Bingley Handbell Ringers

Constitution

1. Name

1.1The name of the Groupshall be Bingley Handbell Ringers, hereafter referred to as theGroup.

2.Membership

2.1Membership of the Group shall be open to any person, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or disability, who is interested in furthering the aims and objectives of the Group and has paid the appropriate fee (via the Group) for membership of the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain.

2.3The committee has the power to terminate the membership of the Group of any individual, provided that the decision of the Committee (with the exception of (i) the individual concerned if a member of the Committee and (ii) any member of the Committee making or connected with the complaint against the individual) is unanimous both as to the termination and as to there being good reason for it, and provided that the individual concerned shall have the right to be heard by the Committee, accompanied by a friend if desired, before a final decision is made.

2.3Every member shall have one vote at any meeting of the Group.

3.Aims and Objectives

The aims and objectives of the Groupshall be:

3.1To keep alive and further the traditional art of Handbell Ringing.

3.2To provide opportunities for the general public to see and hear this form of music making.

3.3To provide educational/hands on experience to young and old regardless of ability, through schools, youth groups, societies, and other activities if requested to do so.

3.4To hold regular practice sessions. Such sessions to be open to any member of the public who wishes to experience this activity, without obligation.

4.Committee

4.1The Groupshall have a committee consisting of at least the following:

(a) Chairperson – co-ordinate Group activities

(b) Secretary – responsible for correspondence and note taking

(c) Treasurer – responsible for financial control

(d) Two other members

4.2The role of the committee is to manage all aspects of the Group’sadministration, the organisation of concerts and other events, and the control of finance, bearing in mind the wishes of the general membership.

4.3The committee may invite persons to attend any of its meetings as a participant without the power to vote.

4.4Any vacancy within the committee shall be filled from the ordinary membership and agreed by committee.

4.5Any person who has ceased to be a member of the committee shall be eligible for re-election annually at the AGM.

4.6No member of the committee or any of the ordinary membership shall receive remuneration from the committee in money or monies worth.

4.7The committee will meet as and when required to administer the affairs of the Group.

4.8The chair shall have the power to call special meetings open to all members and can be held for the purposes of altering the constitution and for considering any matter that should be referred to the members in general. The chair should call a special meeting at the request of not less than two committee members or not less than four ordinary members.

4.9The secretary or other person specially appointed by the committee shall keep a full record of proceedings at every meeting of the committee, special meeting or AGM of the Group.

5. Annual General meetings (AGM)

5.1 The committee shall convene AGMs not more that 15 months after the previous AGM

5.2The AGM shall be publicised at least fourteendays in advance by leaflets and posters or by email.

5.3At the AGM the ordinary members shall elect a Committee annually including a chair, secretary, treasurer and any other honorary officers as the committee will decide

5.4The existing chair, officers and honorary officers of the committee shall hold office until the conclusion of the AGM

6.Rules of Procedure

6.1QUORUM: a minimum of three committee members shall form a quorum at committee meetings and a minimum of three committee members and two ordinary members shall form a quorum at AGMs.

6.2VOTING: every matter, except where this constitution provides otherwise, shall be determined by a majority of members present and voting. In the case of equal votes the chair of the meeting shall have the casting vote.

6.3MINUTES: a minute of all meetings shall be kept and formally adopted.

7.Finance

7.1The financial year shall run from 1st September to 31st August in the following year

7.2The treasurer shall keep proper accounts of the finances of the Group. All incoming funds shall be lodged without deduction to the Group’s bank account.The income and property of the Group however derived shall be applied solely towards promoting the aims and objectives of the Group as set forth above and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred either directly or indirectly to any member or members of the Group except in payment of legitimate expenses incurred on behalf of the Society.All deeds, cheques, bills of exchange and on-line banking relating to the Group shall be signed by a signal signatory and the operators of the account shall be agreed from time to time at the Group’s Annual General Meeting.

7.3An independent financial examiner elected by the committee shall annually examine the accounts of the Group and then submit them to the members of the Group at the Annual General Meeting.

8.Alterations to the constitution

8.1Any alterations to this constitution shall receive the assent of no less than two-thirds of the members present and voting at an AGM or special meeting.

9.Equipment

9.1The set of 71 handbells belonging to All Saints Parish Church, Bingley and any subsequent additions thereto, including bell tables, pads, drapes, cases, music and music stands shall be entrusted to the Group for use and safekeeping.

9.2 There shall be four trustees in whom custody of the handbells and other equipment shall be vested for the benefit of the Group namely:

i)The Chairman

ii)The Secretary

iii)The Treasurer

iv)A representative of the PCC

9.3In the event of the holder of one of these offices refusing to act astrustee, or in the opinion of the Committee failing to act in the best interests of the Group, another trustee shall be appointed in his place at a general meeting of the Group.

9.4The trustees shall allow the members of the Group the sole and continuous use of the handbells and other equipment

9.5The Group shall be responsible for all costs and expenses arising out of the proper use of the handbells and equipment by the members of the Group.

9.6The Group shall insure and keep insured against all risks the handbells and equipment for their full replacement value

10.Dissolution

10.1The Group may be dissolved by a resolution passed by a majority of members present and voting at a special meeting convened for the purpose.

10.2In the event of the Group being wound up the handbells and all other assets of the Group shall return or transfer to the ownership of All Saints Parish Church, Bingley.

10.3Any assets remaining after the settling of any debts and liabilities shall be applied towards charitable bodies within Bingley. Such charitable bodies to be decided and approved by the aforesaid majority.

This constitution was first adopted in 2009 and amended at the AGM on 29th September 2010 and again on 2 October 2012 and again on 3 October 2016.

6 October 2016

Constitution.doc