Representation and Membership Structure
| 1. | The democratic structure has two tiers: |
| Officers Chair Vice Chair (Succeeding to Chair) Treasurer Secretary (two year term elected by Council) National Council (12 members) (3 year term) 12 elected by full members (of which no more than 2 places to be held by organisational members) Up to 3 annual voting co-options by Council |
| 2. | Elections for Council members will be carried out by ballot, with postal ballot allowed since 2001. One vote is available for each full member school and organisation. The Chief Executive is the returning officer with the count taking place at the AGM, with 2 non-Council members as scrutineers. Authorised representatives of full member schools and organisations wishing to stand for election will sign a nomination form counter-signed by representatives of two NASS members who are not currently Council members. This nomination form must be received by the Chief Executive 5 weeks prior to the AGM in order to give members the required 21 days' notice. Hustings are then posted including a statement by each candidate, a postal ballot form to be returned to the Chief Executive by the day before the AGM. In the event of no clear majorities being offered by first choice votes the Chair has a second or casting vote which could be applied if the Chair is not standing for re-election. |
| 3. | Term of office. There will be an annual election for at least three elected Council members allowing a three year term for each elected Council member. Council members may stand for a maximum of 2 terms before stepping down for at least one term before seeking re-election. |
| 4. | Co-options of 3 further voting Council members will be made annually by the elected Council members at the first Council meeting following the AGM and will be used to redress imbalance in the elected group. Their term of office would be for 1 year only. It would be impossible to plan for balanced representation across all categories without electoral colleges and NASS is too small to sustain that system. Co-opted Council members who are full members of NASS may stand for election in subsequent years in order to maintain continuity. |
| 5. | The Chief Executive may receive Council papers and speak at meetings but may not vote. |
| 6. | There will be liaison with existing and new interest groups of members and associate members: e.g. NAIMS, HI and SpLD, VI, EBD, Bursars, Catholic Schools, PD etc. Some groups will be semi permanent and others will convene for specific tasks. All are invited to send minutes in to the Centre so that Council and the Chief Executive may maintain an overview of current issues and concerns to support their work on behalf of the sector. |
| 7. | Full membership is open to all fully registered non-maintained special schools and independent schools catering wholly or mainly for children with SEN. Members must sign up to the NASS standards. Full members receive the highest discount on NASS events, have full access to the NASS website members' zone and are eligible to vote at the NASS Annual General Meeting. |
| 8. | Associate membership is open to: |
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| 9. | Group Membership is available for organisations maintaining more than one school. Terms & Conditions of membership apply. |
