This Constitution should be read with the Standing Orders, which act as the interpretation.

1. Name

The Name of the Association is the "Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools and Colleges".

The Association exists for the benefit of all types of education provision-including academies, free schools, studio schools and all of the settings which seek to provide formal Catholic education for children and young people in the education system in England and Wales. Hereinafter, throughout this constitution, and in the standing orders of the Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools and Colleges, such types of institutions are embraced and included.

2. Object

The Object of the Association shall be to act in the interests of its members in pursuance of the Aims.

3. Membership

Membership of the Association shall be by payment of the annual subscription.

There shall be three categories of membership; Institutional, Individual, and Life Member.

a. Institutional membership

Those employed in Catholic schools, and Colleges (including Colleges of Further and Higher Education) shall be eligible for membership, on payment of the appropriate annual institutional subscription.

An institution shall have a pro rata number of votes based on the number of pupils in the school, as defined in the Standing Orders.

b. Individual membership

Individuals may apply for membership on payment of the annual individual subscription.

An individual member shall be entitled to one vote.

c. Life Membership

Life Membership shall be awarded by National Executive Council in recognition of service to the Association, or to Catholic Education. A Life Member shall be entitled to one vote.

All subscriptions are due in September of each year.

4. Rights and Benefits of Membership

a. Institutional and Individual Membership

Membership shall accord the following rights:

To attend and to vote in meetings of the area, and at General meetings, according to the voting procedures as set out in the Standing Orders.

To stand for election at Local Association or group, and National level.

To receive the benefits of membership as determined by the National Executive Council, and as specified in the Standing Orders.

b. Life Membership

Life Members shall be eligible to attend all meetings and conferences of local associations or groups, and national conferences and meetings and receive benefits as determined by National Executive Council and specified in the Standing Orders but shall not be entitled to stand for office.

c. Voting Rights

Voting rights shall be based on the Unit of subscription, in force at the time.

5. Local Associations and Groups.

National Executive Council may designate a Local Association or Group

On payment of the annual subscription, each member shall also be deemed a member of a local Association or group, where one is designated.

Such associations shall be Diocesan, LA, Multi Academy Trusts or 'cluster' based, as approved by the National Executive Council.

The local Association shall receive a proportion of the subscription for the support of local activity, such proportions to be determined by the National Executive Council.

6. Government of the Association

6.1. Annual General Meeting.

The Annual General Meeting shall be the Governing Body of the Association.

The AGM shall be open to all members.

The AGM shall appoint the National Executive Council.

When the position falls vacant, the AGM shall invite the Conference of Bishops of England and Wales to nominate one of their members to act in Episcopal Liaison with the Association. The nominated Bishop shall be an Ex-Officio member of the National Executive Council.

6.2. National Executive Council

The National Executive Council shall carry out the work of the Association, subject only to the AGM.

6.2.1. Membership of the National Executive Council shall be:

a. Officers

b. Members appointed to undertake the tasks as determined by the National Executive Council

c. Ex Officio members (who shall not vote) as defined in the Constitution or Standing Orders of the Association

d. Local Association or Diocesan Representatives as defined in the Standing Orders

e. Co options as required under the Standing Orders

The National Executive Council may additionally appoint a Priest to act as Chaplain to NEC. The Chaplain to Council shall also be ex-officio member of the National Executive Council.

6.2.2. Meetings

The National Executive Council shall normally meet at least three times per year, once in each term.

6.3 Officers

The Officers of the Association shall be;

a. The President, who shall be Chairman of the Council

b. Vice President, who shall serve one year, and shall normally succeed to the Presidency

c. Honorary General Secretary

d. Honorary Treasurer

e. Immediate Past President, who shall serve one year as a member of the Officer Group.

The President shall serve for no more than two years.

The Honorary Secretary and Treasurer shall serve for a term of three years, and may not normally serve more than two terms in succession.

Only the Annual General Meeting may determine the exceptional circumstances in the interpretation of ‘normally’.

The Officers shall be responsible for the efficient functioning of the Association.

6.4 Committees

National Executive Council shall approve the purpose, terms of reference, period of existence and membership of a committee.

6.5 Assistant Officers.

Assistant Officers may be appointed as specified in the Standing Orders. Such posts shall be Honorary posts

7. Professional Officer(s)

Subject to the appropriate Standing Orders and regulations, the National Executive Council may approve the appointment of such paid officers as may from time to time be determined.

National Executive Council shall agree the composition of a selection panel.

Such Officer(s) shall be ex-officio members of the National Executive Council.

The Professional Officer(s) shall have no voting rights.

8. Annual General Meeting.

The National Executive Council shall determine the date, time and place of the Annual General Meeting.

The Annual General Meeting shall be open to all members. At least two working weeks notice of the agenda of the AGM shall be issued in a general mailing to members and by the internet or other forms of social media and by post to any member who have indicated that they do not have electronic communication.

9. Special General Meeting

A special General Meeting shall be called by a majority decision of National Executive Council, or on the written request of twenty members of the Association. A special General Meeting shall be held within one month (and not less than fourteen days) unless specified in the Resolution calling a Special General Meeting. Notice shall be issued to all members as for the Annual General meeting (i.e. two weeks)

10. Amendments to the Constitution

Amendments to the Constitution may be made only by the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting called for that purpose, and approved by two-thirds of those present and eligible to vote.

11. Election of Officers

Officers (except the Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer as in 6.3 above) shall be elected annually in accordance with the Standing Orders.

The Election of Officers shall take place at the Annual General Meeting. In the event of an Officer tendering resignation in the course of the year, the National Executive Council shall determine the appointment of a replacement from among the Council until the following AGM.

The names of all members nominated as Officers shall be circulated in the notice of AGM, at least 2 weeks prior to the AGM.

12. Interpretation

The National Executive Council shall be the sole body responsible for the interpretation of the Constitution. The decision of National Executive Council shall be final.

13. Standing Orders of the Association

The National Executive Council shall have the power to amend the Standing Orders as necessary for the governing of the Association. Such Standing Orders shall be in accordance with this Constitution, and shall not be in contravention of the intention of this Constitution.

14. Dissolution.

The Association may be dissolved on resolution of the AGM following a recommendation of the National Executive Council, which recommendation shall have been circulated to all members.

If upon dissolution of the Association, there remain any monies or property after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, then that money or property shall be given or transferred to any Association or institution as determined by the National Executive Council, having the same or similar objects as the Association. Any member or Officer having possession of property of the Association may purchase such property at a rate agreed by the National Executive Council, and such money being available as the funds of the Association to be transferred.

CATSC Constitution

First approved April 1996;

First redraft November 1997;

Updated Rules November 2003;

Redrafted by Constitution Working Party for AGM 2004;

Redrafted by President [M B Rimmer] for consideration by AGM delegates, June 2016; Adopted and approved in full, June 2016.