NAMIR was formed in 1993 to provide a dedicated craft association for the profession of musical instrument repairer.
Members repair and make a wide range of instruments including: woodwind, brass, fretted and non-fretted strings, pianos and percussion instruments.

Benefits of Membership:

   •      Information exchange and networking with other members
   •      Two meetings a year with speakers
   •      One or two technical visits per year
   •      Quarterly magazine ‘The Intrepid Repairer’
   •      Website listing for Professional members
   •      A notice-board and access to a members’ forum on the website
   •      Use of logo by Professional members

1. - Introduction
1.1. - The name of the Association shall be “National Association of Musical Instrument Repairers” (NAMIR).
 
2. - Objectives
2.1. - The Association shall have the following objectives: -
 
2.1.1. - To encourage a high standard of workmanship and customer care
 
2.1.2. - To provide a means of information exchange on techniques and parts availability
 
2.1.3. - To publish a journal known as ‘The Intrepid Repairer’
 
2.1.4. - To arrange social and technical meetings
 
2.1.5. - To appoint an arbitrator in the event of a dispute between member and customer
 
2.1.6. - To maintain a website

2.1.7. - To provide bursaries at the discretion of the committee to selected student members in the form of provision of specialist tools, equipment and/or literature.
 
3. - Membership
3.1. - Membership of the Association is available to companies or individuals that repair musical instruments or have an interest in the same.
 
3.2. - Applications for membership shall be submitted on a form as prescribed by the Association. - All applications will be considered by the Executive Committee.
 
3.3. - Admission to membership is at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
 
3.4. - The Association reserves the right to reject any application without giving any reasons.
 
3.5. - On admission of membership, the Executive Committee will designate each new member a class of membership. - Designation of membership class is designed as a reference aid to the Association and its members to reflect each member’s level of experience, formal training and contribution to the business of musical instrument repair. - The classes of membership that may be awarded are as follows: -
 
3.5.1. - Professional
 
3.5.2. - Associate
 
3.5.3. - Student
 
3.5.4. - Retired Professional
 
3.5.5. - Honorary
 
3.6. - It is a condition of membership that the NAMIR logo may only be reproduced and used by Professional Members.
 
3.7. - The Membership Secretary may request references in regard of any application.
 
3.8. - In the absence of adequate evidence of qualifications, training or references, the Membership Secretary may request that the applicant attend an assessment by interview. - Such an interview shall take place with the Membership Secretary or any other Professional Member appointed by the Executive Committee for this purpose.
 
4. - Associates
4.1. - The Executive Committee shall, at its discretion, admit as an Associate Member any individual, business, company or organisation that does not repair musical instruments but is otherwise interested in the business. - Associates shall be entitled to receive most publications and other literature prepared under the auspices of the Association.
 
5. - Subscriptions
5.1. - The subscription year runs from 1st March each year to the end of the following February.
 
5.2. - The Financial year of the Association will run from 1st October to the
30th September of each calendar year.
 
5.3. - The annual subscription level for each grade of membership will be set by the Executive Committee for each subscription year and will be notified to the membership with their subscription renewal.
 
5.4. - In the event of non - payment of a subscription by a member, a reminder will be sent but if the subscription has not been paid 6 months after it is due, the membership will be deemed to have lapsed and the member will no longer receive the benefits of membership.
 
6. - Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary General Meetings
6.1. - The Association shall hold an Annual General Meeting not later than four months after the end of each financial year.
 
6.2. - The Executive Committee or at least 10 members of the Association may at any time require the Secretary to convene an Extraordinary General Meeting.
 
6.3. - The Secretary shall give not less than 21 days notice to members of a General or Extraordinary Meeting. - Such notice may be by post or electronic mail.
 
6.4. - All items discussed and Minutes and other papers circulated in connection with meetings are private and confidential and a condition of membership is that they shall not be divulged to any non - member.
 
6.5. - No business shall be transacted at any meeting unless a quorum is present. - Fifteen (15) persons entitled to vote upon the business to be transacted; each being a member or a proxy for a member shall be a quorum.
 
6.6. - Each Professional, Retired Professional, Associate Member and current member of the committee shall have one vote. -
 
6.7. - Where a voting member is a company or business, that company or business shall appoint a representative who may attend the meeting and vote.
 
6.8. - At any General Meeting members may appoint a proxy to attend and vote on their behalf. - Proxy nominations must be received by the Secretary 14 days before the meeting.
 
6.9. - In the event of a tied vote at an Annual General or Extraordinary General meeting paragraph 7.2 shall apply.
 
7. - Executive Committee
7.1. - The affairs of the Association shall be directed by an Executive Committee comprising: -
 
7.1.1. - Chairman
 
7.1.2. - Secretary
 
7.1.3. - Treasurer
 
7.1.4. - Membership Secretary
 
7.1.5. - Editor Intrepid Repairer
 
7.1.6. - Website Coordinator
 
7.1.7. - Events Organiser
 
7.1.8. - Up to four ordinary committee members
 
7.1.9. - The Executive Committee shall have the power to co - opt such further members as it shall at its discretion think fit; such appointments to be subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting next following such appointment.
 
7.2. - Each Executive Committee member shall have one vote. - The Chairman shall have a casting vote in the event of equality.
 
7.3. - The Executive Committee is to meet a minimum of twice a year and as many more times as is considered necessary.
 
7.4. - The Executive Committee is quorate when five members are present, at least three of whom must be Officers. - In the event of non - attendance by the Chairman the chair at an Executive Committee meeting will be taken by one of the ordinary Executive Committee members as decided at the meeting.
 
7.5. - The Executive Committee meetings are called by the Secretary who will issue an agenda (agreed with the Chairman) at least one week before the meeting.
 
7.6. - A member of the Executive Committee may claim for reimbursement of expenses incurred in carrying out their duties. - The following are indicative of the type of expense that may be claimed: -
 
7.6.1. - Postage and stationery
 
7.6.2. - Phone calls on NAMIR business
 
7.6.3. - Photo - copying
 
7.6.4. - Printing
 
7.6.5. - Preparing the Executive Committee lunch - (by the host for that day)
 
7.6.6. - Internet costs incurred by the Membership Secretary or Website Coordinator
 
7.6.7. - Any other cost incurred or honorarium given on behalf of the Association that the Executive Committee considers to be appropriate
 
7.7. - Not claimable are travel costs associated with attending Executive Committee and General Meetings.
 
8. - Appointment and Removal of Executive Committee Officers
8.1. - The officers of the Executive Committee shall be members of the Association and shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.
 
8.2. - The officers may continue in post for as long as they are willing and they are re - elected at the Annual General Meeting.
 
8.3. - Any members willing to stand for election will be required to offer themselves for election each year at the Annual General Meeting.
 
8.4. - During the elections the existing Executive Committee will stand down and the elections will be conducted by someone of standing in the Association such as a past Executive Committee member.
 
8.5. - In the event that only one person offers himself or herself for a post their election will be carried with a simple majority by a show of hands of the members present.
 
8.6. - In the event of their being two or more candidates for a post, the candidates will be asked to leave the room and an election conducted by show of hands.
 
8.7. - A member of the Executive Committee shall cease to be a member by giving 14 days written notice of their resignation to the Secretary.
 
8.8. - An officer can at any time be asked to stand down by a majority vote of the Executive Committee and this decision shall be reported to the next Annual General Meeting.
 
9. - Committees and Panels
9.1. - The Executive Committee may establish and maintain Sub - committees and Project Groups and delegate matters to them.
 
9.2. - The Executive Committee may appoint technical panels to advise and assist it.

10. - President and Vice President
10.1. - The Executive Committee shall, at its first meeting in each financial year, elect a President to hold office until the first meeting in the following financial year. The Executive Committee shall also elect a Vice President. In the event of the President or the Vice President resigning, the Committee shall have power to elect a replacement to serve for the remainder of the term.
 
10.2. - The duties of these positions are minimal but holders shall be the principal representatives of the Association and are expected to uphold the objectives of the Association and encourage members of the profession to join the Association as and when appropriate.
 
11. - Publicity
11.1. - The Association shall publish a report on its activities and a list of subscribing members annually. Both these documents will be published on the Association’s website with the membership list being updated regularly.
 
11.2. - The Association shall maintain a Website publicising its professional activities.
 
12. - Expulsions and Termination of Membership
12.1. - The Executive Committee may at its discretion terminate the membership of any member for reasons of: -
12.1.1. - Professional or fiscal misconduct
 
12.1.2. - Failure to fulfil the conditions of membership
 
12.2. - In such a case the member has the right of appeal in person to a sub - Executive Committee. - The sub - Executive Committee will be specially formed for this purpose and it will make a recommendation to the full Executive Committee on whether the expulsion should be upheld or rescinded.
 
12.3. - A member may at any time withdraw from the Association by giving at least 7 clear days’ notice to the Secretary. - Membership shall not be transferable and shall cease on death.
 
13. - Other Matters
13.1. - The Association does not itself provide any formal education in instrument repair. - However it does maintain information on available means of obtaining such education in the UK and will impart this information both to members and the public at large.
 
13.2. - The Association is not formally affiliated to any other organisation.
 
13.3. - In the event that formal affiliation is deemed desirable by the Executive Committee a proposal will be made to the next Annual General Meeting and its agreement sought.
 
13.4. - There is no provision for the Association to raise loans.
 
13.5. - External Auditors are not appointed. - However if there is a majority at an Annual General Meeting that wishes the accounts to be audited, it may appoint two members for this purpose.
 
13.6. - Notices are served on members by email or post at the last known address.
 
14. - Revision of the Constitution
14.1. - This constitution may be amended by the Association, provided that at least 75% of the members of the Association present at the Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting vote in favour of amendments of which notice has been given to the Secretary at least 35 days prior to the date set for the Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting.
 
15. - Dissolution of the Association
15.1. - If the Executive Committee decide that it is necessary for the Association to be dissolved because of lack of support or inability to carry on for financial reasons an Extraordinary Meeting will be called and a motion put for such dissolution. - If the motion is passed, any remaining financial assets of the Association will be distributed to current members only, in proportion to the subscription income that they have paid over the years while a member.
 
This Constitution was approved by the Annual General Meeting on 20/11/2004