The Objective of the National Federation of Pensioners Associations is to protect, support, educate and promote the interests of its Affiliates in matters of general application and common concern and, where appropriate, to coordinate their efforts. To this end the Federation is in regular contact with Government Ministers and Departments on specific matters of concern to older people and pensioners.
The Federation has a number of concerns with regard to Public Service, Semi Private and Private Pensions and have specifically appointed a Sub-Committee to examine and keep up to date with pension legislation and with the issues relating to the Pensions Board. We are pressing to have a separate Pension Board member to represent Occupational pensioners specifically. We also have set up a Sub-Committee to focus on Health and Social Affairs.
Ageism
The NFPA considers that generally a negative view is taken of the demographics relating to older people. The tendency is to view the cost of pensions and health care rather than the value of older people to the community.
Many of the voluntary organisations are run and maintained by older people, who not only give their time but develop worthwhile projects, not just for themselves, but also for all of their community.
While people are required to retire at sixty five, many are very capable of continuing in employment and and in the Federation’s view should be allowed to do so if they so wish.
The NFPA will continue to campaign to have the Equality Authority’s “Implementing Equality for Older People” included in Legislation.
The NFPA are happy to consult and cooperate with other older people organisations, such as the Irish Senior Citizens’ Parliament to achieve their objectives and improve the quality of life for all older people.
Rules of The National Federation of Pensioners Associations
The National Federation of Pensioners Associations Established 1976
Rules
Amended at Annual Delegate Conference April 2010.
Effective 1st May 2010
1. Name of the organisation shall be ‘The National Federation of Pensioners’ Associations’, hereinafter referred to in these Rules as the ‘Federation’
2. Main objective of the Federation shall be to educate, protect, support and promote the interests of the associations affiliated to it in matters of general application and of common concern to their members as pensioners.
3. The Federation shall do all such things as shall be lawfully conducive to the attainment of its objective.
4. Membership of the Federation shall be composed of associations, duly affiliated on application and at the discretion of the Executive Committee, whose membership consists of retired persons in receipt of a pension from a common employer or employment and whose objective is the welfare of those retired pensioners.
Powers
5. (a) The Federation shall be an autonomous, independent body and shall not subscribe to, support or be affiliated to any political party.
(b) Subject to (a), the Federation shall, as appropriate and at its discretion, co-operate with other organisations with a similar objective.
6.
(a) The management of the Federation shall be vested in an Executive Committee consisting of a President, Vice-President, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and not fewer than ten or more than seventeen other members
(b) An Assistant Honorary Secretary may be appointed from amongst the members of the Committee if required.
7. The Officers and other members of the Executive Committee shall be elected at the Annual Delegate Conference, having been duly nominated by Affiliated Associations or by the outgoing Executive Committee and having signified their willingness to act if elected. Members of the outgoing Committee shall be eligible for re-election if duly nominated. No person may be nominated for more than one Officership.
8. The Officers and other members of the Executive Committee shall remain in office from the conclusion of the Annual Delegate Conference at which elected until the conclusion of the following Annual Delegate Conference.
9.
(a) The Executive Committee may, at its discretion, co-opt additional members where vacancies exist, including persons from organisations not affiliated to NFPA, whose expertise is needed by the Executive Committee to operate more efficiently, up to the maximum number of members as defined in rule 6. Persons co-opted shall remain in office until the conclusion of the ensuing Annual Delegate Conference.
(b) The Executive Committee may appoint an Executive Officer on appropriate terms, if the Committee considers such an appointment feasible and necessary.
10. Should the Office of President become vacant, the Vice-President shall automatically become President for the unexpired portion of the term of office. The Executive Committee shall fill any other vacancy for an Officer arising during the year.
11. The Executive Committee shall normally meet once per month or at such other interval as the Committee shall decide. The quorum for a meeting shall be eight, one of whom shall be an Officer.
12.
(a) Any member of the Executive who is absent from three consecutive meetings without explanation shall be deemed to have resigned from the Committee.
(b) The Honorary Secretary shall advise an Executive Committee member absent without explanation from two consecutive meetings of Rule 12
Funding
13.
(a) The Annual Subscription payable by an Affiliated Association to the National Federation of Pensioners Associations shall be based on membership of that Affiliated Association according to the following sliding scale: – The Affiliated Association shall pay for their first 800 members at the rate of 20 cents per member, The Affiliated Association shall pay for their next 700 members at the rate of 15 cents per member to a maximum of up to 1500 members The Affiliated Association shall pay for their membership above 1500 members at the rate of 10 cents per member. Subject to a minimum subscription of €40 per annum.
(b) Subscriptions of Affiliated Associations shall be due for payment to the Honorary Treasurer, ( 1) on the 1st January each year and ( 2 ) on joining the Federation.
(c) The delegates of any Affiliated Association which has not paid its annual subscription in any year shall not be entitled to vote at the Annual Delegate Conference of the following year.
14. In addition to subscriptions, the Executive Committee shall be empowered to accept grants and donations towards the expenses of the Federation.
15. All subscriptions grants and donations received on behalf of the Federation shall be lodged in a bank or other financial institution selected by the Executive Committee. Approved payments in excess of an amount determined by the Executive Committee shall be paid by cheque drawn on the bank or other financial institution and signed by any two of the three nominated officers.
16. The Executive Committee shall be empowered to pay all expenses incurred in conducting the affairs of the Federation.
17.
(a)The Federation’s financial year shall end on the 31st December each year. Accounts shall be prepared by the Honorary Treasurer or his/her deputy for audit by the auditors appointed by the Executive Committee. The audited accounts shall be presented each year at the Annual Delegate Conference.
(b)The auditors shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and shall not be members of the Committee.
18. The officers and other members of the Executive Committee shall be indemnified by the Federation in respect of any claim against them arising out of the performance of duties on behalf of the Federation.
19. A Consultative Council of the Federation shall meet at least once a year, – on a date or dates to be decided by the Executive Committee. A seminar may be held in lieu of a Consultative Council meeting, at the discretion of the Executive Committee. Due notice of Council meetings and seminars shall be given to each Affiliated Association. Members of the Executive Committee including its Officers shall be entitled to attend Consultative Council meetings and seminars. In addition, not more than three representatives of Affiliated Associations shall be entitled to attend.
20. The Executive Committee shall decide on the date and venue of the Annual Delegate Conference, which shall be not later than 30th April each year. The Agenda of the Conference shall include an Annual Report, an Audited Financial Statement, nominations for the Officerships and the Executive Committee, Resolutions and any amendments to the Rules.
21. Every Affiliated Association shall receive at least six weeks notice of the date of the Annual Delegate Conference. In this connection every Association shall make arrangements as may be necessary and shall submit to the Honorary Secretary, within the time prescribed in the notice, the names of delegates, nominations for the Officerships and the Executive Committee, resolutions and any proposed changes to the rules. The final Agenda of the Conference shall be sent to Affiliated Associations at least fourteen days before the Conference.
22. A Special Delegate Conference shall be held at any time for a specific purpose at the discretion of the Executive Committee or on receipt by the Honorary Secretary of a written request from at least four Affiliated Associations.
23.
(a) Affiliated Associations shall be entitled to representation at Annual Delegate Conferences based on membership as follows.
Up to 250 members 2 Delegates
251 up to 500 members 3 Delegates
501 up to 750 members 4 Delegates
751 up to 3000 members 5 Delegates
3001 up to 5000 members 6 Delegates
Above 5001 8 Delegates
(b) In addition, the Officers and other members of the Executive Committee shall be ex-officio Delegates.
24 Should there be a tie in voting at a meeting of the Executive Committee or at a Delegate Conference, the Presiding Officer shall have a casting vote.
25 A branch of the Federation shall not be formed without the formal approval of the Annual Delegate Conference.
26 These Rules shall not be amended without the consent of at least two-thirds of the Delegates present and voting at an Annual or Special Delegate Conference.
27 The Executive Committee shall have discretion in regard to any matter concerning the Federation, which is not specifically covered in these rules.
28 In any dispute in regard to the interpretation of these rules the Executive Committee shall be the final arbiter.
Standing Orders
Addendum to Rule 26
1. Persons proposing resolutions or amendments to the Rules may speak for not more than five minutes and – in reply to any discussion – not more than three minutes; other speakers may speak for not more than three minutes.
2. Points of order or information may be accepted by the President.
3. The decision of the President- on any matter, which may arise, shall be final but subject to appeal to the standing order Committee, which shall consist of the Chairman of the Standing Orders Committee, Vice-President, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer.
4. In the case of a tie in voting – on any proposal – the President shall have the casting vote.
5. Unfinished business at any Delegate Conference or Consultative Council Meeting shall be referred back to the Executive Committee.
These Standing Orders will be voted on and approved at the opening of the ADC.
The NFPA welcomes organisations that support older people to become affiliated with NFPA, the National Federation For Pensioners Associations.