The constitution is probably
the most important document your association has as it helps the
committee members or trustees (if you are a registered charity)
govern the organisation.
The Charity Commission for
England and Wales describes a governing document as "the
instruction manual" for the organisation. A PTA's constitution
would therefore need to contain a range of information and powers
to assist trustees and to accurately reflect the purpose of the
charity and the activities it can and cannot take to fulfil its
aims.
The creation of a governing
document is understandably complex. To assist our members the
PTA-UK has produced two model constitutions; one for members in
Northern Ireland and the other for members in England and Wales. To
reflect the changes in the Charties Act 2006 the PTA-UK has
revised the model constitution for members in England and Wales. As
with previous versions, the PTA-UK 2008 model constitution has
received approval from the Charity Commission for England and
Wales; when used without change, to achieve charitable status. HMRC
Charities Division recognise the model constitution for Northern
Ireland, for charitable registration.
The PTA-UK model constitutions are
available to PTA-UK members only. Please ensure you are logged
in to access the model constitution for PTAs
in England and Wales or the constitution for PTAs in Northern
Ireland. For more information about governing documents
for charities visit the following websites:
1. Charity
Commission
2. ICSA (Institute of Chartered Secretaries and
Administrators)