Constitution

The NEW EUROPE Society

 

1.  Name

 The Society shall be called the NEW EUROPE Society (“the Society”).

 

2.  Objects 

To promote friendly relation between the British and other European peoples, by holding lectures, discussions and social events.

3.  Membership

 Membership shall be open to any person or organisation at the discretion of the Committee upon payment of the subscription fee and providing they are willing to be bound by these Rules.

 Application for membership of the Society shall be made in writing to the Secretary.

The Secretary shall maintain a record of all members’ names and addresses.

 The annual subscription shall be:     £ 20 for individual membership

                                                      £ 30 for family membership ( 2 adults and children under 18)

                                                      £100 for corporate membership

Or such other sum as may be determined in future by the Committee.

 The subscription year shall run from 1 October to 30 September.

 If any member’s subscription is in arrears, the Secretary shall send a reminder and if it remains unpaid for a further calendar month after despatch of the reminder, the member will be deemed to have resigned. 

4.  Organisation and Management

The Society shall be managed by  a committee whose constitution, powers and duties are set out in these rules.

  1. A Member of the Committee is appointed for three years and may be re-elected.
  2. The Committee may co-opt further members.
  3. At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) the membership shall confirm any members who have been co-opted during the preceding year and any who have served a full term and wish to continue.

 The Committee shall comprise between four and nine members. A quorum shall be one third of the Committee.

They shall from their number appoint a Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary and such other officers as they may from time to time deem necessary. Any individual may hold more than one office.

 The Committee shall have the power, in pursuance of the objects of the Society:

  1. to enter into monetary obligations on behalf of the Society and to apply the funds of the Society in satisfaction of these obligations;
  2. to open bank accounts in the name of the Society and to deposit funds of the Society with a reputable financial institution;
  3. to enter into contracts and other legally binding obligations on behalf of the Society;
  4. to do all such other things as may reasonably be necessary in order to achieve the said objects;
  5. to keep a record in a Minute Book of the proceedings of all committee and general meetings.

 The Committee may appoint a President for such a period as is deemed appropriate.

5.  Accounts

 The Treasurer shall keep such proper books of account as will enable him to present at each AGM of the Society or at any other time if required (on reasonable notice to him) by the Committee, an accurate report and statement concerning the finances of the Society and shall present such report and statement accordingly.

 The financial year of the Society shall end on 30 September in each year to which day the accounts of the Society shall be balanced.

 6.  Expenses

 Any expenses and outgoings of the Society incurred in holding meetings shall be met by the funds of the Society.

All expenses of the Committee reasonably incurred on behalf of the Society for stationary, printing, postage and other items shall be paid for by the funds of the Society.

The Committee members’ expenses incurred in attending committee or any meetings of the Society shall not be met by the Society, unless sanctioned by the Committee (the member receiving such expenses abstaining from voting on the motion).

7.  General Meetings

A General Meeting of the Society shall be held at least once each year on such day as the Committee shall determine to transact the following business:

  1. to receive and, if approved, to adopt a statement of the Society’s accounts to the end of the preceding year,
  2. to consider and, if approved, sanction any duly made alteration of these Rules;
  3. to elect members of the Committee;
  4. to deal with any special matter which the Committee desires to bring before the members.

8.  Conduct of Meetings

At all meetings of the Society the Chair shall be taken by the Chairman of the Committee or, in his/her absence, a member appointed by the Chairman and failing this a member appointed by the meeting.

Every paid-up member, whether individual, family or corporate, shall be entitled to one vote upon every motion, and in the case of equality of votes the Chairman of the meeting shall have the casting vote.

At General Meetings the quorum shall be four.

9.  Dissolution

If the number of members of the Society shall at any time fall below six, the Society shall be competent and entitled to vote a Resolution to dissolve the Society, such dissolution taking immediate effect.

Upon the dissolution of the Society, the surplus assets (if any) of the Society remaining after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities shall be distributed among members at that time.

 

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