Constitution
(July 2006)

"Friends of Muntz Park and Selly Park Recreation Ground" is an informal organisation open to anyone who is interested in Muntz Park or Selly Park Recreation Ground, (particularly people living nearby, and people who visit the park) and who broadly agrees with the aims and philosophy stated below.

There is a committee, which is elected in the normal way, at a public meeting or Annual General Meeting (A G M) called under the name of "Friends of Muntz Park and Selly Park Recreation Ground."

AIMS & PHILOSOPHY OF "Friends of Muntz Park and Selly Park Recreation Ground"

The Organisation's aim is to improve the Parks for the benefit of a wide range of Park users, so that it becomes a more attractive, welcoming and safe place for all.

To achieve this aim, the Committee will:

• campaign
• organise work parties
• attempt to represent the views of local people & park users work in collaboration with any other body / organisation that can help to enhance the Parks or the use of the Parks

ELECTION OF COMMITTEE

This is to take place at the Annual General Meeting (A G M), or at a Public Meeting called specifically for this purpose

The A G M must be well publicised, giving at least 7 –14 days' notice; and should be held within 13 months of the last A G M.

Names for the committee will be put forward either by the process of nominating & seconding, or by people volunteering to stand.

A vote (if necessary) will be taken by a show of hands, or in the case of sensitive issues, by a ballot (conducted there & then).

The A G M will elect a group of people to form a committee: the A G M will not elect people to specific posts.

All voting to be on the basis of "one person – one vote". People may be asked to state their interest in the park at some stage in the procedure.

The person who chairs the elections part of the agenda should not be the existing chairperson.

SIZE & COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEE

The Committee shall consist of 4 –10 members.

This group of members shall choose officers from amongst themselves -- a minimum of 1 officer: Chairperson, but 3 officers would be preferred: Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. Other officer roles (e.g. Vice Chair, Public Relations Officer, etc., can be created as the Committee wishes) All officer roles can be jointly held if the Committee judges this to be sensible. (like "job-sharing")

The Committee shall have the power to co-opt members, (at any stage), who would then be entitled to full committee status for the duration of their co-option. (The overall total number should not exceed 12 )

The Committee described above may be referred to as the Main Committee.

POWERS OF THE MAIN COMMITTEE

The Committee shall have the following powers :

• to co-opt members (as above)
• to raise funds in order to further its aims.
• to buy (and keep) any equipment that would help further its aims.

MAIN COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The Main Committee should meet regularly: a minimum of 1 meeting in a year, with the dates decided by the Chairperson after consultation with committee members. (The year to run from the date of the last A G M .)

CONVENING MAIN COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The date of each Committee meeting will be confirmed at the previous meeting, and in the Minutes. The Secretary will be responsible for reminding / informing members of forthcoming meeting(s), normally in writing, giving appropriate notice.

SUBCOMMITTEES

The Main Committee may appoint subcommittees to work on specific issues. Each subcommittee must report back to the Main Committee, and be guided by them if necessary. In the event of a disagreement, the Main Committee can overrule the subcommittee. A subcommittee should consist of a minimum of 2 existing committee members, and has the power to co-opt up to 8 members per subcommittee. Each subcommittee can decide for itself whether it wants to appoint a chairperson.

Co-opted subcommittee members may attend main committee meetings, but may not vote at these meetings.

ATTENDANCE

Committee members who cannot attend a meeting should give their apologies to the Secretary (or chairperson if there is no secretary), if possible before the relevant meeting, but if not, as soon as possible afterwards.

Members who miss 3 consecutive (scheduled) meetings or more than half the year's scheduled meetings may be asked to leave the committee.

QUORUMS

The quorum for the Main Committee and Public Meetings shall be 3 committee members.

FINANCES

The Treasurer (or chairperson if there is no treasurer) should make the accounts available at the Annual General Meeting, and give updates to the Main Committee whenever required.

Any Bank accounts should have at least 2 signatories. Payments should not be authorised by 2 people living in the same household.

No person should make financial profit from the Organisation.

MAKING CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION

Changes can be made by 2 committee members putting forward a proposal, which would then be debated at a future meeting. All committee members should be notified, in writing/by e-mail, at least 1 week in advance, that a proposed change to the constitution is to come up on the agenda.

CLOSING DOWN THE ORGANISATION (DISSOLUTION)

If 2/3rds of the active Committee members think that the Organisation should be closed down, the Committee should call a Special Meeting open to all members to discuss & vote on this. 14 days' notice should be given, and the purpose of the meeting should be publicised.

Any decision will be reached by a majority vote.

If the decision reached is to dissolve the Organisation, then the Committee should donate the assets (money, equipment, etc.) to another legally constituted organisation with similar aims and philosophy.

THIS CONSTITUTION IS ADOPTED BY THE COMMITTEE OF "FRIENDS OF MUNTZ PARK AND SELLY PARK RECREATION GROUND"