1. AEDIPS is an Association of Scotland's Development and Improvement Professionals which, through its membership, supports the development of education in Scotland with a particular focus on entitlement and quality.
2a. Membership of AEDIPS will be open to all officers of Local Education Authorities and others who are mainly employed in supporting schools on matters relating to improvement, curriculum and staff development in all sectors of education, whether on temporary or permanent contracts or on secondment.
2b. The membership includes all members of current sections of associations affiliated to the AEDIPS. Any newly formed group, section or association, which meets the requirements stated in paragraph 2a) may take application for membership of AEDIPS to the National Executive Committee. Membership is also open to educational consultants and to retired professionals from the areas of improvement, curriculum and staff development.
3. An Annual General Meeting of AEDIPS reserves the right to consider eligibility.
4. While constituent associations may continue their practice of conferring Honorary Membership, such membership may also be conferred on individuals at the Annual General Meeting on the recommendation of the National Executive Committee of AEDIPS.
5. Membership of AEDIPS is by payment of an annual subscription. Membership of AEDIPS runs from January to December.
6a. Subscriptions can be paid by cheque to the Membership Secretary at the Annual General Meeting. Subscriptions can also be paid by post to the Membership Secretary.
6b. A proportion of a subscription to an association affiliated to AEDIPS can, by mutual agreement, be devolved to AEDIPS in payment of the AEDIPS subscription.
6c. The amount of the AEDIPS annual subscription will be determined by the Annual General Meeting.
7. Members who do not pay an annual subscription between one Annual General Meeting and the next may be required to re-apply for membership.
8. The Annual General Meeting will elect office-bearers:
An Honorary President - will be chosen yearly by the National Executive Committee and will hold the post for at least one year and for no more than three years. He/she will represent the interests of the Association nationally and will be eligible to attend National Executive Committee meetings and the Annual Conference.
President - he/she will serve for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years.
Vice President - he/she will serve for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years.
General Secretary - he/she will serve for a minimum of two years.
Treasurer - he/she will serve for a minimum of two years.
Membership Secretary - he/she will serve for a minimum of two years.
Conference Secretary - he/she will serve for a minimum of two years.
Press & Publicity Officer - he/she will serve for a minimum of two years.
The retiring President will remain as an office bearer for one year, this office to be known as Immediate Past President. The Immediate Past President may, on completion of this year, continue as a member of the National Executive Committee.
9. The offices listed above should normally be held by different individuals. This includes the posts of Treasurer and Membership Secretary, which will normally be two separate offices but which can be consolidated if necessary into one post.
10. In addition to the office bearers, there should be six other members of the National Executive Committee. All six members will serve for a minimum of 3 years. Every attempt should be made to represent all education sectors. Such appointments will be made at the Annual General Meeting. Any gaps that arise in the National Executive Committee can be filled by co-opted members.
11. The National Executive Committee will be convened at least 5 times between Annual General Meetings by the President or by an office-bearer deputed by the President.
12. The duties of the National Executive Committee are as follows:
a) To represent the views of the membership and to ensure the best national profile for the Association
b) To attend to the day-to-day administration of AEDIPS
c) To organise and convene an Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting
d) To convene a Special General Meeting if required
e) To comment on education matters
f) To act as a central agent to represent the interests of the membership in dealing with external bodies.
13. From time to time the National Executive Committee may invite members to advise in relation to business in hand.
14. At any meeting of the National Executive Committee a quorum will be formed of the President, her/his depute and four other members.
15. The purpose of the Annual General Meeting will be as follows:
a) To receive a review of the activities of the National Executive Committee for the previous year
b) To receive a report of the income and expenditure for the previous year and to determine the annual subscription for the following year
c) To fill vacancies for the office bearers and members of the National Executive Committee for the following year(s)
d) To consider motions to alter the Constitution
e) To consider any other business pertinent to the aims of AEDIPS
f) To appoint an auditor
16. Motions for the Annual General Meeting must be in the hands of the General Secretary twenty-eight days in advance of the date of the Annual General Meeting.
17. Motions for the Annual General Meeting must be in the hands of members as early as possible in advance of the Annual General Meeting.
18. Any member of the Association may raise an emergency motion, presenting the motion in writing not less than six hours before the start of the Annual General Meeting.
19. The Annual Conference will concern itself with matters relating to the personal professional development of members and other matters of educational interest.
20. A conference fee will be required from members who attend.
21. Due to the fact that the membership of AEDIPS is so widespread and considering the duties of members, Special General Meetings should not be requested lightly.
22. Where three quarters of the National Executive Committee or sixty members of AEDIPS feel that the most recent Annual General Meeting has not acted constitutionally or the National Executive Committee's actions are in breach of policy that has been arrived at by the most recent Annual General Meeting, a request for a Special General Meeting may be put to the National Executive Committee which must comply with that request.