Group Constitution

This is an example of a typical constitution you could use for your group.

CONSTITUTION OF (Your group name here)

1) Name

The name of the Group shall be "your group name here".

2) Aims

The aims of the Group shall be to:

• To promote the free gifting of items amongst the residents of the "your group name here" area primarily, but not exclusively. This shall be without distinction of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, or of political, religious or other opinions by associating the said inhabitants, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to save items from landfill
• To be an internet-based Group on the Yahoo! community groups facility
• To be a not for profit group
• To prohibit the exchanging of animals, weapons and illegal items on its site (adapt as per the rules on your group)

3) Powers

In order to achieve its aims the Group may:

• Raise money
• Open bank accounts
• Organise training and events
• Work with similar Groups and exchange information and advice with them
• Do anything that is lawful which will help it to fulfil its aims

4) Membership

• Membership of the Group shall be open to any individual without regards to disability, political or religious affiliation, race, sex or sexual origin who is: i. Interested in helping the Group to achieve its aims
ii. Willing to abide by the rules and guidelines of the Group
iii. Willing to pay any subscription agreed by the Management Committee
• Each member shall have one vote at meetings of the Group
• The membership of any member may be terminated for good reason by the Management Committee

5) Management

• The Group shall be administered by a Management Committee of not less than three and not more than 7 individuals elected at the Group’s Annual General Meeting (AGM)
• The Officers of the Management Committee shall be: the Chairperson, the Treasurer and the Secretary
• The Management Committee may co-opt onto the Committee, up to three individuals, in an advisory and non-voting capacity that it feels will help to fulfil the aims of the Group
• The Management Committee shall meet at least three times a year<br • At least three Management Committee members must be present for a Management Committee to take place
• Voting at Management Committee meetings shall be by a show of hands. If there is a tied vote then the Chairperson shall have a second vote
• The Management Committee shall have the power to remove any member of the Committee for good and proper reason
• The Management Committee may appoint any other member of the Group as a Committee member to fill a vacancy, provided that the maximum prescribed is not exceeded

6) The Duties of the Officers

a) The duties of the Chairperson shall be to:

• Chair meetings of the Committee and the Group
• Represent the Group at functions/meetings that the Group has been invited to
• Act as the spokesperson of the Group when necessary

b) The duties of the Secretary shall be to:

• Keep a membership list
• Prepare in consultation with the Chairperson the agenda for meetings of the Committee and the Group
• Take and keep minutes of all meetings
• Collect and circulate any relevant information within the Group

c) The duties of the Treasurer shall be to:

• Supervise the financial affairs of the Group
• Keep proper accounts that show all monies received and paid out by the Group

7) Finance

• All monies received by or on behalf of the Group shall be applied to further the aim of the Group and for no other purpose
• Any bank accounts opened for the Group shall be in the name of the Group
• Any cheques issued shall be signed by the Chairperson and the Treasurer
• The Group shall ensure that its accounts are independently examined every year
• The Group may pay reasonable out of pocket expenses including travel and meal costs to members or Management Committee members

8) Annual General Meeting

• The Group shall hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the month of (MONTH)
• All members shall be given at least fourteen days notice of the AGM and shall be entitled to attend and vote
• The business of the AGM shall include: i. Receiving a report from the Chairperson on the Group’s activities over the year
ii. Receiving a report from the Treasurer on the finances of the Group
iii. Electing a new Management Committee
iv. Considering any other matter as may be decided
• At least (5) members must be present for the Annual General Meeting and any other General Meeting to take place

9) General Meetings

• There shall be (3) General Meetings (excluding the AGM) each year
• All members shall be entitled to attend and vote

10) Special General Meeting

A Special General Meeting may be called by the Management Committee or (3) members to discuss an urgent matter. The Secretary shall give all members (fourteen days) notice of any Special General Meeting together with notice of the business to be discussed.

11) Alterations to the Constitution

Any changes to this Constitution must be agreed by at least (5) of those members present and voting at any General Meeting.

12) Dissolution

The Group may be wound up at any time if agreed by (7) of those members present and voting at any General Meeting. In the event of winding up, any assets remaining after all debts have been paid shall be given to another Group under the Freegle umbrella.

13) Adoption of the Constitution

Until the first AGM takes place, the persons whose names, addresses and signatures appear at the bottom of this document shall act as the proposed Management Committee referred to in this constitution.

Fred Bloggs, 8 High Street, Watcha, Freegleland, FR12 3BN. Chairperson
Signed...............

LouiseMiggs, 20 Long Lane, Longley, Freegleland, FR13 4DR. Secretary
Signed...............

Harry Potter, 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Freegleland, FR26 2HP. Treasurer
Signed................

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