Ordinary resolution:
Ordinary Resolution (to alter the Bylaws, may be carried on a simple majority)
To change point 6 of the bylaws “regional groups” into “formal groups within ASLI”, and to include further groups under 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 as follows:
6. formal groups within ASLI
6.1 regional groups
ASLI is membership led and we have a regional structure to do this in the most effective way possible. A regional group is a group comprised of members of the Association living or working in a defined part of the United Kingdom. A region is considered an active region when it has an elected Regional Contact and is considered dormant if no Regional Contact is in position.
Each Regional Contact shall be responsible for the budget of that region. They must be a Full or Associate member of the Association. The Regional Contact should remain in their role for a minimum of one year. Each change of Regional Contact must be notified to the Directors within 7 days of appointment. The Regional Contact is empowered by the Directors to have budgetary responsibility for the regional budget. They are also responsible for ensuring responses are sent to members and non-members enquiring about the region via the regional email address.
Regional Contacts are encouraged to send an annual report of their activities to the Board to be included in the Board annual report at the AGM.
6.2 Deaf Interpreter Network (DIN)
ASLI supports the development and training of Deaf interpreters/translators and encourages networking and formal and informal exchange of knowledge and information. DIN is a group comprised of Deaf members of the Association. To support those not yet working, in training, or interested in becoming a member but not yet on a course, the Chair of DIN may grant access to informal networks outside of membership. Where an interested individual would like to join DIN but has financial difficulties, they may apply for a reduction of membership subscription in line with bylaw 1.8.
DIN shall be considered active when it has a Chair and at least one additional member, and is considered dormant if it has no members.
The chair of DIN must be a Full or Associate members and shall be responsible for the budget assigned to them by the Board. The chair should remain in their role for a minimum of one year. Each change of chair must be notified to the Directors within 7 days of appointment. The Chair is also responsible for ensuring responses are sent to members and non-members enquiring about the group via the DIN email address.
The Chair is encouraged to send an annual report of their activities to the Board to be included in the Board annual report at the AGM.
6.3 Trainee interpreter Network
The Trainee Interpreter Network is a group comprised of student and trainee members of the Association. To support those not yet working, in training, or interested in becoming a member but not yet on a course, the Chair may grant access to informal networks outside of membership. Where an interested individual would like to join but has financial difficulties, they may apply for a reduction of membership subscription in line with bylaw 1.8.
The network shall be considered active when it has a Chair and at least five additional members, and is considered dormant if it has no Chair.
The Chair of the Trainee Interpreter Network must be a full member with a minimum of 5 years experience as a working interpreter or translator or provide relevant evidence of training student interpreters and shall be appointed by the Board. They shall be responsible for the budget assigned to them by the Board. The Chair should remain in their role for a minimum of one year. Each change of Chair must be notified to the Directors within 7 days of appointment. The Chair is also responsible for ensuring responses are sent to members and non-members enquiring about the group via the trainee email address.
The Chair is encouraged to send an annual report of their activities to the Board to be included in the Board annual report at the AGM.
6.4 Equality and Diversity Group
ASLI is committed to making all members feel respected and valued and encourages participation in governance activities from underrepresented groups.
The E&D group is comprised of members of the Association as approved by their Chair. Its aim is to advise the Board on Equality and Diversity issues via their selected member, who will be co-opted to the Board.
The group shall be considered active when a nominated member is co-opted to the Board.
This member must be a Full or Associate members and shall be responsible for the budget assigned to the group by the Board. The Chair/nominee should remain in their role for a minimum of one year. Each change of Chair/nominee must be notified to the Directors within 7 days of appointment. The Chair is also responsible for ensuring responses are sent to members and non-members enquiring about the group via the E&D email address.
The Chair/nominee is encouraged to send an annual report of their activities to the Board to be included in the Board annual report at the AGM.
6.5 policy working group
The Policy Working Group (PWG) shall be a permanent group within ASLI, consisting of a minimum of three, maximum of 10 Full, Associate or Student members, with the responsibility to review articles and bylaws, membership categories as well as other policy documents regularly (at least annually), ensure they are still compliant with corporate law and in accordance with ASLI values. Where amendments are necessary, the group shall make recommendations to the Directors at least three months before the AGM. Where the group cannot come to a conclusion on an issue arising, they shall consult with the Board and subsequently with all members via the formal channels available to them.
The Chair of the PWG must have been a full member for one year, and shall be responsible for the budget assigned to them by the Board. Where additional funds beyond the allocated budget are required, for example to seek fiscal or legal expertise, a formal request shall be made to the Directors, which shall be approved where appropriate and feasible.
The Chair should remain in their role for a minimum of one year. Each change of Chair must be notified to the Directors within 7 days of appointment. The Chair is also responsible for ensuring responses are sent to members and non-members enquiring about the group via the policy email address.
The Chair is encouraged to send an annual report of their activities to the Board to be included in the Board annual report at the AGM.
Where the group workload exceeds what can be expected from a volunteer, the Board reserves the right to remunerate the Chair or other members for their effort in accordance with the Articles.
6.5 temporary working groups
The board of Directors shall appoint members of the Association to temporary working groups with associated budgets as deemed necessary for the benefit of the membership and the profession. Tasks for these working groups shall be set by the board, based on current need and workload capacity, as well as membership requests on specific topics, such as (but not limited to) IT/website, communications, financial advice, national campaigns, and outreach activities.
The Chair of such groups must be a Full member and should remain in their role for the duration of its existence. Temporary groups shall generally be limited to 6 months but may be extended where required. Should a temporary group exist for more than one year, and their task remain relevant for the association, the group shall become permanent and subsequent Chairs should stay in their role for a minimum of one year. Where additional funds beyond the allocated budget are required, for example to seek corporate expertise, a formal request shall be made to the Directors, which shall be approved where appropriate and feasible. They shall also be responsible for the budget assigned to them by the board. A change of Chair must be notified to the Directors within 7 days of appointment.
Upon completion of the task set for the group, the Chair shall compose an outcome report to the Directors to be included in the annual report at the following AGM, and a budget report to be included in the financial report at the following AGM.
Where the group workload exceeds what can be expected from a volunteer, the Board reserves the right to remunerate the Chair or other members for their effort in accordance with the Articles.