Constitution

CHESTER HUMANISTS

CONSTITUTION 

01/09/2023

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1 Name

The name of the Group shall be: Chester Humanists

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2 Aims

The aims of the Group shall be to: Provide activities, services, social opportunities, friendship and support for people with a humanist world view.

 

3 Powers

In order to achieve its aims the Group may:

a.  Raise money

b. Open bank accounts

c. Take out insurance

d. Organise courses and events

e. Encourage training in community service roles (e.g. Celebrancy, School Speaking, Pastoral Support)

f. Work with other groups and exchange information

g. Do anything that is lawful which will help it to fulfil its aims

 

4 Membership

(a) Membership of the Group shall be open to any person over 18 who is;

interested in the aims of the group and

willing to abide by the rules of the group and

willing to pay any subscription agreed by the Management Committee and

living in or has an association with Chester and the surrounding area – that area including but not limited to the area served by Cheshire West and Chester Council and extending to further parts of the Wirral and into North East Wales.

(b) Membership shall be available to anyone without regard to gender, race, nationality,

disability, sexual preference who shares a humanist perspective

(c) Every individual member shall have one vote at General Meetings.

(d) The membership of any member may be terminated for good reason by the

Management Committee but the member has a right to be heard by the Management

Committee before a final decision is made.

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5 Management

(a) The Group shall be administered by a Management Committee of the Officers and not

more than 6 other members elected at the Group`s Annual General Meeting (AGM).

(b) The Officers of the Management Committee shall be: the Coordinator, the Deputy Coordinator, the Treasurer and the Secretary.

(c) The Management Committee shall meet at least 4 times a year.

(d) The Coordinator shall Chair all meetings of the Group.

(e) The quorum for Management Committee meetings shall be 4 members.

(f) Voting at Management Committee meetings shall be by show of hands. If there is a

tied vote then the Coordinator shall have a second vote.

(g) The Management Committee may by a two-thirds majority vote and for a good and

proper reason remove any Committee member, provided that person has the right to be

heard before a final decision is made.

(h) The Management Committee may appoint another member of the Group as a

Committee member to fill a vacancy provided the maximum number is not exceeded.

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6 Duties of the Officers

(a) The duties of the Coordinator* are to:

• chair meetings of the Committee and the Group

• represent the Group at functions/meetings that the Group has been invited to

• act as spokesperson for the Group when necessary

• or deputy

 

(b) The duties of the Secretary are to:

• take and keep minutes of meetings

• prepare the agenda for meetings of the Committee and the Group in consultation with

the Coordinator

• maintain the membership list

• deal with correspondence

• collect and circulate any relevant information within the Group

 

(c) The duties of the Treasurer are to:

• supervise the financial affairs of the Group

• keep proper accounts that show all monies collected and paid out by the Group

 

7 Finance

(a) Any money obtained by the Group shall be used only for the Group.

(b) Any bank accounts opened for the Group shall be in the name of the Group.

(c) Any payments shall be authorised and processed by the Treasurer and one other nominated official.

 

8 Annual General Meeting

(a) The Group shall hold an Annual General Meeting (A.G.M.) in the month of July.

(b) All members shall be given at least fourteen days’ notice of the A.G.M. and shall be

entitled to attend and vote. The quorum for an AGM shall be 4 members.

(c) The business of the A.G.M. shall include:

(i) receiving a report from the Coordinator 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 and

(iv) considering any other matter as may be decided.

 

9 Special General Meeting

A Special General Meeting may be called by the Management Committee or by any

5 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. All members shall be entitled to attend and vote.

 

10 Alterations to the Constitution

Any changes to this Constitution must be agreed by at least two-thirds of those

members present and voting at any General Meeting.

 

11 Dissolution

The Group may be wound up at any time if agreed by two-thirds 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 local Group with similar aims or to Humanists UK.