SAVE OUR SHIRE

Constitution 

1.      The name of the Association is “Save our Shire”.

2.      Save Our Shire is a voluntary non-profit making body of persons associated for the purposed hereinafter appearing.

3.      The objects for which Save our Shire is established are:

• to work to protect the history and heritage of Richmondshire;

• to affiliate or join in association with any other body, institution or society whose interests and objects are similar, ancillary or considered to be helpful to the objects of  Save our Shire;

• to receive and apply donations, subscriptions and funds from persons and organizations designed to promote the objects aforesaid, or any of them, and to hold funds in trust for same;

• to do all such things as Save our Shire may think conducive to the attainment of the above objects or any of them.

4.    Membership

• such persons as the members of the Committee shall elect to membership, shall be members of Save our Shire, namely the following:
  
  Any persons who are concerned, interested or engaged directly or indirectly in the protection of Richmondshire’s history and heritage, or in any pursuit ancillary thereto or are able to contribute to the objects of Save our Shire.

• there shall be one class of membership which shall be open to persons of any nationality, race or creed;

• any member may resign his or her membership by giving the Secretary notice in writing to that effect.

5.   Committee & Trustees

• the committee is elected at the annual general meeting and shall comprise chairman, treasurer, secretary and up to 4 ordinary members. Additional non-voting members may be co-opted. They take office, and the previous committee leaves office, at the end of the meeting. If a post becomes vacant for any reason then a replacement may be co-opted by the committee;

• the chairman has a casting vote at both committee and general meetings in addition to his ordinary vote;

• the committee are the trustees of Save our Shire;

• the committee should arrange to meet at least twice during the year. Additional meetings can be called by any 2 members of the committee, giving at least 2 weeks notice, or less if all members consent. The quorum is 2 or one-third of the members, whichever is greatest.

6.      Minutes and accounts

• minutes will be kept of all general and committee meetings. As a minimum, the agenda and the result of all votes will be recorded;

• the committee shall ensure that adequate accounts are kept and a statement of account presented to the Annual General Meeting;

• the accounts shall be audited. The auditor may be a member of Save our Shire but not the committee;

• the minutes, accounts and auditor's report shall be open to inspection by any  member of Save our Shire. However, a copy with parts obscured or removed where essential to maintain confidentiality can be supplied.

7.      Bank Accounts

Any bank account(s) in which any assets of Save our Shire are deposited shall be operated by the trustees and shall be held in the name of Save our Shire.  All cheques and orders for the payment of money from such an account shall be signed by at least two trustees, authorized by the Committee

8.      Annual & Special Meetings

• special general meetings will be called by the Committee at the request of one-third of the membership or 10 members, whichever is the smaller, or at the discretion of the Committee;

• Annual General Meetings will be called by the Committee at intervals not exceeding 14 months;

• at least 21 days notice must be given to all members, and must include the motions to be voted on. Other business may be considered and a vote taken, but the result is only advisory. Notice may be delivered by hand, or by post or by email to the last recorded address;

• the quorum shall be 7 members, or one-tenth of all current members, whichever is more;

• a report will be provided to the Annual General Meeting by each of the officers.

9.     Amending the constitution

The proposed amendments will be considered at a general meeting. The resolution must be passed by not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting. The notice of the general meeting must include notice of the resolution setting out the terms of the amendment proposed.

10.   Dissolution

• a general meeting shall be called to consider dissolution:
  All adult members have voting rights.
  A simple majority is required for ordinary resolutions to be carried by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting.
  The committee shall have power to realise any assets held by or on behalf of Save our Shire.
  Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be distributed equally to Richmondshire Open Spaces Appeal (ROSA) and Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust (Richmond Station)
  
  If Save our Shire ceases to function to the extent that the above procedure can not be followed then all assets shall be divided equally between Richmondshire Open Spaces Appeal (ROSA) and Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust (Richmond Station)