26th October 2006. After 6 weeks in existence, the Community Group signs its constitution and gets official sanction
1) Name
The name of the Organisation shall be the Lukes Lane Community Group (hereinafter called ‘the Group.’)
2) Objects
The objects of the Group are:
(a) to reduce poverty and social isolation and to promote community spirit for the residents of Lukes Lane,
(b) to improve the quality of life and encourage a healthy lifestyle by the provision of facilities, amenities, activities and outings,
(c) to develop opportunities for social contact, friendship, companionship, mutual support and promotion of community safety,
(d) to develop mechanisms for consultation and partnership working to improve housing and other services,
(e) to promote equality and diversity for all people.
3) Powers
In furtherance of the objects the Group may:
(a) raise funds and invite and receive contributions by any legal means other than through additional taxable permanent trading, outside the organisations primary purpose.
(b) organise and participate in training, meetings, outings, and other social events,
(c) co-operate with other voluntary organisations, community groups, statutory bodies and others to achieve the objects,
(d) produce and disseminate newsletters, books, articles, websites and other such material as shall be deemed necessary in pursuance of the objects,
(e) acquire property by purchase, lease, hire or rent and dispose of such property as may be necessary in pursuance of the objects,
(f) acquire motor vehicles by purchase, lease, hire or rent and dispose of such vehicles as may be necessary in pursuance of the objects,
(g) do all such other legal things as shall further the objects of the Association.
4) Membership
4.1 Membership of the Group shall be open to any resident of the Lukes Lane area with an interest in furthering the objects of the Group.
4.2 Membership of the Committee shall be open to any resident of the Lukes Lane area who is aged over 18 years and is also a member of the Group.
4.3 Membership shall end when a member ceases to be a permanent resident in the defined area, resigns or dies.
4.4 The Secretary will keep a record of the Group’s membership.
4.5 The Committee shall have the right for good or sufficient reason to terminate the membership of any individual or individuals who are deemed to be acting in a way which is considered detrimental to the Group.
In the event, the individual or individuals concerned shall have the right to be heard by the said Committee before a final decision is made.
5) The Committee
5.1 The Committee shall consist of not less than 5 or more than 10 members elected from the membership of the Group and at least 50% shall be council tenants.
5.2 The Committee may co-opt any person or persons with specific knowledge, skills or experience and for a suitable period of time PROVIDED THAT co-opted members account for no more than one third of the membership of the Committee.
Co-opted members do not have voting rights.
5.3 Should any member of the Committee fail to attend three consecutive meetings without good or sufficient reason they will be deemed to have resigned from the Committee.
5.4 There shall be no more than 2 committee members from the same family or household.
6) Committee Procedures
6.1 All matters arising at any meeting shall be decided by a simple majority vote.
No member shall exercise more than one vote but in the case of an equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
6.2 The Committee shall meet not less than 5 times a year including the Annual Meeting.
6.3 A quorum shall be one third of the members including at least one officer.
6.4 A special meeting of the Committee may be called at any time PROVIDED THAT at least 14 days notice shall have been given to members.
6.5 At the first meeting following the Annual Meeting the Committee shall elect from amongst their number a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer and such other officers as may be deemed necessary, who will serve for 24 months before being eligible for re-election.
6.6 The Committee may appoint such sub-committees as shall be deemed necessary and shall determine their duration, composition, powers and terms of reference.
Any sub-committee so appointed must always report back to the full Committee as soon as possible.
6.7 The Committee and all sub-committees shall keep minutes of all actions and proceedings and shall ensure the safe-keeping of all the Group’s documents and records.
6.8 The Committee may make rules to govern its activities and proceedings and those of any sub-committees PROVIDED THAT such rules are not inconsistent with the provisions of this constitution.
7) Nominations to the Committee
Nominations for membership of the Committee must be in writing and in the hands of the Secretary at least seven days before the Annual Meeting.
Should nominations exceed vacancies, election will be by ballot of members.
8) Annual Meeting
8.1 The Annual Meeting of the Group shall be held in the month of September each year or at such other time (not being more than 15 months after the preceding Annual Meeting) as the Committee shall from time to time determine.
8.2 At the Annual Meeting the business shall include:
i) consideration of the annual accounts,
ii) consideration of a report on the Group’s activities during the
preceding year,
iii) election of Committee members as appropriate,
iv) discussion of any relevant matter(s) of which prior notice has been
given.
The name of the Organisation shall be the Lukes Lane Community Group (hereinafter called ‘the Group.’)
2) Objects
The objects of the Group are:
(a) to reduce poverty and social isolation and to promote community spirit for the residents of Lukes Lane,
(b) to improve the quality of life and encourage a healthy lifestyle by the provision of facilities, amenities, activities and outings,
(c) to develop opportunities for social contact, friendship, companionship, mutual support and promotion of community safety,
(d) to develop mechanisms for consultation and partnership working to improve housing and other services,
(e) to promote equality and diversity for all people.
3) Powers
In furtherance of the objects the Group may:
(a) raise funds and invite and receive contributions by any legal means other than through additional taxable permanent trading, outside the organisations primary purpose.
(b) organise and participate in training, meetings, outings, and other social events,
(c) co-operate with other voluntary organisations, community groups, statutory bodies and others to achieve the objects,
(d) produce and disseminate newsletters, books, articles, websites and other such material as shall be deemed necessary in pursuance of the objects,
(e) acquire property by purchase, lease, hire or rent and dispose of such property as may be necessary in pursuance of the objects,
(f) acquire motor vehicles by purchase, lease, hire or rent and dispose of such vehicles as may be necessary in pursuance of the objects,
(g) do all such other legal things as shall further the objects of the Association.
4) Membership
4.1 Membership of the Group shall be open to any resident of the Lukes Lane area with an interest in furthering the objects of the Group.
4.2 Membership of the Committee shall be open to any resident of the Lukes Lane area who is aged over 18 years and is also a member of the Group.
4.3 Membership shall end when a member ceases to be a permanent resident in the defined area, resigns or dies.
4.4 The Secretary will keep a record of the Group’s membership.
4.5 The Committee shall have the right for good or sufficient reason to terminate the membership of any individual or individuals who are deemed to be acting in a way which is considered detrimental to the Group.
In the event, the individual or individuals concerned shall have the right to be heard by the said Committee before a final decision is made.
5) The Committee
5.1 The Committee shall consist of not less than 5 or more than 10 members elected from the membership of the Group and at least 50% shall be council tenants.
5.2 The Committee may co-opt any person or persons with specific knowledge, skills or experience and for a suitable period of time PROVIDED THAT co-opted members account for no more than one third of the membership of the Committee.
Co-opted members do not have voting rights.
5.3 Should any member of the Committee fail to attend three consecutive meetings without good or sufficient reason they will be deemed to have resigned from the Committee.
5.4 There shall be no more than 2 committee members from the same family or household.
6) Committee Procedures
6.1 All matters arising at any meeting shall be decided by a simple majority vote.
No member shall exercise more than one vote but in the case of an equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
6.2 The Committee shall meet not less than 5 times a year including the Annual Meeting.
6.3 A quorum shall be one third of the members including at least one officer.
6.4 A special meeting of the Committee may be called at any time PROVIDED THAT at least 14 days notice shall have been given to members.
6.5 At the first meeting following the Annual Meeting the Committee shall elect from amongst their number a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer and such other officers as may be deemed necessary, who will serve for 24 months before being eligible for re-election.
6.6 The Committee may appoint such sub-committees as shall be deemed necessary and shall determine their duration, composition, powers and terms of reference.
Any sub-committee so appointed must always report back to the full Committee as soon as possible.
6.7 The Committee and all sub-committees shall keep minutes of all actions and proceedings and shall ensure the safe-keeping of all the Group’s documents and records.
6.8 The Committee may make rules to govern its activities and proceedings and those of any sub-committees PROVIDED THAT such rules are not inconsistent with the provisions of this constitution.
7) Nominations to the Committee
Nominations for membership of the Committee must be in writing and in the hands of the Secretary at least seven days before the Annual Meeting.
Should nominations exceed vacancies, election will be by ballot of members.
8) Annual Meeting
8.1 The Annual Meeting of the Group shall be held in the month of September each year or at such other time (not being more than 15 months after the preceding Annual Meeting) as the Committee shall from time to time determine.
8.2 At the Annual Meeting the business shall include:
i) consideration of the annual accounts,
ii) consideration of a report on the Group’s activities during the
preceding year,
iii) election of Committee members as appropriate,
iv) discussion of any relevant matter(s) of which prior notice has been
given.
8.3 The Secretary shall give at least 14 clear days notice in writing of the Annual Meeting to all members.
Such notice shall include details of the matters to be discussed.
8.4 A special meeting of the Group may be called at any time by the Committee or at least one third of the membership.
Should such a meeting be requested it must be held within 14 days of the request being made.
8.5 A quorum at an Annual Meeting shall be one third of the membership,
This number shall include at least one officer.
8.6 All matters arising at an Annual Meeting shall be decided by a simple majority vote.
No member shall exercise more than one vote but in the case of an equality of votes the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
9) Finance
9.1 All funds raised from whatever source must only be used to further the objects of the Group.
9.2 A bank account shall be opened in the name of the Group and all monies raised must be paid into this account.
There shall be three signatories to the bank account and all cheques must be not less than two of the three authorised signatories.
The signatories must not be members of the same family or household
9.3 The Treasurer shall keep a record of all financial transactions and shall present regular reports to the Committee.
At the Annual Meeting the Treasurer shall present the annual accounts.
9.4 The Group’s accounts shall be kept up to date and annual accounts for each year shall be independently examined or audited as required by statute.
9.5 No member shall receive payment from the Group’s funds other than for reasonable, out-of-pocket expenses incurred whilst carrying out the business of the Group.
Appropriate vouchers and receipts must be produced for any such expenses claimed.
10) Amendments to the Constitution
This constitution may be amended at an Annual Meeting by a resolution passed by a two thirds majority of members present and voting.
No resolution may be passed which would prevent the Association from pursuing strictly charitable purposes.
11) Dissolution
11.1 The Group may be dissolved at any time by a resolution passed by a two thirds majority of members present and voting at a special meeting called for the purpose.
11.2 In the event of dissolution the Committee shall be the body responsible for the orderly winding up of the Group’s affairs.
11.3 After the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities the Committee shall transfer any remaining funds and assets to such other organisation or organisations having objects similar to some or all of the objects of the Group.
