Constitution

Constitution of the North-East Scotland Classical Guitar Society

1. Title
· The Society shall be known as the North-East Scotland Classical Guitar Society (NESCGS).

2. Aims
· The aims of the Society shall be:
a. To promote the enjoyment of and education in classical guitar music, by means of members’ evenings, performances, concerts, courses, workshops, etc. in public or otherwise, of such music;
b. To provide concert opportunities for performers, giving some priority to any such local performers;
c. To give members the opportunity to broaden their classical guitar skills and knowledge
d. To foster contact with other guitar societies in furtherance of the aims of the Society.

3. Membership
· Ordinary membership of the Society shall be open to all who:
a. Support the aims of the Society; and
b. Pay the annual subscription at the appropriate rate as determined by the members of the Society at the AGM.
· Members who have not paid the required subscription shall not be entitled to vote at General Meetings. Membership is not transferable. Membership may be cancelled by the Committee if they decide it to be in the best interests of the Society.
· The Treasurer shall issue membership cards, valid for one year, to members who have paid the required subscription.
· Patrons, if any, are full members of the Society, and must satisfy criterion (a) and be accepted by the Committee.
· Honorary members must satisfy criterion (a).

4. Management
· The Society shall be administered by a Committee consisting of a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer - hereinafter known as Officers - and other ordinary members as necessary.
· The Committee may co-opt new members at its discretion.
· The Committee shall fulfil whatever functions are necessary to ensure the smooth running of the Society. It shall hold sufficient minuted meetings to complete the business in hand. The quorum for such meetings shall be a total of three officers or ordinary members, of whom one must be the Chairman or Secretary. Minutes shall be made available to Society members upon request.

5. Committee Elections
· All members of the Committee must be Society members, shall serve for one year and shall be eligible for re-election by the members of the Society at an Annual General Meeting (AGM).
· Election of the Officers and ordinary members of the Committee shall take place at the AGM in accordance with arrangements determined by the Committee.

6. General Meetings
· An Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held in June each year.
· Members shall be notified in writing at least three weeks in advance, and shall be sent copies of the Agenda and the Minutes of the previous AGM.
· The business of the AGM shall be:
a. To receive reports from the Chairman and the (audited) accounts from the Treasurer
b. To elect the Committee;
c. To fix subscription rates;
d. To transact such other business as may be required.
· An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be called by the Committee, or at the written request of not fewer that one third of the members of the Society. The Committee shall arrange the meeting, to be held within four weeks of the receipt of the request, and shall give at least fourteen days notice to all members. No business other than that for which an EGM is called shall be dealt with.
· The quorum for all General Meetings shall be one quarter of the membership of the Society.
· A majority vote shall prevail, and shall be binding on the Committee, except as otherwise provided for elsewhere in this Constitution. Members may vote by proxy.

7. Finance
· Subscription rates will be decided at a General Meeting, but may be changed as the need arises;The financial year shall end on 31st May;
· A bank account shall be opened in the name of the Society and cheques shall be signed by two Officers, one of whom shall be the Treasurer;
· The Society may receive donations and grants in aid.
· The Society may purchase items that would further its aims.
· Tickets for its concerts, workshops, etc. may be offered for sale to the public. Members may, at the discretion of the Committee, be offered such tickets at a discount;
· The income and property of the Society, whencesoever derived, shall be applied solely towards promoting the aims of the Society as set out above, and no portion of it shall be paid or transferred either directly or indirectly to any member of the Society except in payment of legitimate expenses incurred on behalf of the Society;
· The Treasurer shall keep a record of all income and expenditure and shall present the (audited) accounts at the AGM and at any other time upon reasonable request;
· Accounts shall be audited by a member of the Society who is not on the Committee;
· Prospective members may be offered a subscription reduction should the join part way through the
financial year. The Treasurer should propose this subscription rate.

8. Liaison with Other Organisations
· The Society can join other organisations that would further its aims and pay any subscriptions.

9. Equality Statement:

North East Scotland Classical Guitar Society is strongly committed to equal opportunities for all sectors of the community. It is the policy of our society to ensure that all participants, volunteers, coaches or parents receive equal treatment regardless of age, gender, marital status, employment status, social class, colour, race, ethnic or national origin, religious belief or disability.

Our aims are:

A: Eliminating any barriers or ‘perceived' barriers to participation within the society.

B: Ensuring that all members are aware of, understand and follow the society's equity statement.

C: Increasing awareness within the society of the needs of those who face discrimination.

D: Ensuring that the society considers equal opportunities in all its activities.

E: Ensuring that the society premises are accessible to all, including those with physical disabilities.

F: Ensuring that the implementation of the statement is reviewed regularly and monitored for effectiveness.

10. Winding Up
· The Society shall only be wound up if, at a General Meeting, a decision to do so is returned be a two-thirds majority.

11. Transfer of Funds
· In the event of the dissolution of the Society, any funds standing to its credit shall be transferred to a charitable organisation, or organisations, with objects similar to those of the Society, and whose rules preclude the distribution of income and assets amongst the members.

12. Amending the Constitution
· This Constitution may be amended by a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority at a General Meeting. Notice of an amendment to the Constitution shall be received by the Secretary at least
four weeks before the date of the relevant meeting.

Agreed

Inaugural Officers
Secretary - Jim Campbell
Treasurer - Les Stewart
Chairman - Peter Stock