THORNBURY CHORAL SOCIETY
CONSTITUTION
1. TITLE
The name of the Society shall be Thornbury Choral Society.
2. OBJECTS
To foster an appreciation of the art and science of music by the presentation of concerts and associated activities.
3. MEMBERSHIP
Members shall be those persons who pay the subscription at the appropriate rate or rates recommended by the Committee and approved by members at the Annual General Meeting, the subscription being paid in advance.
4. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE
The management of the Society shall be in the hands of a Committee consisting of the Officers (Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer) and up to nine other members. The Officers and other Committee Members shall be elected by, and out of the Society’s members, at the Annual General Meeting; they shall hold office for one year and be eligible for re-election. In addition, the Musical Director shall be a non-voting, ex-officio member of the Committee. The Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy in their numbers during the year but not the power to co-opt any additional member to the Committee.
5. MANAGEMENT
The management of the Society shall be carried out by the elected Committee members. All arrangements for concerts and other events shall be in the hands of the Committee or any choir member delegated by the Committee to undertake the work. The control of finances shall be in the hands of the Committee.
6. POWERS
In furtherance of the objects, but not otherwise, the Committee may exercise the following powers:
i) power to raise funds and to invite contributions provided that in raising funds the Committee shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities and shall conform to any relevant requirement of the law;
ii) power to buy, take on lease or in exchange any property necessary for the achievement of the objects and to maintain and equip it for use;
iii) power to co-operate with other charities, voluntary bodies and statutory authorities operating in furtherance of the objects or similar charitable purposes and to exchange information and advice with them;
iv) power to establish or support any charitable trusts, associations or institutions formed for all or any of the objects;
v) power to appoint and constitute such advisory committees as the Committee may think fit, the advisory committee having a member of the Committee as Chairman. The Chairman of the advisory committee may co-opt additional members to his or her advisory committee;
vi) power to terminate the membership of any individual, provided that the decision of the Committeeis unanimous both as to the termination and as to there being a 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. If the individual is a member of the Committee, the hearing shall be before a specially constituted sub-Committee consisting of the Officers and the voice representatives. No person involved in any complaint against an individual may sit on the hearing.
vii) power to do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of the objects.
7. FINANCE
The financial year shall run from 1st June to 31st May. Money raising activities shall be a subsidiary source of income.
A banking account shall be maintained in the name of the Society and cheques shall be signed by any two of the three Officers.
The Society may receive donations, grants in aid and financial guarantees.
The income and property of the Society whencesoever derived shall be applied solely towards promoting the objects of the Society as set forth above and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred either directly or indirectly to any member or members of the Society except in payment of legitimate expenses incurred on behalf of the Society.
In the event of the winding up or dissolution of the Society, any remaining assets after all liabilities have been discharged shall not be paid to any member or members of the Society but shall be transferred to a charitable organisation whose objects are similar to those of the Society and whose rules preclude the distribution of income and assets to its members.
8. GENERAL MEETING
Within four months of the end of each financial year the members shall be summoned to an Annual General Meeting of which at least fourteen days notice shall be given in writing.
Nominations for election to the Committee must be made by members of the society in writing
and must be in the hands of the secretary of the Committee at least 7 days before the AGM.
Should nominations exceed vacancies, an election shall be held.
Procedure at General Meetings
The secretary or other person specially appointed by the Committee shall keep a full record of
proceedings at every general meeting of the charity.
There shall be a quorum when at least 10% of the members of the society at the time or 10
members, whichever is the greater, are present at any general meeting
9. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
A Special General Meeting, of which at least seven days notice in writing must be given to all members, may be called by the Chairman or Committee or upon written request to the Secretary signed by at least twelve members of the Society. The notice convening the meeting shall state the business to be transacted.
10. ACCOUNTS
The financial accounts shall be subject to independent examination and submitted to the Annual General Meeting. The Independent Examiner shall be appointed by the Committee.
11. CHANGE OF CONSTITUTION
The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the members present at an Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting provided that nothing therein contained shall authorise any amendment which shall have the effect of the Society ceasing to be a charity. The Secretary must have 14 days notice, in writing, of any proposed amendments, duly seconded. The proposed amendment shall be circulated to members with the notice calling the Meeting.
No amendment may be made to clause 1 (name of the charity), clause 2 (the objects), clause 7 (distribution of assets or dissolution) without the prior written consent of the charity commission. The Committee shall send the Charity Commission a copy of any amendment made under this clause.
12. APPOINTMENT OF MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Members may nominate candidates to be considered for the post of Musical Director. It shall be the responsibility of the Committee to determine the appointment procedure and to appoint the Musical Director.
13. APPOINTMENT OF ACCOMPANIST
The Accompanist shall be appointed by the Committee after discussion with the Musical Director. It shall be the responsibility of the Committee to determine the appointment procedure and to appoint the Accompanist.
14. HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS
Honorary Life Members shall be elected by the Committee in recognition of outstanding services rendered towards furthering the interests of the Society. Honorary Life Members shall be full members of the Society.
Any member of the choir may propose honorary life membership for another choir member for the Committee’s consideration. Honorary Life Members shall receive such benefits as shall, from time to time, be determined by the Committee.
TCS Constitution as amended19 Oct 2015