Barking and District Historical Society

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Constitution

The Society

Barking and District Historical Society

Constitution

1. TITLE

The title of the Society shall be "The Barking and District Historical Society" (hereinafter referred to as "The Society").


2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The Society shall:


(1) Consist of persons interested in the study of history particularly the local history of the area comprising  the ancient Manor of Barking and the original parishes of Barking and Dagenham.


(2) Encourage the preservation of local records, antiquities and objects of interest.


(3) Encourage the study of local history in all its aspects, by sponsoring lectures, arranging investigations and excursions to places of historic interest and sponsor such publications as may be from time to time considered necessary.


(4) Keep a permanent record of all its activities.


(5) Co-operate with bodies with similar interests.


 3.MEMBERSHIP

(1) Membership of the Society is open to all persons interested in its aims and objectives, upon payment of  a membership

(2) Membership shall also include any Honorary Life Member(s) agreed at a General Meeting of the Society: such an honour shall not be a bar to holding any office or membership of the Committee in the Society.

4. SUSPENSION OF MEMBERSHIP

(1) The Society shall be empowered to suspend membership, by a two-third majority vote of all current members present  at a meeting specially called for the purpose where an individual member is deemed to have acted to the detriment of the Society.

(2) Where the Society finds that new members would leave to overcrowding a temporary suspension of membership enrolment may be put into effect, and a waiting list system be adopted for applicants to join.


5. MEETINGS

(1) The Society shall meet not less than nine times a year.

(2) One of these meetings shall ne the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING which shall be held by the end of December and which shall, for the year following, elect the Officers, appoint a Committee and such other committees as may be decided upon, and receive the Annual  Report and audited accounts.

(3) An ORDINARY GENERAL MEEETING may be convened by the Committee at twenty-one days notice.

(4) An EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING may be convened by the Committee or by at least 10% of the paid-up membership by notice to the Hon. Secretary at least 28 days before an Extraordinary General Meeting, notice of which shall be sent by the Hon. Secretary  to every member at least seven days before the meeting giving notice of details of the business to be transacted.


6. COMMITTEE

(1) The Committee shall consist of: a) Chairman; b) Vice-Chairman; c) Hon. Secretary; d) Hon. Treasurer; e) Up to  six members.  The Committee shall have power to co-opt up to three members.

(2) The Committee members shall be elected by simple majority and shall be eligible for re-election at the end of a year. A quorum shall consist of five members.

(3) It shall be the duty of the Committee to carry out the general policy of the Society, and subject to any conditions imposed from time to time by the Society, to provide for the administration, management and control of the affairs and property of the  Society. The Committee shall be empowered to fill any casual vacancies that from time to time may arise.


7. PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENTS

(1) The Society may appoint a President and one or more vice-presidents. Nominations may be made by notice to the  Hon. Secretary in advance of an Annual General Meeting. Appointments shall be deemed to be for life (subject to Clause 4.1 – Suspension of Membership).


8. FINANCE

(1) The Society shall have power to raise monies by means of membership subscriptions, donations or legacies, grants-in-aid  from statutory bodies and Authorities, loans and other sources.

(2) All monies received shall be devoted to all or any of the objects of the Society, as set forth in the constitution, and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of profit to any member of the Society provided that  nothing herein shall prevent repayment of out-of-pocket expenses incurred on Society business.

(3) The Financial Year of the Society shall be from April 1st – 31st March each year.

(4) At the end of the Financial Year, accounts shall be prepared, audited and submitted to members before the date of the Annual General Meeting.

(5) The Society shall confirm the rates of membership fees at the Annual General Meeting. Any change in the rate shall require a simple majority of members present.

(6) The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping the proper accounts and for all monies received or payable by the Society.

(7) All financial transactions other than the above must be ratified by the Committee and any payment of Society monies must be signed by the Treasurer.


9.  DISSOLUTION

(1) The Society may at any time be dissolved by a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of all current members  present at a meeting specifically called for the purpose, and of which twenty-one clear days notice shall have been given to members. Such a resolution may also give instructions for the disposal of any assets held by or in the name  of the Society, provided that if any property remains after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, such property may not be paid to nor distributed among the members of the Society, but shall be given or transferred to such  other institutions having objectives similar to some or all of the objectives of the Society as the Society may determine.


10. ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION

(1) Alterations to the Constitution shall receive the assent of not less than two-thirds of the members at an Annual  General Meeting. Any resolution to alter the Constitution should be received by members at least twenty-one days before the meeting at which the resolution is to be considered.








 
 
 
 
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