Constitution

Knowle Astronomical Society Constitution

(i) The affairs of the Society shall be managed by the Committee elected at the Inaugural meeting and subsequently at the Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’). The Society is to be named the Knowle Astronomical Society.

(ii) Committee members shall at all times act in the best interest of the members. A quorum for decisions of a Committee meeting shall be defined as the Chairman and the Secretary and one other Committee member.

(iii) The aims of the Society shall be to enable its members to develop and enhance their knowledge of astronomy through regular meetings, trips, and observing nights.

(iv) Prospective members must complete the Society's application form and return to the Secretary.

(v) Subscriptions for membership of the Society for the year 1st September to 31st August shall become due immediately after the September AGM (‘Due Date’). The Treasurer of the of the Society shall propose the forthcoming year’s subscriptions at the AGM. Subscriptions approved at the AGM should be paid within one month of the Due Date (‘Payment Date’). The non-payment of subscriptions by the Payment Date may result in an individual's entitlement to take part in KAS activities, including voting at any meetings, being suspended.

(vi) There will be a 50% reduction for members joining after the end of February each year.

(vii) Visitors (Non-Members) to all meetings to be charged at a rate recommended by the Committee and ratified at the AGM. 

(viii) Public Meetings - price to Members and visitors to be agreed by the Committee. Public Meetings are those at which a prominent individual will be speaking. A Member is entitled to bring up to two guests at the discretion of the Committee.

(ix) Meetings to be held within Knowle or Dorridge on the first Monday of each month in at least nine months of the year. Meetings to start at 8pm.

(x) The Society must hold an AGM within fifteen months of the previous AGM or inaugural meeting. At least three weeks’ written notice must be given to members of an AGM. The notice must include an agenda. Existing committee members shall stand for re-election at the AGM should they wish to continue in post.

(xi) The Hon. Secretary shall call an Extraordinary General Meeting on the written request of not less than 50% of the current paid up membership.

(xii) Voting at all meetings shall be by a show of hands or by ballot if required. In the event of an equal number of votes the Chairman shall have the casting vote.

(xiii) Income and Expenditure accounts for the period from the previously presented accounts to a date not more than two months prior to the date of notice of the AGM shall be presented to the AGM for approval. A suitably qualified person appointed by the Committee must have audited the accounts.

(xiv) A bank account shall be operated in the name of Knowle Astronomical Society. All payments (by cheque or ‘on-line’) must be raised and authorised by two separate approved signatories from either:

(xv) Any alteration to the Constitution shall be made at an AGM or EGM. Notice of such proposed alterations shall be given to the members in writing at least one week prior to the meeting.

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