Web Manager,
Mike Aylen
The Constitution
RULES OF THE SOCIETY
1. The name of the Society is St Mary’s Singers, hereinafter referred to as ‘The Society’, and is a registered charity – charity no. (tba)
2. The object of the Society is to promote, improve, develop and advance public education in the appreciation of the art and science of music in all its aspects, by the presentation of public concerts and recitals, and by such other ways as the Society, through its committee shall determine from time to time.
3. All committee members will be Trustees of the Society.
4. The management shall be in the hands of a committee consisting of the following honorary posts: - Chairman, Executive Secretary, Production Secretary, Treasurer, Librarian, Publicity Officer, and Social Secretary and as many committee members as is deemed appropriate. The Musical Director and Accompanist may attend meetings at the invitation of the committee but as paid officials they are not allowed to vote. The officers and other committee members shall be elected by and out of the Society’s membership at the annual general meeting. They shall hold office for one year and shall be eligible for re-election.
5. The office of a member of the committee therefore shall be vacated
a) If he/she becomes incapable by reason of a mental disorder illness or injury of managing and administering his/her own affairs.
b) If he/she ceases to be a member of The Society.
c) If by notice in writing to the committee he/she resigns from office.
6. At committee meetings in the case of an equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
7. Unless otherwise determined, the quorum at a meeting shall be five.
8. The committee will meet a minimum of four times per annum.
9. The committee, on financial advice shall invest monies in such a manner, and on such terms, as the committee thinks fit.
10. The committee shall have the powers to make, alter and rescind rules, regulations for carrying on the work of The Society
11. The committee can invite experts to attend specific meetings who may or may not be a member of The Society, but without the power of voting.
12. The income and property of The Society, whencesoever derived, shall be applied solely towards the objects of The Society, and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise by way of profit to members of The Society.
13. Membership of the Society will be open to all without prejudice as ‘The Society’ is an inclusive organisation.
14. Auditions may be held at the discretion of the Musical Director and/or at the request of the committee. This includes auditions for continuing membership, voice testing and replacement.
15. The posts of Musical Director and Accompanist will be paid by the Society.
16. The income and property of the Society howsoever derived shall be applied solely towards the promoting the objects of the Society as set out above and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred either directly or indirectly to any member or members of the Society except in the payment of legitimate expenses incurred on behalf of the Society.
17. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held at the first meeting of the September session, when Committee reports including the financial statement will be presented for adoption by the meeting. The financial accounts shall be audited by one or more qualified auditor or auditors and submitted to members at the AGM.
18. An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be called at the discretion of the Committee, or by a written request from at least one third of the membership
19. The control of finance shall be in the hands of the committee.
20. The Rules of the Society may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the members present at an annual general meeting, provided that fourteen days notice of the proposed amendments and the meeting has been sent to all members, and provided that nothing herein contained shall authorise any amendment which shall have the effect of causing the Society to cease to be a Charity.
21. In the event of the Society being wound-up, any assets remaining upon
dissolution after the payment of proper debts and liabilities shall be
transferred to a charitable institutions or institutions having similar objects
to that of the Society
22. An annual subscription for members, determined by the committee, will be levied at the committee’s discretion. In which case, such subscriptions must be paid in advance. The committee shall have the power to increase, reduce, suspend, or remit subscription fees at their discretion. The committee reserves the right to request an entrance fee from new members.
23. A member whose subscription is unpaid after three months after it becomes due shall have no power of voting at any meeting. If it remains unpaid for one year membership shall cease, without prejudice to the member’s liability to the Society for the subscription in arrear.
24. Any member who shall change his address/phone number/fax number/email address or any other electronic address shall immediately give notice thereof in writing to the Secretary.
25. The name and address and other details of communication shall be entered in a Register of members which will not be given to any other organisation.
26. Any member who shall fail in the observance of any lawful rule, regulation of bye-law made by the Society, or whose conduct in any respect shall be, in the opinion of the committee, derogatory to the character, or prejudicial to the interests of the Society, may be removed from the Society.
27. Continuing membership of the Society will depend upon:-
a. Regular attendance at rehearsals and concerts,
b. Punctuality,
c. Loyalty,
d. The successful passing of a voice test which will be held at the discretion of the Musical Director.
28. Members must make every reasonable effort to inform the Secretary if they are unable to attend a rehearsal/concert/recording/film/video etc. Non-notification will be regarded as a sign of availability.
29. It is the responsibility of every member to ensure that their presence has been registered at every rehearsal.
30. Members are encouraged to make comments/suggestions to the committee
31. All the arrangements for the concerts and other events shall be in the hands of the committee who may appoint non committee members to help with arrangements
32. Any apparel, folders, music, equipment etc., issued to members from Society funds, remains the property of the Society and must be returned on termination of membership.
33. Musical matters and plans are in the hands of the Musical Director who must submit such plans for approval of the committee.
34. Life members may be appointed on the recommendation of the committee and with the approval of a majority vote of the members at an AGM or EGM. Life membership may be proposed only in respect of Members of The Society who have given over a number of years outstanding service to The Society. Life members shall not be required to pay membership subscription.