NAME The Society shall be called the Blakeney Area Historical Society (hereinafter referred to as 'the Society').
AIMS The aims of the Society shall be to: a. study the history of the Blakeney Haven and adjacent hinterland b. make available the results of such studies c. collect documents and other records relating to the area and make them available d. encourage members and others to take an active interest in local history.
POWERS In pursuit of these aims the Society may: a. carry out, promote or assist in local research or surveys and encourage the production and publication of reports b. produce regular or occasional publications c. organise exhibitions, lectures, classes, etc. d. raise funds to support these activities e. establish and maintain a History Centre for use by the local community and visitors
MEMBERSHIP Full membership shall be open to all who agree to abide by the Constitution of the Society, with full membership for those aged 16 and over. Classes of membership shall be: Individual, Family and Corporate: the first to cover all individuals aged 16 or over; Family for all named members of one family including juniors; and Corporate to 'include all employees of an organisation and the organisation will receive two copies of The Glaven Historian.
The Management Committee (as hereinafter defined) shall have the power to reject applications for membership and, with good and sufficient reason to terminate membership.
Members shall pay to the Society an annual subscription the amount to be agreed at an Annual General Meeting (AGM) or a Special General Meeting (SGM). Subscriptions are payable on joining the Society and on 1st July each year. The Management Committee may terminate the membership of anyone whose subscription is more than one year in arrears.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE The business of the Society shall be managed by a Management Committee of not less than eight members, and not more than twelve, including the following Officers: Chair (which may be jointly held), Secretary, Treasurer, Events Organiser, Editor and Manager of the History Centre. Replacement members and up to two additional members may be co-opted by the Management Committee.
The Management Committee shall be elected at each AGM and shall be eligible for re-election. All nominations for the Management Committee shall be submitted to the Secretary in advance of the AGM. No member may hold more than two offices at the same time. At meetings of the Management Committee, four members shall constitute a quorum, provided that at least two officers are present.
The Management Committee shall establish two Standing Sub-Committees each with at least one member being a member of the Management Committee. Firstly a Sub-Committee shall manage the History Centre, it shall include the Manager of the History Centre and individual members who may be appointed or co-opted to it to serve for a minimum of two years; secondly an Editorial Sub-Committee to oversee or advise on publications. Furthermore, the Management Committee may establish, until the following AGM, one or more sub-committees for specific purposes and may co-opt anyone to serve on them provided that the chairman of each sub-committee shall be a member of the Management Committee. All sub-committees shall have such powers as the Management Committee shall decide.
MEETINGS The Management Committee shall meet at least four times each year. A minute book shall be kept containing a record of all meetings. Sub-committees shall report their activities and decisions to each meeting of the Management Committee.
An Annual General Meeting shall beheld in September or October of each year and a Special General Meeting shall be called at the written request of not less than 10 members. At least 14 days written notice of the business to be transacted at such meetings shall be given to an members.
At an AGM or SGM a quorum shall be 10 members or 10% of the membership, whichever is the greater. At each AGM the business shall include the election of the Management Committee, the appointment of a person competent to audit the. Society's accounts (not being a member of the Management Committee). consideration of an annual report and the presentation of audited accounts. Decisions shall be taken by simple majority of member; present and voting.
The Management Committee shall have the power to adopt additional Rules for the Society provided that such Rules are not inconsistent with the Constitution and are reviewed at the following AGM.
FINANCE All money raised by the Society shall be applied to the aims of the Society or to reimburse legitimate expenses incurred by members and approved by the Management Committee.
The Treasurer and the Manager of the History Centre shall separately keep accounts of the finances of the Society and the History Centre, the accounts shall be audited every year. The financial year shall run from 1st July to 30th June unless the Management Committee decides otherwise. Any loan raised by the society must be approved by the Management Committee.
One or more bank accounts shall be maintained at a bank approved by the Management Committee and all moneys not required for immediate use shall be deposited therein. Four officers shall be authorised to sign cheques and every cheque shall be signed by two of them.
AMENDMENTS Amendments to this Constitution shall only be made at an Annual or Special General Meeting and shall require the support of two thirds of the members voting at such a meeting.
DISSOLUTION If the Management Committee decides that the Society should be dissolved it shall call for that purpose a Special General Meeting of which all members shall have at least 21 days notice. The Society shall be dissolved if two thirds of the members present and voting support the proposal.
If the Society is dissolved any property, after meeting all debts, shall be transferred to one or more organisations having similar aims and not be paid or distributed to members.
