SDRG Constitution

SOUTH DORSET REPEATER GROUP 2000

CONSTITUTION

1. Name

The Group shall be known as the South Dorset Repeater Group 2000.

2. Aims

The aims of the Group shall be to install and maintain an Amateur Radio Repeater Station in South Dorset.

3. Membership

Membership shall be open, subject to the discretion of the Committee, to all persons interested in the aims of the Group.

(a) Full members. Full members must be 18 years of age or over or must hold the permission of any competent authority to install and operate an amateur radio station.

(b) Student members. Student members must be under 25 years of age and in full-time formal education.

(c) Honorary members. Honorary Life Membership may be granted to any person, who, in the opinion of the Committee, has rendered outstanding service to the Group, either directly or indirectly. Such membership shall carry the rights of full membership but shall be free from subscriptions.

All members shall abide by the constitution of the Group. The Committee shall have power to expel any member whose conduct, in the opinion of at least three-quarters of the full Committee, renders that person unfit to be a member of the Group. No Member shall be expelled without first having been given an opportunity to appear before the Committee.

4. Subscriptions

(a) The annual and life subscriptions for membership shall be set by the Committee.

(b) Except for life members a member shall have deemed to have resigned from the Group 12 months after their last annual payment.

5. Finance

All money received by the Group shall be promptly deposited in the Group’s bank account. Withdrawals require the signature of the Group’s Treasurer and one other nominated officer of the Group.

6. Membership of the Group’s Committee

The Group’s affairs shall be administered by a Committee elected at the Annual General Meeting. The Committee, in whom the Group’s property shall be vested, shall consist of:

(a) A Chairman who will preside at all meetings at which he is present.

(b) A Vice-Chairman who will act as chairman in the absence of the Chairman.

(i) Keeping the minutes of all meetings of the Group.

(ii) Ensuring that all correspondence is correctly handled.

(iii) Maintaining a master roll of members and honorary members.

(iv) Maintaining a register of Society equipment.

(d) A Treasurer, who will be responsible for:

(i) Keeping the Group’s accounts.

(ii) Advising the Committee on all financial matters.

(iii) Preparing the accounts for audit and presenting them at the AGM.

(e) Preferably at least two Ordinary Committee Members.

(f) Co-opted members who have full voting powers.

7. Committee standing orders

(a) The quorum for the Committee shall be 3. In the absence of a quorum, business may be dealt with but any decisions taken only become valid after ratification at the next meeting at which a quorum exists.

(b) Committee meetings may be called by the Chairman or the Secretary.

8. Annual General Meeting

(a) The Annual General Meeting shall normally be held during October each year. At least 21 days notice shall be given to each member in writing.

(b) The quorum for the meeting shall be 6.

(i) Apologies for absence

(ii) Minutes of the previous AGM

(iii) Chairman’s report

(iv) Secretary’s report

(v) Treasurer’s report

(vi) Election of the new Committee

(vii) Election of auditors

(viii) Other business

(d) Nominations for Committee members will only be valid if confirmed by the nominee at the meeting or previously in writing.

(e) Items to be raised by members under other business must be notified to the Secretary not less than 21 days before the AGM.

9. Extraordinary General Meeting

(a) Extraordinary General Meetings may be called by the Committee or not less than 6 members of the Group, the date of the meeting being the earliest convenient as decided by the Committee. At least 28 days notice in writing must be given to the Secretary, who in turn shall give members at least 14 days notice in writing of the agenda. No other business may be transacted at the EGM.

(b) The quorum for the EGM shall be 6.

10. Amendments to the constitution

The constitution may be amended only at an EGM called for that purpose.

11. Winding up of the Group

(a) The decision to wind up the Group may be taken only at an EGM after a ballot of all members.

(b) The funds of the Group shall, after the sale of all assets and the payment of all outstanding debts, be disposed of as directed by members at the final EGM.