Who are BADIs?


Contents
Introduction

BADIs (short for "Birmingham ADIs") is an organization for ADIs (ADI stands for "DSA Approved Driving Instructor (Car)"), and for those who want to become ADIs, living or working in or near Birmingham. Our members are more enthusiastic about their profession, and are of higher average ability, than the average ADI. They are also keener to improve their own abilities and teaching skills, and to work towards a better industry, so benefiting their own businesses and providing a better service to their clients.

BADIs differs from many other local ADI organizations in the UK in that it recognizes that the way to success as an ADI is not by complaining ("the DSA have got it in for me"; "that driving school is trying to get my business"; this ADI is rubbish") but by adopting a professional and positive approach to self-improvement, and by working constructively with DSA and others. Indeed, the name "BADIs" (pronounced "baddies") is a deliberate counter by the preponderance of less enlightened ADIs who think that they are the "goodies", the DSA are the baddies, and that the world in general (and the DSA in particular) owe them a living. They do not. One of the functions of the DSA is to protect the public from errant ADIs. This web site is set up with that in mind.

The inaugural meeting of BADIs was on Thursday 27 January 2000. BADIs' founding members were David Wilkinson and Lisa Attwell (now Anderson). They were joined by James Quinn and Steve Tew to make up the founding committee. Members can find an account of the history of BADIs in the Members only pages.

BADIs is run by a committee which currently comprises a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and other committee members, in accordance with its Constitution. It is open to any ADI, and anyone who wants to become an ADI, and who lives or works in or near Birmingham. This makes it especially suitable for those starting out on an ADI career, who can benefit from the experience and advice of more experienced members.


Objectives

Our objectives are to:
Constitution

Our constitution, as most recently amended at our AGM of 10 January 2008, is as follows:
  1. Name
    We are "Birmingham ADIs" (here called, and also known as, "BADIs").

  2. Objectives
    Our Objectives are to: improve our standards, knowledge, and understanding of the profession, working constructively with DSA; provide general meetings to exchange news, views, ideas etc, and to hear guest speakers; and provide facilities to gain further relevant qualifications and experience.

  3. Membership
    We are open to ADIs and Potential ADIs who live or work in or near Birmingham. "Potential ADI" means a person who wants to become an ADI. All members have equal status. Members may resign at any time by informing the Secretary. Such resignation shall not give entitlement to refund to any part of a subscription.

  4. Subscriptions
    Members pay an annual subscription, as set by the Committee. This becomes due on each 1 January.

  5. Annual General Meeting
    Each January we shall hold an Annual General Meeting ("AGM") at which we shall: receive the Treasurer's Report for the past year (the twelve months ending on the last day of December); elect our Committee for the period to the next AGM; and deal with any other business. Eight members shall form a quorum. The Chairman shall have a casting vote. The Secretary (or a deputy) shall record AGM decisions in writing.

  6. Committee
    We shall have a Committee consisting of Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and up to eight other members. The quorum for Committee meetings is three, and there shall be at least one Committee meeting between AGMs. Subject to the above, the Committee may remove members from, or appoint them to, Committee, until the next AGM.

  7. Money
    The Treasurer shall maintain a bank account, receive and make payments on behalf of BADIs, maintain proper records, and prepare an annual report (for the twelve months to the end of December) for the AGM.

  8. Changes to this constitution
    Any change to this constitution, and/or dissolution of BADIs, requires a two-thirds majority at an AGM.

  9. Dissolution
    If we vote to dissolve BADIs, any assets (after meeting our liabilities) shall be donated to a registered charity, chosen by the meeting at which we are dissolved.

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