Constitution

1. Name  
The name of the association shall be the “Bereavement Research Forum”, hereinafter called the “Association”.

The bereavement focus is taken to mean as a result of a death, and is inclusive of issues both pre– and post–bereavement.
2. Objectives   The objectives of the Association are to:

1. Provide a forum to debate current/future research;

2. Influence policy makers and funders of research;;

3. Support and encourage both producers (researchers) and users of research (both academics and practitioners).
3. Membership   1. Membership categories:

There shall be two categories of membership:

(a) INDIVIDUAL - open to those who

(i) are engaged in the planning or implementation of research on issues around bereavement by death; or

(ii) are users of research.

(b) ORGANISATIONAL - open to those:

iii) organisations in which three or more individuals fulfil membership criteria.

For the purposes of voting (See 5. The AGM), one of these three will be designated the main nominated member for the organisation.

2. Membership approval

Membership applications shall be subject to the approval of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee shall have the sole power to determine the membership category into which any application falls.
4. Fees   Members shall pay such subscriptions and at such times as may be suggested by the Steering Committee and agreed at the Annual General Meeting each year.
5. Annual General 
    Meeting  		 1) Convening the AGM

Each year the Secretary shall convene an Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association, giving all paid up members at least two months notice of their entitlement to attend.

2) The purpose of the AGM

The purpose of the AGM shall be to:

(i) receive the Annual Report of the Steering Committee;

(ii) receive and approve the statement of accounts, which shall be externally audited in line with the Charity Commission recommendations (currently, if the annual income exceeds £10,000;

(iii) approve the appointment of the Steering Committee and officers for the ensuing year as terms of office end;

(iv) appoint an Auditor for the ensuing year, if annual income exceeds £10,000;

(v) make recommendations to the Steering Committee.

3) A quorum for AGM business
A quorum of ten per cent (10%) of the current membership shall be required to effect any business at an AGM.

4) Voting at the AGM
Only ONE organisational members is entitled to vote, others from the organisation shall have the right to attend such meetings and to participate in the proceedings, but not to vote.

The request for nominations for membership of the Steering Committee to be received by the membership at least two months before the AGM. Nominations to be received by the Secretary no later than one month prior to the AGM. Postal votes are to be received by the Secretary no later than one week prior to the AGM.

Postal voting will be available for those unable to attend, with the facility to nominate the Chair as proxy. Decisions shall be reached by a simple majority of those eligible to vote, with the Chair holding a casting vote if necessary.

Voting on proposals shall normally be by show of hands. In the case of contested elections for membership of the Steering Committee, this shall be by ballot.

The Chair of the Association shall normally preside throughout the AGM, except over the conduct of elections at which he/she might be a candidate for office. In such an event, another member of the Association may be nominated to take the chair on a temporary basis.
6. The Steering  
Committee  		 1) Membership:

The Steering Committee shall be elected at the AGM and shall consist of 7 officers as follows:

Chair
Vice Chair
Treasurer
Secretary/Membership Officer
Publicity Officer, and
2 Ordinary members.

The Committee will be assisted by a paid Administrator.

The Steering Committee shall be appointed and ratified at the AGM. A list of current Officers shall be presented, and the appointment of those eligible for election for another term shall be subject to a vote.

3) Terms of Office
Terms of office shall be for three years. Individuals may normally hold positions on the Steering Committee for two consecutive terms, but must then stand down for at least one year before accepting nomination for election to any position.

4) Steering Group meetings
The Steering Committee shall meet at least twice each year at a time and place to be arranged by the Secretary. A quorum of three, or one third of all the current Steering Committee members, whichever is more, shall be required. A record of the Committee’s proceedings shall be kept and made available to the members of the Association on request.

5) Steering Group responsibilities
The Steering Committee shall be responsible for the following:

(i) the arrangement of general meetings, symposia and the bi-annual Conference;

(ii) in the event of the resignation or death of a member of the Steering Committee, the Committee will have the power to elect a replacement.

(iii) negotiations and liaison with outside bodies.

6) Steering Group powers
The Steering Committee shall have power to adopt and issue standing orders and/or rules which shall go into operation immediately, provided always that they shall be subject to review by members at the Annual General Meeting and should not be inconsistent with the provisions of this constitution.
7. Finances   All monies raised by, or on behalf of, the Association shall be applied to further the objectives of the Association and for no other purpose.

The Treasurer shall keep records of the Finances of the Association and shall resent regular reports at each meeting of the Steering Committee. He/she shall also prepare an annual statement of accounts (and arrange for them to be audited if annual income exceeds £10,000) prior to presentation at the Annual General Meeting.

In the event of the dissolution of the Association, the funds shall be distributed at the discretion of the Steering Committee to organisations with related objectives and aims.
8. Constitution   Any proposals to alter this Constitution must be delivered in writing to the Secretary of the Association not less than 35 days before the date of the meeting at which it is to be considered. Notice must have been given not less than 21 days prior to the meeting in question. All alterations will require the approval of a 75% majority of full members attending a properly convened AGM or Special General Meeting.
9. Special General 
Meeting  		 Special General Meetings may be held either by a requisition signed by no fewer than 20% of full members, or at the discretion of the Steering Committee. The requisition shall state the reasons for which the meeting has been requested. These reasons will then be explained in the Calling Notice for the meeting which must be posted to reach members at least three weeks prior to the meeting.
September 1997
Reviewed July 2002
Reviewed August 2008