1. Name
The organisation shall be called Institute of Guidance Counsellors, or in Irish, Institúid na gComhairleoirí Treorach.
2. Main Object
2.1 The main object for which the Institute is established is the advancement of the Personal, Social, Educational and Career Development of Individuals and Groups through supporting Guidance Counselling Practice; Discussing, Promoting and researching matters relating to guidance counselling services, and the sharing of the results of the Institute’s work with the general public, statutory bodies and government departments.
3. Subsidiary Objects
3.1 In furtherance exclusively of the main object, the Institute shall have the following subsidiary objects: to promote the highest standards in guidance counselling practice, training facilities and the provision and delivery of guidance counselling services.
4. Powers
To the extent that the same are essential or ancillary to the promotion of the main object of the Institute as heretofore set out, the Institute may exercise the following powers:
4.1 To promote research in the field of guidance counselling.
4.2 To promote and assist the growth and development of regions/branch structures and of their members.
4.3 To liaise and cooperate with allied organisations in the field of preventative health, personnel services, and professional educational and psychological bodies, both national and international.
4.5 To seek donations, funds or other financial support for the main object of the Institute; to meet, represent and in particular to enter into negotiations and agreements with local authorities, Irish government departments, European Union bodies, organisations, agencies and other bodies, churches, or institutions in furtherance of the Institute’s main object.
4.6 To accept donations, gifts, or subscriptions for the purpose of furthering the main object.
4.7 To sell, improve, manage, develop, exchange, lease, mortgage, enfranchise, dispose of, turn to account or otherwise deal with all or part of the property and rights of the Institute.
4.8 To borrow or raise or secure the payment of money in such manner as the Institute think fit.
4.9 To effect insurances and take such other measures as may be considered necessary or expedient for the purpose of safeguarding and securing the Institute and its National Executive Committee and any property of which the Institute may be the owner, trustee, manager, agent, or custodian, against liability for loss and damage of any description.
4.10 To employ such persons as are deemed necessary from time to time in furtherance of the Institute’s main objects.
4.11 To adopt such means of making known the main object of the Institute as may be seem expedient, and in particular by advertising in the press, by circulars, by purchase and exhibition of works of art or interest, by publication of books or periodicals and by granting prizes, rewards and donations.
4.12 To do all or any of the above things in any part of the world as principals, agents, contractors, trustees, or otherwise and by or through trustees, agents or otherwise and enter either alone or in conjunction with others.
4.13 To do such other things as the Institute may think incidental or conductive to the attainment of the aforementioned object.
5. Code of Ethics
There shall be a Code of Ethics, which may be amended from time to time. (See Appendix 3)
6. Membership
6.1. Qualified Membership
Qualified membership (designated by the letters QMIGC) shall be open to all persons holding qualifications deemed acceptable by the Membership and Qualifications Committee of the Institute.
6.2.1. Chartered Membership
Chartered membership (designated by the letters CMIGC) shall be open to qualified members who have been members of the Institute, and who have concurrently practised as guidance counsellors, for a period of not less than four years.
6.2.2. During each of these years, the applicant shall have undertaken at least eight supervision hours per year.
6.2.3. Evidence of participation in ongoing in-service training and branch activities during these four years must be provided.
6.3. Fellowship
6.3.1. Fellowship (designated by the letters FIGC) shall be open to all members deemed to have made a significant contribution to the advancement of guidance and counselling.
6.3.2 Branches and qualified members may submit nominations for Fellowship.
A sub-committee, consisting of the officers of the National Executive shall consider all such nominations and make recommendations, for approval by the National Executive Committee.
6.3.3. Honorary Fellowship may be awarded to non-members who in the opinion of the National Executive Committee have made a significant contribution to the advancement of guidance and counselling.
6.4. Retired Membership
Retired membership may be open to Qualified and Chartered members who are no longer actively engaged in the profession of guidance and counselling in any capacity or who have retired on grounds of age or health.
6.5 Student membership shall be open to those currently enrolled in training courses in guidance and counselling, of not less than one academic year, or its equivalent part-time, which are recognised by the Institute. Student membership shall not extend beyond a three-year period and all student applications must be approved by the National Executive Committee.
6.6 Privileges and Responsibilities of Membership
Appendix 1 gives details of entitlements of the various grades of membership, and requirements for maintaining membership status.
6.7 The Membership and Qualifications Committee
6.7.1 This committee shall be drawn from the National Executive Committee. It shall deal with all matters of membership and qualifications.
6.7.2 The Committee shall draw up, and may revise from time to time, appropriate criteria for all grades of membership.
6.7.3 Application for membership may be made by completing an Application Form, downloaded from the IGC website or by mail from Head Office. Each application must include a proposer and seconder, both of whom must be qualified IGC members.
6.7.4 Applications/nominations for all grades of membership shall be considered by the Membership and Qualifications Committee.
6.7.5 The committee shall make recommendations to the National Executive Committee on admission to the various grades of membership. The decision of the National Executive Committee shall be absolute and final.
6.7.6 Where the Membership Committee refuses an application for qualified membership on grounds of insufficient qualification, it shall indicate to the applicant what areas of theory, practice, or skills are seen as deficient. If the applicant provides evidence of having redressed the deficiencies, the Committee shall reconsider the application.
6.8 Register of Membership
A Register shall be kept of Qualified, Chartered and Fellow members of the Institute.
6.9 Membership Fee
The annual membership fee and membership year shall be determined by the Annual General Meeting.
6.10 Cessation/Suspension of Membership
6.10.1 Persons shall cease to be members of the Institute if they fail to pay the annual fee one month prior to the holding of the Annual General Meeting, in the academic year in which the membership falls due.
6.10.2 There shall be a Professional Conduct Committee. It shall be established by the National Executive Committee and shall consist of five members.
Allegations of professional misconduct brought to the attention of the National Executive Committee shall be referred to the Professional Conduct Committee for investigation.
Such investigation shall be in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Institute and the established process.
In the first instance, the Professional Conduct Committee shall decide whether or not to recommend the suspension of the member(s) for the duration of the investigation.
7. Annual General Meeting
7.1 The Annual General Meeting shall be the supreme governing body of the Institute.
7.2 The Annual General Meeting shall consist of:
(a) Members and incoming members of the National Executive Committee;
(b) Standing Orders Committee;
(c) Qualified Members.
7.3 Arrangements for the Annual General Meeting
7.3.1 The Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be convened by the National Secretary.
7.3.2 It shall be held at a time and place chosen by the National Executive Committee.
7.3.3 There shall be a Standing Orders Committee which shall be responsible for the administration of the AGM.
7.4 Motions for the Annual General Meeting
(i) Motions shall be accepted from the Branches not later than three months prior to the Annual General Meeting each year. The National Executive Committee shall have the right to submit not more than three motions.
(ii) Urgent motions may be brought before the Annual General Meeting on receiving permission of the Standing Orders Committee.
(iii) Motions regarding changes in the Constitution shall be accepted every second year only.
7.5 Agenda
7.5.1 The National Executive Committee shall issue to each Branch Secretary at least four weeks before the Annual General Meeting an Agenda containing the motions, as decided by the Standing Orders Committee.
The Annual report of the National Executive Committee including a report on the Implementation of motions passed at the previous AGM and the report of the National treasurer shall be presented at the AGM.
7.6 Chairperson
7.6.1 The current President of the Institute shall chair the Annual General Meeting.
7.6.2 In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall take the chair.
7.6.3 The Chairperson of the Standing Orders Committee shall chair the section of the AGM dealing with motions.
7.7 Quorum
Forty [40] qualified members (not counting those members of the National Executive Committee who are present) shall constitute a quorum for the Annual General Meeting.
7.8 Right of Address
Any member may address the Annual General Meeting subject to procedures as laid down by the Standing Orders Committee.
8. Extraordinary General Meeting
A Special or Extraordinary General Meeting may be called by the National Executive Committee or on the requisition of two thirds of the branches. One calendar month’s notice shall be given of such meetings.
9. National Executive Committee
9.1 The functions of the National Executive Committee shall be:
9.1.1 To manage and direct all the activities of the Institute between Annual General Meetings;
9.1.2 To represent the Institute to outside bodies.
9.1.3 To implement the motions approved at the Annual General Meeting;
9.1.4 To refer ethical issues to a Professional Conduct Committee for its consideration and advice;
9.1.5 To ratify in-service certification.
9.2 The Committee shall consist of the President and the Vice-President of the Institute and at least one representative from each branch. The Committee’s officers shall be the President, the Vice- President, the National Secretary, the National Treasurer and the National Public Relations Officer.
9.3 The Committee shall select from its membership persons to fill the positions of National Secretary, National Treasurer, National Public Relations Officer and two Auditors (who shall have the right to examine all accounts).
9.4 Where a vacancy arises (including any created through the operation of clauses 9.10.10 and 9.10.13), the Committee shall, in consultation with the relevant branch, co-opt a member of the Institute to fill the vacancy until the next AGM. (This provision does not affect the nominated person’s entitlement to serve a further period of three terms of two years if that is the democratic wish of the relevant branch).
9.5 Seven members shall form a quorum at meetings of the National Executive Committee.
9.6 The Committee may appoint sub-committees for particular purposes and shall determine their membership (which may draw on the membership of the Institute), except where otherwise specified in this Constitution. (e.g. Standing Orders Committee, where membership is drawn from branches).
9.7 The Committee shall meet at least nine times a year. It may hold additional meetings whenever issues of critical importance need to be decided.
9.8 The national secretary shall summon a Special Meeting at any time on the written request of 50% of the members of the Committee.
9.9 Nominations to the National Executive Committee
9.9.1 All persons holding Qualified or Chartered membership shall be eligible for nomination to the National Executive Committee.
9.9.2 Nominees to the National Executive Committee shall serve for a maximum of three consecutive two-year terms, taking a break of at least two terms before seeking re- election.
9.9.3 Each Branch shall elect nominees for the Committee on the basis of one nominee per 50 members, up to a maximum of two members per branch.
9.9.4 Where a branch has a membership of less than 50, it shall be entitled to elect one Nominee to the Committee.
9.9.5 Suitably notified Nominees for the Committee shall be ratified at the Annual General Meeting.
9.9.6 For ratification to take place, the names of nominees must be sent in writing to the National Secretary by the Branch Secretary three months prior to the Annual General Meeting. Where such proper notice has not been given, the National Executive Committee may accept the nominee of the branch at any meeting prior to the AGM, provided due procedures have been followed.
9.9.7 The term of office of duly elected members shall commence and terminate at the Annual General Meeting.
9.9.8 Each Branch shall have the right to nominate one person for the positions of President and of Vice President.
9.10 Election and Term of Office of the President and Vice-President
9.10.1 The President and Vice-President shall be elected to hold office for a continuous two-year term and shall be eligible for re-election to these posts for one further consecutive term. After completing the specific period, the office holders shall be ineligible for re-election to these posts for a period of six years.
9.10.2 The outgoing President may remain a member of the National Executive Committee until the AGM following the cessation of his/her term of office and will be ineligible to become a member of the National Executive in any capacity for a period of two terms.
9.10.3 All Qualified, Chartered and Retired members shall have full voting rights.
9.10.4 The election of the President and Vice- President shall be decided by a postal ballot of all Qualified, Chartered and Retired Members, using the system of proportional representation of a single transferable vote.
9.10.5 The ballot shall be conducted by the Standing Orders Committee, under the supervision of an External Auditor of the Institute, who shall act as Returning Officer.
9.10.6 The Standing Orders Committee, on behalf of the National Executive Committee shall make provision for the secure holding of the sealed ballot papers.
9.10.7 The ballot shall take place by the 1st May of the year in which the office falls vacant, and the candidates elected shall assume office on 1st July of that year.
9.10.8 The External Auditor shall supervise the counting of the votes by the Chairperson of the Standing Orders Committee and two other members of the National Executive Committee. Candidates and other interested parties may attend at their own expense.
9.10.9 The newly elected President and Vice-President, if not already members of the National Executive Committee, shall have the right to attend its meetings as non-voting observers prior to assuming office.
9.10.10 In the event of the office of President becoming vacant, the Vice President shall assume the office of President and shall complete the remainder of the term of Office.
9.10.11 The National Executive Committee at its next ordinary meeting shall elect a new Vice-President from among its members.
9.10.12 In the event of the offices of President and Vice-President becoming vacant simultaneously, the National Executive Committee shall, at its next ordinary meeting, elect a new President and a new Vice-President from among its members to complete the remainder of the terms of both offices.
9.10.13 Following consultation with the Branch where a newly elected President or Vice-President is a member, the national Executive Committee shall co-opt a member of the Institute to fill each vacancy arising.
10. The Standing Orders Committee
10.1 Standing Orders Committee shall consist of
(i) One member from each Branch, excepting Members of the National Executive, whose names shall have been forwarded to the National Executive three calendar months prior to the Annual General Meeting.
(ii) One member of the National Executive Committee who shall act as non-voting consultant to the Standing Orders Committee.
10.2 Standing Orders Committee
The Standing Orders Committee shall be convened by the National Secretary and shall hold its first meeting within one calendar month of receipt of nominations, and shall hold office for one year from the date of being convened.
10.3 Standing Orders Committee Procedure
The Standing Orders Committee shall abide by the procedures set out in Appendix II.
11. BRANCHES
11.1 Branches of the Institute shall be constituted in geographical areas defined by the National Executive Committee.
11.2 It shall be the function of each Branch to promote within the Branch area the objects of the Institute, to uphold its Constitution and Code of Ethics and to report to the National Executive Committee.
11.3 Every Member of the Institute shall be a member of a branch. Eligibility to be a member of a particular branch shall be determined by place of employment or principal private residence. Requests to be a member of an alternate branch must be approved by the National Executive Committee.
11.4 The National Executive Committee shall draw up Bye-laws for the running of Branches, which must be submitted to the Annual General Meeting for approval.
11.5 Branch Officers, Branch Executive Committee and Meetings
11.5.1 Each Branch shall hold its Annual General Meeting four months prior to the Institute’s Annual General Meeting.
11.5.2 The members of the Branch Executive Committee shall be elected at the Branch’s Annual General Meeting.
11.5.3 The Branch Executive Committee shall consist of the Branch Officers (Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and Public Relations Officer) and any additional members, as required,
11.5.4 The Branch Executive Committee shall convene a full Branch meeting at least five times per year.
11.5.5 At least five members but not less than 15% of the members shall form a quorum at Branch Meetings. The Branch may, at its discretion, increase the numbers required to form a quorum.
11.6 Branch Finances
11.6.1 Each branch shall open a bank account in the name of the branch with three named signatories (the Treasurer, one other branch officer and one branch member), two of whom must sign every cheque issued by the branch. All transactions shall be recorded and receipted. Each branch shall hold a maximum of three accounts, to include a current and deposit account. Each branch shall present an internally audited set of accounts to the Branch Annual General Meeting and shall forward a copy together with supporting documentation to the National Treasurer for national audit.
11.6.2 On the dissolution or cessation of a branch, the moneys, property and records in its possession shall be handed over to the National Executive Committee.
12. Income and Property
12.1 The income and property of the Institute shall be applied solely towards the promotion of its main object as set forth in this Constitution. No portion of the Institute’s income and property shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise howsoever by way of profit, to the members of the body. No Officer shall be appointed to any office of the body paid by salary or fees, or receive any remuneration or other benefit in money or money’s worth from the body.
12.2 However, nothing shall prevent any payment in good faith by the Institute of:
12.2.1 reasonable and proper remuneration to any member of the body (not being an Officer) for any services rendered to the body;
12.2.2 interest at a rate not exceeding 5% per annum on money lent by Officers or other members of the body to the body;
12.2.3 reasonable and proper rent for premises demised and let by any member of the Institute (including any Officer) to the Institute;
12.2.4 reasonable and proper out of pocket expenses incurred by any Officer in connection with attendance to any matter affecting the Institute;
12.2.5 Fees, remuneration or other benefit in money or money’s worth to any company of which an Officer may be a member holding not more than one-hundredth part of the Issued capital of such Company.
13. KEEPING OF ACCOUNTS
Annual audited accounts shall be kept and made available to the Revenue Commissioners, on request.
14. WINDING-UP
If, upon the winding up or dissolution of the Institute, there remains, after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, it shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Institute. Instead, such property shall be given or transferred to some other charitable institution or institutions that have main objects similar to the main objects of the Institute. The institution or, institutions, to which the property is to be given or transferred, shall prohibit the distribution of its or their income and property among its or their members, to an extent at least as great as is imposed on the Institute under or by virtue of clause 12 hereof. Members of the Institute shall select the relevant institution or institutions at or before the time of dissolution, and if and so far as effect cannot be given to such provisions, then the property shall be given to some charitable object.
15. ADDITIONS, ALTERATIONS AND AMENDMENTS
15.1 Proposals to add to, amend or remove the foregoing clauses may be considered only at the Annual General Meeting. A two-thirds majority of those voting shall be required to effect such changes.
15.2 No addition, alteration or amendment to Sections 2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 14, 15 shall come into force until it has been approved in writing by the Revenue Commissioners.
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