1. The Association name is: Contemplative Pedagogy Network 

2. The purpose of the Association is: to promote, sustain and increase individual and collective knowledge, understanding and application of contemplative, holistic,  transformative and socially-just pedagogies in higher education

3.  Steering Committee

The Association will be managed by a Steering Committee, whose Officials are appointed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association

4. Carrying out the purposes

In order to carry out the purposes of the Association, the Steering Committee Officials have the powers to

(1) progress the work of the Association with the aim of becoming a registered charity in England

(2) raise funds, receive grants and donations

(3) apply funds to carry out the work of the association

(4) co-operate and support other associations with similar purposes 

(5) do anything that is lawful and necessary to achieve the purposes

5. Membership

The Association shall have a membership. People who support the work of the Association and are aged 18 or over, can apply to the Steering Committee to become a member. Once accepted by the Steering Committee, membership lasts for 3 years and maybe renewed. The Steering Committee will keep an up- to-date membership list. 

The Steering Committee may remove a person’s membership if they believe it is in the best interest of the Association. The member has the right to be heard by the Steering Committee before the decision is made and can be accompanied by a friend. 

6. Annual General Meeting

(1) The AGM must be held every year, with 14 days’ notice given to all members telling them what is on the agenda. Minutes must be kept of the AGM.

(2) There must be at least two thirds of members present at the AGM.

(3) Every member has one vote.

(4) The Steering Committee shall present the annual report and accounts.

(5) Any member may stand for election as a Steering Committee Official.

(6) Members shall elect between 3 and 10 Steering Committee Officials to serve for the next year. They will retire at the next AGM but may stand for re-election.

7. Steering Committee meetings

(1) Steering Committee Officials must hold at least 3 meetings each year. At their first meeting after the AGM, they will elect a chair, a treasurer, a deputy treasurer and a secretary. Steering Committee Officials may act by majority decision. 

(2) At least 3 Steering Committee Officials must be present at the meeting to be able to make decisions. Minutes shall be kept for every meeting.

(3) If Steering Committee Officials have a conflict of interest, they must declare it and leave the meeting while this matter is being discussed or decided. 

(4) During the year, the Steering Committee Officials may appoint up to two additional Steering Committee Officials. They will stand down at the next AGM. 

(5) The Steering Committee Officials may make reasonable additional rules to help run the Association. These rules must not conflict with this constitution or the law.

8. Money and property

(1) Money and property must only be used for the Association’s purposes.

(2) Steering Committee Officials must keep accounts. The most recent annual accounts can be seen by anybody on request. 

(3) Steering Committee Officials cannot receive any money or property from the Association, except to refund reasonable out of pocket expenses. 

(4) Money must be held in the Association’s bank account. Payment requests must be signed by one authorised Official. At least another authorised Official is a bank account signatory and a third has view access only to guarantee scrutiny.

9. General meetings

If the Steering Committee Officials consider it necessary to change the constitution, or wind up the Association, they must call a General Meeting so that the membership can make a decision. Steering Committee Officials must also call a General Meeting if they receive a written
request from the majority of members. All members must be given14 days’
notice and told the reason for the meeting. All decisions require a two thirds majority. Minutes must be kept.

 (1) Winding up – any money or property remaining after payment of debts must be given to a charity with similar purposes to this one. 

(2) Changes to the Constitution – can be made at AGM or General Meetings. No change can be made that would make the organisation no longer a charity, as becoming a charity is a purpose of the Association. 

(3) General Meeting – called on written request from a majority of members. 

(4) Trustees may also call a General Meeting to consult the membership

10 Setting up the Association

This constitution was adopted on 21st February 2025 by the people whose Names appear below. They are the first members of the Association and will be the Steering Committee Officials until the AGM, which must be held within one year of this date.

Chiara Cirillo

Gabriella Buttarazzi

Elizabeth Munro

Michael Wride