EPEA (Malta) Branch – STATUTE

European Prison Education Association – Malta Branch
Statute
1. Name
The name of the Organisation shall be the European Prison Education
Association (EPEA) Malta Branch
2. Aims
(a) The aims of the association shall be:
• To promote education in prison according to the Recommendation
No. R (89) 12 of the Committee of Ministers to member States of
the Council of Europe (1989).
• To support and assist the professional development of persons
involved in education in prison through European co-operation.
• To work with related professional organisations.
• To support research in the field of education in prison.
• To monitor and support the development of Prison Education in
Malta
(b) ‘Education in prison’ is defined as education provided for all persons
who are under the supervision of the judiciary, whether sentenced or
awaiting trial, and whether serving a sentence in prison or in the
community.
(c) ‘Persons involved’ are defined as all those working in the field of
education in prison and in related disciplines.
3. Membership
(a) Full membership is open to individuals involved in the field of prison
education or in related disciplines with offenders, in Malta. Associate
membership is open to others.
(b)The Steering Committee (Malta Branch) shall have the right to accept or
reject applications for membership of the Branch.
(c) An annual membership subscription shall be charged for each category
of membership as determined from time to time by the Steering
Committee (Malta Branch).
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(d) Voting at meetings shall be restricted to full members as follows:
individual member: one vote
(e) Postal ballots shall be restricted to full members as follows:
individual member: one vote
(f) The Secretary shall maintain an updated register of all members and
this shall be available on request to any member.
4. Elections
All the elections within the Branch shall be by secret ballot and by means of
the single transferable vote.
5. Organisation
The EPEA Malta Branch shall adhere to the rules and policies of the
European Prison Education Association.
The EPEA Malta branch shall elect two liaison persons to represent it on
the General Council, at least one of whom should be in daily contact with
prisoners.
The Annual General Meeting
(i) The Annual General Meeting shall consist of the officers of the
Branch and all registered members.
(ii) It shall be convened once every year.
(iii) It shall determine policy of the Branch in accordance with the
constitution of the EPEA.
The Steering Committee
(i) The Branch Steering Committee shall consist of officers elected by
the registered members.
(ii) Each person elected to officership of the Branch shall be elected for
a three year period.
(iii) Each officer shall be responsible to the Branch Steering Committee
for the proper discharge of his or her duties.
(iv) The Branch Steering Committee shall administer the Branch in line
with policies determined by the Annual General Meeting.
(v) The Branch Steering Committee shall meet at least two times every
year.
(vi) Vacancies arising within the Branch Steering Committee during a
term of office may be filled for the remainder of the period by the
Steering Committee itself.
6. Notice and Administration of Meetings
(a) Annual General Meetings
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(i) Three months notice shall be given of this meeting.
(ii) The meeting shall be called by the Secretary, or other member of
the Branch Steering Committee determined by the previous
meeting.
(iii) Notices of motion shall be received by the Branch Secretary no
later than six weeks prior to the meeting and circulated to
participants no later than 21 days prior to the meeting.
(b) Steering Committee Meetings
(i) Two months notice of Branch Steering Committee meetings shall
be given to Steering Committee members.
(ii) Meetings of the Branch Steering Committee shall be called by the
Secretary or other Steering Committee member determined by the
previous meeting.
(iii) The quorum for Steering Committee meetings shall be 4.
7. Finance
(a) All monies raised by or on behalf of the Branch shall be applied to
further the aims of the Association and for reasonable expenses.
(b) The Branch shall keep proper accounts.
(c) Bank accounts shall be agreed in the name of the EPEA Malta Branch.
The Branch Steering Committee shall authorise, in writing, the Treasurer
of the Branch and the Chairperson to sign cheques on behalf of the EPEA
Branch.
(d) The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records of this Organisation in
such a manner that will permit a successful audit by a competent
auditor.
8. Alterations to the Constitution
(a) Alterations to this constitution shall receive the assent of no less than
two thirds of those present and eligible to vote at an Annual General Meeting
and the assent of more than half of those voting on a ballot of members.
(b) A proposal to change the constitution must be received by the Secretary
no later than two months prior to a General Meeting and be circulated one
month prior to the meeting.
9. Dissolution
If the Branch Steering Committee, by a simple majority of its full
membership, decides that it is necessary to dissolve the EPEA Branch it shall
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call a General Meeting for this purpose, giving the normal notice (as in 6 (a)
iii above).
A motion favouring dissolution must be approved by two-thirds of those voting at
a General Meeting. Any remaining money shall be disposed of as decided by the
meeting.

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