Whitchurch Walkers Constitution
Revised and agreed by Committee 31st July 2012 and adopted at the AGM 19th March 2013
1. Name
The Society shall be called the Whitchurch Walkers
2. Objects
The
objects of the Society shall be:
a. To preserve, maintain and defend the rights of the public to the
use and enjoyment of footpaths, bridleways and other rights of
way free from obstruction, nuisance and annoyance.
b. To prevent the abuse of such rights and to encourage observance
of the Country Code.
c. To co-operate with others in the furtherance of these objects.
3. Area of Benefit
The main,
but not exclusive, focus of the Society’s activities will be the
area of Whitchurch, Shropshire and its environs.
4.
Membership
Subscription
categories and rates shall be set by the Committee which will also
have the right to expel a member for non-payment of their
subscription or for undesirable conduct. Other organisations
including local councils can become Associate Members. Every such
affiliated body shall be entitled to nominate a representative to
exercise all the rights of membership of the Society. The
subscription of new members joining after 1st October
will cover the following year as well. Subscriptions are due at the
Annual General Meeting at which only paid-up members may vote.
5. Officers and Management a. The Officers of the Society shall be a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.
b.
The Society shall be managed by a Committee consisting of between 6 to
10 members including the Officers. This Committee shall be the sole
authority for interpreting the rules of the Society. All members shall
retire annually, but shall be eligible for re‑election at the Annual
General Meeting.
c. The
Committee will decide when and where it meets subject to a minimum of
meeting in alternate months. Four members shall constitute a quorum. In
any equality of votes the Chairman of the meeting shall have a second
casting vote. The Committee may appoint sub-committees consisting of
three or more members to deal with any part of its activities and may
delegate to such sub-committee any of their powers or duties.
Sub-committees shall report to the full Committee.
d.
If a decision is required between committee meetings, the Chairman or
Secretary may communicate with members of the Committee by email or
letter and a decision made based on the responses received within a
specified time, subject to the restrictions in the second and third
sentences of paragraph [5c] above. The decision must be confirmed at
the next committee meeting and minuted.
e.
Committee and other members may take on specific areas of
responsibility such as membership, publicity, webmaster, programme etc
as agreed by the Committee and to which they are responsible.
f. The Committee shall have power to fill casual vacancies; also to co-opt additional members.
g.
A special meeting of the Committee may be called by the Secretary on
the request of the Chairman or of not less than 4 members of the
Committee.
h. Any member
of the Committee shall vacate his/her office if: [i] he/she gives
notice of his/her intention to resign and his/her resignation is
accepted.or [ii] he/she fails to attend three consecutive meetings of
the Committee unless the failure to attend was due to some reason
approved by the Committee.
i. The Society’s year shall begin on 1st March.
j.
In furtherance of the Society’s objects the Committee shall hold maps
showing as far as possible the public rights of way in the Society’s
area; investigate and/or initiate complaints about rights of way;
monitor planning applications for potential effects on rights of way;
investigate and where necessary comment on or oppose proposals to
divert or close rights of way; encourage local authorities to perform
their duties as conservators of public rights of way; maintain third
party insurance cover.
6 General Meetings
a. At all General Meetings, 12 members shall form a quorum.
b.
An Annual General Meeting shall be held,normally in March and subject
to a minimum 14 days notice, to conduct the following business:
i.
Receive report[s] from the Committee covering the period since the
previous Annual General Meeting and to adopt the accounts for the
previous calendar year.
ii.
Elect officers and committee members and appoint an independent
examiner; nominations whether made before or at the meeting must have
the agreement of the nominee, a proposer and seconder. If an
actual election is required it shall be by ballot; three tellers should
be appointed by a show of hands at the time of the election.
iii.
Discuss and consider motions, notice of which shall have been given in
writing to the Secretary before the meeting although the Chairman has
the discretion to admit additional resolutions with the consent of the
majority of members present.
c.
A Special General Meeting may be called by the Chairman or the
Secretary at any time, or within 28 days of receiving a request to do
so, signed by a minimum of ten members, and giving reasons for the
request. The minimum 14 days notice of the meeting shall include
notification of the matters to be discussed and the terms of any
motions which it is intended to move.
13. Dissolution
If, in the
event of the dissolution of the Group, confirmed by a two-thirds
majority of those present and voting at a General Meeting of the
Group, there remains after the satisfaction of its debts and
liabilities any property whatever, this shall be transferred to
some other group[s] with similar objects as shall be determined at
the meeting agreeing to the dissolution.
14. Alterations to the Constitution
This constitution may be rescinded, supplemented, altered or
suspended by a majority vote passed at a General Meeting . Members
shall be informed of the proposal at least 14 days before the
meeting.
15. Notice
The
accidental omission to give notice of a meeting or the non-receipt
of a notice of meeting by any member shall not invalidate any
proceedings or resolutions at any meeting of the Group or any
committee.
This
revision adopted by members of Whitchurch Walkers at their Annual
General Meeting held on 19th March 2013 .
Chairman:
_______________________ Secretary:
_______________________________
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