The Interior Design Association (IDA)

Objectives

a) To promote the interests of practices or individuals engaged in contract furnishing design and associated activities.

b) To encourage the highest possible standards of design, service and professional conduct, so as to increase the standing of the design profession in the eyes of manufacturers, clients and the general public.In the long term, to move towards a legal status recognised by Act of Parliament or Royal Charter.

c) To facilitate the collection and expression of representative opinion, and to provide for the Members of the Association an avenue of approach to other organisations where it is desirable to act collectively.

d) To encourage increased business both at home and abroad and to assist members with their problems in the field of design.

e) To collect subscriptions and collect donations for the furtherance of objectives of the Association.

f) To affiliate and co-operate with other Industrial Federations, Trade Associations, and Chambers of Commerce and mercantile or public bodies throughout the world for the promotion of mutual objectives.

g) To do all such things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives.

Definitions

1.  The following words shall, in these Rules, bear the meanings set opposite them, if not inconsistent with the context:

"Association"      The Interior Design Association (IDA)

“Company”         The Contract Furnishing and Design Association Ltd

“Practice”            any legal entity, regardless of how incorporated;

"Member"            a member of the Association;

"Council"             the council of the Association;

"Subscription"      the subscription levied by the Association in each year;

"Entrance Fee"     the fee to be paid by an applicant upon his admission to membership.

"Change of Control"  a change in the ownership of more than 30% of the issued share capital of a corporate member of or the person or persons who hold a majority of the voting rights in the Member or of its Board of Directors.         

Gender specific words are taken to include the opposite gender.

Membership

2. Any practice or individual engaged in interior design and associated activities operating Internationally shall be considered for membership of the Association and should have been trading as a business for 2 years, or have a track record that is recognised by the Council.

Admission of Members

3. Every practice or individual who wishes to become a Member shall deliver to the Association an application for Membership in such form as may be required by the Association.  The application forms for Membership shall include an undertaking to be signed by the applicant to conform with and abide by the rules and regulations of the Association and the Code of Practice for the time being in force. The Council shall have an absolute discretion as to the acceptance or rejection of any applicant for Membership and shall not be required to give any reason to the applicant for the decision reached, which shall be final and conclusive.  Council members shall observe proper secrecy and confidence in respect of any private and confidential communications and discussions on the subject of applicants.

Resignation and loss of membership

4. Any member may withdraw from Membership of the Association by giving not less than three months notice in writing to the Council of an intention to do so and on the expiration of the notice shall cease to be a member notwithstanding that Member's particular obligations to pay the Subscription or other sum accrued due from him in his capacity as a Member before the expiration of the notice.

5. A Member shall immediately notify the Council of any Change of Control in such Member. Such Member shall have the right to appear before the Council to explain the Change of Control and to discuss their continuing membership of the Association.  The Council shall have the absolute discretion to authorise the continuing membership of any such Member or to declare that such Member shall cease to be a Member following such Change of Control.  The decision of the Council shall be final and conclusive. If a Member fails to notify the Council of any Change of Control then the Council may at its discretion without assigning any reasons therefore immediately remove that Member as a Member of the Association.

6. A Member shall automatically cease to be a Member if:-

(i) an order is made or  a resolution is passed for the winding up of that Member other than for the purposes of a reconstruction or amalgamation of that Member's business; or
(ii) as an individual, that Member is declared bankrupt.

7. A Member shall cease to be a Member if he is removed from Membership of     the Association by a resolution passed at a meeting of the Council of which notice    specifying the intention to propose the resolution has been given to the Member concerned and at which the Member concerned shall have been given an opportunity to attend and speak.

8. If any Member fails to pay its Subscription or is 3 months or more in arrear with such a payment after it has become due their Membership shall be deemed to have lapsed and shall cease accordingly.

9. No Member who has ceased for any reason to be a Member shall have any claim to repayment of any part of any Subscription paid for the current year or any other paid in advance in respect of Membership.

10. Any Member, upon ceasing to be a Member, shall immediately delete any and all references to Membership with the Association and any and all references to the Association from its offices and showrooms as well as its stationery, sales and other literature, catalogues, advertising and all other forms of publicity.

11. The IDA Office shall keep and maintain a Register of Members and the Council shall have the power from time to time to review the Register of Members.

Transferability of Membership

12. Membership shall be non-transferable or assignable.

Entrance Fees and Subscriptions

13. Every Member shall upon admission to Membership pay to the Association such Entrance Fee, if any, and annual Subscription as the Council may from time to time and in their absolute discretion determine.  Payment of any Entrance Fee and of an annual Subscription shall be made in such manner and at such time as the Council shall from time to time determine.

Council

14. The number of Council members shall be not less than 6  nor more than 18.

15. All Members are entitled to nominate individuals to be Council members.  Such nomination shall be made to the Council through the IDA office, in any written format.  The nomination and election process can take place at any time when vacancies exist.

16. The Council shall have the power to co-opt individuals to the Council in addition to those existing members.

17. All Council members must be employees of a Member.  Any Council member who ceases to be employed by a Member shall forthwith notify the Council of the fact and shall be deemed to have resigned.   Where a Member Company ceases to employ a Council member there is no automatic right to nominate a replacement; the process of nomination and election must be repeated.
 

Proceedings of the Council

18. The Council may meet together for the despatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings as they think fit.  Reasonable notice shall be given of meetings and of the business to be done.  Business tabled at a meeting can be discussed but if it leads to a decision, must be ratified at a subsequent meeting or by circulation.  The quorum necessary for the transaction of business shall be 4 members. Decisions shall be taken by consensus and shall be minuted.

19. The Council may delegate any of their powers to working groups consisting of such member(s) of the Council as they think fit.

20. The Chairman of the Association shall be entitled to preside at all meetings of the Council or shall appoint a Chairman in their place.  If neither is present within 5 minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or willing to preside, the Council members present shall choose one of their number to be the chairman of the meeting.

21. The Chairman and Managing Director of the Company shall be entitled to attend all meetings.

Chairman and Vice Chairmen

22. The Council shall elect a Chairman and at least one Vice Chairman to serve for such period as they agree to.  At the end of their term, the Chairman and Vice Chairman shall arrange for election of their successors.  The Chairman will normally also sit on the Company Council to represent the views of the Association.
  

IDA Code of Practice (11 September 2009)

Introduction

Members of the IDA shall conduct their interior design practice in a manner that will encourage the respect of clients, fellow interior designers, the interior design industry and the general public. It is the individual responsibility of every Member of IDA and of their practice employees to abide by the Code of Practice and relevant Policies and Position Statements of the Association.

Responsibility to the public

1. In performing professional services, Members shall exercise responsibility and competence, and shall comply with all laws; regulations and codes laid down by central and where appropriate local government.
   
2. In performing professional services, Members shall at all times consider the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
   
3. In performing professional services, Members shall not knowingly violate the law, or aid or abet clients in conduct they know, or reasonably should know, is illegal.
   
4. Members shall not permit their name or signature to be used in conjunction with a design or project for which interior design services are not to be, or were not, performed under their immediate direction and control.
   
5. Members shall not make misleading, deceptive or false statements or claims about their professional qualifications, experience, or performance.
   
6. Members shall not, by affirmative act or failure to act, engage in any conduct involving fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or dishonesty in professional or business activity.
   
7. In performing professional services, Members shall refuse to consent to any decision by their clients or employers which violates any applicable law or regulation, and which, in the Members’ judgment, will create a significant risk to public health and safety.
   
8. Members shall not attempt to obtain a contract to provide interior design services through any unlawful means.
   
9. Members shall not assist any person seeking to obtain a contract to provide interior design services through any unlawful means.

Responsibility to the client

1. Members shall undertake to perform professional services only when they, together with their consultants, are qualified by education, training or experience to perform the services required.
   
2. Before accepting an assignment, Members shall reasonably inform the client of the scope and nature of the project involved the interior design services to be performed, and the method of remuneration for those services. Members shall not materially change the scope of a project without the client’s consent.
   
3. Prior to an engagement, Members shall disclose, in writing, to an employer or client, any direct or indirect financial interest that they may have that could affect their impartiality in specifying project-related goods or services, and shall not knowingly assume or accept any position in which their personal interests conflict with their professional duty. If the employer or client objects to such financial or other interest, Members shall either terminate such interest, or withdraw from such engagement.
   
4. Members shall not reveal any information about a client, a client’s intention (s), or a client’s business method(s) which they have been asked to maintain in confidence, or which they should reasonably recognise as likely, if disclosed, to affect the interests of their client adversely. Notwithstanding the above, however, Members may reveal such information to the extent they reasonably believe is necessary (1) to stop any act which creates a significant risk to public health and safety and which the Member is unable to prevent in any other manner; or (2) to prevent any violation of applicable law.
   
5. Responsibility to other interior designers and Colleagues
   Members shall pursue their professional activities with honesty, integrity and fairness, and with respect for other designers’ or colleagues’ contractual and professional relationships.
   
6. Members shall not accept instruction from their clients which knowingly involves plagiarism, nor shall they consciously plagiarise another’s work.
   
7. Members shall not endorse the application for membership in the Association of an individual known to be unqualified with respect to education, training or experience; nor shall they knowingly misrepresent the experience, professional expertise, or moral character of that individual.
   
8. Members shall only take credit for work that has actually been created by the Member or the Member’s firm or under the Member’s immediate direction and control.

Responsibility to Suppliers and Manufacturers

1. Members shall not intentionally mislead suppliers and manufacturers as to the quantity and quality of work to be placed.
   
2. Members have a duty to advise clients on the reasonableness of asking suppliers and manufacturers for mock-ups and room sets.
   
3. Members shall not reveal any information about a supplier or manufacturer, a supplier’s or manufacturer’s designs, a supplier’s or manufacturer’s processes which they have been asked to maintain in confidence, or which they should reasonably recognise as likely, if disclosed, to affect the interests of their supplier or manufacturer adversely.

Responsibility to the Association and interior design profession

1. Members agree to maintain standards of professional and personal conduct that will reflect in a responsible manner on the profession.
   
2. Members shall seek to continually upgrade their professional knowledge and competency with respect to the interior design profession.
   
3. Members shall, wherever possible, encourage and contribute to the sharing of knowledge and information among interior designers, the interior design industry, and the general public.
   
4. Members shall offer support, encouragement, and information to students of interior design.
   
5. Members shall, when representing the interior design profession, act in a manner that is in the best interest of the profession.
   
6. Members may only use the IIDA appellation in accordance with current Association policy.
   
7. Members shall not knowingly make false statements or fail to disclose any material fact requested in connection with their applications for membership in the Association.

Misconduct

1. Any Member who contravenes this Code shall be liable to reprimand, suspension or expulsion.  The power to sanction a Member for misconduct shall be exercised by the Council of the IDA.
   
2. Any Member, against whom a complaint of misconduct has been received, may be subject to investigation.  The findings of any such investigation will be presented to the Council of the IDA for their decision as to whether Misconduct has occurred.

21 October 2009