General Rules
(Constitution)Revised February 2001
1. The name of the Society shall be the Accrington Camera Club.
2. OBJECTIVES.
To provide an organisation for the advancement of photography in Accrington and district.
To protect and promote the common interests of its members.
To provide opportunities for amateur photographers to meet socially and discuss matters of common interest.
To provide premises or any other property for the advancement of the club’s objectives
3. MEMBERSHIP.
The club reserves the right of membership and admission.
All members shall be provided with a copy of the club rules.
Applicants accepted for membership only to be entitled to the privileges of membership on payment of subscription.
4. DISQUALIFICATION OF MEMBERS.
Any member may be disqualified for breaking any of the rules of the club or for any other action or neglect which may be detrimental to its welfare.
Any member whose subscription falls over three months in arrears shall be liable to disqualification.
5. SUBSCRIPTIONS.
The following shall be categories of membership.
Full Membership.
Joint membership (member and partner)
Senior Citizens. (over sixty years)
Young Persons. (up to eighteen years)Subscriptions may be amended from time to time, by a General Meeting, as may be necessary.
Subscriptions are due in advance, falling due on the date of the Annual General Meeting.
Renewals must be paid by March 31st.
New applicants for membership may join during the year at proportionate rates.
6. OFFICERS – GENERAL.
All nominations for office shall be made in writing, signed by two members of the club and shall be entered on the list that shall be posted on the club notice board one month before the Annual General Meeting.
All nominations only to be made with the full permission and approval of the nominee.
Votes in writing are acceptable.
7. OFFICERS – PRESIDENT.The President shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting from the members and shall hold office for one year, but shall be eligible for re-election.
Duties shall be to preside over all meetings of the club and to see that all business is transacted in accordance with the rules.
c) and to oversee the work of the other officers and committee and give support and encouragement as appropriate
8. OFFICERS – VICE-PRESIDENT.The election and term of office to be similar to that of the President.
He/she shall fulfill the duties of the President in the latter’s absence.
9. OFFICERS – SECRETARY.The office of Secretary shall be similar to that of the President in election and term of office
Duties :-Shall attend all the clubs meetings and record all minutes of the same; shall summon all meetings, whether Committee or General; shall keep a register of all members, and on the admission of any new member and shall issue to the member a membership card and a rule book. The Secretary shall conduct all the official correspondence of the club and submit to the Committee all that may officially be received.
10. OFFICERS – TREASURER
The election and term of office shall be similar to that of the President.
Duties:- Shall collect all subscriptions and shall issue authorised receipts for the same. On a member falling into arrears he /she shall draw attention to Rules 5c) and 5d). The treasurer shall
keep all club books, documents, accounts and papers in such a manner as the Committee may direct. He shall receive all monies due to the club and shall bank the same where appropriate; shall pay all accounts and monies due from the club; and shall pay lecturers’ expenses and all subscriptions of the various organisations to which the club may belong. The treasurer shall prepare and submit to the Auditor a Financial Statement and Balance Sheet and when signed by the Auditor it shall be posted on the club notice board before the Annual General Meeting along with the Audited Balance Sheet for inspection by members..
11. PROGRAMME SECRETARY.
A programme secretary shall be elected from the club members at the Annual General Meeting; term of office and election shall be similar to that of the President.
Duties shall be to organise activities for each of the weekly as deemed appropriate by the committee.
The programme secretary shall contact lecturers to address the club on subjects of common interest to the members, and shall negotiate fees, which shall be subject to the approval of the Committee.
12. COMPETITION SECRETARY.
Election and term of office shall be similar to that of President. Duties shall be to organise all club competitions (except for monthly competitions as regards registry of entries and arrangements for judging/ exhibiting. Shall submit entries on behalf of the club to any external competitions on instructions from the committee.
13. MONTHLY COMPETITION SECRETARY
Election and term of office shall be similar to that of President . Shall arrange all monthly competitions of the club; shall receive all entries and arrange judging of same.
14. SOCAIL SECRETARY.
Election and term of officer shall be similar to that of the president.
Duties shall be to organise social functions as determined by the committee, typically Presentation and Christmas dinners
15. AUDITOR.
At the Annual General Meeting a member of the club shall be appointed Auditor.
Duties shall be to audit the books and sign the Financial Statement and Balance Sheet when accepted.
16. COMMITTEE.
The committee shall be elected at the annual general meeting and shall consist of 4 members together with the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Competition Secretary, Monthly Competition Secretary, Programme Secretary and Social Secretary. Membership shall be for two years but half shall retire annually. Any retiring member shall be eligible for re-election.
.The committee shall have power to co-opt members for special work.
The duties of the Committee shall consist of the general management of the club
It shall meet as often as required at such times as the Chairman or seven members of the Committee shall appoint, but no fewer than four times per annum at quarterly intervals.
At Committee meetings seven shall form a quorum. The President or in his absence the Vice-President, shall preside and in the absence of both the meeting shall elect a Chairman from the members present. The Chairman shall have in case of equality a casting vote in addition to his deliberative vote. Voting shall be by show of hands but a poll to be taken on the motion of two of its members.
The Committee shall from time to time make such rules as it considers necessary for the management of the club providing that no such rule shall be inconsistent with these rules. They shall be posted in the club and shall be binding on all members of the club.
The Committee may delegate any of its powers to a sub-committee under the supervision of at least one Committee member. Any decision shall be subject to the confirmation of the Committee.
Any member of the Committee who neglects his/her duties or fails to attend three consecutive Committee Meetings without giving prior notice to either the Secretary or President may be expelled from office.
17. TRUSTEES.
Trustees shall be elected from members of the club excepting the Secretary and Treasurer. They shall hold office for five years, but shall be eligible for re-election.
All real and personal estate belonging to the club shall be vested in the trustees for the time being of the club for the use and benefit of the club and the members thereof. The signature of two of these Trustees shall be sufficient for the withdrawal of any monies invested or deposited.
On the death or removal of a trustee or trustees, the power and duties shall vest in the remaining trustees for the same estate and
interest as the former trustees had therein, without any conveyance or assignment whatsoever.
A Trustee or Trustees shall be elected in his/her or their place at the next General Meeting.
No personal liability shall attach to the Trustees as such, only for their own respective acts and defaults and for monies which shall come to their own hands respectively.
18. FUNDS.
All monies not immediately required shall be deposited in a bank or banks as may be decided by the Committee and shall be entered in the name and for the behalf of the club. This may be drawn upon as required by the Treasurer to meet current expenses of the club subject to the authority of the Committee.
Dividends: There shall be no dividend, gift, division or bonus in money made unto or between any of the members.
19. INSPECTION OF BOOKS.
Any member wishing to examine the books and register of members shall be entitled to do so on giving at least 72 hours notice to the Treasurer and Secretary respectively.
20. GENERAL MEETINGS.
The General Meeting of the club shall be held in January each year, for the passing of accounts, for the election of Officers and Members of the Committee and for other business.
Special General Meetings shall be called by the Secretary, when directed by the Committee, or on receipt of a requisition signed by ten members of the club. No Special Meeting shall be called without seven days notice, and the business to be transacted shall be stated on the notice, and no other business shall be transacted at such meetings.
21. DISSOLUTION
The club may be dissolved by the consent of five sixths of the recorded votes of the members.
21. ALTERATION OF RULES.
Any member putting forward any proposition to suspend, add to or amend any of the foregoing rules must give notice of motion one month before the date of the Annual General Meeting.
Rules are correct at the time of publication but subject to amendment from time to time at the discretion of the members. January 2003