The Constitution...

ARTICLES OF CONSTITUTION
THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COLOUR

Article I
NAME - STATUS - COMPOSITION

The Name: The International Association of Colour hereafter called IAC

Status: IAC is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1984 to serve all those associated with colour, whether in professional, technical, aesthetic, therapeutic, or spiritual modalities.

Composition: The membership of IAC consists of the following categories as defined by Article V:

1. Associate
2. Full
3. Practitioner
4. Honorary Fellowship
5. Complimentary
6. Colour Training Centres
7. Corporate Members
8. Affiliated Bodies
9. Charities

Article II
OBJECTIVES

The objectives of IAC are:

1. To promote awareness of colour in all its forms.
2. To provide a forum for discussion of colour use in relaxation and therapy.
3. To maintain appropriate professional standards of training and practice in use of colour and light in complementary medicine.
4. To apply objective standards of assessment to use of colour in healing and other areas.
5. To maintain a website and publish information to the membership and general public.
6. To be fully independent body, free from corporate interest or bias

Article III
PRINCIPLES

The members of IAC acknowledge the following principles governing their relationship with the public and the medical profession:
1. The welfare of the patient is paramount in all healing activity.
2. The services of IAC should be available to all who are in need of them.
3. IAC therapists do not undermine or seek to replace qualified medical or other practitioners.
4. All members are required to abide by the IAC Code of Ethics and the IAC Constitution.

Article IV
MEMBERSHIP

The membership of IAC shall consist of the following categories:

1. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP is available to anyone with an interest in colour. Associate members can vote on IAC matters by postal ballot or at the AGM. They receive periodic publications. Subscriptions are due on 1st March or 1st September each year.

2. FULL MEMBERSHHIP is available to anyone who has been through a full training with a recognised Colour Training Centre and graduated with a Diploma. Alternatively, an intuitive colour healer, with no professional training, who has been established for three years or more may apply to join as a Full Member.
Approved Full Members are entitled to add the letters MIAC (Full Member of IAC) after their surnames. Full Members can vote on IAC matters by postal ballot or at the AGM. They receive periodic publications. Subscriptions are due on 1st March or 1st September each year. Full Members will be listed on the IAC Register, which is made available to the public (via print and website), unless they request otherwise.

3. PRACTITIONER MEMBERSHIP is available to Full members who are professionally qualified, and who have been in colour healing practice for a minimum of three years. They will need to be in current one-to-one practice and produce evidence of Professional Indemnity and
Public Liability Insurance on an annual basis. New applicants will have to produce the names of two sponsors and the contact details of four clients who are prepared to vouch for effective treatment.
Approved Practitioner Members are entitled to add the letters PMIAC (Practitioner Member of IAC) after their surnames. Practitioner Members can vote on IAC matters by postal ballot or at the AGM. They receive periodic publications. Subscriptions are due on 1st March or 1st September each year. Practitioner Members will be listed on the IAC Register, which is made available to the public (via print and website), unless they request otherwise.

4. HONORARY FELLOWSHIP - free lifetime membership. This status is accorded to selected members who have made a substantial long-term contribution to IAC.

5. COMPLIMENTARY MEMBERSHIP - free annual membership. For individuals whom the IAC Committee feels deserve special consideration.

6. COLOUR TRAINING CENTRE MEMBERSHIP is open to colour schools which incorporate the IAC Core Curriculum currently in force in their courses and meet all conditions. Colour Training Centres (CTCs) affiliated to the International Association of Colour uphold the highest standards set by IAC. IAC approved CTCs are entitled to be affiliated to the Institute for Complementary Medicine in London (ICM) and may work towards ICM Validation and Accreditation. Each affiliated CTC has been assessed using a standard quality control and presentation system, and the information is updated annually. Teachers are all qualified in their subjects, and have teaching qualifications or proven experience. Anatomy and Physiology (to ITEC level) and Counselling Skills (min. 30 hours) must be obtained by students before diplomas are issued. Supervised practice is a requirement of all trainings, and IAC is currently proposing 30 hours as a minimum.
Approved Colour Training Centres will be listed together in a standard format and their details
made available to the public (via print and website). Their details are also published in each issue
of Colourama Magazine.

7. CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP is open to companies whose products may be of special interest to IAC Members (e.g. Colour and Light Therapy Equipment, Colour Psychology Systems, Stained Glass, Gels, Fabrics, Lighting, Therapy Furniture, Art, etc). Corporate Members will be actively promoted by IAC and will feature on the IAC Website. Their logo will appear on the front page linked directly to their website. IAC will also provide one free page on the IAC website for Corporate Members. A free leaflet display service is available for IAC's conferences. Contact details of IAC's Corporate Members are published in each issue of Colourama Magazine.

8. AFFILIATED BODIES are like-minded organisations which like to network and share data with IAC in an informal way.

9. CHARITIES

Article V
DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE

Membership of IAC may be terminated in the following circumstances:
a) Subscription arrears in excess of thirty days.
b) On expulsion for good reasons by resolution of the Committee. A resolution for expulsion shall apply only if -
Written notice of the proposal for expulsion stating the reasons and of the meeting at which it is to be considered have been given to every member of the Committee and to the member concerned.
The member has been given a reasonable opportunity to reply. The issue to be decided by a majority vote of the Committee members present, which must constitute a quorum
The member shall be given twenty-one days notice to attend in person or by representative at the meeting, or to submit a written representation.

Grievance Procedure
A copy is available from IAC CTC's or IAC head office on request for those who wish to make a formal complaint about treatment or training. Each case will be treated fully and fairly.

Article VI
SUBSCRIPTIONS

Members shall pay IAC such annual subscriptions as may be determined from time to time by the Committee. They are payable on 1st March or 1st September according to when the initial application took place. If an application is unsuccessful, the subscription and initial registration fee will be refunded.

A 20% commission is paid to all IAC Representatives who bring in new membership subscriptions.

Article VII
STRUCTURE OF IAC COMMITTEE

There shall be a democratic IAC Committee with a range of functions. IAC Members are invited to join the IAC Committee.

Non-Executive IAC Committee

IAC Founder President: Theo Gimbel HMIAC - a lifelong title.
(no voting right)

President / Vice-President elected by the Committee from Committee members who have
(no voting rights) served at least three years in an executive post within IAC. Election is
ratified at the AGM by a show of hands. A three-year term is the
norm, but can be longer.

Executive IAC Committee

Chairperson (no voting right, unless team is undecided, as Chairperson has the deciding vote)

Vice Chairperson (voting right)

Candidates for Chairperson and Vice Chairperson will be chosen by the Committee from existing executive members who have served on the Committee for at least one year immediately prior to their selection. Their election will take place at the AGM by a show of hands and/or postal ballot of membership. A three-year term is the norm, but can be longer.

New IAC Committee members are proposed and seconded from the IAC membership, and elected by a show of hands at the AGM. All committee members will serve a probationary 6 months period, during which their contributions and suitability will be evaluated before they can be confirmed in a suitable post by an internal vote of the Committee. A three-year term is the norm, but can be longer.
Note that the various executive functions may be combined according to the current availability of remunerated or voluntary Committee Members. One person one vote.

Chief Executive Officer
Administration Secretary
Membership Secretary
CTC Officer
Treasurer
Public Relations Officer
Publications Editor, Deputy Editor
Advertising Officer
Voluntary Helpers

NOTES
? A separate category of Independent Consultant exists so that IAC can benefit from a range of professional expertise. Independent Consultants, if co-opted in as Committee Members for a particular function, have the right to vote.
? The Committee will ideally be drawn from a wide range of disciplines and/or CTC tutors.
? The Committee shall meet as and when necessary (discretion of the chair), and will keep in regular communication to report progress and discuss issues.
? Minutes shall be kept of all Committee Meetings, including the AGM, signed by the Chairperson.
? The Committee shall have the power to:
a) Regulate its meetings and proceedings
b) Appoint two or three signatories any two of whom shall be responsible for writing cheques on behalf of the Chairperson/CEO.
? The Treasurer shall present a statement of accounts to the Committee on request.
? All expenditure other than routine is to be agreed in advance by the Committee.

Article VIII
ACCOUNTING

Proper books and records of accounting shall be kept in respect of all monies received or expended by IAC. These must be retained for a period of seven years. A Statement of Account and Balance Sheet shall be prepared by a qualified accountant and presented to the membership at the AGM.

In the event of a surplus, IAC endeavors to create reserves. If such reserves build up above £1000 the IAC Committee will decide on new projects (such as research, website revamp, or new promotional material) which further the promotion of light and colour therapy and aid the membership achieve its objective. IAC must operate within existing budgets at all times.

Article IX
WAGES

IAC promotes equal opportunities. The IAC Committee can from time to time decide which posts are remunerative, and set an appropriate hourly rate of pay.

Article X
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS/OTHER MEETINGS

IAC shall hold an Annual General Meeting open to all for the following business:

1. To receive the Chairman's report
2. To receive the Treasurer's report and Statement of Account and Balance Sheet for the preceding year.
3. To elect Committee Members and ratify acting/co-opted Committee members.
4. Only members are eligible to vote. Members must be able to show proof of membership on request.
5. The AGM will be held in October or November, the date to be fixed by the Committee.
6. All members of IAC shall be given printed notice of an AGM or special meeting at least thirty days in advance. This notice will define the meeting, give the time, date and place of the meeting, and describe the nature of the meeting in general terms (or the pressing issue of a special meeting). No business shall be transacted unless there are twenty members present, which shall constitute a quorum. (Three persons shall constitute a quorum for special business.)
7. Advance nominations for Committee membership must be received by the Chairperson from
the membership at least 30 days before the AGM. Nominations on the occasion of the AGM will also be accepted and co-option considered by the Committee after the event.
8. Minutes shall be kept of all meetings.
9. The AGM Minutes will be published to the membership at least 30 days prior to the following AGM, and usually in the next publication following the Annual General Meeting.

Article XI
CONFERENCES

IAC holds one Colour Therapy Conference with Exhibition each year following on from the AGM. Speakers will be asked to present a wide spectrum of subjects relating to healing, colour and light.

Conference organization is the responsibility of the IAC Committee. Approval will be south in respect of the date the conference will be held, the venue, costings, speakers and workshops, flier image and layout. All other conference-related task such as promotion, fundraising, website upgrades, ticket administration and decisions about the structure of the day will be at the discretion of IAC's conference facilitators.

Article XII
CONFIDENDIALITY & DATA PROTECTION

All IAC Committee discussions, however conducted, are strictly confidential. Individual members can apply for a copy of the latest Committee Meeting minutes.

Only non-sensitive personal membership information is stored on computer, so the Data Protection Act does not apply. IAC Committee Members are not entitled to use the IAC databases for their private business interests, nor can they sell or pass on IAC databases or any content thereof (such as contact details of IAC Members) to third parties. To prevent misuse, all IAC databases will remain with the IAC Head Office at all times.

Article XIII
PUBLICATIONS AND THE IAC WEBSITE WWW.IAC-COLOUR.CO.UK

All members will receive periodic publications. If finance allows, these will consist of one issue of Colourama Magazine each year, and a minimum of one ColourNews Plus newsletter each year.

IAC will provide a website to promote colour therapy and its members. Inclusion on designated member pages is free for all paid up members of IAC. The site is regularly updated as finances allow. These website upgrades are calculated as part of the membership subscription fee.

Article XIV
AMENDMENTS TO THIS CONSTITUTION

A long overdue review of the IAC Constitution has been drawn up in April 2004 and came into force upon agreement by the Full IAC Committee to reflect the current workings of IAC, and will be ratified at the AGM 2004. In future this constitution may be amended by a vote of the Full IAC Committee or a special resolution of the membership at the AGM or at a special meeting. All changes to be ratified at the next AGM.

Article XV
DISSOLUTION OF IAC

IAC shall be dissolved only on the passing of a special resolution for that purpose to the membership at the AGM or at a special meeting. Should there be a surplus of monies after dissolution, a charity chosen by the Committee shall be the benefactor.

back to Introduction