1. Name
The organization is called the Irish Association of Social Care Workers and is referred to in this document as the IASCW.

2. Definition of the IASCW
As a professional body the role of the IASCW is to establish and maintain standards of best practice as it applies to its members. It aims to progress the rights of its members by providing professional representation at public and policy making level.

3. Use of the term Social Care Worker
For the purpose of this Constitution, the term Social Care Worker applies to those who
work in either community or residential settings and hold a National Diploma or Degree in Applied Social Studies /Social Care, or equivalent, as determined by the National Executive.

4. Membership
There are three categories of membership subject to ratification by the National Executive and payment of an annual fee -
-Full Membership: open to those who come within the scope of the term Social Care Worker as outlined in article 3;
-Associate Membership: open to those who do not hold a relevant qualification, or equivalent, but who work in the field of social care or those who have an interest in or support the aims of the IASCW;
-Student Membership: open to students of the National Diploma / Degree in Applied Social Studies / Social Care or equivalent as determined by the National Executive.

5. Rights of Members
Members have the following rights –
-To propose, second and vote to elect members of the National Executive;
-To vote at the AGM of the Association;
-To hold office after 1 year on the National Executive (Full members only);
-To propose and second motions at the AGM.      

6. Termination of Membership
Membership of the Association shall cease when –
Membership fee is in arrears by three calendar months;
A member has been found by the National Executive to have breached the Association’s Code of Ethics or a member’s practice has, on completion of a properly constituted investigation, been deemed inappropriate or unprofessional.
         
7. Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The National Executive shall call an AGM once a year which usually coincides with the Annual Conference of the Association;
The AGM shall be chaired by a full member of the Association chosen by the National Executive;
Notice of the AGM and agenda shall issue when members are notified of the Annual Conference;
A quorum at the AGM shall consist of full members present at the time appointed for the AGM;
Associate and Student members shall have the right to attend the AGM and propose and second motions;
The National President of the IASCW shall submit his / her overview of the Association’s functioning at the AGM;
The National Secretary shall present the minutes of the previous AGM at the current AGM
The National Treasurer shall present the audited accounts of the Association at the AGM for ratification.

8. Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)
An EGM may be called by the National Executive or by ten per cent of overall full membership.
The function of an EGM is to arrive at decisions concerning pressing matters for the Association or its image.

9. National Executive
The National Executive, through corporate responsibility, administers the IASCW, interprets its Constitution and promotes the best interests of members;
The National Executive consists, at any one time, of an elected workable group functioning under the National President;
The group shall be capable of coordinating the administrative, secretarial, and financial and membership tasks for which it is responsible;
The assigned brief of each member of the National Executive shall broadly reflect the areas from which the generality of members are drawn and areas, which on occasion, may have particular significance and importance for the Association;
Minutes of National Executive meeting shall issue within two weeks of each meeting;
Members of the Association may be co-opted on to the National Executive;
The National Executive may, from time to time, establish working groups operating to terms of reference as lay down by it.

10. Amendments to the Constitution
Amendments to the constitution are effected by resolutions passed at an AGM or an EGM.