Rule 1	Name / Status
1a	The association will be known as the Parkinson's Disease Nurse Specialist Association (PDNSA).
1b	Whilst the PDNSA is a separate independent body and is not listed as a charity, it does operate under the umbrella of the Parkinson's Disease Society (PDS), which is a registered charity and obtains assistance and guidance from the PDS from time to time.
Rule 2	The objective of the Association
	To act as a national resource and network for nurses to share knowledge, expertise and best practice about Parkinson′s disease and its management, locally, nationally and internationally.
Rule 3	Membership categories
	The subscribers to these rules are members of the PDNSA in the following categories:-
3a	Full Membership Full membership of the PDNSA shall be limited to Parkinson´s Disease Nurse Specialists who are employed primarily in the practice of Parkinson's disease in primary and secondary care in the United Kingdom.
3b	Associate Membership Associate membership is open to any person who wishes to join the Association and is not eligible for full membership.
3c	Overseas Membership Overseas Membership is open to any person who wishes to join the PDNSA and is not resident in the UK. Overseas members assume the same status as associate members.
3d	Honorary Membership Honorary membership will be awarded to individuals who have made a considerable contribution to the advancement of Parkinson's Disease Nurse Specialists. The PDNSA Committee will be responsible for awarding honorary membership.
Rule 4	Cessation of membership
	A member will cease to be a member if:
4a	having paid the subscription for the current year the member notifies the Membership Secretary of a desire to resign, or
4b	the member fails to pay the subscription within two calendar months after the due date of payment, or
4c	the Committee votes to discontinue membership by a majority vote of members present. The member will be given at least seven days written notice requesting them to appear before the committee to discuss the issues associated with the case.
Rule 5	Voting rights
	Only full members have the right to vote.
Rule 6	Membership Subscriptions
6a	The annual subscription shall be payable on the 1st November each year.
6b	The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the PDNSA will have the power to vary the levels of subscriptions by ordinary resolution.
6c	All subscription monies will be collected by the Treasurer of the Association and placed into a bank account in the name of the PDNSA.
Rule 7	Elected Committee and Officers of the Association
	The business of running the PDNSA shall be managed by the committee. This committee will consist of eight members, including the executive officers of Chairperson, Vice - Chairperson, General Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership Secretary.
Rule 8	Election of the Committee
8a	The Committee shall be elected at the AGM from the membership.
8b	Each Committee member will hold an officer position for a period of two years and thereafter can seek re-election for a maximum of two terms.
8c	The officer roles shall be appointed by the Committee.
8d	Should any existing member of the Committee be appointed to the role of either Chair or Vice chair their complete period of time served on the Committee will recommence at that date.
8e	In the event that the vice-chair does not wish to become chair, it would be necessary to convene an extra-ordinary meeting of the Committee to address the situation.
Rule 9	Co-option to the Committee
9a	The Committee shall have powers to co-opt an eligible full member of the Association to fill a vacancy on the Committee or to appoint an additional ex-officio position to the Committee on an as required basis.
9b	A co-opted member, who fills a vacancy on the Committee, shall seek re-election to the Committee at the next AGM.
9c	It is the responsibility of the Committee to ensure that there are sufficiently experienced officers serving on the Committee. This will be achieved by a staggered process for election/ retirement of officers
Rule 10	Committee membership eligibility
	Members, who have been full members for at least one year, at the date of nomination for election to the Committee, are eligible to hold office as a Committee member.
Rule 11	Election of the Committee
11a	Nomination forms for new Committee members will be sent to each full member of the Association as a vacancy arises.
11b	Completed nomination forms for election to the Committee will be returned to the Secretary. If more than one person wishes to be elected for the position a membership vote will be required. At least 35 days notice will be required by the membership prior to the voting process.
11c	The Secretary will send to each full member a voting list of nominations for election to the Committee. 21 days will be allowed for the voting process i.e. before forms are required to be returned. A brief work history and relevant experience of the candidates will be included on the voting paper.
11d	Only postal votes will be accepted. These should be received by the Secretary by the date nominated for receipt. Voting papers received after this time will be destroyed. The Secretary will date stamp each paper on arrival.
11e	Voting papers will be counted by three tellers appointed by the Committee, during the evening on the date specified for counting.
Rule 12	Committee meetings
	The Committee shall meet a minimum of four times a year. One of these meetings must be held at the Annual Conference of the PDNSA. Each member of the Committee has one vote. In the event of a vote being equal, the chair shall have the casting vote.
Rule 13	Conduct of Committee meetings
13a	Committee meetings will be chaired by either the chairperson or vice chairperson. The chairperson of the PDNSA will chair the meetings of the Committee. Should the chair be unable to attend the meeting then the vice-chairperson will substitute as chair.
13b	The rules of conduct during the Committee meeting and any other meeting of the Association will be governed by the Standing Orders of the Association.
13c	A minimum of five members are required to form a quorum of the Committee, of which at least two must be executive officers If such a quorum is not present one hour after the scheduled start time of the meeting, the meeting shall be adjourned. An adjourned meeting must be reconvened within eight weeks.
13d	Should a Committee member fail to attend three Committee meetings in a year and/or be seen to be failing to fulfil delegated duties, then a vote may be taken by the Committee, by ordinary resolution, to remove the member from the Committee. In the event of the Committee member's tenure on the Committee, the member will be written to by the Secretary and given seven days to appeal. Any appeal will be heard within eight weeks.
Rule 14	President
	The PDNSA President's position is ex-officio. Nominations for President of the Association should be submitted to the Committee, duly proposed and seconded by two full members. The Committee shall decide by ordinary resolution whom they wish to approach as President. The President of the PDNSA will normally hold office for one year. At the end of the year the President can continue in office with the agreement of the Committee. Should the President no longer wish to hold office, a letter of resignation should be sent to the Secretary. Should the Committee no longer want the President to continue in office, a vote must be taken by ordinary resolution. If the majority of the Committee vote to remove the President, a letter will be sent informing the President of the Committee's decision.
Rule 15	Editor of the PDNSA's publications
	The editor of the PDNSA's publications shall be nominated by two full members of the Association and appointed by the Committee. The position maybe ex-officio. The office can be held for a period of three years if the editor is ex-officio. The editor is eligible for re-election for one further period of three years if this is an ex-officio position.
Rule 16	The Annual General Meeting
16a	The AGM of the PDNSA will be held at a suitable time determined by the Committee, during the Annual Conference of the Association.
16b	Every member shall receive no less than 60 (sixty) days notice of such a meeting.
16c	Notice of all meetings will be sent to members at the address held on the membership database and shall state date, time, place and business to be discussed. Minutes of the last AGM and Committee nomination forms will accompany this document.
16d	Members have a single individual vote on all resolutions debated at all general meetings.
Rule 17	Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)
17a	An EGM of the Association can be called for by written resolution signed by at least 25 (twenty five) full members of the PDNSA.
17b	The secretary may convene such a meeting.
17c	At least 35 (thirty five) days notice will be provided to members of such an event.
Rule 18	Proxy voting
	Full members who are unable to attend the AGM or an EGM may wish to vote by proxy on an agenda item. The Secretary should be informed in writing at least 7 (seven) days prior to the relevant meeting of the members direction of voting.
Rule 19	Finances
19a	The Treasurer manages the accounts of the PDNSA and is responsible for day to day spending.
19b	The Treasurer and one Committee member must authorise any major items of expenditure.
19c	The Treasurer shall prepare an audited report of accounts for presentation at the AGM.
Rule 20	Auditing the Accounts
20a	An audit of the accounts will be carried out in line with good accountancy practice and requirements.
20b	The accountant of the Parkinson's Disease Society will undertake an examination of the financial statement and verify that they are a true reflection of the PDNSA's financial situation.
Rule 21	Expenses
	Reasonable out of pocket expenses for members of the PDNSA Committee may be reimbursed whilst acting on official duties of the Association. Provided that:- The decision of the Committee as to the granting of expenses is final. The Committee's decision is based on details specified on the PDNSA expenses claim form and national guidelines covering expenses of this kind.
Rule 22	New Rules
22a	Alteration to these rules shall only occur at an AGM or EGM and then only if a majority of two thirds of all members eligible to vote agree to the change.
22b	The Secretary must receive a resolution proposing any alteration to the rules of the PDNSA, at least 21 (twenty one) days prior to the required cut off date for the circulation of notice papers for such a meeting.
Rule 23	Dissolution of the PDNSA
	The PDNSA can be dissolved by special resolution at an AGM or EGM, in accordance with these rules. Such a resolution may provide instructions for the disposal of any assets held by or are in the name of the Association, provided that these are transformed to such other institution(s) which have similar aims of the PDNSA.