Articles of association

1. The Association shall be known as the “Association of Inhalation Toxicologists”.
2. The aim of the Association shall be to promote discussion on and provide a clearer understanding of all aspects of inhalation toxicology.
3. Membership shall be open to anyone with an interest in the subject and in particular those with an active interest in the practical aspects of inhalation toxicology. Membership will be on a rolling three year cycle based on continued communication with the association (verbal or written). At the end of a three year period without communication with the association, membership will automatically be withdrawn.
4. There normally shall be at least one meeting of Members per year, usually in autumn, to include the Annual General Meeting of the Association.
5. The Committee of the Association shall allocate places should it be necessary to restrict attendance at a meeting.
6. Officers of the Association
   1. The officers of the Association shall be as follows
      • Chairman
      • Vice Chairman
      • Committee Secretary
      • Membership Secretary
      • Treasurer
   2. The Officers of the Association shall be elected in accordance with Article 8.
7. Duties of Officers of the Association
   1. Chairman: shall normally chair the meetings of the Association.
   2. Vice-Chairman: shall deputise for the Chairman.
   3. Committee Secretary: shall assist with the Committee's affairs, including maintaining the minutes of meetings of the Committee. The Committee Secretary shall in turn be assisted by others in organising meetings of the Association.
   4. Membership Secretary: shall maintain a current listing of the membership.
   5. Treasurer: shall manage the financial affairs of the Association; shall provide annually at the Annual General Meeting of the Association a balance sheet of the Association's financial affairs; shall submit annually the accounts up to 31 March for auditing.
   6. Committee: shall be comprised of the Officers of the Association together with, when required, co-opted ordinary Members of the Association and shall organise the meetings of the Association; shall approve new Members of the Association; shall liaise with other organisations sharing a common interest; shall provide comments specifically on topics relating to inhalation toxicology as appropriate.
8. Election of Officers
   1. Ordinary Members shall be elected as Officers of the Association by delegates to the Annual General Meeting. Nominations for office shall be required to be proposed and seconded by delegates attending the Annual General Meeting. Officers shall be elected for a period of two years. Officers are eligible for-re-election, but normally the Chairman shall stand down after two years, normally to be replaced by the previously elected Vice-Chairman.
   2. Delegates to the Annual General Meeting shall be responsible for the appointment of Auditors, who shall not be Committee members, for the purpose of auditing the accounts of the Association.
9. Changes to the constitution shall be made only at an Annual General Meeting and then only by agreement of at least 66% of those attending. Proposed changes should be provided to the Committee Secretary in good time. Written proxy votes concerning constitutional matters shall be accepted at Annual General Meetings.
10. The Committee of the Association, by majority agreement of its members or at least 25 ordinary Members shall have the power to call an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Association, at a minimum of 28 day's written notice to the Membership.
11. Registration Fee – A registration fee, to be set by the Committee of the Association, shall be levied on delegates attending each meeting and delegates shall be notified of it in advance; at the discretion of the Committee, the fee shall be waived for invited speakers.
12. Membership Fee – Membership of the Association is free, but this shall be subject to annual review by the Committee. An annual Membership fee may be charged at the discretion of the Committee; if an annual fee is required, the level of the fee for the following year shall be ratified at the Annual General Meeting.
13. Funds – The funds of the Association may be used at the discretion of the Committee:
    1. To offer hospitality to invited guests and delegates.
    2. To cover all administrative costs of the Association.
    3. To further the aims of the Association.
14. Authorisation of Payments – Payment from the funds shall be authorised by any two of the following signatories:
    • Chairman
    • Committee Secretary
    • Treasurer
15. In the event of the Association being terminated, any surplus funds remaining after satisfaction of debts and liabilities shall be donated to a charity to be agreed on by the outgoing Committee of the Association.