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The 1605 Living History Society Constitution

Name

The society will be known as the '1605 Living History Society'; ('1605 LHS').

Aim

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 aim by:

• Promoting the historical aspects of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, and looking at the problems of religious conflict, and the consequences of political, racial, and religious persecution. We aim to achieve this by working together with all interested parties, regardless of age, ethnic origin, ability, sex, belief, or political affiliation, and recognising the value of our many differences and the understanding of our many different views.
• 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 members, including health & safety, and child protection.
• 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 background 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.

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.

All Meetings

Members will be notified by e-mail from the committee of notice of meetings. Members unable to attend will be able to cast an e-mail vote (if required) and any other legal means possible at the time.

Management

• 1605 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.

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.
• Vice Chairperson: Will assist the chair in all aspects of the running of the society, and stand in when and where necessary at meetings in the chairperson's absence.
• Secretary: Will keep minutes of the meetings.
• Treasurer: An account will be opened in the name of the '1605 LHS'.
  At least two nominated signatures shall sign any cheque issued.
  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.
Any payments will only be paid under condition that the person signing is self employed and therefore responsible for their own accountability, and that the Society will not under any circumstances be liable for tax, national insurance or any other payments required by law.

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.). Those who are working with children will be expected to hold a valid enhanced CRB certificate.

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.

In this section...

About the 1605 Living History Society Frequently Asked Questions Testimonials The Constitution Public Safety Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults