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Proposed Constitution PDF 

Below is the text of the proposed constitution that the committee has drawn up. Members past & present are invited to send their comments on this document through this online form, prior to a full AGM sometime in October 2009.

 

DRAFT

Central London Humanist Group

Constitution

1. Name        

The name of the group will be 'Central London Humanist Group' (hereafter called 'the group'.)

The group may also be known by the following:

  1. ‘ Central London Humanists’
  2. The acronym ‘CLHG’.

2. Aims

The aims of the group shall be:

  1. To promote Humanism by encouraging a greater knowledge of Humanism among our members and the wider community.
  2. To provide talks and other events in Central London for humanists.
  3. To provide humanists with opportunities to meet like minded people.
  4. To engage with national and international humanist organisations, thereby providing our members with information and access to a wider world of humanist interest and cooperation.

3. Humanism

As a statement of Humanism, the group adopts the International Humanist and Ethical Union's 'Amsterdam Declaration' of 2002

4. Membership

  1. Voting membership will be open to any person who shares the aims of the group. Members become voting members by payment of the agreed annual subscription.
  2. Virtual non-voting membership will be open to any person who shares the aims of the group and joins one of the group's official internet groups.
  3. The management committee may refuse to admit as a member, or terminate the membership of, any person whose conduct is, in its opinion, inconsistent with the aims of the group.

5. Management Committee

  1. The management committee shall consist of a Chair, a Secretary, a Treasurer, optionally a deputy for each and up to six further members.
  2. The general business of the group will be administered by the management committee.
  3. Any vacancy arising may be filled by co-option by the committee for a period until the next AGM.
  4. Only voting members of the group may be members of the managing committee.
  5. The minimum membership of the committee is six and the minimum quorum is three.

6. Annual General Meeting (’AGM’)

  1. An AGM shall be held normally by the end of June each year and at least 28 days notice of the AGM will be given to all members.
  2. The AGM will:
    1. Receive the financial accounts and reports of the committee for the year ending 31st of March of that year.
    2. Elect a management committee for the coming year.
    3. Debate and vote on any resolutions proposed by the committee or proposed and seconded by two voting members of the group and received by the Secretary at least 14 days before the AGM.
  3. Only voting members of the group may vote at an AGM.
  4. In any dispute concerning the affairs of the group a General Meeting of voting members shall be the final authority.

7. Elections

  1. Nominations for membership of the managing committee (each duly proposed and seconded by a paid-up voting member) must be received by the Secretary at least 14 days before the AGM.
  2. If no nominations are received by the date of the meeting then nominations may be taken from the floor or, committee members may continue in their post for a further 12 months.
  3. Voting at the meeting shall be by show of hands or by any method deemed appropriate by the chair.
  4. Nominations for management committee places shall not be renewed automatically for incumbent management committee members.

8. Special General Meeting (’SGM’)

  1. A Special General Meeting may be called by the committee or, on receipt of a request signed by at least 20% of voting members of the group and shall be convened by the Secretary within six weeks of the request.
  2. At least 28 days notice of the meeting shall be given to members.
  3. Only the business stated on the notice convening the meeting shall be considered at such a Special General Meeting.
  4. Only voting members of the group may vote at an SGM.
  5. The management committee may request the Board of Trustees of the British Humanist Association to mediate in the event of a dispute with or between members or other interested parties.

9. Finance

  1. The income and property of the group shall be devoted to the aims of the group.
  2. Members of the management committee or its officers shall not receive any payment unless approved by an Annual General Meeting other than reasonable expenses.
  3. Annual membership fees for voting members shall be set or approved by the Annual General Meeting.
  4. In the event of the group being wound up all funds and assets after payment of liabilities shall be paid to the British Humanist Association.
  5. The group will submit annually copies of its accounts and reports to the British Humanist Association.

10. Affiliations

  1. The group shall be affiliated to the British Humanist Association.
  2. Subject to the approval of the Annual General Meeting the group may affiliate itself to any other organisation in furtherance of the aims of the group.

11. Amendments to the Constitution

  1. This constitution may be amended by a resolution passed by at least two thirds of the voting members present and voting at a General Meeting of the group.
  2. All organisations to which the group is affiliated are to be informed of any changes to the constitution within 28 days of such a change.