ST EDWARDS FELLWALKERS CONSTITUTION
1. NAME
The name of the club shall be St Edwards Fellwalkers.
2. OBJECTS
The objects of St Edwards Fellwalkers are –
2.1 To advance the physical education and personal development of members, by encouraging participation in walking and other social activities and providing the means to do so.
2.2 To participate fully in the understanding and use of maps and compass and heighten the awareness of both personal and group safety.
2.3 To develop the leadership and navigational skills of members.
3. AREA OF BENEFIT
North Tyneside and surrounding boroughs.
4. POWERS
To further the objects, St Edwards Fellwalkers has the power to –
4.1 Recruit Volunteers. (e.g. Walk leaders and Walk organisers)
4.2 Work in partnership with other organisations.
4.3 Invest funds in any lawful way.
4.4 Raise funds by any lawful means except permanent trading.
4.5 Accept gifts either for the general purposes of St Edwards Fellwalkers or for a specific purpose within or connected to the objects.
4.6 Do anything else within the law which promotes or helps to promote the objects.
5. MEMBERSHIP
5.1 Membership is open to any individual aged 14 or over that agrees with the objects, 14 – 16 year olds must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
5.2 The committee may decide to set up a youth membership, or any other categories of membership that they decide upon.
5.3 The committee must keep an up to date list of the membership of St Edwards Fellwalkers.
5.4 A membership fee is charged on an annual basis, which is renewable on 1st January each year and must be paid by the 31st January of that year. This charge applies to existing and new members.
5.5 The renewal charge applies to existing members up to the 31st January. Members will not be permitted to attend walks unless they have renewed their membership.
5.6 Membership renewals for non paid up members paid after 31st January and before the AGM must pay the full joining fee. If a member does not renew their membership fee by the time of the AGM, that year they are no longer considered to be a member of the club.
5.7 If the committee considers that a member’s conduct is disruptive, harmful or inappropriate in any way, they will be subject to the club’s Disciplinary Procedure.
5.8 Long standing members of 10 years or more, and who have reached their 80th birthday will be eligible for Honorary Life Membership. Honorary Life Members will be entitled to free membership. The committee reserves the right to award HLM to any other member they deem is worthy of this status.
6 THE COMMITTEE
6.1 The club shall be managed by a committee of not less than three and not more than twelve members. All committee members must be a member of the club.
6.2 Committee members shall hold their respective posts for 1 year following the AGM at which they were elected.
6.3 The basis for election is self nomination. Nominations for the committee must be received no later than at the last committee meeting prior to the AGM. Nominations received after this will not be considered. Where no nomination has been received for a particular role by the deadline for nominations, nominations will be sought at the AGM.
6.4 The committee’s officers shall include –
6.4.1 Chairperson – elected at the AGM.
6.4.2 Officers – Secretary, Treasurer, Booking Secretary, Walks Coordinator, Membership Secretary, Social/Pastoral Secretary – elected either at the AGM or co-opted by the committee at a committee meeting. An officer’s post may be shared between two members if deemed appropriate by the committee.
6.4.3 Up to five additional Committee Members – elected either at the AGM or co-opted by the committee at a committee meeting.
6.5 The committee shall meet a minimum of four times per year, and shall keep a formal record of all meetings.
6.6 The quorum for a committee meeting or committee decision is three members.
6.7 Each committee member has one vote and if the vote is tied, the Chairperson has a casting vote.
6.8 The committee has the power to co-opt up to three members onto the committee to fill vacant places until the next AGM. Each co-opted committee member has one vote.
7 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS
7.1 The secretary must give 21 days notice of an AGM to all members.
7.2 All members over the age of 18 are entitled to attend and vote at the meeting. No proxy votes will be given.
7.3 The quorum for an AGM is 20 members.
7.4 A formal record of an AGM will be kept.
7.5 The AGM will –
7.5.1 Receive nominations for the Chairperson and other committee members.
7.5.2 Elect the Chairperson and other committee member.
7.5.3 Receive a report of the year’s activities.
7.5.4 Receive the year’s statement of accounts.
7.6 The committee may call a Special General Meeting at any time. If five members request a SGM in writing, the secretary must call one.
8. FINANCE
8.1 All funds belonging to or raised for St Edwards Fellwalkers shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objects of St Edwards Fellwalkers
8.2 The treasurer shall keep an account of all income and expenditure and shall present an examined account at the AGM.
8.3 An independent examiner (i.e. not a committee member), shall be appointed to examine the accounts.
8.4 There shall be one or more bank or building society accounts in the name of the club. Two committee members who are not related shall be designated as authorised signatories
8.5 Committee members may claim reasonable out-of-pocket expenses on terms approved by the committee, no other payments can be made to members of the club.
8.6 Any expenditure over and above usual running costs requires authorisation by the committee.
9 CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION
9.1 Changes to the constitution shall be introduced at an AGM. The secretary must give all members details of the proposed changes. For the constitution to be changed at least half the members present at the meeting must agree with the changes.
9.2 The adopted constitution shall remain in effect until such a time that the committee deems any further amendments are necessary.
10 DISSOLUTION
10.1 St Edwards Fellwalkers may only be dissolved at either a SGM or an AGM. The secretary shall give all members details of the proposed dissolution. For the club to be dissolved at least half of the members present at the meeting must be in agreement.
10.2 If the members agree that the club should be dissolved, any assets remaining after clearing of all debts and liabilities, shall be donated to a group with similar objects, or, if this cannot be done, to any charitable purpose.
11. ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION
11.1 A copy of this constitution shall be available to all members.
11.2 This constitution was adopted at the AGM of St Edwards Fellwalkers –
At (place) The Ship Inn, Monkseaton
On (date) 1 April 2015
