1. Name.
The Club shall be called “The Wrekin Arts Photographic Club”(hereinafter referred to as “the Club”).
2. Affiliation
to other organisations.
The Club
is a member of the Belfrey Arts Centre Trust in
through the Midland
Counties Photographic Federation.
3. Aims
and Objectives.
The aim of the Club is always to increase the enjoyment of photography, within both the Club and the wider community, and to expand members’
photographic skills and knowledge. This aim will be achieved by the holding of weekly meetings between September and June, where the Club
will present lectures and presentations by both professional and highly experienced amateur photographers, and hold competitions and
workshops, together with occasional social events. In addition, opportunities will be provided for members to exhibit their work within the local
community and other photographic clubs. The Club will also meet on a weekly basis in the Club premises during the summer months for informal
discussion and outings.
4. Membership.
a. Membership shall be open to all.
b. Classes of Membership shall be:
- Full Member (includes single and joint members)
- Junior and /or Full-time Student Member
- Members of State Pensionable Age
- Honorary Life Member
c. Any Junior Member under 18 should be accompanied at all meetings by either a parent or guardian.
d. Honorary Life Membership may be granted to any person who in the opinion of the Committee has rendered outstanding service to the Club,
e. and is duly voted for by at least 75% of the membership, at an AGM. Such members are able to take part in all the Club’s activities and
f. competitions, but would be exempt from paying further subscriptions.
e. The Committee must keep a Register of Members.
f. The Committee may refuse or terminate an individual’s membership.
g. All paid-up members and Honorary Members shall have one vote at General Meetings.
h. It is a condition of membership that members agree to abide by the Constitution.
i. Members may only enter the Club’s competitions if they possess a current year’s membership card.
j. The Club premises, being all on the
ground floor, provide good access for disabled members.
5. Subscriptions.
Annual Subscriptions are due in September at the start of each new season. Subscription rates and weekly entrance fees will be agreed at the previous
Annual General Meeting (AGM). A member joining after 1 February shall pay half the appropriate subscription rate for the remainder of the club season.
6. Management
of the Club.
a. The Committee.
i. The affairs of the Club shall be managed by a Committee, consisting of the following:
Chairman
Vice-Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer
Membership Secretary
Competitions Secretaries (3)
- Merit Prints
- Merit Slides
- Interclub and other competitions
Buildings Officer
Press Officer
Plus 4 other members
ii. The quorum for Committee meetings shall be four.
iii. Committee meetings shall be convened by the Chairman or, exceptionally, by three members of the Committee.
iv. At least three Committee meetings shall be held each year.
v. During the year the Committee may co-opt members to the Committee as required.
vi. Sub-committees may be formed by resolution of the Committee to run specific Club functions.
vii. Committee decisions will be determined by majority vote, with the Chairman having a casting vote.
viii. Committee members and a members’ auditor will be elected by a majority vote at each AGM.
ix. Nominations for Committee posts at an AGM must be proposed by one member and seconded by another.
x. The committee must keep proper records of all proceedings at General Meetings and Committee Meetings.
b. Financial Management.
i. The Treasurer is
responsible for the safe custody of Club funds.
ii. All Club funds shall be banked at recognised banks or building societies.
iii. Cheques must be signed by the Treasurer and Chairman.
iv. The Treasurer will provide a financial statement for each AGM and at any other time required by the Committee.
v. A Committee Member and a non-Committee Member will audit the annual Accounts.
vi. The Committee, through the Treasurer and Secretary, is responsible for ensuring that the club is adequately insured to cover
public liability and Club property.
c. Dissolution.
i.
A decision to wind up the Club
may only be taken when the funds of the Club are insufficient for the Club to
run properly, and
j.
this decision can
only be taken at an EGM or AGM. In the absence of a quorum at such a meeting, a
motion signed by 10 members
k.
or 10% of the
membership, whichever is the greater, shall constitute the same decision.
ii. After discharging all debts and liabilities of the Club, the remaining assets are to be given or transferred to a voluntary organisation
having similar objectives to those of the Club.
7. Meetings.
i. The AGM shall be held at the end of each season or not more than 15 months after the previous AGM.
ii. The quorum for the AGM (and EGM) shall be 20% of the membership.
iii. All motions to be seconded.
iv. A member who is unable to attend will be allowed a proxy vote. This intention must be conveyed to the Secretary in writing prior to the start of the meeting.
v. The Committee shall submit reports for the previous year.
vi. The Treasurer shall provide an audited statement of accounts.
vii. Members of the committee shall be elected at the AGM.
viii. Agenda items and motions, and Committee nominations, proposed and seconded, should be submitted to the Secretary no later than three weeks before the meeting.
ix. Agenda items and motions, proposed and seconded, may also be taken from the floor at an AGM, at the discretion of the Chairman, and if it is the will of the meeting.
x. Committee nominations, proposed and seconded, may also be taken from the floor at an AGM.
An EGM
may be called by the Committee or by not less than 5 members of the Club. The
Committee shall fix a date, which is not later than 3 months from the date of
receiving a valid request. All members are to be informed in writing within 28
days of any such request and must at the same time be provided with a copy of
the motion(s) to be proposed. No other business may be transacted in the EGM.
8. Alterations to the Constitution,
No alteration or addition to the Constitution shall be made except at the Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General Meeting called in accordance with Section 7 above. Any proposals to change the Constitution will require a 2/3rds majority of those present to be carried.
Adopted as the Constitution of the Wrekin Arts Photographic Club at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Club held, in accordance with section 7(ii) above, on:
________________________________
Signed_______________________________________________________Chairman
Signed_______________________________________________________Secretary