Constitution - Shanty U.K.

     SHANTY UK CONSTITUTION
06/07/2010

  1    NAME

     The organisation's name is   SHANTY UK

  2    THE PURPOSES OF THE  ORGANISATION ARE:-

a)   Shanty UK will provide opportunities for people of all ages and cultural backgrounds to observe, perform and participate in the celebration of maritime music and related activities and will work through education and demonstration to preserve the oral maritime tradition which is an important part of our national cultural heritage.

b)   Shanty UK aims to be an arena to build develop and showcase Maritime Music whilst using its platform to promote sharing and involvement by creating an open and diverse meeting point to underpin cultural and historical art-forms specific to and cherished by the British people whilst catering to an international audience. Moreover its creation is designed to provide an arena committed to the legacy of international Maritime music to build community through music and song.  

c)   As part of its activity to achieve these aims Shanty UK intends to organise an annual Maritime Festival in the North West of England

  3    MANAGEMENT OF THE ORGANISATION

The organisation shall be managed by a management committee who will be appointed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the organisation.

  4   CARRYING OUT THE PURPOSES

In order to carry out the organisation's purposes, the officers 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 or charities 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 committee to become a member.  Once accepted by the committee, membership lasts for one year and may be renewed.  The officers will keep an up-to-date membership list.

The officers 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 management commitee 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.   Minutes must be kept of the AGM.

(2)   There must be at least 3 members present at the AGM.

(3)   Every member has one vote.  

(4)    The Chairman shall present the annual report and accounts.

(5)   Any member may stand for election as an officer of the organisation

(6)   Members shall elect between 4 and 10 committee members serve for the next year.  They will retire at the next AGM but may stand for re-election.



  7   MANAGEMENT MEETINGS

(1)   The Management Committee  must hold at least 3 meetings each year.  At their first meeting after the AGM they will elect a chair, and three other officers.  The Committee may act by majority decision.

(2)   At least 3 committee members must be present at the meeting to be able to take decisions.   Minutes shall be kept for every meeting.

(3)   If committee members have a conflict of interest they must declare it and  will not be able to vote on the decision

(4)   During the year, the committee may appoint up to 4 additional committee members.  They will stand down at the next AGM.

(5)   The Management Committee may make reasonable additional rules to help run the organisation.  These rules must not conflict with this constitution or the law and must be ratified by a vote of the general membership at the next General Meeting

  8   MONEY AND PROPERTY

(1)   Money and property must only be used for the organisation's purposes.

(2)   The organisation must keep adequate records and it will be the responsibility of the Treasurer to ensure accurate accounts are prepared to meet legal and statutory requirements and to manage the organisation.
 
(3)   Officers 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 officers

  9   GENERAL MEETINGS

If the Management Committee 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.  The officers 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.  

(3)   General Meeting - called on written request from a majority of members.

(4)   The Management Committee may also call a General Meeting to consult the membership

  10   SETTING UP THE ORGANISATION

This constitution was adopted on  6th July 2010.   An AGM will be held within one year of this date.