CONSTITUTION OF
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1 NAME
The name of the organisation is ………………………………………. (the organisation).
2 THE OBJECTS OF THE ORGANISATION ARE:-
(List the purposes of the organisation)
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3 TRUSTEES
The organisation shall be managed by a committee of trustees who are appointed at the
Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the organisation.
4 CARRYING OUT THE PURPOSES
In order to carry out the objects, the trustees have the power to:
(1) raise funds, receive grants and donations
(2) apply funds to carry out the work of the organisation
(3) co-operate with and support other organisations with similar purposes
(4) do anything which is lawful and necessary to achieve the purposes
5 MEMBERSHIP
The organisation shall have a membership. People who support the work of the
organisation and are aged 18 or over, can apply to the trustees to become a member.
Once accepted by the trustees, membership lasts for 3 years and may be renewed. The
trustees will keep an up-to-date membership list.
The trustees may remove a person’s membership if they believe it is in the best interests
of the organisation. The member has the right to be heard by the trustees before the
decision is made and can be accompanied by a friend.
6 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - AGM
(1) The AGM must be held every year, with 14 days notice given to all members
telling them what is on the agenda.
(2) Minutes must be kept of the AGM.
(3) There must be at least (insert a number) members present at the AGM.
(4) Every member has one vote.
(5) The trustees shall present the annual report and accounts.
(6) Any member may stand for election as a trustee.
(7) Members shall elect between 3 and 10 trustees to serve for the next year. They
will retire at the next AGM but may stand for re-election.
7 TRUSTEE MEETINGS
(1) Trustees must hold at least 3 meetings each year. At their first meeting after the
AGM they will elect a chair, treasurer and secretary. Trustees may act by
majority decision.
(2) At least 3 trustees must be present at the meeting to be able to take decisions.
Minutes shall be kept for every meeting.
(3) If trustees have a conflict of interest they must declare it and leave the meeting
while this matter is being discussed or decided.
(4) During the year, the trustees may appoint up to 2 additional trustees. They will
stand down at the next AGM.
(5) The trustees may make reasonable additional rules to help run the organisation.
These rules must not conflict with this constitution or the law.
8 MONEY AND PROPERTY
(1) Money and property must only be used for the organisation’s purposes.
(2) Trustees must keep accounts. The most recent annual accounts can be seen by
anybody on request.
(3) Trustees cannot receive any money or property from the organisation, except to
refund reasonable out of pocket expenses.
(4) Money must be held in the organisation’s bank account. All cheques must be
signed by 2 trustees who are not related.
9 GENERAL MEETINGS
If the Trustees consider it is necessary to change the constitution, or wind up the
organisation, they must call a General Meeting so that the membership can make the
decision. Trustees must also call a General Meeting if they receive a written request
from the majority of members. All members must be given 14 days notice and told the
reason for the meeting. All decisions require a two thirds majority. Minutes must be
kept.
(1) Winding up - any money or property remaining after payment of debts must be
given to an organisation with similar purposes to this one.
(2) Changes to the Constitution - can be made at AGMs or General Meetings. No
change can be made that would make the organisation no longer charitable.
(3) General Meeting - called on written request from a majority of members.
(4) Trustees may also call a General Meeting to consult the membership
10 SETTING UP THE ORGANISATION
This constitution was adopted on (insert date) by the people whose signatures appear
below. They are the first members of the organisation and will be the trustees until the
AGM, which must be held within one year of this date.
Signed Print name and address
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