RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CAMERA OPERATORS (ACO)

1. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Categories

Categories – Membership of the Society shall consist of Full Members, Associate Members, Friends of the ACO, Honorary Members, and Life Time Members.

ACO Section 2: Full Membership.

Any career Camera Operator engaged in the production of Feature Films, Television Drama and/or Commercials and Promotional projects, who has held the position of career Camera Operator for 5 consecutive years, can produce verifiable dated credits, and affirm that such occupation has been the main source of income for each of those 5 years, and that they have at least 2 years previous experience in the camera department and can produce verifiable dated credits. Applicants with significant previous experience outside the camera department but within the film industry may also be considered at the discretion of the board for Full Membership after they have completed 5 consecutive years where camera operating has been the main source of income.

A Full Member must nominate candidates for Full Membership, provide a short character reference, and act as a referee during the application process.

In the case of applications where the applicant is not personally known to any ACO Full Member, the applicant shall provide three letters of recommendation from industry professionals, one of whom must be a Director of Photography.

Full Members shall be elected to Membership by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, who reserve the right to accept or reject any applicant at their absolute discretion for whatsoever reason.

If considered appropriate by the Board, an applicant whose application is judged unsuitable for Full Membership may be offered Membership as an Associate, Friend, or Honorary Membership.

Full Members will have a voting status, and will be encouraged to serve as a Board Member. Members also have a responsibility to contribute to the running and wellbeing of the Association, by participating in Committees, supporting events and contributing photos and articles for the website and other publications of the ACO.

Full Members will have access to all ACO General Meetings, events, seminars, workshops and demonstrations, the use of the private area in the ACO Website and the use of the ACO letters after their name, in the form of capital letters without punctuation, ie “ACO”, or to use “Member of the Association of Camera Operators” or “Member of the ACO” in any correspondence or email. Full Members are encouraged to use the letters “ACO” after their name on any screen credits as an Operator.

Section 3: Associate Membership

Associate Membership is intended for those individuals who, although working as a Camera Operator, do not qualify for Full Membership as defined in Section (2) of the Rules.

A Full Member must nominate candidates for Associate Membership, provide a short character reference, and act as a referee during the application process.

In the case of applications where the applicant is not personally known to any ACO Full Member, the applicant shall provide three letters of recommendation form industry professionals, one of whom must be a Director of Photography.

Associate Members shall be elected to membership by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, who reserve the right to accept or reject any applicant at their absolute discretion for whatsoever reason.

Associate Members will have voting status and can serve as a Board Member.

Associate Members have a responsibility to contribute to the running and wellbeing of the Association, by participating in Committees, supporting events and contributing photos and articles for the website and other publications of the ACO.

Associate Members may apply for their status to be changed to Full Membership when they fulfil the requirements of Section (2), and this change in status must be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Associate Members will have access to all ACO General Meetings, events, seminars, workshops, and demonstrations, and the use of the Private area in the ACO Website.

Associate Members shall be permitted to use “Associate Member of the Association of Camera Operators” or “Associate ACO” in correspondence or email, but not as a screen credit. They are not permitted to add the letters “ACO” after their name in either correspondence or screen credits since this is reserved solely for the use of Full Members.

Section 4: Friends of the ACO

Any individual that does not qualify for either Full or Associate Membership, but that shares the aims of the ACO.

A Full or Associate Member may nominate a Cinematographer as a Friend of the ACO by providing a short character reference, confirmation of the Cinematographer’s interest to join as a Friend of the ACO, and a copy of the Cinematographer’s CV or IMDB link. Once the Board of Directors has reviewed the nomination and ratification of membership of the nominated applicant has been made, the nominee (Cinematographer) will be asked to forward any optional information to include on their ACO profile page. Also, a portrait style photograph (which is a mandatory requirement of an ACO member.) Nominations should be sent via email to by the nominator.

Friends of the ACO shall be elected to membership by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, who reserve the right to accept or reject any applicant at their absolute discretion for whatsoever reason.

Friends of the ACO will have a non-voting status and cannot serve as a Board Member.

Friends of the ACO may apply for their status to be changed to Associate Membership when they fulfil the requirements of Section (3), and this change in status must be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Friends of the ACO Members will not have access to General Meetings unless specially invited, but to all other ACO events, Seminars, Workshops, and demonstrations, and the use of the Private area in the ACO Website is not permitted.

Friends of the ACO Members shall be permitted to use ”Friend of the Association of Camera Operators” or “Friend of the ACO” in correspondence or email, but not as a screen credit. They are not permitted to add the letters “ACO” after their name in either correspondence or screen credits since this is reserved solely for the use of Full Members.

Section 5: Honorary Membership

Honorary Membership may be awarded to those persons who have notably contributed to and ‘fostered the advancement of the aims of the Association of Camera Operators (ACO).’

Honorary Members must be nominated by a Board Member of the ACO.

Honorary Members shall be elected to membership by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, and shall have a non-voting status.

Honorary Members will not have access to General Meetings unless specially invited, but to all other ACO events, Seminars, Workshops, and demonstrations, and the use of the Private area in the ACO Website is not permitted.

Honorary Members shall be permitted to use ”Honorary Member of the Association of Camera Operators” or “Honorary Member of the ACO” in correspondence or email, but not as a screen credit. They are not permitted to add the letters “ACO” after their name in either correspondence or screen credits since this is reserved solely for the use of Full Members.

Section 6: Life Time Membership

Life Time Membership may be awarded only to a Retired Member in good standing by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors, and shall have a non-voting status.

Life Time Members will have access to all ACO General Meetings, events, seminars, workshops, and demonstrations, and the use of the Private area in the ACO Website.

Section 7: Membership Admission

Any Full Member is privileged to invite qualified candidates for membership of the ACO. The Sponsoring Member must have firsthand knowledge of that candidate’s experience and qualifications and, if called upon to do so, be prepared to present unqualified support of the candidate.

The candidate shall then complete the online application form in all respects, name, current address and phone number, chosen password, qualifications, credits with dates, and time worked as a Camera Operator, and certify his/her willingness to meet the necessary requirements for membership. In addition, the Sponsoring Member shall confirm sponsorship of the applicant to the Board of Directors, and provide a character reference.

The Sponsoring Member and the Secretary of the ACO are jointly responsible for the presentation of correctly completed applications and acceptably formatted and clearly dated curriculum vitae which include all appropriate references.

Upon receipt of the completed application, with an acknowledgment that he/she accepts and agrees to abide by the Rules of the ACO, the application shall be placed before the Board of Directors for acceptance or rejection.

A majority vote of the Board of Directors shall be necessary to admit an applicant to membership of the ACO. When accepted into membership, the approved applicant shall be assigned a membership number by the Secretary, with the date of acceptance noted.

The Board of Directors reserve the right to accept or reject any applicant at their absolute discretion for whatsoever reason.

Section 8: Newly Accepted Members

When an applicant for membership is accepted by the ACO, the Secretary shall provide the newly accepted Member with written confirmation of Membership and information on the procedure for access to the member’s area.

The website holds current copies of the ACO ‘Articles of Agreement’ and the ‘Rules of the ACO’.

Section 9: Responsibilities and Duties of Members

It shall be the responsibility and duty of each Member to read and abide by the ‘Articles of Agreement’ and the ‘Rules of the ACO’, to maintain the highest of craft standards, to assume the obligation of maintaining his or her membership in good standing, to attend at least a yearly General Membership meeting, to exercise your vote, to serve as a member of a Committee when necessary or at least once a year.

Should the status of a Member change such that they no longer fulfil the requirements of Section (2), it is the Members responsibility to inform the Board, and the Board of Directors shall then consider any appropriate change in membership status, to be decided by majority vote.

The ACO aims to promote a healthy work environment and culture: one where everyone is respected, welcome and included, and one free from discrimination, harassment, and intimidation for any reason.

The ACO requires the highest standards from its members in their general conduct. This includes a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and harassment, and equal treatment regardless of an individual’s characteristics including age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, class or regional origin, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy and maternity (Protected Characteristics).

Membership may be withdrawn at the discretion of the Board from any Member who brings the Association into disrepute or who in the opinion of the Board fails to fulfil the responsibilities and duties of the members described above, or who fails to pay the due subscription in a timely manner.

2. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1: Voting by the Board Members

Voting by the Board of Directors only take place either at duly convened or constituted meetings of the Board in session, or digitally between the Board members. In the case of voting digitally, a clear proposition should be posted, and all Board members should then register their vote. A proposition will be carried or dismissed when the number of votes cast constitute a majority of the Board. In the event of an emergency, and a vote is required, the President may poll the entire Board by phone, fax or mail.

Five (5) members of the Board of Governors shall constitute a quorum at all duly convened meetings of the Board.

Section 2: Election of Board Members

All Full Members have the right to apply or be proposed to be a Member of the Board of Directors.

This elections will be schedule once (1) a year.

Section 3: President Term of Office

The President of the Association of Camera Operators (ACO) will hold office for a maximum period of two (2) years, reviewed by the General Membership at the annual general meeting.

Section 4: Vice-President Term of Office

The Vice-President of the Association of Camera Operators (ACO) will hold office for a maximum period of two (2) years, reviewed by the General Membership at the annual general meeting.

Section 5: Secretary Term of Office

The Secretary of the Association of Camera Operators (ACO) will hold office for a maximum period of two (2) years, reviewed by the General Membership at the annual general meeting.

Section 6: Treasurer Term of Office

The Treasurer of the Association of Camera Operators (ACO) will hold office for a maximum period of two (2) years review by the General Membership at the annual general meeting.

3. COMMITTEES

Section 1: Committee Appointments

The ACO shall have committees appointed for special purposes, as may be required, and their appointment overseen by appointed committee chairmen. These committees shall be composed of members in good standing.

Section 2: Committee Meetings

Each committee shall have the power to fix its own time and place of meetings, and to adopt rules of order and course of proceedings consistent with the Articles of Agreement and the Rules of the ACO. Each committee Chairman shall make written reports to the Board of Directors as to progress, recommendations, or conclusions of his or her committee.

Section 3: Quorum

For voting, a majority of the appointed Committee Members shall constitute a quorum.

Section 4: Committee Limitation

Committee Chairmen and/or Committee Members are not authorized to commit or obligate the ACO in any way without specific authorization from the Board of Directors.

4. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Section 1: Annual Meeting

The ACO shall hold annual General Membership meetings and at such other time or times as may be designated by the Board of Directors.

There shall be an annual meeting of the General Membership, at which time the Board of Directors shall present a review of the progress of the ACO for the past year and the Treasurer shall give a complete financial report. The date, time, and place shall be determined by the Board of Directors and notification thereof made to the General Membership.

Section 2: Notice of Membership Meetings

Notice of every membership meeting shall be given either by e-mail or by announcement on the website not less than seven (7) days before the date of the meeting. The notice shall state the place, date, time of, and agenda for, the meeting.

Section 3: Quorum

Twenty percent of the Members shall constitute a quorum at any duly convened and constituted General Membership meeting.

5. VOTING OF MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Resolutions on the Forum website

If a meeting is scheduled with an agenda there will be an opportunity for the members to discuss this agenda in the days leading up to the meeting, by email to the board, and any resolution by the members is open to change at the meeting.

In that case those modified resolutions will be emailed to the membership with a deadline for voting of a further 3 days following such a posting.

Under exceptional circumstances (not enough votes etc) this might be extended by the Board of Directors.

Resolutions or Statements of Policy or intent can be posted by the Board and the deadline under these circumstances will be 5 days.

A majority vote should be sought in any membership decision.

Section 2: Proxy Voting

An ACO Member, unable to attend a General Membership meeting, may give explicit written and signed authorization to another ACO Member in good standing, who will be in attendance at that meeting, to vote in his or her behalf on all, or specific, matters which may come before the assembled membership at that specific meeting.

In addition to his or her own vote, an ACO Member in good standing in attendance may represent the vote of just one other ACO Member.

Such signed proxies must be presented to the Secretary for validation prior to voting at any ACO meeting. Valid proxies shall not exceed fifty (50%) per cent of the voting membership in attendance at that meeting. Should valid proxies exceed that number, the first proxies presented and validated which fall within that percentage shall be allowed to vote and be counted.

The above procedure shall apply equally to members of the Board of Directors for all Board meetings.

GUIDELINES FOR THE ACO WHATSAPP GROUP

At the outset, everyone must consent prior to being put into a WhatsApp Group, as their telephone number will be visible to all within the group.

1. This is an association group. It has been set up by THE ACO, members of the board will act as administrators. They are not “moderators”.

2. This group is intended as a convenient way to distribute information to members, Full, Associate and Friends of the ACO quickly and efficiently and for colleagues to communicate easily with each other.

3. Such a group is set up in a spirit of informal communication amongst a group of persons sharing the same common interest. In keeping with that spirit, it is not the intention that there ought to be an overly legalistic attitude towards its operation. However, the following ought to be adhered to:

a. Any opinions expressed are the opinions of individual members. Group administrators are not responsible for any comments posted by individual members of the group. However, see fig e.

b. It is not necessary to respond to every post unless it is requested e.g. RSVP. When a busy user gets too many notifications, there is the chance that they will turn off the notifications, which can put some members off participation.

c. If your message is not relevant to the majority of group members, please message the person directly rather than the entire group.

d. Inappropriate posts will not be tolerated these include, using inappropriate language, racism, sexism, homophobia and/or any other form of discrimination, insulting messages and/or images, voicing grievances with individual members of the group.

e. In the event that there is a breach of any of fig d. the group administrators reserve the right to remove the post and the transgressor from the group. If deemed necessary, the board will decide on appropriate action such as, suspension or dismissal from the ACO.

f. By participating in this WhatsApp Group, you agree to these group guidelines.

g. Participation is not obligatory and if you join, you have the option of leaving. We would hope that all participants can see the usefulness of the group and will cooperate accordingly.

4. Respect everyone’s privacy – being part of this group requires mutual trust and is here as a safe space for all participants.