Merseyside ARMs Rules & Constitution

1. Name

The name of the Group shall be the 'Public and Commercial Services Union (Merseyside) Group of Associate and Retired Members - hereafter referred to as ‘The Group’.

2. Aims and Objects

The aims and objects of the Group shall be to:

1. Protect, promote and campaign on all matters of interest to its Associate and Retired members

2. Recruit, retain, educate and organise Associate and Retired members - including collecting subscriptions, maintenance of effective membership records etc 

3. Provide a regular forum where Associate and Retired members can come together to discuss and campaign on issues of direct interest to them  

4. Provide effective two way communication with Associate and Retired members through the production and distribution of circulars, newsletters and other literature - including the maintenance of a website etc

5. Keep Associate and Retired members informed of PCS benefits available to them

6. Campaign and co-operate with pensioner organisations and others for the protection of pensions and other benefits which maintain or improve the quality of life of Associate and Retired members 

7. Co-ordinate the views of its Associate and Retired members, and take action on matters of interest to members

8. Provide the National Executive Committee; North West Regional Committee; Associate and Retired Members National and Associated and Retired members North West Regional Committees promptly with any information and returns they require and to advise them of the needs and requirements of Associate and Retired members

9. Generally assist the National Executive Committee; Regional Committee; Associate and Retired Members National and Associated and Retired members Regional Committees in compliance with the Union's Rules

10. Represent the views of PCS and Associate and retired members in the wider pensioner movement within the UK and European Union

11. Meet the TUC request from unions to organise Pensioner Sections

12. Maintain links and liaise with all PCS Branches and assist in local and national campaigns – including regional representation on the appropriate Regional Committees

13. Affiliate to and participate nationally and locally in such organisations having similar aims and objectives subject to the overriding authority of the National executive Committee

14. Provide opportunities for social activity 

3. Membership

All Associate and Retired Members (as determined by Rule 3.6 and 3.7 of the PCS Rules) living in the following electoral constituencies Birkenhead, Bootle, Garston and Halewood, Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool Riverside, Liverpool Walton, Liverpool Wavertree, Liverpool West Derby, Sefton Central, Southport, St Helens North, St Helens South and Whiston, Wallasey, Wirral South, Wirral West; and the Isle of Man, shall be deemed to be members of the group.

4. Management

The management of the Group shall be vested in Group General Meetings, the 

Executive Committee and the Officers.

5. Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The AGM shall normally take place in February each year.  No quorum shall be needed.  The AGM shall:

1. Receive a written Annual Report, Financial Report and audited Statement of Accounts.

2. Elect 2 Auditors who shall not be members of the Executive Committee

3. Elect 2 Scrutineers, who shall not be members of the Executive Committee to count the votes in elections held at the AGM

4. Consider motions and nominations submitted by the Executive Committee or individual Associate or Retired members.

5. Conduct the election of Officers and Executive Committee

A notice convening the AGM, together with the Annual Report, Financial Report, audited Statement of Accounts, requests for written nominations for the Officers and Executive Committee and motions shall be circulated by the Secretary, to Associate and Retired members of the Group, not later than 28 days before the meeting.  

Written notice of motions and nominations for inclusion on the Agenda shall be sent to the Secretary not later than 21 days before the meeting.  

The Agenda, including details of all proposed motions, nominations and election addresses - restricted to no more than 500 words each - shall be circulated to associate and retired members of the Group not later than 14 days before the meeting.  

Written motions of urgency may be accepted at any time up to the opening of the meeting.  Each Associate and Retired member of the Group attending the AGM may vote on matters put to the meeting for decision.  

The Chairperson shall only be permitted to vote where there is an equality of votes for and against a proposal and a casting vote is therefore required. Voting shall be by show of hands.  

In the case of elections conducted at the AGM, each Associate and Retired member of the Group present - including the Chairperson - shall have one vote for each position to be filled.  The votes - which will be by show of hands - shall be counted by the Scrutineers with the candidates for each position placed in order.  The candidate(s) with the most votes shall be elected.

6. General Meetings

Including the AGM, general meetings shall normally be held monthly.  All Associate and Retired Members of the Group will be entitled to attend these general meetings - although each member (including Officers and Executive Committee members) will be expected to meet the full cost of their attendance although where agreed this may be via a ‘pooled fare’ or similar system. 

With the exception of the AGM - see 5 above - notice of these monthly general meetings shall be circulated by the Secretary to all Associate and Retired members of the Group at least 14 days prior to the meeting.   

7. Special General Meeting (SGM)

A Special General Meeting shall be held no later than 21 days after receipt by the Secretary of a written request signed by not fewer than 50 Associate and Retired members of the Group.  The request shall be supported by reasons for calling the meeting, together with any proposed motion and the names of the Mover and Seconder.  

Discussion at the meeting shall be confined to the items notified on the Agenda, which shall be circulated to Associate and retired members of the Group not later than 7 days before the meeting.  Voting shall be on the same basis as the AGM. No quorum shall be needed.

8. Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)

An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be convened at the discretion of the Executive Committee. Discussion shall be confined to the item(s) notified in the Agenda, which shall be circulated to Associate and Retired members of the Group not later than 14 days before the meeting.  

Voting at the meeting shall be on the same basis as the AGM. No quorum shall be needed.

9. Officers

The officers shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Organiser and Treasurer. The officers shall be Associate or Retired members of the Group to be elected at the AGM. The duties of each officer shall be allocated by the Executive Committee. Each officer shall provide a written report to each meeting on the business of their office.

10. Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of the five officers plus four ordinary Committee members – all elected at the AGM. 

The Executive Committee may fill any casual vacancy that may arise during the year as it sees fit. 

In addition, up to two Auditors/Independent Examiners. They may attend Group  Committee meetings by invitation but may not be an elected member of the Merseyside Group Committee. 

The Executive Committee may also co-opt additional members in an advisory capacity, without voting powers.

11. Finance

The Group shall be eligible to receive on request and in a manner to be determined by the National Executive Committee an Annual subvention from funds agreed by the National Executive Committee and shall be empowered to meet any additional expenses by self-funding. 

The Group's financial year shall correspond to that of the Union.  

The Group’s funds shall be administered by the Treasurer in accordance with Executive Committee and Members directions.  The Treasurer shall take charge of the funds and pay all demands as instructed by the Executive Committee and Members.  

All Officers, Committee Members and Associate and Retired members of the Group will be expected to meet their own travel and other expenses.  

A bank account (with a bank approved by the NEC) shall be opened in the name of the Group and each cheque thereon shall be signed by any two of the officers.  

The Executive Committee shall cause the Group’s accounts to be entered regularly in proper books, and shall, before the 31 January, submit accounts for the year ended on the previous 31 December to the Auditors.  A Financial Report and the audited Statement of Accounts shall be presented to the AGM.

12. Constitution

The Group shall be governed by the Union's Rules and by Group and Association constitutions where they apply in addition to this constitution.  If this constitution conflicts with the Union's Rules or with Group or Association constitutions, the latter shall prevail.  

This constitution may not be amended except by the AGM, SGM or by an EGM convened for the purpose.  A motion to amend the constitution shall require a majority of at least two-thirds of the votes cast in order to be carried.  Any amendment shall be subject to ratification by the National Executive Committee and shall not take effect until then. 

The Chairperson shall rule on any matter of interpretation of this constitution, and on any matter where it is silent.  Any such ruling may only be challenged by:

1. A General Meeting - members shall carry a motion which states: 'This Group challenges the Chairperson's ruling in connection with...' The motion ' That the Chairperson's ruling be upheld' shall then be immediately put to the meeting without debate by the deputising officer while the Chairperson leaves the chair.  The motion shall only be defeated by a majority of at least two-thirds of the votes cast.  The decision of the meeting shall be final and binding on all members

2. A member - by writing to the Secretary stating the reasons for the challenge.  The challenge shall require a simple majority of the votes cast at an Executive Committee to be upheld.

13. Dissolution

The Group shall not be dissolved except with the consent of the National Executive Committee.  On dissolution any money remaining in the hands of the Group, together with all documents, vouchers and records, shall be surrendered to the Union's Headquarters.