Constitution of Transgender Equality Network Ireland

1. Definitions

In this constitution the following definitions are used:

(a) TENI means Transgender Equality Network Ireland

(b) Transgender means any person who has, or believes he or she has, a gender identity issue.

(c) Transsexual means any person who has been diagnosed with Gender Identity Disorder.

(d) Member means member of TENI.

2. Purpose

(a) TENI is a national voluntary organisation established for the primary purpose of providing appropriate practical support for transsexual and transgendered people, their partners, significant others and their families throughout the 32 counties of Ireland.

(b) It is a further purpose of TENI to engage in any legitimate activity that promotes the progress and wellbeing of transsexual and transgendered people in Ireland, including: education, dissemination of information, referrals, seminars, workshops, meetings, publications, sponsorship events, providing counselling support services and any other such services as may be deemed suitable from time to time.

(c) TENI is non denominational, non sectarian and non political.

3. Legal Status

(a) TENI is a voluntary charitable body and is non profit making.

4. Income & Property

(a) TENI is authorised to open whatever Bank, Building Society, Credit Union accounts as are necessary to enable the effective management of its financial affairs.

(b) Audited accounts will be prepared annually.

(c) The committee will appoint an honorary auditor annually.

(d) The treasurer will prepare monthly reports and annual accounts and present such reports at the regular committee meetings and will present the Annual Report at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

(e) All cheques shall be signed by two authorised signatories for the time being. Authorised signatories will consist of the Chairperson, the treasurer and such additional members of the committee as the committee deems appropriate.

(f) The committee is authorised to raise funds for the purpose of covering running costs and may also seek whatever legitimate financial support as may be available.

(g) No assets are to be acquired by TENI other than by a majority approval by the committee.

(h) Any speakers fees or other monies earned by a member or officer by virtue of their position as a member of TENI or representing TENI will be payable direct to TENI.

(i) The funds and property of TENI shall be applied solely for the promotion of its objectives as set out in this constitution. No portion of TENI’s funds or property shall be paid or transferred, by any means whatsoever, by way of profit to members of TENI. No officer shall be appointed to any position within TENI that is paid by salary or fees, or receive any remuneration or other benefit in money or monies worth from TENI. However, nothing shall prevent any payment in good faith by TENI of: (a) Reasonable and proper remuneration to any member or servant of TENI (not being an officer) for any services rendered to TENI; (b) (ii) Interest not exceeding 5% per annum on money lent by officers or members to TENI; (c) (iii) Reasonable and proper rent for premises demised and let by any officer or member of TENI; (j) Reasonable and proper out of pocket expenses incurred by any officer or member in connection with their attendance to any matter affecting TENI or any duties required by or directed by the committee.

(k) Reasonable expenses will include travel, mileage rate, subsistence and loss of earnings at rates to be agreed by the committee from time to time.

5. Structure & Committee

(a) TENI will have a committee with the following members:

Officers:

  • Chairperson
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer

Other Members:

  • Media Coordinator
  • Fundraising Coordinator
  • Membership Coordinator

In addition there may be additional ordinary members of the committee such that the minimum number of committee members (including officers) shall not be less than eight.

(b) Officers will be elected at the AGM to serve for a period of one year.

  • (c) Officers may be co-opted by a majority vote of the current committee where a vacancy occurs in mid term. Such co-opted officers will serve until the following AGM.

(d) Decisions of the committee will be by majority voting.

(e) Where a vote is tied the Chairperson will have the deciding vote.

(f) The committee is authorised to appoint a Chief Executive, whose role will be to implement the policies set out by TENI.

(g) In the event of irreconcilable differences between a committee member and the rest of the committee the said committee member may be required by a 60% majority vote of the committee members present and voting to resign subject to the procedure in 5(h).

(h) A committee member may resign by giving the committee notice verbally, in writing, by email or other electronic means and such resignation will be automatically accepted and take effect after a cooling off period of 24 hours from the time of receipt of such resignation by the chairperson.

  • 6. Meetings

(a) The AGM will be held each year within 9 months of the end of the Financial Year. One month’s notice shall be given to all members by whatever means the committee deems appropriate of the date of the AGM.

(b) The quorum for a valid committee meeting will be five committee members,

  • (c) Committee meetings will be held not less than four times per annum.

(d) The date and venue of meetings will be decided by the committee at least three weeks prior to each meeting.

(e) An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be called:

  • by the committee at any time
  • by the membership if signed by at least 10 members or 25% of the membership whichever is the greater.

7. Fundraising

(a) TENI is authorised to raise funds through an annual membership fee; flag-days; sponsorships, and other fundraising ventures deemed appropriate by the committee.

(b) The committee may appoint a Fundraising Coordinator, where appropriate.

8. Membership

(a) Membership is open to all those persons who identify themselves as Transsexual and anyone with a gender identity issue.

  • (b) Membership will also be open to those who are related to a person as defined at 8(a) including partners and spouses, or persons who demonstrate a real interest in and commitment to the work of TENI.

(c) Because of the highly sensitive nature of the issues around Gender Identity Disorder, membership will be through written application and approval by a member of the committee.

(d) Membership fees will be set down by the committee from time to time and are payable upon application for membership. Where membership has been declined the fee will be refunded in full.

(e) An Honorary Membership will exist for members of the medical profession and others who make a significant contribution to the aims of TENI.

(f) A proposal for an Honorary Membership will be put before the committee and seconded by a member of the committee. Confirmation of Honorary Membership will be by majority vote of the committee.

(g) No member of TENI who is not appropriately qualified and accredited to the appropriate professional body will be authorised to offer medical or legal advice to members, nor to any members of the public who may present themselves as being Transsexual or living with a gender identity issue. Failure to observe this paragraph will be viewed as a very serious disciplinary matter.

(h) No member of TENI may communicate with the media as representing TENI unless he/she is authorised by the committee and has undertaken relevant media training such training to be determined by the committee from time to time. Failure to observe this paragraph will be viewed as a serious disciplinary matter.

(i) Membership may be suspended or terminated:

  1. Where a member has been found to be in breach of the rules of membership
  2. Acting on behalf of TENI without official authorisation
  3. Bringing TENI in disrepute
  4. Committing fraud
  5. Breach of paragraph (g) or (h) of this section Before a decision to suspend or terminate membership has been made, the member concerned will be afforded every opportunity to have a fair hearing before the committee. (j) The decision to terminate membership will be by a majority vote of the committee.

(k) Notice of suspension or termination will be made in writing to the person whose membership has been terminated, along with the grounds for such suspension or termination.

9. Legal Action

(a) Only authorised officers of TENI are permitted to take legal action on behalf of TENI. (b) Any decision to pursue legal action or defence on behalf of TENI will be on the basis of approval at committee. 10. Additions, Alterations & Amendments (a) Amendments to this constitution can only be made by a two-thirds majority vote at the AGM or EGM. (b) Proposals to amend this constitution will be submitted to the committee not less than one calendar month prior to the AGM or EGM. (c) No addition, alteration or amendment shall be made to or in the provisions of this Constitution for time being in force unless the same shall have been previously approved in writing by the Revenue Commissioners.

11. Winding-Up

If upon the winding up or dissolution of TENI there remains, after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, it shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of TENI. Instead, such property shall be given or transferred to some other charitable institution or institutions having main objectives similar to the main objectives of TENI. The institution or institutions to which the property is given or transferred shall prohibit the distribution of its or their income and property among its or their members to an extent at least as great as that imposed on TENI under or by virtue of clause 3 hereof. Members of TENI shall select the relevant institution or institutions at or before the time of dissolution, and if and so far as effect cannot be given to such provisions, then the property shall be given or transferred to some charitable object.

(C) 2008 Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI)