CONSTITUTION
As adopted by Annual General Meeting May 2006, plus additions regarding Area Groups adopted by Annual General Meeting 2008.
1. NAME AND OBJECTIVES. The Group shall be called “Devon Humanists” and shall have the following objectives:
Advancing the philosophy of Humanism.
Providing means for like-minded individuals to meet and discuss Humanist values, principles and relevant subjects.
Promoting charitable purposes.
2. MEMBERSHIP. Any person who agrees with the objectives of the Group may become a member on payment of the annual subscription. The Executive Committee may refuse to admit as a member, or terminate membership of any person whose conduct is, in its opinion, inconsistent with the objectives of the Group.
3. OFFICERS. The Officers shall be Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Publicity Officer and Web Site Manager. They shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting of the Group. The Chair should serve for no more than 3 years, in normal circumstances.
4. AREA GROUPS. An Area Group can be set up with agreement of the Committee. A Group will be semi-autonomous but all members must be members of Devon Humanists.
An Area Group may send up to 2 representatives of their choice to Committee Meetings. They will have full voting rights.
5. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The Executive Committee shall consist of Officers, Group Representatives and any additional members elected at the Annual General Meeting. If necessary, the Executive Committee may also appoint Acting Officers during the year to serve until the next Annual General Meeting.
The Chair of the Group shall be the Chair of the Executive Committee. The general business of the Group shall be administered by the Executive Committee. It shall meet at least once in every 3 months, and at least 14 days notice of meetings shall be given to members. A quorum shall be 4 members of whom at least 2 shall be officers
6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS. An Annual General Meeting shall be held in each year. It shall receive financial accounts and reports from the Executive Committee for the preceding year. It shall elect the Officers of the Group and other members of the Executive Committee. It may also elect a President for a period of 3 years.
At least 21 days notice of the meeting shall be given to all members. Nominations duly seconded and notices of motions must be received by the Secretary at least 7 days before the meeting. .
7. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS. A Special General Meeting may be convened by the Executive Committee, or shall on receipt of a request signed by at least 15% of the members of the Group, be convened by the Secretary within 6 weeks of the receipt of request for such a meeting. At least 21 days notice of the meeting shall be given to all members. Only business stated on the notice convening the meeting shall be considered at such Special General Meetings.
The quorum at both the above types of meetings shall be 5 members of the Group. In any dispute concerning the affairs of the Group, a General Meeting shall be the final authority.
FINANCE. The income and property of the Group shall be devoted to the
Promotion of the objectives of the Group. Officers and other members of the Executive Committee may not receive payment for their services to the Group, but may claim essential expenses.
In the event of the Group having to be wound up, all funds after payment of liabilities shall go to the British Humanist Association.
The annual subscription of the Group shall be set by the Annual General Meeting.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS. The Constitution may be
amended by a resolution passed by at least two thirds of the members present and voting at a General Meeting. The notice of the General Meeting must include notice of the resolution setting out the terms of the amendment proposed.
AFFILIATIONS. The Group shall maintain its affiliation to the British Humanist
Association and National Secular Society unless decided otherwise by the Annual General Meeting. Affiliation to other bodies may be sought by resolution of a General Meeting.
Roger McCallister
Secretary, Devon Humanists
22 May 2008.
This Constitution replaces that approved in 1995.