items.

The financial year of the Association ends on 31st January.

The accounts shall be audited by a certified Public Accountant and Auditor and approved by the Executive Committee at least once a year.

The Treasurer shall keep any funds belonging to the Association in a Bank Account in the Association's name or otherwise invested as the Executive Committee may decide and shall keep accounts in accordance with current, modern, established accounting practice.

Article Fifteen

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS

Annual General Meetings are to be held once a year either face to face or by teleconference with at least three (3) months notice. Such Annual General Meetings shall be held at a time and place suitable to all Executive Committee members.

All members of the association will be invited to attend but only practicing and fully paid up members shall have voting rights.

The secretary shall prepare an agenda which shall be issued and circulated to all members at the time of the notification of the next annual general meeting. This agenda includes the election of the Executive Committee, minutes of the previous annual general meeting, financial reports for approval; chairman or vice-chairman address and amendments to the Constitution of the Association.

The secretary shall prepare an administrative report of the current year for approval of the Annual General Meeting. During the said annual general meeting, the secretary shall keep proper minutes of such a meeting, which minutes shall be available at all meetings. The secretary shall also be responsible for all the association’s correspondence.

The Treasurer shall also prepare a financial report of the current year for approval of the Annual General Meeting.

The Chairman shall preside at the annual general meeting and in his absence the Vice-Chairman will act in his stead. In the absence of both, the members present shall appoint one of themselves to preside over a properly­ convened meeting.

Article Sixteen

EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETINGS

The Executive Committee shall have the right to call an Extraordinary General Meeting according to need. Such a meeting can be called by giving a month’s notice to all practicing and fully paid up members.

 Members have the right to call an Extraordinary General Meeting so long as the request is made in writing and is endorsed by 25% of all paid up members. If such a document is presented to the Executive Committee, the Executive Committee has to call this meeting within one month. If during the meeting there is no quorum of 5% of all paid members at the established time, this meeting will be postponed by one month. If there is no quorum the meeting will not be held.

Article Seventeen

QUORUM OF GENERAL MEETINGS

The quorum of Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary General Meetings called by the Executive Committee is a minimum of 5% of the paid members. If there is no quorum after half an hour, the meeting will start with the members present.

Article Eighteen

LIABILITIES

Nothing in these provisions shall be construed and interpreted so as to hold or render the members of the Executive Committee, responsible for any debts incurred into or obligations assumed by the Association.

Article NIneteen

GENERAL PROVISIONS

The Executive Committee is solely responsible for any interpretation of this Statute.

The Executive Committee shall decide all other matters that are not dealt with by the statute.

Article Twenty:

DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION

The Association can only be wound up by two-thirds majority of the Executive Committee at a General Meeting or an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting. Such Meeting should decide about the Assets and documents of the Association

In this meeting, a liquidator should also be appointed.

Upon dissolution, all assets of the association shall be applied in favour of another non-profit organisation which may be selected by the Executive Committee.

Article Twenty One:

AMENDMENTS OF DEED OF CONSTITUTION

The Deed of Constitution may be amended by two-thirds majority of the Executive Committee at a General Meeting. Proposed amendments must reach the Executive Committee at least fifteen (15) days before the meeting.

Signed and dated by

H Fone       - Chairperson

R Green     -

P Davis

J Footman