Constitution
LANCASTER AND DISTRICT BRANCH OF THE LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION
1.0 Constitution
1.1 This constitution was adopted on 6th June 2006.
2.0 Status
2.1 The organisation shall be a branch of the Lancashire and North West Beekeepers’ Association
3.0 Name
3.1 The name of the Association shall be “Lancaster and District Branch of the Lancashire & North West Beekeepers Association” hereafter referred to as the Branch.
4.0 Administration
4.1 The Branch shall be administered and managed in accordance with Rules and Regulations of the Lancashire and North West Beekeepers Association and this constitution, by a Management Committee comprising:
4.1.1 The Chairperson
4.1.2 The Secretary
4.1.3 The Treasurer
4.1.4 As many other Committee Members as the AGM shall decide
4.1.5 The Chairman & Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lancashire and North West Beekeepers Association (who are ex-officio members under the LNWBKA)
5.0 Management Committee
5.1 Management Committee meetings may be called by the Chairperson, Secretary or Treasurer by giving all members of the Management Committee at least seven days notice.
5.2 Three members of the Management Committee shall form a quorum.
6.0 Objectives
6.1 The objectives of the Branch shall be to promote and further the craft of beekeeping and support the role of bees in the environment.
7.0 Powers
7.1 In furtherance of the objectives, but not otherwise, the Management committee may:
7.1.1 raise funds, invite and receive contributions
7.1.2 buy, lease or otherwise acquire and maintain any property necessary for the achievement of the objectives
7.1.3 sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the property of the Branch
7.1.4 subject to any consents required by law and financial prudence, to borrow money or charge all or any part of the property of the Branch
7.1.5 co-operate, exchange advice and information with other charities, voluntary bodies and statutory authorities to further the objectives of LDB or similar charitable purposes7.1.6 appoint and constitute sub-committees and working parties as the Management Committee sees fit.
7.1.7 do all such other lawful things as may be necessary for the achievement of the objectives.
8.0 Membership
8.1 Membership of the Branch shall be open to anyone interested in supporting the objectives of the Branch.
8.2 There shall be the following classes of membership:
8.2.1 Registered Members
8.2.2 Partner members
8.2.3 Country member
9.0 Membership Fees
9.1 Membership fees shall be set by the Management Committee each September and become due on 1st November.
9.2 Members who have not paid their annual subscription are not permitted to vote at annual general or extra-ordinary general meetings or to hold office.
10.0 Insurance
10.1 All members shall be encouraged to obtain and maintain Bee Disease insurance at the appropriate level.
11.0 Financial Year
11.1 The Branch’s financial year shall be from 1st November to 31st October.
12.0 Bank and Investment Accounts
12.1 All monies of the Branch shall be placed into a bank current account opened in the name of the Branch.
12.2 Any monies surplus to the Branch’s immediate requirements may be placed into appropriate investment accounts, opened in the name of the Association, on the recommendation of the Treasurer and with the approval of the Management Committee.
12.3 Any transfers of funds between accounts should be made on the recommendation of the Treasurer and with the approval of the Management Committee.
12.4 Each and every transaction from any bank or investment account shall require two signatures from a list of approved signatories.
12.5 The list of approved signatories shall include:
12.5.1 The Chairperson
12.5.2 The Secretary
12.5.3 The Treasurer
12.5.4 Any other member of the Management Committee, approved by the Management Committee.
13.0 Annual General Meetings
13.1 An annual general meeting must be held within 60 days of the end of the Branch’s financial year.
13.2 Each member must receive 30 days notice of the annual general meeting
13.3 The annual general meeting will conduct the following business:
13.3.1 Minutes of the previous annual general meeting and any matters arising
13.3.2 Officers’ Reports
13.3.3 Consideration and acceptance of the annual accounts
13.3.4 Election of Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer
13.3.5 Election of Auditor
13.3.6 Election of any other officers
13.3.7 Election of Management Committee Members
13.3.8 Setting the annual subscription
13.3.9 Any other business appropriate to an annual general meeting, and of which due notice has been given.
13.4 10% of the Branch’s paid up membership, present at an annual general meeting, shall form a quorum.
13.5 All votes shall be decided by a simple majority but in the case of a tied vote the Chairperson or acting Chairperson shall have a casting vote.
14.0 Extra-ordinary General Meetings
14.1 An extra-ordinary general meeting may be called by:
14.1.1 any three named Officers
14.1.2 a decision of the Management Committee
14.1.3 a written request to the Secretary by 10% of the current members.
14.2 On receipt of a valid request to hold an extra-ordinary general meeting the Secretary shall, within 14 days, provide every member with 30 days notice of the meeting.
14.3 The notice shall state the purpose of the meeting and, where possible and appropriate, provide as much background information as possible.
14.4 To be successful any proposal put to an extra-ordinary general meeting must be approved by not less than two thirds of the members attending the meeting.
14.5 The Chairperson or acting Chairperson shall not have a casting vote.
15.0 Changes to the Constitution
15.1 Changes to this constitution may only be made at a duly convened extra-ordinary general meeting.