The name of the association is..........Insert Name of Organisation........... ................................
....................................................................................................................(' the Association ')
B. Administration
Subject to the matters set out below the Association and its property shall be administered and managed in accordance with this constitution by the members of the Committee, constituted by clause I. of this constitution (' Committee’)
C. *Objects
The Associations objects (' the objects ') are
*Insert a statement about the overall mission or ethos of the organisation. i.e .
The organisation is set up to promote the development and education of children aged 2 - 6 years living in the Hammersmith & Fulham and provide support and a meeting place for their parents and carers.
D. *Aims
*Insert the specific aims of the organisation i.e.
a) To provide play facilities.
b) To provide a support network for parents and carers.
E. Membership
(1) Membership of the Association shall be open to:
(i) *individuals (over the age of 18 years) who are interested in furthering the work of the Association and who have paid any annual subscription laid down from time to time by the Committee,
*You can define the membership more specifically if you wish.
(ii) *junior membership shall be open to those under the age of 18 years who are interested in furthering the work of the association. (junior members shall not be entitled to vote)
*This is an optional clause. If the group wishes to open bank accounts rent accommodation etc then they have to be over 18 as by law under 18s cannot enter into contracts hence the split in membership.
(2) The Committee shall have the right:-
(i) To approve or reject application for membership and
(ii) For good and sufficient reason to terminate the membership of any individual provided that the individual member concerned shall have the right to be heard by the said Committee before a final decision is made.
F. Subscriptions
The Association shall decide at its Annual General Meeting ('AGM') whether to levy an annual subscription. If it is decided to levy a subscription, the payment of any subscription shall be entered on a membership card provided by the Association.
G. *Finance
(i) All money raised by or on behalf of the Association shall be applied to cover the running costs of the Association and the achievement of the objects of the Association and for no other purpose.
(ii) The Treasurer shall keep proper account of the finances of the Association and shall operate a bank account/s in the name of the Association.
(iii) Cheques shall be signed by any two of the four nominated members.
(iv) The accounts shall be prepared in line with *legal requirements and circulated to members at the AGM. (*Less than 10,000 income per year - Annual Income & Expenditure Report: More than 10,000 income - Independent Examination or Audit)
* If an organisation is in receipt of £1000.00 per year or more and there objects are charitable they are legally obliged to seek charitable registration and will then be expected to operate within charitable law. This constitution would not be acceptable to the charity commission, a more formal constitution would be required.
H. Officers
At the first meeting after the AGM the Committee will elect from amongst itself a Chair, Treasurer and Secretary.
I. Committee
(i) At the AGM the members will elect a Committee consisting of a minimum of ? and ? a maximum of members.
(ii) Any casual vacancy in the Committee may be filled by the Committee and any person appointed to fill such a casual vacancy shall hold office until the next AGM and shall be eligible for election at that meeting by the full membership of the Association.
J. General Meetings
(i) The Committee will meet every ? weeks/months to manage the day to day work of the Association. These meetings are General Meetings ('GM')
(ii) Seven days notice of General Meetings will be given to all members of the Committee in writing.
(iii) The quorum for General Meetings shall be ? members.
(iv) All matters for decision will be decided by a simple majority of those present and voting. In the case of an equality of votes the Chair shall have a second or casting vote.
K. Annual General Meetings
(i) An Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held in the month of ? or within thirteen months of the last AGM.
(ii) At least 28 days days' notice of an AGM shall be given in writing to all members and those eligible for membership.
(iii) The quorum for an AGM will be ? members.
(iv) At the AGM the officers of the Association will present reports, including the accounts of the Association for the previous year and will conduct any other business, e.g. appointment of auditor .
(v) At the end of the AGM the current Committee will retire from office and the membership will elect a new Committee for the coming year. Retiring Officers are eligible to stand for re election.
L. Special General Meetings
(i) Special General Meetings ('SGM') may be called at any time for the purpose of altering the constitution or for considering any matters which needs the immediate attention of all members.
(ii) Special General Meetings shall be called either at the written request of at least ? members of the Association or if the General Meeting decides by a simple majority that it is necessary or advisable.
(iii) At least ? days' notice of any Special General Meeting will be given to members in writing, stating the reason/s for holding the meeting.
M. Amendments to the Constitution
(i) This constitution can only be amended at an Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting called for that purpose.
(ii) Any proposals to amend the constitution must be presented to the Secretary in writing at least ? days prior to the meeting at which they are to be considered.
(iii) Proposals to amend the constitution must be circulated to all members of the Association with the notice of the meeting.
N. Dissolution
(i) If the General Meeting decides at any time by a simple majority that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Association, the officers shall call a meeting of all members, giving at least 14 days' notice in writing and stating the terms of the dissolution resolution to be proposed at the meeting.
(ii) If a resolution to dissolve the Association shall be agreed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting, the meeting shall elect three people who will have the responsibility of accounting for and disposing of any assets held by or in the name of the Association.
(iii) Any assets remaining after debts and liabilities have been settled shall be given to or transfered to any charitable institution or institution having objects similar to the objects of the Association as the Committee may determine.
Specimen 2 and Model Constitution for a Charitable Unincorporated Association
Messrs G Owen & Co : 2004.
