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| LoPRA CONSTITUTION
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TITLE
1. The Association shall be called the Long Preston Residents Association. STATUS 2. The Association shall be non-political and non-sectarian. AIM AND OBJECTIVES 3. AIM. The aim of the Association is to reflect its members’ views regarding the desired character of Long Preston, to protect the civic rights and community privileges of its members and to initiate or take action as necessary and appropriate for the provision, protection, preservation and enhancement of local amenities and environment. 4. OBJECTIVES. The Association’s objectives are to: a. Challenge any development within or adjacent to Long Preston that would adversely affect the desired character of the area. b. Review the amenities available to members and formulate proposals for their protection, preservation and enhancement. c. Appraise members of proposals and/or activities likely to affect adversely Long Preston, and the action being taken by the Association on their behalf. d. Represent the interests of members at Inquiries including legal representation at the discretion of the Committee. e. Make representations to the local authority and other bodies on matters of concern to its members as the Committee sees fit. f. Seek to encourage an active community interest and spirit on all matters within the Association’s stated aims. g. Liaise with the Parish Council in all matters relating to the aims of the Long Preston Village Plan and other matters of mutual interest. MEMBERSHIP 5. MEMBERSHIP. Membership is open only to residents of Long Preston and becomes effective upon payment of the annual subscription. At the discretion of the Committee, membership may be extended to any other persons with a valid interest or involvement in community affairs in Long Preston. MANAGEMENT 6. MANAGEMENT. The management of the Association shall be vested in the Committee comprising the Officers and five general Committee members elected at the AGM. A sixth Committee membership shall be offered to an elected member of the Long Preston Parish Council and of the Council's choosing. 7. THE COMMITTEE. The Committee shall have collective responsibility for the overall direction and supervision of the Association’s affairs in accordance with the stated Aims and Objectives. The Committee: a. Shall meet at least once each calendar month, at which at least five Committee members, including one Officer shall form a quorum. b. Shall be empowered to authorise expenditure of the Association’s funds for bona-fide operating expenses and for matters specifically related to the Association’s Aim and Objectives. c. May effect affiliation with and/or appoint representatives to other voluntary organisations with similar objectives to the Association. d. May co-opt up to two additional Committee members. 8. OFFICERS. The Officers’ posts shall be: a. Chairperson b. Vice Chairperson c. Treasurer d. General Secretary PATRON 9. PATRON. A post of Patron, without specific responsibilities, may be filled, on the recommendation of the Committee, by a distinguished long-serving Officer in recognition of his/her contribution to the Association’s activities. INFORMAL MEETINGS 10. An informal general meeting shall be called every quarter for the purpose of consulting with members and informing them of any matters relevant to the Association. At such meetings no amendments to this Constitution shall be proposed or voted upon. FORMAL MEETINGS 11. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. An AGM shall be held annually during September or October to: a. Accept the minutes of the previous AGM, or EGM. b. Accept the Committee’s Annual Reports. c. Accept the Treasurer’s Financial Statement. d. Elect Officers and General Committee members. e. Elect an Auditor. f. Consider items previously notified to the General Secretary. g. Consider, upon conclusion of the formal business i.e. items a) to f) above, any other relevant business at the Chairman’s discretion. Such matters raised, if not resolved, and if thought necessary, will be considered by the full Committee, at one of its regular meetings. 12. TIMETABLE FOR AGM. a. Notification of the AGM will be given in the Associations newsletter "Long Preston Calling" not less than 28 days prior to the AGM, requesting items for the Agenda that cannot be dealt with under AOB. Such items to be in writing, duly proposed and seconded. b. Publication of the Agenda will be not less than 14 days before the AGM 13. EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING. An EGM may be arranged: a. For a defined purpose at the instigation of the Committee. b. On receipt by the General Secretary of an application in writing, signed by at least twenty five members, stating the reasons for the meeting. The date for the meeting shall be determined by the Committee within fourteen days of receipt of an application. The meeting shall be held, where practicable within a further period of twenty eight days. 14. NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Twenty eight days notice of an AGM or EGM shall be given by a notice to that effect. 15. COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS. Nominations for Committee members’ posts shall be sent in writing to the General Secretary to arrive not later than fourteen days prior to an AGM or EGM. 16. QUORUM. Twenty-five per cent of fully paid-up members shall form a Quorum. 17. VOTING. Motions formally raised at an AGM or EGM shall be decided upon by a straight majority of members present, except those relating to the Constitution which will require a two thirds majority of those members present. FINANCE 18. SUBSCRIPTIONS. The annual subscription shall be determined by the Committee and approved by the AGM or EGM. It is payable in advance on and from 1st October. 19. CONTROL OF FUNDS. The Association’s finances shall be controlled and accounted for by the Treasurer under the overall direction of the Committee. Monies withdrawn, or transferred between the Association’s bank accounts, shall be authorised by two of the four Officers nominated by the Committee. A financial statement shall be made available to the Committee at each monthly meeting. 20. FINANCIAL AUDIT. The Association’s finances shall be subject to an annual audit by an elected auditor, who must not be a Committee member, at the end of the financial year on 31 August. The Treasurer shall present audited accounts for acceptance at the AGM. WINDING UP / DISSOLUTION 21. The Association may be dissolved by a resolution passed by no less than three-quarters of members present, at either an AGM or EGM called for that purpose, and for which twenty-eight days prior notice has been given in writing. Such a meeting, after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, shall not dispose of any surplus assets or property belonging to the Association by payment to, or distribution amongst its members, but shall determine that they be transferred to some other Association, Voluntary Organisation or Charity having similar Aims & Objectives as those above. THE CONSTITUTION 22. AMENDMENTS. The Constitution may be amended only with the approval of an AGM or EGM. Notice of a proposed amendment shall be submitted to the General Secretary in writing not less than twenty eight days prior to the appropriate AGM or EGM. (See Voting above ). 23. DATE OF ADOPTION. This constitution was adopted at the Inaugural Meeting of the Long Preston Residents Association held on 31 August 2004. |
