The 1605 Living History Society Constitution
Name
The group will be known as the '1605 Living History Society';(This may be abbreviated within this and other documents to '1605 LHS').
Aims
To promote interest, education in the history of the Gunpowder plot in 1605, and how people lived during this period.
Objectives
The society will fulfil the aims by:- Promoting the historical aspects of the Gunpowder Plot and the 1605 period, by working together with all interested parties, regardless of age, ethnic origin, ability, sex, belief or political affiliation recognising the value of our many differences.
- To carry out and promote, educate, encourage, and support the promotion of historical knowledge, by working with statutory and non statutory agencies.
- To raise funds and receive contributions where appropriate to finance these aims.
- To publicise and promote these aims.
- Open a bank account.
- Make rules and standing orders for categories of members and their rights..
- Organise meetings, training courses and events.
- Work with similar groups and exchange information and advice with them.
- To arrange educational enactments and displays using as many mediums as possible to bring about a better understand of the links to the historical back ground and the history of the Gunpowder Plot and its Warwickshire - Coventry connections.
- To work alongside and with local authorities, voluntary and educational groups to ensure the fullest possible outreach of the programmes.
- To hold events for the public, schools and educational departments.
- To ensure that the fullest possible media coverage is given so that all are aware of the society and its events.
The society will be based, until further notice, at the Chairperson's abode.
Telephone: 07761 367 458
or send an email.
Membership
Open to all on an annual basis.Membership of 1605 LHS shall be open to anyone who is interested in helping the society to achieve its aim and willing to abide by the rules and constitution of the society.
Every full member shall have one vote at general meetings.
The Management Committee shall have the power to refuse membership to an applicant, where it is considered such membership would be detrimental to the aims, purposes, or activities of the group.
Associate Members from Local Authorities, Goverment and other Council, and Public services are welcome to help bring about a furtherance of the project and assist with the same.
Members details will be held on a computer database, to comply with the Data Protection Act, members can opt to not have their information held this way, but processed manually.
Registration and termination of membership
Any member of the association may resign his/her membership and any representative terminate or suspend the membership of any members, if in its opinion his/her conduct is prejudicial to the interests and objects of the association, provided that the individual member or representative of the member organisation (as the case may be) shall have the right to be heard by the General Committee before the final decision is made. There shall be a right of appeal to an independent arbitrator appointed by mutual agreement. Expulsion will be by a closed vote of a quorum of the membership, after receiving a complaint in writing from a member or members, to exclude after due process
Membership Fees
Any annual membership, will be set at the AGM
The quorum of General Meetings
- Shall be one fifth of the membership, or five, whichever is the greater number.
- Voting at ALL meetings will be by the showing of hands or by agreement.
- In the case of equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
- Associates and Honorary members may attend any meeting. Non-members, associates, or guests attending any meeting will not be allowed to take part in any formal proceedings or voting.
Special General Meetings
Will be notified by announcements in local papers and/or newsletters, by post or e-mail to members. Members unable to attend will be able to cast a postal or e-mail vote and any other legal means possible at the time.
Management
- 1606 LHS shall be administered by a Management Committee of not less than three people and not more than fifteen members elected at the group's Annual General Meeting.
- Committee Members must be at least 18 years old.
- The officers of the management Committee shall comprise: Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary and such other officers that the society shall deem necessary at the Meetings.
- The Management Committee shall meet at least twice a year.
- At least three Management Committee Members must be present for the Management Committee meeting to take place.
- The society will have the power to set up work parties as deemed necessary, who shall be accountable to the committee.
- Local Authorities, Goverment, Council, or Public services employees cannot hold any office, but can be appointed in a non-executive position.
Election of Committee
The Committee will be elected at the AGM. Nominations to be submitted by members in writing one month prior to the AGM, the date of which to be published two months in advance. Nominations must be signed by, the proposer, the seconder and the nominee. If no nominations are received by the AGM, the standing committee may be elected for another year if they are willing to carry on. If for any reason a member of the committee cannot carry out their duties until the next AGM, the committee may appoint another person to fill this post until the next AGM.Additional non-executive officers may be appointed at a General Meeting, where it is deemed necessary by the committee.
Roles of officers
- Chairperson: Will promote the society to the best of his/her ability.
- Secretary: Will keep minutes of the meetings, and respond to any communication to or from the society and the society behalf.
- Treasurer: Will open an account in the name of the '1605 LHS'
To keep all monies accountable to the society, and at the AGM, produce the accounts, which will be open for inspection by members only, and a statement of account will be made available.
Finance
Any money obtained by the society shall be used only for the society. Grants or awards made to the society, shall be kept for the budget of that award only, and will not be transferable. For finance accountability each award will be accountable separately.The Management Committee will ensure that the society stays within the budget.
The Committee shall be entitled to an indemnity out of the assets of the society for all expenses and liabilities incurred during the discharge of their duties carried out on behalf of the society, which will only be paid with valid receipts, unless these expenses arise from wilful negligence, dishonesty, or recklessness.
Indemnity
The Committee shall not be liable, other than as ordinary members, for any loss suffered by the society as a result of the discharge of duties, unless arising from wilful negligence, dishonesty, or recklessness.
Child protection
At no time will any member of the society be alone with any child or children without a member of staff or non-related member also being present. (See the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults page.)
Alteration of the Constitution
Proposals for amendments to this constitution or dissolution must be delivered to the secretary in writing. The secretary, in conjunction with all other officers, shall then decide on the date of a formal meeting to discuss such proposals, giving at least four weeks clear notice.Any changes to this constitution must be agreed by a least two thirds of those members present and voting at any general meeting.
Dissolution
On the winding up of the '1605 LHS' if proposed by 75% of the membership following a Special General Meeting, (one months notice to be given), all documentation will be deposited into the Coventry City Archives.The assets of the '1605 LHS' will be sold and along with any other surplus monies, (after the repayment of any unused grants, loans or receipted expenses) will be given to a local charity, to be nominated by the members attending the final AGM.
The members have voted on and formally adopted this Constitution at the AGM meeting held on the date below;
