CONSTITUTION

Adopted 19th November 2006

Article One – Title

The Association shall be called ‘United Kingdom Taekwon-Do Association’ (UKTA).

Article Two - Expressions

In this constitution, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the meanings as set out below:

The Founder                         Namely Grand Master Rhee Ki Ha OCM (Korea) who founded the UKTA in October 1967
The President                       Namely Grand Master Rhee for a term to be determined at his sole discretion after which term has ceased shall be that person who has been elected in accordance with Article 8 – Masters’ Council, and who shall serve as a figurehead for the Association, shall preside over the Masters’ Council and over the Management Committee
I T F                                        The International Taekwon-Do Federation
UKTA                                                 The United Kingdom Taekwon-Do Association
ITF Rules                               The Constitution, Rules, Regulations and Requirements of the ITF
AETF                                      The All Europe Taekwon-Do Federation
BTC                                        The British Taekwon-Do Council
Masters’ Council                  As appointed in accordance with Article Eight
Management Committee   The Management Committee of the UKTA as elected in accordance with Article Nine
UKTA Members                    All persons who have paid relevant fees and subscriptions in accordance with Article Six
Registered Instructor           A qualified Instructor who has paid the appropriate registration fee and fulfilled the requirements of the BTC
Registered School               A training facility at which a Registered Instructor teaches for at least 75% of classes
Tenets of Taekwon-Do       The received Tenets of Taekwon-Do being briefly: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and Indomitable Spirit
Encyclopaedia                     The 15 volume Encyclopaedia and recent condensed versions of the encyclopaedia of Taekwon-Do written by General Choi Hong Hi

Naming conventions:                  Masculine terms should be read as both masculine and feminine

Article Three- Objectives

1. To be the Governing Body for the purpose of instruction of Taekwon-Do to members of Schools and affiliated organisations in the United Kingdom
2. To promote, wherever possible, the Art of Taekwon-Do and observance of the Tenets of Taekwon-Do
3. To promote and encourage the moral, cultural and physical education of all Taekwon-Do practitioners
4. To promote and enhance the authority and value of Taekwon-Do, by developing and standardising techniques and theory
5. To supervise the instruction provided by UKTA schools and affiliated organisations and to encourage the opening of Registered Schools and to provide support to all Registered Instructors
6. To ensure compliance by UKTA schools, affiliated organisations and members with this constitution and attendant rules and regulations

Article Four – Governing Bodies

1. The Association shall aim to comply with the rules of and maintain continued membership of:
1. The International Taekwon-Do Federation
2. The All Europe Taekwon-Do Federation
3. The British Taekwon-Do Council

Article Five - Structure

1. The Association shall consist of
1. The Founder (until his demise)
2. The President
3. The Masters’ Council
4. The Management Committee
5. Registered School Instructors
6. Individual Members

 Article Six - Membership

Applications for membership shall be made in the appropriate manner to the management committee or its delegated person or body.

1. A Member
1. A person who has had their application accepted by the management committee and has made full payment shall be deemed a member.

2. Eligibility
1. Any person of any nationality in any location in the UK or its protectorate states may apply for membership.
2. The Association reserves the right to refuse an application at its own discretion.

3. Term of Membership
1. The membership term is one year
2. The term of membership shall usually commence on the date commenced training or the anniversary of that date

4. Termination of Membership
1. Membership shall cease on:

1. Expiry of the term of membership where a renewal fee has not been received
2. The date of written resignation of a member.
3. The date of written suspension or expulsion of a member.

2. The Committee shall have the right to suspend or terminate the membership of an individual on the grounds that the member has acted to the detriment, or contrary to the interests of the Association.

Article Seven – Rights and Duties of Members

1. Members are entitled to take part in all Association activities and to receive all Association benefits, unless under suspension.
2. Members shall at all times observe the Rules of the Association and it’s Governing Bodies and shall observe the Tenets of Taekwon-Do
3. An existing or ex-member shall have no rights whatsoever over Association funds or intellectual or physical property

Article Eight - Masters’ Council (The Council)

1. Structure
1. The Masters’ Council (the Council) will comprise of a maximum of 9 members, including the President.

2. Eligibility
1. Members of the UKTA who hold a minimum rank of 7th Degree Black Belt of the ITF
2. Members of the Council may not also be a member of the Management Committee, with the exception of the President

3. Election
1. Strictly by invitation of the Founder
2. Following the demise of the Founder new members shall be invited by a majority vote of existing members.
3. Following the resignation of The Founder as President, members of The Council shall hold the office of President by rotation and shall be elected by a 75% majority vote of all Council members.

4. Cessation
1. Cessation of Council membership will occur on:

1. Expiry of Association membership
2. Invitation of the Founder to relinquish Council membership
3. Invitation of the President to relinquish Council membership backed by a majority vote of other Council members.

2. Cessation of the Presidency, where the President is not the Founder, will occur on the third anniversary of election.

5. Vacancies
1. Vacancies may be filled at any time in accordance with Art.8.3.a & b. above

6. Duties

1. To maintain the technical and ethical standards of the Association
2. To monitor the Association’s national standards of tuition
3. To conduct area colour belt seminars
4. To conduct all promotional exams for 2nd Kup and above
5. To conduct regional black belt seminars
6. To authorise examiners and / or conduct promotion exams for students of Assistant Instructors
7. To conduct Instructor seminars
8. To conduct Examiner Seminars
9. To conduct Umpire and Referee courses and seminars

Article Nine – Management Committee(Committee)

1. Structure

1. The Management Committee (the Committee) shall comprise of the President, the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson, the National Secretary, the Treasurer and others with a minimum membership of five and a maximum membership of nine
2. Titles may be determined and allocated as necessary by the Committee
3. One person may hold more than one office

2. Eligibility

1. Members shall have held UKTA membership for a minimum period of 2 years
2. Members shall be aged 18 years or above
3. Members shall hold a minimum rank of 1st Degree Black Belt of the ITF

3. Election

1. Every 3 years the entire Committee, excluding the President, will stand for re-election.
2. Election to Committee will be by a majority vote of Registered School Instructors present at an AGM.

4. Vacancies

1. Every year, only to fill any vacancies on the Committee, candidates may stand for election in accordance with Art.9.3.b. above, the term of office can then only extend to the end of the current five year period.

5. Co-Opted Members
1. Co-Opted members may be appointed by a majority vote at a Committee Meeting as and when the need arises
2. Co-Opted members shall not be voting members of the Committee

6. Cessation

1. Cessation of Committee membership will occur on:
2. Expiry of Association membership
3. Expiry of the five year term
4. Resignation
5. Removal
6. Members considering resigning shall:
7. Endeavour to give sufficient notice for an appropriate handover
8. Deliver all monies, papers, books, software, records and other property belonging to the Association to the in-coming post holder
9. Any committee member may be suspended by the majority vote of the other committee members.  On suspension a disciplinary board will be convened, chaired by a member of the Masters’ Council.  The Committee will accept the result of the board.  The member may accept the board’s decision, however if they choose they may also put their case to the next AGM and will accept the majority vote

7. Duties
1. The Committee’s primary duties are:

1. To run the Association on a day to day basis in a legal and professional manner with due regard to the welfare of members and to safeguarding the reputation and assets of the Association
2. To ensure compliance with the Association’s Rules & Constitution and Financial Regulations, the regulations of Governing Bodies and the Tenets of Taekwon-Do

2. In order to achieve Art.9.7.a. above, the Committee will:

1. Arrange the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association, which will normally be held in November
2. Approve the appointment of Instructors in Member schools
3. Arrange competitions in the United Kingdom.
4. Manage the finances of the UKTA and place before the Members, once in each calendar year, approved accounts

Article Ten – Indemnification

1. Every member of the Masters’ Council and Management Committee and every co-opted member or employee of the Association shall be indemnified by the Association and there shall be paid out of Association funds all costs, losses and expenses of any nature which such person may incur or become liable to by reason of any contract entered into or act or thing properly done by him/her in the course of or in discharge of his/her duties to or for and behalf of the Association.
2. To this end the Association shall continuously maintain an appropriate insurance policy
3. This Constitution and claims made against the UKTA or any of its officers or members shall be governed by English Law

Article Eleven – Meetings

Management Committee Meetings

1. Notice

1. Notice of a meeting of the Management Committee shall include an agenda for the meeting and 14 clear days shall be given both as to the business, time, date and place of the meeting, or whether it shall be by conference call.
2. In case of an emergency meeting the President shall authorise the giving of such lesser notice as may, at his sole discretion, seem to be reasonable.

2. Quorum
1. A quorum of a valid meeting shall be four
2. A meeting shall be deemed valid where the quorum is physically present, by conference call, or a combination of the two

3. Voting & Decisions
1. The decision of the Management Committee shall be made by a majority vote out of the members present.
2.  provided that, In the event of an equality of votes, The President shall have the casting vote.
3. The Committee may conduct a postal vote on any matter amongst the Registered School Instructors.  When a majority of the Instructors who vote are in favour of any resolution made by post, then it shall be deemed to be fully valid.
4. Each decision:

1. Proposing an alteration of the Constitution must be put to a vote of Registered Instructors within one month.
2. Amending the Financial Regulations must be communicated to Registered Instructors via the next available newsletter.
3.  Amending the Rules & Regulations must be communicated to the Registered Instructors via the next available newsletter.

4. Conflicts of Interest
1. Each member of the Committee shall fully disclose to the meeting any and all actual and apparent conflicts of interest regarding a matter that comes before the Committee or otherwise materially affects the Association’s assets or affairs (including, without limitation, conflicts deriving from material, financial, family, or organizational interests).
2. That member shall provide such relevant information as the Committee requires to evaluate the conflict and take pertinent action
3. That member will be disqualified from voting (and participating in discussions, if so requested by the Committee) on any matter involving a conflict, if so voted by the Committee

5. Minutes
1. Minutes shall be recorded at each Management meeting.
2. Minutes shall detail:

1. The subject in question
2. Discussions held
3. Decisions made
4. Voting, abstentions, objections
5. Resulting action and the person required to carry out this action

3. Minutes shall be distributed within one week to members present for approval
4. Approved minutes shall be distributed within one further week to:

1. All members of the Masters’ Council
2. All Management Committee Members
3. All co-opted Members at the discretion of the Chairman
4. Any guest invited to attend the said meeting, at the discretion of the Chairman

5. Approved minutes shall be verified as so at the next Committee meeting.
6. Approved minutes shall be inserted in a bound Minute Book and signed and dated by the Chairman.
7. The Minute Book shall be available to all attendees at every Association meeting

Annual General Meetings

6. Notice
1. Members shall be given three months notice of the date and place of the AGM.
2. Members shall be given one months notice of the time of the AGM.

7. Agenda
1. The Committee will decide the agenda of the AGM.
2. Any Registered Instructor may request additional items for the agenda, in writing, a minimum of 2 months in advance.

8. Eligibility to Attend
1. All Black Belt members over 18 years old are eligible to attend.

9. Quorum
1. A quorum of a valid meeting shall be 12 (being the members of The Council and The Committee)

10. Voting
1. Decisions are made by a majority vote of Registered Instructors present, with the exception of items detailed at Art.14.1.
2. In the event of an equality of votes, The President shall have the casting vote.
3. Each decision amending the Constitution, Financial Regulations or the Rules & Regulations must be communicated to the Registered Instructors via the next available newsletter.

11. Conflicts of Interest
1. Each attendee of the AGM shall fully disclose to the meeting any and all actual and apparent conflicts of interest regarding a matter that comes before the AGM or otherwise materially affects the Association’s assets or affairs (including, without limitation, conflicts deriving from material, financial, family, or organizational interests).
2. That member shall provide such relevant information as the AGM requires to evaluate the conflict and take pertinent action
3. That member may be disqualified from voting (and participating in discussions, if so requested by the AGM) on any matter involving a conflict, if so voted by the AGM

12. Minutes
1. Minutes shall be recorded at each AGM
2. Minutes shall detail:

1. The subject in question
2. Discussions held
3. Decisions made
4. Resulting action and the person required to carry out this action.

3. Minutes shall be distributed within one month to:

1. All members of the Masters’ Council
2. All Management Committee Members
3. All co-opted Members at the discretion of the Chairman
4. All Registered Instructors in attendance

4. Minutes shall be approved at the next AGM
5. Minutes shall be inserted in a bound Minute Book. They shall be signed and dated by the Chairman once approved
6. The Minute Book shall be available to all attendees at every Association meeting

Article Twelve – Financial Administration

1. The financial aspects of the Association shall be governed by the Financial Regulations
2. The Committee has the power to appoint suitably qualified auditors or other professional advisers as required
3. The Committee shall decide, as necessary, the rate of all subscriptions, fees and charges to members and member Schools
4. The Association, through its Committee, shall have power to buy, hold and sell Estates and interests in land whether freehold or leasehold and to borrow against pledge charges or create encumbrances over such estates and interests

Article Thirteen - Expulsions  

1. Members who breach the Constitution or Rules of the Association or whose conduct shall be deemed to be contrary to the ethics of Taekwon-Do, or contrary to the well-being of the Association or liable to bring the Association into disrepute may be open to a disciplinary procedure
2. The Council or Committee may make a case for expulsion to a special disciplinary panel
3. The Panel will consist of a Chairman appointed by the Council and members drawn from the Council and / or the Committee.
4. The Panel may expel from Affiliation or Membership of the UKTA any affiliated organisation or member who it finds to be in material breach as per Article 13.1
5. In considering expulsion the Panel may impose any lesser penalty it may see fit, including (but not limited to) suspension or limitation of activities.
6. No affiliated body or Member shall be expelled or suffer any other penalty without being given an opportunity to know the case against them and to answer the specific case before the Panel
7. Notice of any hearing by the panel shall be given at least fourteen days before taking place and such notice shall broadly state the case against the affiliated body or Member

Article Fourteen - Amendments  

1. Registered Instructors may by resolution, alter, amend or delete the Constitution or any part of it by a majority vote except insofar as the same relates to the powers of the Founder and his term of office

Article Fifteen – Matters Not Covered

1. The Management Committee shall have the power to decide any matter not covered by the Rules & Constitution and any decision shall be final.