Constitution (As amended by the Annual General Meeting 22.08.09)
The minutes of the AGM can be downloaded here
1. The name of the group shall be ‘FRIENDS OF THE LEVEL’
2. The objects of the group shall be to;
2.1. Encourage people of all ages to be actively involved in decision making
2.2. To offer opportunities and activities on the area known as The Level
2.3. To promote a sense of wellbeing
2.4. To liaise with the council and other relevant bodies
2.5. To encourage the diverse groups that use the Level to work together to make the Level a more enjoyable place to be for all people
2.6. Consult with users of the Level to inform decision making
3. The group shall have the power to;
3.1. Raise funds to support the objects
3.2. Offer training and support
3.3. Provide organised events and activities for people using the Level
4. Membership of the group will be free and open to all residents and users of the Level. The group will not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, disability, sexuality and age or on the basis of political, religious or other opinions. The group shall have the power to set a membership fee.
5. The officers of the group shall be;
5.1. A Chair, who will chair both general and committee meetings
5.2. A Secretary, who is responsible for the taking of minutes and distribution of all papers
5.3. A Treasurer who is responsible for keeping accounts and reporting at each meeting
5.4. Officer shall be members of the group
5.5. Other members of the management committee to be elected are up to 9 members of the community
5.6. A quorum of the management committee will be 2, one of which must be an officer
5.7. The officers of the group shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting, with the exception of the Chair who will be elected every six months
5.8. In the event that an officer stands down during the year the management committee will elect a replacement
5.9. Any member of the management committee not attending a meeting without apology for two moths will be deemed to have resigned
5.10. Members can resign at any time in writing to the secretary or verbally at a meeting
5.11. The management committee may unanimously and for good reason terminate the membership of an individual. The individual concerned shall have the right to be heard by the management committee, accompanied by a friend before a final decision is made.
6. Annual General Meeting;
6.1. An Annual general meeting (AGM) will be heard within fifteen months of the last
6.2. Posters in all key buildings in areas will notify all members
6.3. Items for the agenda or motions for the meeting must be given in writing to the chair of the meeting no less than three days before the meeting date.
6.4. Nominations for officers and committee members will be made at the meeting
6.5. The quorum for the AGM will be five
6.6. Changes to the constitution will require two thirds of those present and voting
6.7. 10% of the groups overall membership must be present at an AGM
7. General meetings;
7.1. A general meeting will be open to all members and will be held at least twice a year, with the aim of have one a month
7.2. The quorum will be five. A representative area should be present to feed back ideas/needs etc…
7.3. The Secretary can call a Special General meeting if requested in writing by two members. Members will be given one weeks notice of such a meeting, and notice may be by telephone, email and posters.
7.4. The management committee will be responsible for the running of the group
8. Rules of Procedure;
8.1. With exception of changes to the constitution all questions that arise at any meeting should be decided by consensus otherwise all votes will be decided by a simple majority
8.2. If the number of votes cast on each side is equal the Chair of the meeting will have an additional casting vote
8.3. Any motion must have a proposer and seconder before it is discussed and voted on
9. Finances;
9.1. An account will be maintained on behalf of the group at a bank agreed by the committee. Signatories to the account will be the officers of the group. Cheques will require two signatures one of whom will normally be the Treasurer.
9.2. Records of income and expenditure will be maintained by the Treasurer and a financial statement given at each meeting
9.3. All money raised will be spent solely on the objects of the group
9.4. Fundraisers may designate where there money is used
9.5. The group may only use internet banking for re-examination of accounts.
10. Dissolution;
10.1. If a meeting, by simple majority decides that it is necessary to close down the group it may call a special general meeting to do so. The sole business of this meeting will be to dissolve the group. At least twnenty one days notice will be given to members.
10.2. If it is agreed to dissolve the group all remaining money, once outstanding debts have been paid, will be donated to a local charitable organisation. The organisation to be agreed at the meeting which agrees the dissolution.
11. Amendments to the constitution;
11.1. Any proposal to amend the constitution must be given to the secretary in writing at least a week before the notice of the meeting at which it is to be discussed is due to be circulated. The proposal must then be circulated with the notice of the meeting.
11.2. Any proposal to amend the constitution will require a two third majority of those present and entitled to vote.
11.3. Amendments to the constitution may only be made at the AGM. Proposed amendments will e distributed with the agenda for the meeting.
This constitution was adopted as FRIENDS OF THE LEVEL
On the
At
Signed by …………………………………………………. (Chair)
………………………………………………………………. (Member)