Constitution of the Dysert O’Dea Clan Association
DYSERT O’DEA CLAN ASSOCIATION
CUMANN CHLANN DISEART O DEAGHAIDH
CONSTITUTION
Name
- The Association shall be called the “Dysert O’Dea Clan Association”, as Gaeilge:
“Cumann Chlann Diseart O Deaghaidh”.
Objects
- The Objects of the Association are to:
- Facilitate and encourage exchange between Clan members to research the history and genealogy, ancient and modern, of the O’Dea Clan.
- Foster kinship, establish friendships, rekindle relationships.
- Promote the Clan and organise Clan Gatherings.
- Inform the Clan membership of its activities and promotions by publishing a regular Newsletter.
Membership
- Membership shall be open to all persons who bear the surname or maiden name O’Dea (including O’Day, O’Dee, Dea, Day or Dee), and their relations, and others wishing to promote the objects of the Association.
Subscriptions
- Members shall pay a triennial membership fee or subscription. The elected Committee shall set the membership fee, which shall be approved at the Clan Gathering. This fee shall be set so that income and expenditure are in balance. The subscription shall usually be payable in conjunction with the Clan Gathering with the period of membership running until the end of the next Clan Gathering. If the running of a Gathering needs to be postponed or cancelled the Committee may, at its discretion, set the start of the next subscription independently of the Gathering. There will be individual and family/household membership, the latter entitling a maximum of two votes to persons of that family/household over 18 years who are paid-up members. Individual financial members have one vote.
Finances
- Membership subscriptions and any other income received by the Association shall be lodged to a bank account in the name of the association. Withdrawals from the account shall be made solely on the joint signatures of any two of the chairman, deputy chair, secretary, or treasurer.
Executive Committee
- The affairs of the Clan shall be managed by the Clan Executive Committee. From time to time, the above officers may co-opt additional persons to further the Objects of the Association. This Committee shall consist of the Chairman, Deputy Chair, Taoiseach, Tanaiste, Secretary, Treasurer and any other co-opted officers. Two members are to be based in Ireland. A quorum shall be a majority of the officers or 50% plus one if there are an even number of officers. Minutes of meetings to be made available to all members.
Membership Benefits
- Members shall receive a copy of the regular Newsletters and be updated on developments. The Newsletter, called the “O’Dea Clan Chronicle” shall have an Editor who has volunteered for this position.
Clan Gatherings
- It shall be the responsibility of the Committee to ensure that the O’Dea Clan Gathering is organised on a three-year basis, unless there are special circumstances supporting a different period. Notification of each Gathering shall be sent to all members.
Elections
- Officers shall be elected at the time of each Clan Gathering by financial members, honorary members and life members. Current Title holders shall retire from their offices at the end of the Gathering, with the exception of the Tanaiste, who shall become the Taoiseach for the subsequent three-year period. The previous officer board shall oversee the election of new officers. All office holders shall be entitled to re-election. Nominations for election must be received, in writing, by the Secretary. Persons nominating are encouraged to provide a brief proposal in support of their nomination. The Secretary will publish the nominations and any supporting documentation at least one week prior to the election. Nominations may be accepted at the General Meeting.
General Meeting
- The Clan Committee shall hold a formal General Meeting at the Clan Gathering at which Reports shall be presented by the Chairman, the Treasurer, and other officers as deemed necessary. Other meetings shall be held as required. The Secretary will distribute agendas for meetings and supporting documentation, if any, to invitees at least one week before a meeting.
Use of Technology at Meetings
- A member not physically present at a meeting may be permitted to participate in the meeting by use of technology that allows that member and the members present at the meeting to clearly and simultaneously communicate with each other. A member participating in a meeting is taken to be present at the meeting and, if an eligible member votes at the meeting, is taken to have voted in person.
Changes to the Constitution
- If an issue arises that requires an urgent change to the Constitution such changes may be discussed and voted on at the Clan Triennial Meeting. Otherwise, any amendments to the Constitution are to be advised to the secretary in writing at least a week before the Clan Gathering. These proposed amendments will be circulated to members prior to the Gathering and a two thirds majority of those attending the Meeting and eligible to vote shall be required to carry any such amendments. Any agreed change shall take effect immediately.
- Ennis, Co. Clare, July 1990.
- Approved at the Second Clan Gathering, Ennis, Co. Clare, July 1993
- Updated at the Eighth Clan Gathering, Ennis, Co. Clare, July 2011.
- Updated at the Ninth Clan Gathering, Ennis, Co. Clare, July 2014.
- Updated at the Twelfth Clan Gathering, Ennis, Co. Clare, June 2025.
PDF Version of the Constitution
A copy of the above is available as a PDF here:
