WEST ARMAGH CONSORTIUM CONSTITUTION
NAME
The title of the body shall be the West Armagh Consortium, hereinafter referred to as the Consortium.
OBJECTIVES
The Consortium is established to promote and develop a new spirit of co-operation between community and voluntary groups in west of Armagh city in order that they may work collectively, jointly or separately to guarantee the dignity, equality and religion, language, disability, sexuality, political affiliation or age in order to protect, preserve and enhance the quality of life of the residents of the city of Armagh, in particular the west of the city.
POWERS
The Consortium shall have the following powers to achieve the above objectives:-
- To provide a shared, communal resource, conference and recreation centre for all the people in west Armagh;
- To ensure that all have access to shelter, warmth and basic living necessities;
- To ensure that all can live freefrom externalised fear of crime, oppression, intimidated and discrimination;
- To promote health and general wellbeing
- To promote open expression or celebration of ethnic, cultural, political, sexual or religious affiliation;
- To provide educational, training and learning opportunities and resources;
- To promote equality of access to public services and facilities;
- To provide recreational and leisure opportunities;
- To promote economic and social regeneration particularly in disadvantaged urban area; To address anti-social and crime related issues through volunteering and local community-led initiatives;
- To foster a sense of social inclusion among residents in areas of socioeconomic deprivation; to stimulate and support community training and development;
- To provide mediation and local advice services
In furtherance of the above objectives the Consortium may:
- Provide, maintain and equip or assist in the provision, maintenance and provision of premises and facilities designed to carry out the objectives of the Consortium;
- Promote and carry out, or assist in promoting and carrying out research, surveys and investigations and publish useful results thereof;
- Organise or assist in organising meetings, concerts, lectures, classes and exhibitions and publish or assist in publishing reports, periodicals, recordings, or other documents or information with a musical and / or cultural theme;
- Obtain, collect and receive money by way of grants, donations, bequests, legacies or other lawful methods;
- Purchase, take on lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire any real or personal property and any rights privileges necessary for the promotion of the above objectives and construct, maintain and alter any buildings or erections which the Consortium may think necessary for the promotion of the objectives;
- Receive money on deposit or loan and borrow or raise money in such a manner as the Consortium shall think fit, subject to such consents as my be required by law;
- Invest the monies of the Consortium not immediately required for the furtherance of the said objectives in or upon such investments, securities or property as may be thought fit, subject nevertheless to such conditions (if any) as may for the time being imposed or required by law;
- Recruit and train volunteers with the relevant skills to carry out the objective of the Consortium;
- To promote and organise co-operation in the achievement of the above objectives and to that end to work in association with local authorities and community and voluntary organisations engaged in the furtherance of the above objectives in the area of benefit;
- Do all such other lawful things as may be necessary for the attainment of the above objectives.
VALUES
The Consortium subscribes to a range of values, which underpins its worth and recognises:
- The individual’s right to understand, celebrate and have confidence in his or her own culture;
- The value of arts and culture as a means of improving educational standards;
- The importance of offering equality of excess, opportunity and esteem to everyone irrespective of gender, religion or political affiliation;
- The potential for cultural development to improve cross community and cross cultural contact and understanding;
- An intention to actively exploit opportunities to work in Consortium with other organisations to help the Consortium achieve its aims and objectives;
- The need to help others through charitable deeds.
MEMBERS
Membership of the Consortium shall be open to the following:
- All those persons who subscribe to the objectives of the Consortium. Application for membership must be proposed and seconded by two existing Consortium members;
- The names and addresses of every person nominated for membership shall be displayed on the notice boards for not less than two weeks before their names are proposed for election to membership;
- Every person nominated for membership shall become a member if he or she is elected as such the Committee.
A member shall cease to be a member;
- If he or she gives to the secretary written notice of resignation of their membership;
- If he or she fails to pay any subscription within two months after the due date of payment.
- If the member having committed some act or having been guilty of behaviour inconsistent with membership of the Consortium and Committee resolves by a majority to remove him or her from membership;
- If he or she has not complied with the rules of the Consortium and all the attempts to resolve the problem through the discipline procedure have failed;
- An expelled member has the right to appeal which shall take place at the next monthly committee after the request for an appeal has been requested.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
The Committee shall set the rate of annual subscription, which can only be varied by ordinary resolution at the Annual General Meeting.
There shall be an annual subscription to the Consortium.
The Subscriptions shall be set at a fixed amount for that year by the Committee, which may fix a different subscription for members or associate members and provide concessionary rate for students, retired, disabled or unemployed members.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)
The Annual General Meeting of the Consortium, that is open to all members, shall be held no later than the third Thursday in March each year at such place and time, as the Committee shall determine.
At such Annual General Meetings the business shall include the following:
- The election of members to serve on the Committee
- The appointment of an auditor or auditors;
- The consideration of an Annual Report of the work done by or under the auspices of the Committee;
- The consideration of the audited accounts;
- The transaction of such other matters as may form time-to-time be considered necessary;
- To fix the subscription rate for the current year;
- To make any amendment to the constitution or rules of the Consortium.
SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING (SGM)
The Committee may at any time at its discretion and shall up on a requisition signed by not less than 6 members having the power to vote and giving reasons for the request, call a Special General Meeting of the Consortium for the purpose of altering the Constitution in accordance with Clause 11 hereof considering any matter which may be referred to them by the committee or for any other purpose. Special meetings may be called within 21 days of the receipt by the Secretary of the Committee of a requisition signed by 6 members to consider business as shall be specified in the requisition.
OFFICERS
- The Honorary Officers of the Consortium shall be a Chairperson, Treasurer, PRO and Secretary and must be Members of the Consortium.
- Any Officer may retire by giving one week’s prior notice to the Secretary and all shall retire at the AGM but shall be eligible for re-election at that meeting.
- In the event of any vacancy of officer occurring between AGM’s and if any officer is incapacitated has been given before the meeting and supported by at least two thirds of the members present.
- In the event of an emergency the Chairperson may act for the Consortium as they see fit and shall report on any action to the next available meeting of the Consortium or its committee.
THE COMMITTEE
The Committee shall be responsible for the advancement and maintenance of the objectives of the Consortium. The committee shall delegate a function or duty to one or more of the Consortium members as required.
- The Committee shall consist of the officers and two other committee members and a quorum shall consist of four members.
- All Committee Members must be present at the Consortium Annual General Meeting and shall be proposed and seconded by someone also present;
- Any member of the committee may retire by giving one week prior notice to the secretary and all shall retire at the Annual General Meeting but shall be eligible for re-election at that meeting.
- The Committee elected at the Annual General Meeting shall have the power to co-opt further members.
- Any committee member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the committee without giving a reason acceptable to it, shall lose his or her place on the committee which may be filled by co-option in accordance with Clause 6 (iv) above;
- The Committee may make such regulations as they consider appropriate for the efficient conduct of the business of the Committee and the Consortium.
- The Committee may appoint such sub-committee, advisory groups or working parties of their own members and other person as they may from time-to-time decide necessary for the carrying out of their work and may determine their terms of reference, duration and composition. All such Sub-Committee shall make regular reports on their work to the Committee.
- Not less than three days’ notice or oral notice shall be given by the Secretary to the Members of the Committee of every meeting but in case of an emergency at the discretion of the Chairperson and Secretary additional meeting may be called on not less than 24 hours’ notice.
CHAIRED MEETINGS
All meetings of the Consortium or of the Committee or any of its sub-committees shall be presided over by its Chairperson or Vice Chairperson, if one has been appointed. If neither is present, those present may elect one of their number of take the chair (The Chairperson of any meeting shall have a second or casting vote).
RULES OF PROCEDURE AT MEETINGS
- Voting – all questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of those present and entitled to vote there at . A maximum of two delegates per member group shall be entitled to vote (in case of any equality of votes the Chairperson shall have a second or casting vote).
- Minutes – minute books shall be kept by the Committee and all other sub-Committees and the appropriate Secretary shall enter therein record of all proceedings and resolutions;
- Quorum – the quorum at meetings of the Consortium shall be four or such other number as the Committee may from time-to-time determine;
- Standing Orders – the Committee shall have power to adopt and issue standing orders and/or rules for the Consortium. Such standing orders and/or rules shall come into operation immediately provided always that they shall be subject to review by the Consortium at meetings and shall not be inconsistent with the constitution.
ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION
Any alterations to this Constitution shall receive the assent of not less than two-thirds of the members of the Consortium present and voting at the AGM or SGM.
FINANCE
- All monies raised or on the behalf of the Consortium shall be applied to further the objects of the consortium and for no other purpose provided that nothing herein contained shall prevented the payment of legitimate out-of-pocket expenses to Members of the Consortium engaged upon approved business of the Consortium;
- The Treasurer shall keep proper accounts of the finances of the Consortium;
- The financial year of the Consortium shall run from 1st April to 31st
- The Accounts shall be audited at least once a year by an auditor or auditor who shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting;
- An audited statement of accounts for the last financial year shall be submitted by the Committee to the Annual General Meeting;
- A bank account shall be opened in the name of the Consortium with such bank; as the Committee shall decide. The Committee shall authorize in writing the Treasurer and 2 members of the Committee to sign cheques on behalf of the Consortium. All cheques must be signed by no less than 2 authorised signatories.
DISSOLUTION
If the committee, by a simple majority, decide at any time that on the grounds of expense, or otherwise, it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Consortium they shall call a meeting of all members of the Consortium that have the power to vote of which notice not less than 21 days shall be given;
- If such decision shall be confirmed by a simple majority of those present and voting at such meeting the Committee shall have the power to dispose of any assets held by or in the name of the Consortium.
- Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to other such charitable institution or institutions having objects similar to the objects of the Consortium as the Committee may decide.
The Consortium constitution was changed and adopted at the SGM of the West Armagh Consortium held on Monday 29th September 2014.
Signed: ___________________ Date _29th September 2014______________
Stephen Fields
Chairperson
Signed: ___________________ Date __29th September 2014_______________
Pauline Quigley
Treasurer
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