1. Name
The name of this organisation shall be the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team. It will also be recognised under the Irish translation of its name, Foireann Tharrthála Sléibhe Thir Chonaill.
2. Main Objectives
a) To search for and rescue people in danger of injury or death in remote environments and extreme terrain, primarily in, but not confined to the mountainous regions of Co. Donegal.
b) To acquire resources and to train to develop protocols and techniques to achieve objective (a)
c) To inform the public about the hazards associated with outdoor activities in remote environments and to disseminate information about the team.
3. The Irish Mountain Rescue Association (IMRA)
The Donegal Mountain Rescue Team is recognised by and is represented on the Irish Mountain Rescue Association.
Membership
a) There shall be four levels of membership recognised by the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team:
i) Probationary Membership
ii) Mountain Responder Membership
iii) Base Responder Membership
iv) Associate Membership
i) Probationary Membership
All new members will spend a minimum of a one-year probationary period within the team before being eligible for operational or operational support membership. During this time their aptitude and potential for mountain rescue operations will be assessed through the team's internal training system. Anyone who does not meet the required level of competence, fitness and attendance for a particular membership level may have their membership revoked at the discretion of the committee.
ii) Mountain Responder Membership
Mountain Responder members are active emergency responders on the call-out list. To qualify for mountain responder membership members must:
1) Attend a minimum of 50% of all Donegal MRT operations in each 3 month training period.
2) Successfully complete the internal personal competence assessments in Mountain Skills, Casualty Care and SAR Skills;
3) Maintain an experience logbook to record team training and relevant external training.
If this level of attendance is not achieved the member will be informed in writing and their attendance level reviewed again in the next 3 month period. If they fail to achieve 50% attendance in this training period then the committee may adjust their membership status. Mountain responder members may apply in writing to the committee for personal leave. During the time they specify they will be dropped from the operational call-out list and their training attendance will not be recorded for the purposes of the training system.
iii) Base Responder Membership
Base Responder members are active emergency responders on the call-out list. To qualify for operational membership members must:
1) Attend a minimum of 50% of all Donegal MRT operations in each 3 month training period.
2) Successfully complete the internal personal competence assessments in Communications, Casualty Care and SAR Operation Support Skills;
3) Maintain an experience logbook to record team training and relevant external training.
If this level of attendance is not achieved the member will be informed in writing and their attendance level reviewed again in the next 3 month period. If they fail to achieve 50% attendance in this training period then the committee may adjust their membership status. Base responder members may apply in writing to the committee for personal leave. During the time they specify they will be dropped from the operational call-out list and their training attendance will not be recorded for the purposes of the training system.
iv) Associate Membership
Associate members of the team will not be listed on the active call-out list, but may be deployed to SAR incidents in a secondary support role at the
discretion of the team leader or the person appointed to act in their absence. Associate members are expected to assist the team in its non-emergency operations of administration, fundraising and educating the public about the hazards of remote environments and extreme terrain. All associate members are subject to probationary membership and must complete a Basic Rescue Skills course.
b) Membership shall be open to all who are over 18 at the time of application and who in the opinion of the executive committee subscribe to the aims of the team and meet the agreed criteria for the level of membership that they are applying for.
c) All applicants to the team must fully complete a membership form. Membership of the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team may involve significant contact with children and as such all members must also agree to a criminal records check by the GARDA for the purposes of child protection. The results of this check are confidential any disclosures will be only made to the current team leader.
d) Membership is valid to 31st December of each calendar year for a maximum of 12 months. Membership must be renewed each year. Any member who fails to return a membership renewal form by the date specified in the AGM notification documentation will have their membership suspended and they will loose all membership rights until the next committee meeting where their re-application can be considered.
e) Probationary members do not have voting rights at an AGM or EGM.
5. Membership Subscription
The annual subscription will be determined at the AGM. Payment will be in advance of the AGM to enable membership renewals to be processed.
6. Suspension & Expulsion of Members.
Any member may have their membership suspended or may have their membership revoked if, in the opinion of a majority of the committee, they have brought the team into disrepute through one or more of the following actions:
i) Disregard for the safety of themselves and others;
ii) Disregard for the charitable objectives and regulations of the team in the form of the Standard Operational Procedures and the Constitution of this organisation.
iii) Have publicly brought the team into disrepute.
iv) A member receives a legal or custodial sentence from a legal court of any country recognised by the United Nations.
The duration and level of such action shall be at the discretion of the committee. Where a legal sentence has been imposed the period of suspension will at least equal that of the legal sentence. The committee is to call before them any member who is being considered for suspension or termination for that member to explain their actions. Any member who is suspended or whose membership is terminated has the right to appeal to a general meeting called under the conditions outlined within Section 11 of this constitution. The appeal may be made to the meeting, but the suspended or terminated member must leave the room whilst the team makes its final decision.
7. Management
a) Officers
The officers of the team shall be:
" Chairperson
" Secretary
" Treasurer
" Team Leader
" 2 Assistant Team Leaders
" Training Officer
" Equipment Officer
" Public & Media Relations Officer
The positions of team leader, assistant team leaders, training officer and equipment officer may only be held by members recognised as having current operational membership status within Donegal MRT. Other officer positions are open to all members. All officers shall be elected annually, but may be re-elected at the annual general meeting. The election of officers shall be carried out by secret ballot and a returning officer who is not a member of Donegal MRT shall be appointed to oversee the election. In the event that any officer position is unfilled or any officer is unable to complete their term of office then the executive committee has the power to co-opt any suitable member of the team to fufil the duties of the absent officer until the next EGM or AGM.
b) Executive Committee
The executive committee shall consist of the above named officers. The Executive committee shall have the power to co-opt the maximum of two members. At executive meetings each committee member has a vote. Co-opted members may only vote on matters relating to the subject for which they were co-opted. In the event of voting being equal on a particular motion, the chairman shall have a casting vote.
At all meetings of the committee, Annual General Meetings and Extra-Ordinary General Meetings, a majority shall determine every question. Five members including one officer shall form a quorum.
c) The duties of the above named officers are outlined in detail in the officer responsibility section of the operational guidelines.
d) Should the chair be unable to attend any meeting the members shall elect one of their number to enable business to be completed.
e) No officer shall hold the same committee position for a period longer than three consecutive years.
8. Powers of the Executive Committee
i) To carry out the general management of the team in line with this constitution.
ii) To acquire and dispose of property.
iii) To control expenditure.
iv) To borrow such sums as shall be required for the team and to charge property and assets of the team as securities for such sums borrowed.
v) To generate, agree, manage and report on a development plan to guide the team's development.
9. Finance and Audit
a) The funds of the team shall be administered by Treasurer on behalf of the team. The treasurer and two other appointed officers shall be the signatories on cheques. The treasurer shall report the current state of the funds at each committee meeting. The bank shall be requested to send a statement of both current and deposit accounts directly to the treasurer at the end of every quarter.
b) All funds and assets, including equipment of the team shall be applied solely in furthering the charitable objects of the team, no part may be transferred directly or indirectly to members, with the exception of the reimbursement of reasonable and proper out of pocket expenses in furtherance of said objects.
c) The financial transactions of the team shall be recorded in a proper set of books and shall be audited annually by an auditor.
d) The financial year shall end on the 31st December and all accounts shall be made up to that date.
10. Meetings
a) Types of Meeting
There shall be four types of meeting recognised by this constitution to conduct team business:
i) Annual General Meeting
ii) Extra-Ordinary General Meeting
iii) Team Meeting
iv) Executive Committee Meeting
b) Annual General Meeting
i) The annual general meeting shall be held before the 31st of
January each year.
The business of this meeting will be:-
a. Minutes of previous AGM.
b. Matters arising.
c. Chairpersons Report
d. Secretarys Report.
e. Treasurers Report
f. Team Leaders Report.
g. Training Officers Report.
h. Equipment Officers Report
i. PRO's Report
j Determine Annual Subscription.
k. Election of Executive Committee.
l. Any Other Business
ii) The secretary shall furnish every member with a notice of the A.G.M. which shall be sent in order to give 28 days notice of such a meeting. A copy of the audited accounts shall be sent with such notices. Motions for consideration will be submitted in writing 14 days before the A.G.M. for inclusion in the agenda. A copy of the agenda will be sent to each member 7 days before the AGM.
c) Extra-Ordinary General Meetings
Extra-Ordinary General Meetings shall be called on any of the following instances:
i) When the Executive Committee considers it necessary.
ii) Upon the receipt of a request signed by at least 30% of all team members eligible to vote at such a meeting.
Any such request shall specify the business to be reviewed and no other business shall be discussed at such meetings. Members shall be given 21 days notice of any E.G.M.s and the notice shall specify the reason for the meeting.
d) Team Meetings
A team meeting open to all members should be held once a month to discuss the business of the team. The business of such meetings shall be:-
i) Minutes of previous meeting.
ii) Matters arising.
iii) Chairpersons Report
iv) Secretary's Report.
v) Treasurers Report
vi) Team Leaders Report.
vii) Training Officers Report.
viii) Equipment Officers Report
ix) PR Officers Report.
x) Membership Status
xi) Any other Business
The minutes of all meetings will be circulated to all members no less than two weeks after each meeting.
e) Executive Committee Meetings
The executive committee meetings shall be called as necessary or at the request of any three members of the committee. The business of such meetings will be confined to specific issues. General business will be dealt with at team meetings.
f) All team members are encouraged to attend all team meetings, executive meetings, EGMs and AGMs.
g) All team members may vote at a team meeting.
11. Constitution
Amendments to the constitution of the team may be made only at the A.G.M. or E.G.M. convened for the purpose. The draft of such proposals or amendments shall be sent to every member at least 7 days before such a meeting. The amendments or alterations shall not be adopted save by a clear majority of members present. 50% of eligible voting members shall form a quorum. Any proposed amendments, additions or alterations must have been previously approved in writing by the Revenue Commissioners before a vote can be taken by team members.
12. Operational Guidelines
The Operational Guidelines provide specific guidance to executive officers and team members on their responsibilities and operational protocols. The Operational Guidelines can only be modified and adapted at a team meeting with a majority vote from team members.
13. Miscellaneous
a) Nominations for officers and Executive Committee must be given in writing at least two weeks before an AGM or EGM convened for the purpose of electing officers. The consent of the nominee must be obtained first and their signature must be on the nomination form. Each nominee must be proposed and seconded by eligible voting members under the terms of this constitution.
b) In the event of any eligible voting member of the team being unable to attend a general meeting that member may appoint in writing any other team member to vote by proxy. The proxy letter must be signed and dated and will be held on record with the minutes of the meeting.
14. Dissolution
The team shall only be dissolved by a resolution passed by a majority of at least five-sixths of the members present and voting at an Extraordinary General Meeting called for the purpose of considering such a dissolution. In the event of dissolution, the disposal of any income, property or assests will be carried out strictly in line with section 17 of this constitution.
15. Sub-Committees
The committee may at any time delegate any, but not all of its duties or powers to any sub-committee consisting of such members of the committee as it may think fit, and with the power to co-opt members. The sub-committee will present its recommendations to a team meeting for ratification.
16. Income and Property
The income and property of Donegal MRT shall be applied solely towards the promotion of its main objects as set forth in this constitution. No portion of the team's income and property shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise howsoever by way of profit, to the members of the team. No officer shall be appointed to any office of the association paid by salary or fees, or receive any remuneration or other benefit in money or money's worth from the association. However, nothing shall prevent any payment in good faith by the team of:
a) Reasonable and proper remuneration to any member of the team (not being an officer) for any services rendered to the team.
b) Interest at a rate not exceeding 5% per annum on money lent by officers or other members of the team to the team.
c) Reasonable and proper rent for premises demised and let by any member of the team (including any officer) to the team.
d) Reasonable and proper out of pocket expenses incurred by any officer in connection with their attendance to any matter affecting the team.
e) Fees, remuneration or other benefit in money or money's worth to any company of which an officer may be a member holding not more than one hundredth part of the issued capital of such company.
18. Winding Up
If upon the winding up or dissolution of the team there remains, after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, it shall not be paid or distributed among the members of the team. Instead such property shall be given or transferred to some other charitable institution or institutions having main objects similar to the main objects of the team. The institution or institutions to which the property is to be given or transferred shall prohibit the distribution of its or their income and property amongst its or their members to an extent at least as great as is imposed on the team under or by virtue of Clause 17 hereof. Members of the team shall select the relevant institution or institutions at or before the time of dissolution and if and so far as effect cannot be given to such provisions, then the property shall be transferred to some charitable object.
19. Additions, alterations or amendments
No addition, alteration or amendment shall be made to or in the provisions of this constitution for the time being in force unless the same shall have been previously approved in writing by the Revenue Commissioners.
20. Keeping of Accounts
Annual audited accounts shall be kept and made available to the Revenue Commissioners on request.
21. Distribution of this Constitution
Each member of Donegal MRT should be furnished with a copy of this constitution.
This constitution was agreed and adopted under the regulations laid out in this document by the majority of voting members of the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting on 4th July 2005 in the Fire Station, Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
This constitution replaces all previous constitutions recognised by the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team.
Chairperson Secretary Treasurer Team Leader
return to Top | 
OUR NEEDS
