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CONSTITUTION

 

The name of the organisation shall be the Friends of Budleigh Salterton Library

 

INTERPRETATION

 

In this constitution:

  • “Group” means the Friends of Budleigh Salterton Library

  • “Library” means the Budleigh Salterton  public library

  • “Committee” means the Management Committee of the Group

  • “Community” means the people of Budleigh Salterton and the surrounding area

 

AIMS

 

The aims of the Group shall be to:

  1. Promote and help fund enhancements to the facilities and services provided by the Library

  2. Promote lifelong learning and personal development within the Community

  3. Raise money to fund these aims

  4. Promote the Library as a centre of community activity, increase its membership, usage and footfall

  5. Offer voluntary assistance as required by the Library

  6. Represent users by providing feedback on services and planned improvements and changes

  7. Act as advocates for the Library and the members

 

POWERS

 

To further these aims the Committee shall have power to:

  1. Obtain, collect and receive money or funds by way of subscriptions, donations, grants and any other lawful method towards the aims of the Group.

  2. Associate with local authorities, voluntary organisations and the Community in a common effort to carry out the aims of the Group.

  3. Publicise and promote the work of the Library and the Group and organize events

  4. Do all such lawful things as will further the aims of the Group.

 

MEMBERSHIP

 

  1. Voting membership shall be open to anyone who supports the aims of the Group and has paid the current subscription fee as set by the Committee.

  2. The Management Committee shall have the power to approve or reject applications for membership or to terminate the membership of any member provided that the member shall have the right to be heard by the Committee before a final decision is made.

 

MANAGEMENT

 

  1. The business of the Group will be managed by a committee of 10 elected annually at the Annual General Meeting (AGM)

  2. Each of the Committee members shall retire at the fourth AGM after their appointment. They may, however, stand for election at a subsequent AGM

  3. The Committee shall include four officers: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, who will be appointed or reappointed annually, by the Committee, from those persons elected at the AGM.

  4. The Committee may co-opt up to two further voting members who shall resign at the next Annual General Meeting.

  5. Members of the Library staff shall be invited to attend committee meetings as observers, but may not vote, unless an elected member of the Committee.

  6. The Committee shall meet at least six times each year.

  7. At least four Committee members must be present at a committee meeting to be able to make decisions.

  8. A proper record of all transactions and meetings shall be kept and made available to the members of the Group.

 

GENERAL MEETINGS

 

  1. An Annual General Meeting shall be held within three months of the end of the Group’s financial year.

  2. Notices of the AGM shall be published six weeks beforehand and a report on the Group’s financial position for the previous year will be made available at the same time by the Treasurer.

  3. A Special General Meeting may be called at any time at the request of the Committee, or not less than one quarter of the membership. A notice explaining the place, date, time and reason shall be sent to all members two weeks beforehand.

  4. At least 25 members being present shall enable a General Meeting to take place.

  5. Proposals to change the constitution must be given in writing to the secretary at least 28 days before a general meeting and approved by a two thirds majority of those present and voting.

  6. All paid up members of the Group shall be entitled to vote at an AGM or/and a SGM. In the event of a tied vote the Chair or an appointed Vice-Chair shall have the casting vote.

 

ACCOUNTS

 

  1. All of the funds of the Group shall be paid into an account operated by the Management Committee. All cheques drawn on the account must be signed by the Chair and the Treasurer.

  2. The funds belonging to the Group shall be applied only to further the aims of the Group.

  3. A current record of all income, funding and expenditure will be kept.

 

DISSOLUTION

 

  1. The Group may be dissolved by a resolution passed by a simple two-thirds majority of those present and voting at a Special General Meeting.

  2. If confirmed, the Committee shall distribute any assets remaining after the payment of all bills to other charitable group(s) or organisation(s) having aims similar to the Group or some other charitable purpose(s) as the Group may decide.

     

     

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