Friends_of_Naseby_Park_Consitution.DOC (Download Version).

FRIENDS OF NASEBY PARK

CONSTITUTION

1. Title

The organisation shall be called ‘The Friends of Naseby Park’ (hereinafter referred to as ‘Friends’).

2.         Geographical Area

The geographical area served by Naseby Park is defined as the administrative boundary of Broomhill Community Council (appendix 1).

1. Objectives

The objectives of the organisation shall be:

1. to act as a representative body for local people with an interest in Naseby Park;

1. to develop a sense of ownership of the park with all sections of the local community;

1. to improve the environment in the park;

1. to encourage action/initiatives for the park;

1. to encourage and pursue the development and sustainability of park play equipment;

1. to work with any other body, including the local authority, in advancing these objectives.

1. Powers

In order to promote these objectives, the organisation may:

1. take out membership of organisations whose activities and interests are compatible with the aims of the organisation;

1. produce publicity in furtherance of its aims;

1. purchase, lease, exchange, hire or otherwise acquire or dispose of any property necessary for the promotion of the organisation, the park and park activities;

1. make regulations for the management of any property that may be acquired;

1. employ staff to supervise, organise and carry out the work of the organisation and make reasonable provisions for the payment of pensions/superannuation where possible;

1. raise funds and invite and receive contributions by way of subscriptions and donations. The organisation shall not undertake any permanent trading activities in raising funds except by means of a company established for that purpose;

1. invest the monies of the organisation not immediately required as may be thought fit, subject to conditions (if any) required by law;

1. consult regularly with all members of all ages of the local community.

The Chairperson, Secretary or Treasurer may execute legal documents on behalf of the organisation. Such documents shall be signed by any two of the organisation’s office bearers.

1. Membership

1. Full membership shall be open to all individuals aged 16 years or over who wish to further the objectives of the organisation.

1. There shall be a family membership available to include spouses and children under the age of 16 and entitled to one vote.

1. Persons under the age of 16 shall be eligible for junior membership without voting rights.

1. The Management Committee shall have the right for good and sufficient reason to terminate the membership of any individual or organisation and any such will have the right to be heard by the Management Committee before a final decision is made.

1. Honorary members may be elected at the discretion of the Management Committee, but these members shall not be entitled to vote at meetings.

1. The secretary will maintain a full register of membership.

6.         Management Committee

1. The Committee shall consist of the officers and such additional individuals as the membership may elect. It shall have a minimum of five and a maximum of 12 members including the officers.

1. The organisation shall elect from its membership at the Annual General Meeting, a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and any other officers as it considers necessary.

1. The officers of the organisation shall hold office for no more then three consecutive years after which they shall be eligible for re-election by the Committee at the Annual General Meeting.

1. Membership of the Committee will be renewed annually at the Annual General Meeting and the term of office shall not exceed three years. Retiring members may be re-elected.

1. There will be two Committee places available to junior members. These members should be aged 14 to 15 years.

1. When a vacancy arises, election to the Committee shall be by the nomination and seconding of the proposed new member. In the event of more than one nomination, election shall be resolved by a majority vote. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson will have a second and casting vote.

1. Any member of the Committee who fails to attend three consecutive Committee meetings without proper noted apologies will be deemed to have resigned.

1. The Committee shall have the power to co-opt other people (to a maximum of two) if they consider it necessary to further the organisation’s objectives.

1. The Committee shall meet not less than twice per calendar year. Minutes shall be kept of all Committee meetings. The quorum shall be one half of the members or at least three members.

1. The Committee may appoint sub-committees as necessary and shall determine their terms of reference, powers, duration and composition. All acts and proceedings of such sub-committees shall be reported back to the Committee as soon as possible.

7.         Meetings

The Committee shall hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the first quarter of each calendar year and shall give a minimum of twenty-one days’ notice in writing to the members.

At the AGM, the following procedures will be conducted:

1. Presentation of the report and accounts for the previous financial year;

1. Presentation and invitation of future plans for Naseby Park;

1. The election of officers and other members of the Committee;

1. The appointment of an independent audit should this be necessary.

An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be summoned at the request of the Committee, or at the written request of any ten members. Notice of such a meeting will be at least three weeks before the date of the meeting.

The quorum for an AGM or EGM of the organisation shall be one third of the total members.

All questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of those present and entitled to vote.

No person shall exercise more than one vote, but in the case of an equal number of votes, the Chair of the meeting shall have the casting vote. Such a casting vote will be a second vote and will be final.

8.         Finances

1. All monies raised by or on behalf of the organisation shall be applied to further its objectives and for no other purpose, providing that nothing herein shall prevent the payment of reasonable and proper remuneration to any employee of the organisation and fees to professionals and technical advisors. No payment shall be made to members of the Committee or of any sub-committee appointed by it other than reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

1. The accounts shall be properly maintained by the Treasurer and a statement of accounts for the last financial year shall be presented to the AGM.

1. A bank/building society account shall be opened in the name of the organisation as the Committee shall decide. The Committee shall authorise in writing, four of its members to sign cheques on behalf of the organisation. One of these shall be the Treasurer. All cheques must be signed by not less than two authorised signatories.

9.        Amendment of the Constitution

Any amendments to the constitution will be made at the AGM. Any member wishing to propose an amendment should make their proposal in writing to the Secretary at least four weeks before the AGM. The terms of the proposed amendment will be printed in the agenda for the AGM.

Amendments will require a two-thirds majority of those present, provided such exceeds 25% of the membership.

10.       Ending the group

If the Committee, by a simple majority, decides at any time that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the organisation, it shall call a special meeting, giving the members not less than 21 days’ notice (stating the terms of the resolution being proposed).

If the decision is confirmed by a two-thirds majority of those present and entitled to vote, the Committee shall have the power to dispose of any assets held be or on behalf of the organisation. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to other charitable organisations having similar aims and objectives.

11.       Adoption

This constitution was certified as a ‘true copy’ and adopted by the Committee at a meeting of the Friends of Naseby Park on:………………..

Signed:………………………………..                      
(Chairperson)  

Signed:………………………………..
(Secretary)

Signed:………………………………...
(Treasurer)

Appendix 1:

Map of Broomhill Community Council administrative area (December 2007)