The Association shall be called 'S.T.E.E.R. ' and hereinafter referred to as the 'organisation'.

Subject to the matters set out below, the Organisation and its property shall be administered and managed in accordance with this constitution by the members of the Management Committee constituted by Clause 6 of this constitution ('the committee').

3.1 The principles of the organisation set out in Schedule 1 attached to this Constitution ('Initial Statement of Principles') shall be observed by all members of the organisation and may be amended by a majority of the members present and entitled to vote in the Annual General Meeting PROVIDED THAT nothing contained in the statement shall contradict any of the provisions of this constitution.

3.2 For the purposes of the Organisation a person who has 'primary experience' will be defined as any person who has sought or been referred for help for a mental health problem.

3.3 For the purposes of the Organisation a person who has 'secondary experience' will be defined as any person who has had a relative or friend who has sought or been referred for help for a mental health problem.

4.1.1 The Organisation is established for the advancement of education and the relief of those suffering from the effects of mental illness in Northern Ireland (the 'area of benefit')by means of:-

(A) To provide a forum for those with primary and secondary experience of mental illness to share their emotions, voice their views, experiences and ideas in relation to mental health issues;

(B) fostering mutual support among people suffering from the effects of mental illness and their families;

(C) promoting understanding of mental illness and discouraging prejudice against those who have experienced or are experiencing any form of mental illness;

(D) Working towards creating employment for people with primary experience through the development of the organisation and establishing links with other potential employers in the voluntary, community, statutory and private sectors.

(E) Ensuring that those with both primary and secondary experience of mental illness are actively consulted and involved in research into mental health issues. To increase the independent use of those with primary experience of mental illness in academic research surrounding the mental health environment.

4.2 In furtherance of the above, aims but not further or otherwise the Organisation may:

4.2.1. independently liaise with the Western Health & Social Services Board and Foyle Health & Social Services Trust in an effort to improve the type and quality of mental health services offered;

4.2.2. co-operate with any voluntary or statutory agency involved in providing mental health services in the Foyle Health & Social Services Trust Area in furtherance of the above objects;

4.2.3. actively promote primary experience consultation and participation at all levels of planning and service delivery in relation to mental health services;

4.2.4. promote the view that those with primary experience have a shared knowledge which constitutes a powerful amount of energy, talent and commitment, and that such shared experience and knowledge is vital to the development of appropriate mental health services;

4.2.5 establish, maintain and equip premises and facilities where people with primary and secondary experience of mental health problems can benefit from the objectives of the organisation;

4.2.5A provide or secure the provision of support services, training, access to education, increased employment opportunities and research facilities for people who seek help from the organisation;

4.2.5B provide or secure the provision of advice and information and refer those in need of professional advice to the relevant agencies;

4.2.6 provide or assist in providing support groups, classes, workshops, training, seminars, lectures, discussions, exhibitions, outings and events;

4.2.7 procure to be written and printed, published, issued, distributed and circulated reports, or periodicals, books, pamphlets, leaflets, recordings or other documents or information;

4.2.8 build up a resource library and information bank;

4.2.9 recruit, train and employ volunteers with relevant skills, for the furtherance of the above aims;

4.2.10 promote and carry out or assist in promoting and carrying out research, surveys and investigations into the primary and secondary experiences of those in the mental health environment and to ensure their active involvement. To ensure that results are published;

4.2.11 co-operate to such extent as may be necessary with statutory authorities and voluntary organisations engaged in the furtherance of the above objects or any of them;

4.2.12 raise and accept money by way of grants, donations, bequests, legacies or other lawful method; and give, donate or disburse grants and loans to such related organisations or projects as are by law deemed charitable PROVIDED that in the exercise thereof the Organisation shall not engage in any form of permanent trading;

4.2.13 purchase, take or lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire any property and any rights and privileges necessary for the attainment of the said objects and construct, maintain and alter any buildings or edifices so necessary as aforesaid;

4.2.14 subject to such consents as may be required by law to sell, let mortgage, dispose or turn to account all or any of the property or assets of the Group which shall be deemed necessary for the furtherance of the Group;

4.2.15 employ and pay any person or persons (not being a member of the management committee referred to below) to supervise, organise and carry on the work of the Group and make all reasonable and necessary provision for the payment of remuneration to employees;

4.2.16 all such other lawful things as are necessary for the attainment of the said object.

5.1 Individual Membership will be open to all people with primary and secondary experience of mental illness irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, political opinion, nationality, religion, race and disability.

5.2 Affiliated Membership will be open to all groups with primary and secondary experience in the Foyle area that have similar objects as S.T.E.E.R Such groups will not have voting rights and Membership must be passed by a majority on the Management Committee.

5.3 A person will become a member of S.T.E.E.R. on acceptance by the Management Committee of an application form completed by that person or group, or completed on their behalf with their consent.

5.4 The Committee may set an annual membership fee or fees and may make rules for the admission to and termination of membership PROVIDED THAT any member affected by a proposal to terminate her or his membership shall have the right to state a case against such proposal and FURTHER PROVIDED THAT such rules shall be subject to amendment by the voting members in Annual General Meeting.

6.1 The Organisation shall be managed by a Committee, consisting of not less than 8 or more than 18 members of the Forum aged 18 or over elected by and from amongst the members present and voting at an Annual General Meeting. At all times the Committee should have a balance of 60% members with primary experience and 40% people with secondary experience. This will ensure that Committee Members with primary experience will have a majority decision making process built into the organisational structures of S.T.E.E.R. Co-Option

6.2 The Committee will have power to co-opt further members PROVIDED THAT the number of co-options will not exceed one-third of the total membership of the Committee. The Management Committee may co-opt non-members on to the Committee as advisors. Such co-opted advisors will not have a vote.

6.3 Casual vacancies arising in the Management Committee may be filled by co-option of a member who shall serve until the next A.G.M.. Officers

6.4 The Management Committee will have a Chairperson, a Treasurer, a Secretary and any other officers determined by the Management Committee. Notice of Committee Meetings

6.5 At least seven days notice in writing of any meeting of the Management Committee will be given to all committee members. Any accidental omission to give such notice, or the non-receipt of such notice by any person shall not invalidate the proceedings of any such meeting.

6.6 With the consent of all Committee Members a Committee meeting may be convened at short notice.

6.7 The notice will specify the place, day, hour and venue of the meeting and will include an agenda.

7.1 At any meeting of the Management Committee, 30% of the Committee will constitute a quorum.

Voting

7.2 Matters arising at any meeting of the Management Committee will be decided by the majority of members present and entitled to vote.

7.3 Every elected member will have one vote.

7.4 In the case of an equality of votes the Chairperson of the meeting will be entitled to a second or casting vote. Observers

7.5 The Management Committee may invite any person, to attend the meetings as an observer. Sub-Committees

7.6 The Management Committee may from time to time appoint sub-committees with such composition, power and terms of reference as the Management Committee may think fit. All such sub-committees will need the authority of the Management Committee and will be accountable to the Management Committee.

8.1 Annual Meeting The Annual General Meeting shall be held at such place and time, not being more than 15 months since the previous Annual General Meeting, as the Committee shall decide.

8.2 The business of the Annual Meeting shall be:

8.2.1 to receive an approve reports on the activities of the past year from members of the Committee;

8.2.2 to receive and approve the audited accounts of the Organisation;

8.2.3 to appoint auditors;

8.2.4 to elect the Officers and Committee according to such nomination and voting procedure as the Group may from time to time decide;

8.2.5 to deal with resolutions and such other matters, notice of which shall have been given 14 days in advance of the AGM to the Secretary of the Organisation by the member proposing such resolutions or other matters.

8.3 Other meetings of the Organisation shall be called General Meetings (or in the case of alteration of the constitution or dissolution of the Organisation Extraordinary General Meetings) and shall be called at not less than 14 days' notice to members.

8.4 Extraordinary General Meeting The Committee shall have the power to call a General or Extra-ordinary General Meeting, and shall be bound to do so within 21 days of receiving notice in writing signed by not less than 5 members. The business to be transacted must appear on the agenda, and no other business shall be discussed.

9.1 All income of the Organisation, wheresoever derived, shall be applied to the charitable purposes of the Organisation and to no other purpose PROVIDED THAT nothing herein contained shall prevent the payment of legitimate out-of-pocket expenses to members of the Organisation engaged upon the approved business of the Organisation.

9.2 The Management Committee will be responsible for the expenditure within the general budget agreed by the Organisation.

9.3 The financial year of the Group shall run from 1st April to 31st March.

9.4 The Committee shall open a bank account or accounts in the name of the Organisation and shall specify those members of the Committee (being not less than two members of the Committee) authorised to sign cheques on behalf of the Organisation.

9.5 In an emergency, any three members of the Management Committee may authorise expenditure up to £100.

9.6 The Committee shall authorise the keeping of proper books of account, and shall designate responsibility for the preparation of an annual Statement of Accounts for submission to an Annual General Meeting.

10.1 The Organisation may employ and pay any person or persons to supervise, organise and carry out the work of the Organisation within the legal terms of employment, and within the context of equal opportunities.

10.2 Employees will be responsible to S.T.E.E.R. through the Management Committee.

Any alterations to this Constitution shall receive the assent of not less than two-thirds of the members of the Organisation present and voting at an Extraordinary General Meeting called at not less than 14 days' notice to members for that purpose. PROVIDED THAT no alteration shall be approved which would cause the Organisation to cease to be a charity at law.

If the Organisations Committee by a simple majority decide at any time, on any grounds, that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Organisation, it will call a meeting of all members who have power to vote, giving not less than 21 days notice of the time, date and place of the meeting and stating the terms of the resolution to be proposed at the meeting. A resolution to dissolve the Organisation must be carried by two-thirds of the voting members of the Organisation. At this meeting a decision about the distribution or allocation of any remaining funds or property accrued will be decided by a simple majority vote PROVIDED THAT all funds or property remaining after dissolution will be given to a charitable organisation with objects similar to those of the Organisation.

The Organisation shall indemnify and keep indemnified every officer, member, volunteer and employee of the Organisation from and against all claims, demands, actions and proceedings (and all costs and expenses in connection therewith or arising therefrom) made or brought against the Organisation in connection with its activities, the actions of its officers, members, volunteers or employees, or in connection with its property and equipment EXCEPT THAT this indemnity shall not extend to liabilities arising from wilful and individual fraud, wrongdoing, or wrongful omission on the part of the member sought to be made liable. The Treasurer shall effect a policy of insurance in respect of this indemnity.