Membership Rules for the Equine Podiatry Association (UK)
Issue:4.0
Last updated: 30th December 2022
These Rules are made in accordance with the Articles of Association and relate to membership requirements of the Association.
- There shall be four classes of membership:
- “Full Membership”. This class of membership is available to any person practising as an Equine Podiatrist who fulfils the criteria described in the Training and Qualification Standard.
- “Student Membership”. This class of membership is open to those who are actively enrolled on a course in Equine Podiatry that is recognised by the Association as defined in the Training and Qualification Standard.
- “Sabbatical Membership”. This class of membership is a holding membership for Full members who wish to take a sabbatical for various reasons. Sabbatical members should not work for reward, whether financial or otherwise during the period of their Sabbatical membership.
- “Retired Membership”. This class of membership is reserved for former full members of the association who are no longer working for reward, whether financial or otherwise.
- Applications for membership must be submitted to the Association Secretary on official application forms. Such information shall remain confidential excepting the minimum information which is required to be entered on the register of members or published in any directory of members.
- Applicants for membership shall agree to be bound by the Memorandum and Articles of Association and all published Association Rules.
- Applications shall be considered promptly by the Council or their appointed representative(s) who have the power to reject applications if deemed unsuitable. Where an application is rejected, reasons must be given in writing. Where an application for membership is rejected, the applicant has the right to request that this decision be reviewed by the Association Council at it’s next scheduled meeting. Such requests should be made in writing to the Association Secretary.
- Applications shall be acknowledged promptly and decisions advised to the applicant without delay.
- Benefits of membership shall not be awarded until any fees due have been paid, and any other compulsory membership requirements such as CPD and insurance have been met.
- The Council may, at their discretion, elect any person to be an Honorary Member of the Association. An Honorary Member shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting of the Association or to be elected as a Member of the Council and shall not be subject to the payment of any subscription or fee as a condition of such Honorary Membership.
- The Council may make recommendations for fee structures and rates up to three years ahead. Fee structures may include incentives or penalties to encourage prompt payment. Annual fees are approved at a General Meeting of Members.
- All Members must renew their membership annually on 1st June. Any fees due as a result of membership changes through the year will be payable on a pro-rata basis to bring them into line with the annual membership renewal date.
- Annual fees shall be invoiced and paid promptly. If not paid within the due time a penalty fee may be imposed automatically.
- The number of the Members of the Association is unlimited.
- Full Members must satisfy the requirements for Continuing Professional Development as laid down in the Continuing Professional Development Standard. Any members who have not complied with the minimum requirements shall have their membership reviewed by the Council or its representative(s), who have the power to cancel membership if they deem it necessary.
- All members must satisfy the requirements of the Member Insurance Rules where applicable. Full members must provide evidence of appropriate insurance cover at each annual membership renewal. Any Full member who is found not to have complied with the Member Insurance Rules shall be referred to the Council, who have the power to sanction the member, up to and including cancellation of membership.
- At the point of becoming a Member, at the point of any change in membership class and at each annual renewal, each Member must pay the appropriate fee for their class of membership as published from time to time by the Association. Failure to pay the fee within a period of 30 days of the date of renewal shall result in a cessation of membership.
- An alphabetical register of the Members for the time being shall be kept by the Association Secretary and shall contain in addition to each Member’s name, his or her class of membership, address and contact details. Full members agree to having their contact details published by the Association.
- Full Members may be required to provide both a suitable photograph of themselves and a short biography for inclusion on the Association Web Site.
- All members are required to notify any change of name or contact details to the Association Secretary in writing or by electronic means within 30 days of that change.
- A Member wishing to discontinue Membership shall give written notice thereof to the Council one month at least before the expiration of their subscription year, and on the expiration of such year shall cease to be a Member. A Member who gives such a notice less than one month before the expiration of their current subscription year shall cease to be a Member on the expiration of that year but shall nonetheless be liable for his subscription for the ensuing year.
- The Association may terminate any membership by following the due processes set down in the Memorandum and Articles of Association or in any Association Rules. In the event of termination by the Association any fees due or other sums owing to the Association shall be payable immediately. In the event of non-payment sums owed may be pursued as a debt to the Association.
- Any former Full member who wishes to return to Full membership may do so, provided that they provide a record of the following evidence of continued competence:
- If the period of withdrawal was less than 3 years, evidence of having completed 5 days of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) should be provided in the same format as the annual requirement for Full membership
- If the period of withdrawal was between 3 and 5 years, evidence of having completed 10 days CPD is required. This must include one day of shadowing a Full Member and attendance on at least one Trim day within the year leading up to re-joining as a Full member.
- Where the period of withdrawal exceeds 5 years the council can, at their discretion, require further evidence of up-to-date competence such as sitting an appropriate examination in addition to evidence of appropriate CPD.
- Sabbatical and Retired membership is available so long as the member holds membership of the Association continuously from the point of ceasing to be a Full member. Sabbatical membership ceases to be available after a period of five years from ceasing to be a Full member. Sabbatical and Retired members are expected to abide all relevant Association rules.