The Institute of Refractories Engineers (IRE) has proposed a series of constitutional amendments aimed at improving the efficiency, transparency, and governance of the organisation. The changes, which will be presented to members for consideration, focus on membership approvals, council operations, meeting procedures, and the formal process for future constitutional amendments.
Streamlining Membership Applications
One of the proposed changes would formalise the process for approving new members. Under the amendment, all new individual and corporate membership applications would be presented to Council for ratification and recorded in meeting minutes. Applications would be automatically accepted unless objections are raised and supported by a majority vote of Council.
Supporters of the change say it will improve transparency while reducing unnecessary administrative delays in admitting new members.
Clearer Council Structure and Meeting Quorums
The proposals also seek to address challenges associated with achieving quorums for Council meetings. Recognising that many Council members hold demanding professional roles outside the Institute, the amendments would formally define the size of Council and establish a more practical quorum requirement.
The revised constitution would set Council membership at a minimum of eight and a maximum of sixteen members, with a target working size of twelve. A quorum for Council meetings would be reduced to six members, provided at least one Officer is present.
According to the proposal, these changes are intended to make Council meetings easier to convene while maintaining appropriate oversight and governance.
Clarifying Meeting Leadership and Voting Procedures
Several amendments focus on improving the conduct of Council meetings. In the absence of the President, meetings would be chaired by the Vice President. If neither the President nor Vice President is available, another Officer would assume the role. Where no Officers are present, attending members would appoint a Chair from among themselves, with full authority for the duration of the meeting.
The amendments would also clarify voting procedures. Votes taken at meetings that do not achieve quorum would be considered advisory only and would require subsequent ratification either at a future quorate meeting or through an electronic approval process requiring a two-thirds majority of Council members.
Additionally, Council members unable to attend meetings would be permitted to vote by proxy on agenda items, provided their voting intentions are submitted in advance. The President would continue to abstain from routine voting but retain a casting vote in the event of a deadlock.
Establishing a Formal Constitutional Amendment Process
Perhaps the most significant proposal is the introduction of a new constitutional section governing future amendments. The current constitution contains no formal mechanism for making changes.
Under the proposed framework, Council would be empowered to recommend constitutional amendments for approval at an Annual General Meeting (AGM) or Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM). Changes would require a simple majority vote of members present.
The amendments would also provide members with a direct route to propose constitutional changes. Members wishing to submit amendments would need to provide notice to the Secretary at least seven days before an AGM and secure the support of ten fellow members. As with Council proposals, approval would require a simple majority of members attending the meeting.
A further provision would require Council to act at all times in accordance with both the letter and spirit of the Institute’s constitution.
Looking Ahead
The proposed amendments represent an effort to modernise the Institute’s governance arrangements while preserving democratic oversight by members. If approved, the changes would provide greater clarity around membership administration, meeting procedures, voting rights, and constitutional reform, helping to ensure that the Institute remains effective and responsive as it continues to serve the refractories engineering community.
A summary of the changes can be found at this link here.
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