Friends of Lucy’s Mill Bridge Constitution
NAME
The name of the organisation is Friends of Lucy’s Mill Bridge (FoLMB)
AREA
The area to be covered includes the town of Stratford-upon-Avon and surrounding area
AIMS
The aims of the Group are:
The promotion for the benefit of the public of urban or rural regeneration in Stratford-upon-Avon and the surrounding area by all or any of the following means:
the maintenance, improvement or provision of public amenities.
the preservation of buildings or sites of historic or architectural importance.
the provision of recreational facilities for the public at large or those who by reason of their youth, age, disability, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances, have need of such facilities.
MEMBERSHIP
1. Membership shall be open to individuals and organisations sharing the aims of the group and may be subject to a membership fee.
2. Any person or organisation can apply to the management committee to become a member.
3. The Secretary shall keep an up to date list of members.
4. Every member shall have one vote.
5. Associate membership may be conferred by the committee on chosen individuals who are supportive of the group’s aims and who are willing to act in an advisory, but non-directive capacity to assist the group. Associate members shall not have the right to vote at members’ meetings.
6. Membership will not be limited in any way on grounds of race, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation or political opinion.
7. Members shall have the right to resign at any time for whatever reason by notifying the Secretary.
8. The Committee also has the right to expel a Member/Associate member for conduct contrary to the interest of the Group. Expelled member(s) would have the right to appeal to a fully convened meeting.
COMMITTEE
The Group will be managed by a committee which will consist of at least seven full members, including a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. Committee members will be chosen by a ‘show of hands’ vote at the Annual General Meeting. The posts of Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer will be chosen by the committee..
The Committee may also choose to appoint an Adviser or Advisers (person(s) who shall have associate membership status only and who shall have nonvoting rights) to sit on the committee and help advise the group in a non directive way. At any time the group and its committee can choose to dissolve the post of Adviser, or choose other Adviser/Advisers.
The Committee will have the right to take out any insurance necessary to cover trustees’ liability, if required.
The quorum for committee meetings shall be four full members.
The committee shall meet no less than four times a year.
MEETINGS AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS
The committee shall meet on an ad hoc basis, the date and time of the next meeting to be decided at the end of each meeting. Special meetings may be called by the committee and members notified of the details.
The committee shall arrange for an Annual General Meeting to be held not later than 31 st December each year. At this meeting there will be an audited statement of accounts, a new committee will be elected and an auditor will be appointed to act on the group’s behalf.
Voting at the Annual General Meeting will be restricted to those who have been full members for a minimum of six weeks.
Special General Meeting can be called by the committee or on receipt by the Secretary of a request from ten full members. The business at the Special General Meeting shall be confined to the issues raised in the request.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting will be taken by the Secretary who will also arrange for them to be distributed.
FINANCE
The group will seek to raise funds both from members and from other individuals and organisations in order to further its objectives.
The Treasurer, assisted as necessary, shall keep proper accounts of the finances of the Group. The funds of the group including all donations, contributions and bequests, shall be paid into an account operated by the management committee.
The bank or building society account shall have at least two signatories from the following: Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer. Only 2 signatories will be required at any one time.
All money received and deposited by the Group shall be for the purposes and aims of the Group.
The income and the assets of FOLMB can be used only for the furtherance of the group’s aims and objectives and no part of its income or property shall be transferred directly or indirectly by way of bonus or other distribution to its members.
The accounts will be inspected or audited as the Trustees deem appropriate annually and a report submitted to the Annual General Meeting.
ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION
Any alterations to this Constitution shall require the approval of a two thirds majority of those full members present at a Committee meeting and Group meeting at which it is discussed and ratification at the next Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting.
WINDING UP THE GROUP
If it is decided by the Committee to wind-up and formally dissolve the Group, then all members will be notified, with at least 21 days notice, of a General Meeting which can wind-up the Group by a two thirds majority. The meeting shall have the power to realise any assets held by or on behalf of the organisation. Any assets remaining after all proper debts and liabilities have been satisfied shall be given or transferred to another charitable organisation or organisations with similar aims and objectives or, if this cannot be done, shall be applied for some other charitable purpose. No assets shall be paid or distributed amongst the members and no part of the groups income or property shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of bonus or other distribution to the members of the organisation
SETTING UP THE CHARITY
This constitution was adopted on _____________ 20___ by the people whose signatures appear below. They are the first members of the charity and will be the trustees until the AGM, which must be held within one year of this date.
Signed Print name and address