Global Drone Association
Bylaws of the Global Drone Association (GDA)
1 Background
The Global Drone Association (“GDA”) is founded as an association between key stakeholders within the drone industry and Government’s, standards bodies and regulatory organisations.
The GDA has now formed into an association in order to provide a platform from which the industry could express its opinion on key issues affecting or potentially hampering the progress of the drone industry.
2 Mission
The GDA aims to be an authoritative voice and influence for the drone industry, principally
by providing guidance and advice to Government’s and industry bodies on key topics affecting the drone industry.
3 Objectives
The GDA has the following objectives:
a. Improve the environment and economy ,by promoting the use of Drones worldwide;
b. Provide commercial opportunities for the Worlds Drone industry;
c. Identify best practices across the full range of drone activity;
d. Provide thought leadership in support of the drone industry and support to the
establishment of international standards.
4 Guiding Principles
The guiding principles of the GDA are as follows:
a. Providing an international footprint;
b. All environments (air, land ,sea, space);
c. Inclusive, independent and impartial;
d. Collaborative – not competitive.
5 Outputs
The main output of the GDA will be:
a. The delivery of industrially and publicly developed ‘best practice’ through white papers to
Governments on key topics affecting the development of the drone industry;
b. The promotion of standards to underpin regulations.
6 Membership
6.1 Structure
The following membership structure will be applied to the GDA:
6.1.1 Corporate Membership (CM)
A company or organisation that will have the ability to take part in the development of
white papers through representation or leadership of more than one Working Groups
(“WG”, “WGs”).
Corporate Members have voting rights within the GDA: one vote per company or
organisation.
6.1.2 Professional Membership (PM)
This membership is to facilitate the ability for individuals to participate in the development
of white papers through involvement in WGs.
Professional Members have voting rights within the GDA.
6.2 Admission of New Members
6.2.1 Prospective Members
A prospective member shall be required to show that they are compatible with the
objectives of the GDA.
6.2.2 Applications
Applications received from prospective members will be considered by members appointed
from time to time by the Executive Team (the “Membership Panel”). This Panel shall inform
existing members of the Executive Team of a prospective member’s application. If an
existing member wishes to make representations about any prospective member
application, they will be required to submit the representations to the Membership Panel.
Upon completion of any necessary subsequent investigation, the Membership Panel will
make the final decision to accept or reject an application.
6.2.3 Reporting
A report summarising new membership applications will be provided by the Membership
Panel at the General Meeting. The GDA is under no obligation to accept an application for
membership even if the applicant appears to have fulfilled all the criteria for membership.
A prospective member whose application for membership is denied by the GDA is not
entitled to be informed of the basis for the decision.
6.3 Membership Subscription and Renewal
Subscription payments fall due on 1 January of each year. The standard subscription fees
are subject to change by the Executive Team. Current fees are:
6.3.1 Corporate Members
Corporate Members – January 1st is the renewal regardless
The fees for Corporate members are scalable subject to the number of employees.
1-10 £150 p.a.
11-25 £300 p.a.
26-50 £450 p.a.
50 + £500 p.a
(join before June 1st it is the full rate after June 1st it is 75% of the rate)
6.3.2 Professional Members
Professional Members – January 1st is the renewal regardless.
The fees for Professional members are £99 p.a. ( join before June 1st it is the full rate – after June 1st it is 75% of the rate).
6.4 Resignation from Membership
Members may resign at any time by notice in writing to the Secretary. On receiving the
notice, the Secretary will immediately remove that member from the Members’ Register,
which terminates membership. The resigning member is not entitled to any return or rebate
of subscription fees and remains liable for any unpaid subscription fees and any other sums
payable by the member to the GDA.
6.5 Expulsion of Members
If at any time the Executive Team is notified that any member has committed a breach of
the Bylaws, has acted illegally or otherwise seriously endangered the interests of the GDA,
the Executive Team acting by three members may suspend the membership of the GDA
pending consideration whether it is in the best interests of the GDA that the membership is
terminated.
Any complaints in connection with the Code of Conduct contained in these Bylaws made by
a member against another member must be submitted to a member of the Executive Team.
The member that is the subject of the complaint will be notified of the nature of the
complaint made against it and will be afforded a proper opportunity and sufficient time to
make submissions to the Executive Team who will consider the nature of the complaint and
advise both the member making the complaint and the member that is the subject of the
complaint whether there is sufficient evidence to warrant the submission of the complaint
to a General Meeting (“GM”) of the GDA.
Should the Executive Team deem it necessary, a GM of the GDA will be convened in order to
consider the complaint against the member and any actions recommended by the Executive
Team to resolve any issues arising out of or in connection with the complaint.
At the GM, the Executive Team shall submit in writing a summary of the nature of the
complaint, any recommendations of the Executive Team. The member that is subject to the
complaint will have an opportunity to make submissions either verbally or in writing
concerning the complaint.
The voting at any GM convened to consider the Executive Team’s recommended actions
with regards to disciplinary action or the expulsion of a member shall be by secret ballot.
6.6 Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct sets out principles, values, standards, or rules of behaviour that guide
the decisions, procedures, and systems of the GDA in a way that contributes to the welfare
of its key stakeholders and respects the rights of all constituents affected by its operations.
GDA Members shall act in accordance with the following Code of Conduct:
a. Members are required to act in accordance with these Bylaws and in no way
endanger the interests of the GDA as interpreted by the Executive Team from time
to time.
b. Members may not hold themselves out as representing the GDA without specific
written authority from the Executive Team.
c. Where authorised in writing to formally represent the GDA, members must:
i. be aware of their responsibilities to the GDA, which will be provided as part
of the process of obtaining authority;
ii. must be truthful and accurate in interactions with official representatives
when representing the GDA and observe the highest ethical standards when
interacting with these officials,
iii. should at all times reflect the consensus or agreed standpoints as confirmed
by the Executive Team;
iv. should not take advantage of the situation by promoting their own products
when representing the GDA.
d. Any representations concerning complaints over the behaviour of members must be
made to the Executive Team.
e. Any representations concerning new membership applications shall be made to the
Executive Team.
f. Members are responsible for protecting their own Intellectual Property (IP) and not
breaching the IP rights of others in any way.
g. The GDA’s culture welcomes and values all members, regardless of gender,
nationality, age or physical ability or any other aspect of diversity.
h. Members must conduct their business activities with fellow members, customers
and business partners with respect.
i. Members should not engage in or support discrimination of any kind;
j. Members who have questions about a specific situation should ask for help by
contacting the GDA Executive Team.
k. Any conduct that may be viewed as improperly and directly influencing the main
objectives of the GDA is prohibited.
6.7 Disciplinary offences
Any member who is in serious or persistent breach of the rules set out in these Bylaws or
who otherwise acts in a way which in the opinion of the Executive Team is seriously or
persistently inappropriate for a member of the GDA may be disciplined as set out in the
Disciplinary Regulations in Annex 1.
7 Organisational Structure
The GDA Organizational Structure is described in figure 1 below:
7.1 Executive Team and Officers
The Executive Team members and officers shall be appointed as directed by the
Managing Executive.
7.1.1 Operational
The Managing Executive shall oversee the:
a. supervision and direction of the day to day running of the GDA;
b. preparation and presentation to the General Meetings of a written report
about the GDA and its activities; and
c. appointment of WGs whose membership should include at least one member
of the GDA Executive Team.
7.1.2 Advisors
The Managing Executive will appoint Advisors/Luminaires to assist the delivery of the GDA’s workstreams.
7.2 Operational Delivery Committee (ODC)
The ODC consists of the Operational Delivery Committee members and Working Groups brought together from time to time who will work directly on the production of white papers.
7.2.1 Operational Delivery Committee (ODC)
The ODC will comprise a chair and two additional appointed members. The ODC
will drive and manage the activity of the WGs.
7.2.1.1 Mandate
The Operational Delivery Committee has been established to drive forward the GDA and the working groups on issues such as:
a. Discussion and paper topics;
b. ODC Structure;
c. Roles & Outcomes.
7.2.1.2 Scope
The ODC will also direct the Working Groups by:
a. Making and approving suggestions for future topics to be addressed
by Working Groups;
b. Suggesting or recommending new members;
c. Approve Working Group Leads (those who lead the activity of one or
more WGs);
d. Provide quality control and approval of white papers.
7.2.1.3 Focus
The ODC will drive the operational delivery of the GDA and manage the
activity of the WGs.
7.2.1.4 Size
The ODC will consist of the Chair, and two additional appointed members.
7.2.1.5 Frequency of Meetings
In order to carry out its duties, the ODC meets once every quarter for 2
hours.
7.2.1.6 Term
No minimum term will be applied to ODC membership.
7.2.1.7 Compensation
ODC membership is not a paid position and as meetings should be held
virtually, no expenses are envisaged.
7.2.2 Working Groups (WG)
Members of the WGs (air.land,sea,space) are sourced from Corporate and
Professional Membership categories.
8 Administration
8.1 Financial Year & Accounts
The GDA financial year runs 1 January – 31 December.
The CEO will ensure that the annual Financial Statements and Reports are compiled for
distribution to and approval of the Executive Team.
8.2 General Meetings
General Meetings of the GDA may be called at any time by the Executive Team. A meeting
of the full membership will take place annually at a time and venue proposed by the
Executive Team. Notice of the meeting shall be no later than six months prior to the
meeting, and an agenda shall be produced and circulated one month ahead of the meeting
date. Business at these meetings shall include:
a. presentation of the GDA’s annual accounts and a budget forecast for the current
financial year;
b. consideration of the Executive Team’s annual report;
c. such resolutions as are stated in the notice of the meeting; and
d. compilation of minutes of the General Meetings must be taken and made available
to all GDA members.
e. A quorum for all GDA General Meetings shall be 3.
8.3 Resolutions and Voting
Resolutions and other decisions at all General Meetings, Executive Team or any Working
Group meetings are passed and made, if so voted, by a majority (over 50%) of those
members with voting rights present and voting when the vote is taken.
Other than in the situation outlined by Clause 6.5, at the discretion of the Appointed Chairman, voting may be undertaken by secret ballot or by show of hands. Proxies are not allowed.
All members with voting rights that have not voted on such a resolution or decision and all
members joining the GDA after the passing of such resolution are to be taken to have
assented to the resolution as if they had voted in favour.
8.4 Amendment of the Bylaws
The rules set out in these Bylaws or may be amended by a resolution in a General Meeting
passed by strictly more than 50% of the members present and voting when the vote is
taken.
8.5 Dissolution
The GDA may be dissolved by a resolution passed by the Executive Team including more than 50% of the members with voting rights present when the vote is taken but only if there are at least 50% of all members voting in favour of the resolution.
The resolution takes effect immediately unless it expressly states that it is to take effect on a
specified date not more than 4 weeks later.
As soon as the resolution takes effect the Executive Board must pay or otherwise settle all
debts and other liabilities of the GDA and divide the remaining GDA property among
members with voting rights equally. For these purposes, the Executive Board may decide on
the sale or other realisation of GDA property as it sees fit.
Adopted by resolution this…………….. day of………………….. 2026
Signed (with name and address printed):
Signature of Managing Executive
Address:
__________________________
Signature of Witness
Address:
Annex
Disciplinary Committee
1. Any member who is in serious or persistent breach of the Bylaws or who otherwise
acts in a way which in the opinion of the Executive Team is seriously or persistently
inappropriate for a member of the DGA may be required by the Executive Team to
attend for a hearing before it to explain his or her conduct.
2. The Managing Executive will notify the member in writing at least 14 days before the hearing
of:
a. the date, time, and place of the hearing.
b. the conduct alleged to:
■ be a serious or persistent breach of the Bylaws, specifying which rule
or rules; or
■ be seriously or persistently inappropriate for a member of the GDA.
3. The member may respond in writing to the Executive Team and will be given a fair
opportunity to respond to the allegations.