THE MARKET HARBOROUGH CIVIC SOCIETY’S CONSTITUTION
 

1. Name

The name of the Society shall be the Market Harborough Civic Society.

2. Aims and Objects

The objects of the Society are: -

(i) to promote high standards of planning and architecture;

(ii) to educate the public in the geography, history and natural history of Market Harborough;

(iii) to seek the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic or public interest in Market Harborough.

In furtherance of these objects the Society shall endeavour: -

(a) to promote civic pride;

(b) to promote research into subjects directly connected with the objects of the Society and to publish reports, papers and other literature;

(c) to act as a co-ordinating body and to co-operate with statutory authorities, voluntary organisations, charities and persons having similar aims to those of the Society;

(d) to undertake charitable activities;

(e) to hold meetings, lectures and exhibitions;

(f) to educate public opinion and to give advice and information.

3. Membership

Membership shall be open to all who are interested in furthering the objects of the Society.

4. Subscriptions

The annual subscription shall be as decided at an Annual General Meeting and shall be due in April.

5. Meetings

Meetings of the Society shall normally be held on the last Wednesday of September, October, November, January, February and March. The format of meetings shall be as decided by the Executive Committee, although business will not normally be transacted.

A Special General Meeting may be called by the Executive Committee or on receipt of a written request signed by 5 or more members. At least 21 days’ notice shall be given to members of a Special General Meeting. The meeting shall transact only the business for which it has been called. 15 members personally present shall constitute a quorum.

The Annual General Meeting shall be held in or around April of each year to receive the Executive Committee’s report and audited accounts, and to elect officers, members of the Executive Committee and an Hon. Auditor.

6. Officers

The officers of the Society shall consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer each of whom shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. Nominations for office, duly seconded, shall be made in writing to the Hon. Secretary at least 14 days prior to the Annual General Meeting, the consent of the nominees having first been obtained.

A President and Vice-Presidents may be elected at the Annual General Meeting for periods to be decided by the meeting.

The Executive Committee shall have power to fill casual vacancies occurring among officers of the Society.

7. Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers and 9 other members and shall be responsible for the management and administration of the Society. Executive Committee members shall be elected at an Annual General Meeting for a period of three years. Three of them shall retire by rotation each year and shall be eligible for re-election.

Nominations, duly seconded, shall be made in writing to the Hon. Secretary at least 14 days prior to the Annual General Meeting, the consent of the nominees having first been obtained. If the nominations exceed the number of vacancies a ballot shall be held.

The Executive Committee shall have power to co-opt and to constitute such sub-committees as they shall think fit.

8. Finance

The Hon. Treasurer shall be responsible for the Society’s funds which shall be kept, in the name of the Society, in such accounts as the Executive Committee shall determine. All cheques paid on behalf of the Society shall be signed by two officers.

The accounts of the Society shall be audited by an Hon. Auditor who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. The Hon. Auditor shall hold no other office in the Society.

9. Amendment of Rules

Any alteration or amendment to these rules may only be made at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting called for this purpose.

14/06/2007