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Name

The name of the organisation is Dog Assistance in Disability, (known as Dog A.I.D. for short), hereinafter called (the charity)

Area of Benefit

The area of benefit will encompass the local authority of Cannock and Cannock Chase and extend to the whole of the United Kingdom.

Administration

Subject to the matters set out below the charity and its property shall be administered and managed under the law of England and Wales and in accordance with this constitution by the members of the Executive Committee, constituted by clause 8 of this constitution (â€˜the Executive Committeeâ€™).

Objectives

The Charityâ€™s objectives are:

The training and instruction of dogs to act as efficient and safe companions and Assistance Dogs for people with physical disabilities; and to train and educate people with physical disabilities in the proper safe use of dogs; and to provide such additional services and facilities for the relief of people with physical disabilities as the organisation shall from time to time deem fit.
To receive applications from persons desiring to undergo tuition with a view to qualifying as trainers or instructors with specialised knowledgeÂ of physical disabilities; to maintain a register of such applicants.
To provide at the organisationâ€™s expense the tuition of any selected person upon apprenticeship terms or otherwise, whetherÂ by means of classes, correspondenceÂ courses, provision of a library, study tours or groups and courses of instruction operated by the organisation or by other suitable bodies and to establish, hire, acquire, and maintain buildings, accommodation, equipment, personnel and such ancillary facilities as the organisation shall deem necessary for the provision of such tuition.

Powers

In furtherance of the objectives but not otherwise the Executive Committee may exercise the following powers:

Power to receive applications from persons desiring to undergo tuition with a view to qualifying as trainers or instructors with specialised knowledge of physical disabilities; to maintain a register of such applicants, to provide at the organisationâ€™s expense the tuition of any selected persons upon apprenticeship terms or otherwise, whether by means of classes, correspondence courses, provision of a library study tours or groups and courses of instruction operated by the organisation or by other suitable bodies and to establish, hire, acquire, and maintain buildings, accommodation, equipment, personnel and such ancillary facilities as the organisation shall deem necessary for the provision of such tuition.
Power to raise funds and to invite and receive contributions provided that in raising funds the Executive Committee shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities and shall conform to any relevant requirements of the law;
Power to buy, take on lease or in exchange any property necessary for the achievement of the objectives and to maintain and equip it for use.
Power, subject to any consent required by law, to sell, lease or dispose of all or any part of the property of the charity;
Power subject to any consents required by law to borrow money and to charge all or any part of the property of the charity with repayment of the money so borrowed;
Power to employ such staff, (who shall not be members of the Executive Committee), as are necessary for the proper pursuit of the objectives and make all reasonable and necessary provision for the payment of pensions and superannuation to for staff and their dependants.
Power to co-operate with other charities, voluntary bodies, organisations and statutory authorities operating in furtherance of the objectives or of similar charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and overseas and to exchange information and advice with them;
Power to establish or support any charitable trusts, associations or institutions formed for all or any of the objectives;
Power to appoint and constitute such advisory committee as the Executive Committee may think fit;
Establish where necessary local branches, (whether autonomous or not).
Promote and carry out, or assist in promoting and carrying out, research, surveys and investigations and publish the useful results of thereof.
Arrange and provide for, or join in arranging and providing for, the holding of exhibitions, meetings, lectures, classes, seminars and training courses.
Collect and disseminate information on all matters affecting the objectives and exchange such information with other bodies having similar objectives whether in this country or overseas.
Cause to be written and printed or otherwise reproduced and circulated, gratuitously or otherwise, such papers, books, periodicals, pamphlets or other documents or films or recorded tapes (whether audio or visual or both) as shall further the objectives.
Invest the money of the charity not immediately required for the objectives in or upon such investments, securities or property as may be thought fit, subject nevertheless to such conditions (if any) as may for the time being be imposed or required by law.
Power to do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of the objectives.

Membership

Membership of the Charity shall be open to any person over the age of 18 years, interested in furthering the objectives and who have paid the annual subscription laid down from time to time by the Executive Committee.
Every member shall have one vote.
Voting may be done in person or by postal vote.
Junior membership shall be open to those under the age of 18 years who are interested in furthering the objectives.Â Junior members shall not be entitled to vote.
Honorary members shall be appointed at the discretion of the said executive Committee. Honorary members shall not be entitled to vote.
The Executive Committee may by unanimous vote and for good reason terminate the membership of any individual; provided that the individual concerned shall have the right to be heard by the Executive Committee, accompanied by a friend, before a final decision is made.

Honorary Officers

At the Annual General Meeting of the charity the members shall elect from amongst themselves a chairman, a secretary and a treasurer, who shall hold office from the conclusion of that meeting.

The Executive Committee

The Executive committee shall consist of not less than 3 members and up to 10 members being

the honorary officers specified in clause 7;
up to 7 members elected at the annual general meeting who shall hold office from the conclusion of that meeting:

The Executive Committee may in addition appoint not more than 2 co-opted members if, as a result, more than one third of the members of the Executive Committee would be co-opted members. Each appointment of a co-opted member shall be made at a special meeting of the Executive Committee called under clause 11 and shall take effect from the end of that meeting unless the appointment is to fill a place which has not then been vacated in which case the appointment shall run from the date when the post becomes vacant.
All the members of the Executive Committee shall retire from office together at the end of the annual general meeting next after the date on which they came into office but they may be re-elected or re-appointed.
The proceedings of the Executive Committee shall not be invalidated by any vacancy among their number or by any failure to appoint or any defect in the appointment or qualification of a member.
Nobody shall be appointed as a member of the Executive Committee who is aged under 18 years or who would, if appointed be disqualified under the provisions of the following clause.
No person shall be entitled to act as a member of the Executive Committee whether on a first or on any subsequent entry into office until after signing in the minute book of the Executive Committee a declaration of acceptance and of willingness to act in the trusts of the Charity.

Determination of Membership of Executive Committee

A member of the Executive Committee shall cease to hold office if he or she:

Is disqualified from acting as a member of the Executive Committee by virtue of section 72 of the Charities Act 1993 (or any statutory re-enactment or modification of that provision);
Becomes incapable by reason of mental disorder, illness or injury of managing and administering his or her own affairs;
Is absent without permission of the Executive Committee from all their meetings held within a period of six months and the Executive Committee resolve that his or her office be vacated; or
Notifies to the Executive Committee a wish to resign (but not if at least 3 members of the Executive Committee will remain in office when the notice of resignation is to take effect).

This constitution was adopted on the 14th day of June 2003.
An amendment was made September 2011.