Our Constitution

Name

The group will be known as the ‘Willenhall Local History Group’, this may be abbreviated to ‘WLHG’.

Aims

To promote interest in the area of the Willenhall district of Coventry, through co-ordinating research, preserving the memories of living residents and the promoting of the historical past of the area.

Objectives

To arrange meetings that are convenient to the members.

To arrange speakers and field trips were possible.

To collect and co-ordinate the documentation which become available to the members from donations or research.

Membership

Open to all on an annual basis. Expulsion will be by a closed vote of a quorum of the membership, after receiving a complaint in writing from a member or members, to exclude after due process. Junior members [under 16] are required to submit the membership form signed by their parent or guardian.

Members details will be held on a computer database, to comply with the Data Protection Act, members can opt to not have their information held this way, but processed manually.

Membership Fees

Membership fees and meeting fees will be set at AGM’s. [After the meeting of the 24th June 2002]. Non-members attending meetings will be charged at a flat rate. Non members attending a meeting and paying for membership will have the addition charge refunded. Under special circumstances, the Committee may waiver the annual membership charge of a proposed member.

The quorum of General Meetings

Shall be one fifth of the membership, or five, whichever is the greater number.

Voting at ALL Meetings will be by the showing of the current Membership card, one card one vote.

Voting shall be noted; FOR, AGAINST, and ABSTENTIONS.

In the case of equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

Honorary members may attend any meeting; they may speak, but will have no voting rights.

Non-members or guests attending any meeting will not be allowed to take part in the formal proceedings.

Special General Meetings, will be notify by announcements in the Coventry Evening Telegraph, posters in Willenhall Library and by post to members. Members unable to attend will be able to cast a postal vote.

Election of Committee

The Committee will be elected at the AGM. Nominations to be submitted by members in writing one month prior to the AGM, the date of which to be published two months in advance. Nominations must be signed by, the Proposer, the seconder, and the nominee. If no nominations are received by the AGM, the standing committee maybe elected for another year if they are willing to carry on. If from any reason a member of the committee cannot carry out their duties until the next AGM, the committee may appoint another person to fill this post until the next AGM.

The Committee will consist of a Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary.

Additional non-executive officers maybe appointed at a General Meeting, where it is deemed necessary by the committee.

Roles of officers

Chairman; Will promote the group to the best of his/her ability.

Treasurer, Will open an account in the name of the ‘Willenhall Local History Group’, which requires two signatures [Treasurer and Secretary] to keep all monies accountable to the group, and at the AGM, produce the accounts, which will be open for inspection by members only, and a statement of account.

Secretary; Will keep minutes of the meetings, and respond to any communication to or from the group and the group’s behalf.

Indemnity

The Committee shall not be liable, other than as ordinary members, for any loss suffered by the Group as a result of the discharge of duties, unless arising from wilful negligence, dishonesty or recklessness.

The committee shall be entitled to an indemnity out of the assets of the Group, for all expenses and liabilities incurred during the discharge of their duties carried out on behalf of the Group, unless arising from wilful negligence, dishonesty or recklessness.

Changes to the constitution or any other business arising

Any proposed amendments to the constitution, or other business, is to be forwarded by members in writing, to the Committee at lest one month before the Annual General Meeting.

Dissolution

On the winding up of the ‘Willenhall Local History Group’ if proposed by 75% of the membership following a Special General Meeting, [one months notice to be given], all documentation will be deposited into the Coventry City Archives.

The assets of the ‘Willenhall Local History Group’, will be sold and along with any other surplus monies, [after the repayment of any unused grants, loans or receipted expenses], will be given to a local charity, to be nominated by the members attending the final AGM.

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