IBSCA CONSTITUTION 
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES ASSOCIATION (U.K. AND IRELAND)
1. Aims of the Association
a. To provide mutual help and support for IB schools and colleges within the U.K. and Ireland.
b. To assist in the promotion of the International Baccalaureate in the U.K. and Ireland.
c. To debate policy and curriculum issues and to liaise closely with the IBO and its officers.
d. To provide a forum to represent the views of member institutions to the IBO, its constituent officers and other organisations as appropriate.
e. To assist in the professional development of staff involved in the IB.
2. Membership
Membership will be open to all schools and colleges within the U.K. or Ireland, who are registered IB institutions. There will be an annual subscription payable by members. This will be regarded as a corporate membership for those institutions. The IBO will be invited to be represented at IBSCA meetings as appropriate. [Other individuals, institutions and interested organisations may be invited to attend meetings as and when appropriate.]
3. Conduct of Business
There will be a Steering Committee comprising a Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and two additional members, elected at the Annual General Meeting called for that purpose. Members of the Steering Committee will be elected on an annual basis. Proxy voting at the AGM for the election of the Steering Committee will be allowed. The remit of the Steering Committee will be to plan and organise the education and training events for each year, determine the agenda for each meeting, arrange for issues of policy and curriculum to be placed before the general meetings and to provide an organisational framework for the work of IBSCA. It will meet twice a year and will be funded centrally.
Decisions will be made by the Association, which will consist of one Headteacher or Principal (or suitable representative) and one IB Co-ordinator for each member institution. Any institution delegating a representative must inform the Chair or Secretary at least 7 days before the meeting. The Association will determine policy and may do so at any of the regular meetings or at an EGM called for a specific purpose. Decisions may only be made upon items listed on the agenda for those meetings and this must be previously circulated to members. No decisions can be made on items raised under "any other business". Decisions will be taken by a vote based upon a simple majority and will be valid if the meeting consists of one-third of the institutions in membership or ten institutions, whichever is the smaller. There will be one vote per institution.
During the election for the Steering Committee, the Head of, or Principal of the institution hosting the AGM will conduct the meeting up to the point of electing a Chair for the following year. The AGM will take place before the Spring Term Business Meeting.
In the absence of the Chair, his or her responsibilities and powers will be assumed by the Secretary. In the absence of both, members present will appoint a Chair for the meeting.
The Steering Committee will have executive powers between Association meetings for any decisions, which cannot be left until the next meeting.
4. Finance
a. A subscription will be payable annually by member institutions and the amount of the subscription will be decided at the AGM, following a recommendation by the Treasurer.
b. A joining fee of £200 will be required from each member and the amount of this fee will be reviewed as appropriate.
c. Further details are available from the Treasurer. The joining fee will include the first year's subscription. Additional fees may be charged as and when appropriate.
d. Expenditure should be made only in pursuance of the Association's objectives. Any expenditure on a single item exceeding £500 must be approved at a general meeting. This limit will be subject to review from time to time.
e. A bank account will be established, which may be drawn against under the signature of one officer and any other member of the Steering Committee.
f. Audited accounts will be presented annually.
Prepared by IBSCA Constitution Working Party 18th – 20th June 1999, Cheltenham and re-worded at IBSCA meeting 13th November 1999, Anglo European School.
