Our Constitution

Introduction:

The name of the group shall be The Craft Chocolate Association of the UK & Ireland (hereafter known as ‘The Association’).

The Association exists as an officially formed body from 14th October 2024 (to be known as the 'foundation date') and asserts that this Constitution comes into force from that date forward.

The Association will be constituted as a Limited Company.

Objectives:

To promote the UK and Ireland Craft Chocolate movement

To act as a collective voice for the craft chocolate industry

To educate the public and media about craft chocolate benefits, issues and to correct misinformation

To support, encourage and mentor craft chocolate makers

To encourage high standards of professionalism within the industry

To collaborate with or join organisations whose aims align with ours, in supporting the bean-to-bar craft chocolate makers and their supply chains

Definitions

The Association will formally adopt a glossary of terms and definitions

Structure

The Association will be incorporated as a Limited Company with an elected Board of Directors. The Board will meet on a regular basis as matters rise. Board meetings can be called by 2 board members with 2 weeks notice

Elected Office roles will be Chair, Vice Chair/s, Secretary, Treasurer plus sub-committee chairs and members as required. Initial appointments will be for one year from the launch of The Association

A quorum for decision making of a regular board meeting will be 4 board members and at an AGM or EGM will be 3 board members and 10% of the maker members 

Membership

Maker members of The Association will be UK & Ireland craft chocolate makers operating according to the agreed glossary of terms and definitions. Maker members will each have one vote at the AGM or EGM

Supporters of The Association will be anyone who wishes to encourage the work of craft chocolate makers including chocolate makers who do not meet the requirements needed to be a maker member. Supporters will not attend the AGM or an EGM unless specifically invited for their expertise and will have no voting rights

Membership fees for makers and supporters will be set by the Board and reviewed on an annual basis. Any changes in membership fees will be proposed to the members at the AGM. 

Membership fees for makers will be dependent on permanent staff numbers (or part-time equivalent with a total of 35 hours worked weekly equating to one staff. Fees will relate to the following company size: 1-2 staff, 3-9 staff and 10 plus staff.

Membership fees for supporters will be categorised as supporting companies and supporting individuals. 

Voting rights

Prospective maker membership applications will be approved by a simple majority vote of the Board

Membership criteria

Prospective members will answer a list of questions (to be agreed by majority vote of the Board) which they will be required to agree to and sign accordingly.

Members will be required to declare that their chocolate production accords to the Association definition of craft chocolate.

Meetings will operate under “Chatham House Rules” – participants will be free to use any information received but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any participant may be revealed. A request may be made to suspend the Chatham House Rule for a limited part of any meeting if agreed by a majority of those in attendance on the undertaking that any information to be shared as a result will be clearly identified.

Management

All aspects of the management and discipline of The Association (elections of officers & members, running of committees, organisation of an AGM etc) will be governed by the Constitution and the Articles of Association adopted

Ordinary Motions will be raised at least one week before the AGM or an EGM with details circulated beforehand unless the matter to be raised concerns discipline or accusations of personal or financial misconduct

Ordinary Motions will be passed by a simple majority vote of the maker members

Responsibilities

Maker members agree to the aims, objectives and the Association’s Glossary of Definitions & Terms and are responsible for up-holding the objectives of the Association.

Membership can be withdrawn if 

  • a member no longer makes craft chocolate according to the membership criteria

  • is seen to be misrepresenting or bringing the Association into disrepute 

  • refuses to allow a site visit by a selected maker member if there are questions arising from their application 

  • goes against the regulations set out in the membership charter

Requests for membership removal are to be circulated to the governing board in writing and agreed or disagreed by simple majority vote.