Copyright © Wolverhampton Over 50's Forum 2007.
CONSTITUTION ~
Wolverhampton Over 50s Forum
1. NAME: Wolverhampton Over 50s Forum
2. AREA OF BENEFIT: Wolverhampton
3. OBJECTIVES
In bringing together and supporting the contribution of people over 50 in the area of benefit the Forum will, without distinction on the basis of gender, race, political, religious or other opinions:
Collectively respond to and influence changes in policies and services affecting people over 50.
Represent the views of people over 50 on policies and services and other issues affecting their lives, and ensure their voice is heard.
Encourage older people’s groups and organisations to work together to provide the most effective services to people in the area.
Receive and share information on services, activities and opportunities for people over 50 living in the area.
4. POWERS
In carrying out the Objective the Forum has powers:
To bring individual organisations and agencies together to help meet the objectives of the Forum.
To arrange seminars, exhibitions and other meetings and to promote research as appropriate.
To provide and publish literature and other information on matters concerned with the objectives of the Forum.
To rent, purchase or hire property and/or equipment and to enter into appropriate agreements in connection with the working of the Forum.
To raise money and accept gifts for the organisation and invest money within the law.
To employ staff necessary to carry out the work of the Forum.
To do all such other lawful things necessary within the objectives of the Forum.
5. MEMBERSHIP
Membership of the Forum, applications for which will be decided by the Management Committee, will be as follows:
Individual Membership will be open, irrespective of politics, nationality or religion to all people over 50 years of age living in the area of benefit.
Group Membership will be open to any voluntary or community group working in the area of benefit and partially or wholly servicing the interests of people over 50.
Where group membership applies any representative must be over 50 and a member of that group. Representatives may be accompanied to meetings by a helper, who will not have the right to vote, which shall be exercised by a representative, nominated by the group.
Associate membership will be open to any public agency working in the area of benefit who support the work of the Forum, without the right to vote at its meetings.
6. SUBSCRIPTIONS
All members will pay subscriptions as deemed by the Management Committee.
7. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS
The first annual General Meeting will be held not later than 31st March with subsequent AGM’s held not more than fifteen months following the preceding AGM. At least 21 days notice will be given in writing by the Secretary to all members.
The business of the AGM will include:
Receiving the Annual Report
Receiving the Annual Accounts
Appointment of Auditors
Election of Officers and Management Committee
Consideration of any resolutions to amend the constitution
A Special General Meeting(s) of the Forum may be called at 14 days notice in writing by the Secretary on the written request of 20% of the members or by the Management Committee. Notification will include a statement of the business to take place.
The Quorum for all General Meetings will be not less than 20% members present and entitled to vote. If within half an hour of the time specified for the start of the meeting a quorum is not present then the meeting will be dissolved. In any case, if a quorum is not present half an hour after the start of the meeting, then the members present will be regarded as a quorum, subject to a minimum of 10% members.
Voting at all general meetings will be by simple majority on a show of hands or by ballot as the meeting decides. If an equal number of votes is cast the Chairperson shall have a second or casting vote.
8. COMMITTEES
Subject to limitations set out in the constitution the policy and general management of the affairs of the Forum will be directed by a Management Committee which will meet not less than four times a year.
Membership of the Management Committee will be as follows:
The honorary officers of the Forum Committee (i.e. Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary plus Press/Publicity Officer) will be elected by and from the membership at the AGM.
Two representatives of individual members as defined under Clause 5 (1) to be elected by full members themselves at the AGM.
Three representatives of group members as defined under Clause 5(ii) but excluding paid staff of these groups.
One co-opted member to be determined by the Management Committee and drawn from full membership.
Such observers as will be appointed by the Management Committee to contribute particular skills and experience, but without voting rights.
Co-options and Casual Vacancies arising may be filled by decision of the Management Committee but any such members will retire at the following AGM
Retirement of members is annual but they will be eligible for re-election.
Sub-Committees/Working Parties may be appointed by the Management Committee who will determine their membership and powers.
Termination of the membership of any member of the Forum may be decided by the Management Committee for any good and sufficient reasons providing always that the member still have the right to be heard by the Management Committee before any final decision is made.
Invalidation of the Management Committee will not be caused by any failure to appoint or any defect in the appointment, election or qualification of any member.
The Quorum for all meetings of the Management Committee shall be 5, which must include 2 Honorary Officers.
Voting shall be by a simple majority on a show of hands or by ballot as the Management Committee may decide. In the event of an equality of votes the Chairperson shall have a second or casting vote.
9. FINANCE
An Account shall be opened by the Honorary Treasurer in the name of Wolverhampton over 50’s Forum at a bank or building society to be decided from time to time by the Management Committee.
The Management Committee will authorise in writing the honorary Officers to sign cheques on behalf of the forum. All cheques must be signed by two of the authorised signatories.
The Honorary Treasurer shall keep good and proper accounts of all the financial transactions of the Forum and will submit a summary of accounts to each Management Committee meeting. He/she will also present full annual accounts to the Management Committee and arrange for their auditing in preparation for the annual General Meeting.
The income and property of the Forum will be applied solely towards carrying out the purposes of the Forum as set out in this constitution and no portion will be paid directly or indirectly by way of profit to any member of the Forum except for the payment in good faith, of reasonable out of pocket expenses.
10. INDEMNITY
The Forum shall indemnify every Honorary Officer, member and employee of the Forum from and against all claims, demands, actions and proceedings made or brought against the Forum in connection with its activities, the actions of its officers, members and employees, or in connection with property and equipment.
11. ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND/OR DISSOLUTION
The Forum may be dissolved or this Constitution may be altered or amended by a resolution passed by two thirds majority of those present and voting at an Annual General or Special General Meeting of the Forum.
12. INTERPRETATION
The Interpretation Act 1978 applies for the Interpretation of this constitution as it applies for the interpretation of an Act of Parliament.
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Over 50's Forum cannot guarantee that inaccuracies will not
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