The Probus Club of Horsham Weald - Rules
1. The Club shall be named The Probus Club of Horsham Weald.
2. The object of the Club shall be to promote fellowship amongst retired professional and business people.
3. The Club shall be non-profit making, non-political and non-sectarian.
4. Membership shall be open to all professional and business people resident in Horsham and District who have fully or partially retired from their normal business or profession. An applicant for membership shall preferably be introduced by an existing Member and his/her application, to be submitted in writing to the Secretary, shall be determined by the Committee. Approval shall require a unanimous vote by the Committee Members present. Before consideration by the Committee the applicant shall have attended at least one meeting of the Club. The total membership of the Club shall not exceed 50 or as agreed by the Committee.
5. The annual subscription shall be determined at each Annual General Meeting and such dues shall be paid within two calendar months therefrom. In the case of a new Member joining the Club after the commencement of a financial year the subscription fee for the first year shall be charged pro-rata to the number of full months remaining from such new Member's joining date to the end of that financial year.
6. The Annual General Meeting of the Club shall be held on the date of the May ordinary meeting in each year, and the Secretary shall give not less than 21 days notice of such meeting.
7. A Special General Meeting may be called by the President, or upon requisition of not less than ten Members of the Club; such requisition to be given in writing to the Secretary and to include in brief terms the reason or intent. The Secretary shall in either case give all Members not less than three weeks notice of such meeting including the reason for it being called.
8. Voting shall be by a show of hands, or by ballot if so determined. In the event of an equal division of votes the Chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.
9 The affairs of the Club shall be managed by a Committee consisting of: President, Vice President, Immediate Past President, Secretary, Social Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary and three ordinary Members, all of whom shall be elected at each Annual General Meeting. There shall also be appointed at such meeting an Hon. Auditor.
Tenure of office shall be as follows: President and Vice President - 1 year.
The Committee shall meet as and when required but not less than three times in each year. Four Members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting. The Committee shall have power to co-opt Members to fill any vacancy in the Committee which may occur during any year and to appoint Sub-Committees with powers as they may so determine. The President and Secretary shall be ex-officio members of any Sub Committee so appointed.
10. The accounts for the financial year of the Club ending March 31 shall be prepared by the Treasurer and after audit, shall be presented to the Annual General Meeting. The Committee shall appoint the Club’s bankers. Online payments will be authorised by the Treasurer. Cheques shall be signed by the Treasurer and another Member authorised by the Committee. Reasonable and proper expenses incurred by the Officers shall be reimbursed.
11. Visitors and prospective Members accompanied by a Member or Members of other Probus Clubs, will be welcomed at any meeting of the Club (other than the Annual General Meeting), provided that Members shall give not less than 24 hours notice, or such other notice as may be determined by the Committee, to the Secretary, of such intention to be accompanied at any meeting.
12. Apologies for absence from a meeting shall be advised to the Secretary before the day of that meeting. At any time the Committee may review the membership of any Member absent from six Club meetings in any financial year, taking into account any relevant reasons for such absence, with authority to terminate such membership if they so decide.
13. Meetings of the Club shall be held on the second Monday of each month unless Members have been notified otherwise.
14. These Rules may be revoked, added to or otherwise amended by a majority comprising not less than two thirds of those Members of the Club voting at or before any Annual or Special General Meeting: provided that the number voting in favour of the amendment to the Rules is at least one-half of the Club’s total membership. Where any amendment of the Rules is involved then the precise terms of amendment shall be incorporated in the notice of meeting.
15. Should the Club be dissolved at any time then the assets of the Club then remaining shall be disposed of by the Club Committee existing at the time of the dissolution to be applied for charitable purposes. Failing the foregoing then any Club assets remaining shall be transferred to Horsham Rotary Club to be applied by them for charitable purposes.