Constitution - The Charminster Traders Association

1. NAME

The name of the Organisation shall be the Charminster Traders Association (hereinafter called “the Organisation”).

2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

• The aims and objectives of the Organisation are to promote, enhance and support the interests of traders who operate businesses situated within the Charminster Road Area. The Organisation will liase with Bournemouth Council, statutory services, voluntary organisations and organisations supportive of general trading interests, for the benefit of its members.
• The Organisation will endeavour to include all traders and interested parties within the CTA geographical area, and will not favour particular political or religious organisations and will try to maintain an ethical approach to its work.

3. MEMBERSHIP

• Membership shall be open to all businesses trading in the Charminster Road Area Bournemouth.
• Every member shall have one vote.
• Members must actively seek to represent the various needs of the area, and must not discriminate on the grounds of their race, colour, ethnic or national origin or because of their gender, disability or health (including HIV & status), sensory or speech impairment, age, sexual orientation, religion, political party or marital status.

4. MEMBERSHIP FEE/SUBSCRIPTON

All members shall pay an annual fee as agreed by the Management Committee.

5. FINANCE

• All financial business must be carried out constitutionally.
• All money raised by or on behalf of the Organisation is to be used only to further the aims of the Organisation.
• The Treasurer shall open a bank account in the name of the Organisation.
• Cheque signatories will be nominated by the Committee (one to be the Treasurer).
• All cheques and instructions to the Organisation bankers shall require two of the agreed signatures.
• The Treasurer shall present annual financial reports at the AGM.
• The Organisation will not lend money to members.

6. THE COMMITTEE

• All members will be members of the committee and have voting rights. Voting will be on the basis of one vote per member business attending at the meeting.
• All proposals shall be voted upon following open discussion. A show of hands or a secret ballot, indicating a majority, shall determine the outcome. The Chairman has a casting vote.
• The Committee shall be made up of a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and general members.
• The Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
• At any committee meeting four members present shall represent a quorum. A majority vote will carry any motion, which is proposed and seconded. If required the Chairman will have a casting vote.
• The committee shall meet aim to meet on a monthly basis but no less than 6 times a year.
• Minutes of the Committee meetings shall be available to all members.
• The Committee may introduce or appoint new members as required.

7. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

• There shall be an Annual General Meeting held every 12 months. At which the Committee reports on its work, presents a statement of accounts and then resigns.
• The AGM shall elect a new Committee, vote on recommendations and any amendments to the constitution.
• The Secretary will notify all members of the date of the meeting not less than fourteen days before the AGM.

8. OTHER GENERAL MEETINGS

• A special or extraordinary general meeting open to all members will be held if 5 or more members submit in writing a request for such a meeting to the Secretary. The Secretary shall arrange for the meeting to take place within 14 days.
• The Secretary will publicise all general meetings at least five days in advance.

9. QUORUM

This means the number of members required for the meeting to go ahead and make decisions.

• No general meeting or Annual General Meeting shall take place if less than 4 members are present.
• No Committee meeting shall take place if less than half of the Committee are present.

10. CHANGE TO THE CONSTITUTION

• The constitution can only be altered at an AGM.
• Any suggested changes to the constitution must be handed to the Secretary fourteen days before the AGM.
• Changes to the constitution must be agreed by a simple majority of the members present at the meeting.
• The Chairman shall have the casting vote, should the original vote be tied.
• None of the aims of the Organisation listed in section two may be deleted.

11. DISSOLUTION

• The Organisation may only be dissolved at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose and must be advertised at least fourteen days before the meeting.
• A proposal to dissolve the Organisation shall only be accepted if signed by two thirds of the members. The decision shall be agreed by a simple majority of eligible voters present.
• In the event of the association winding up, all proceeds will be given to a local charity chosen by the then Mayor of Bournemouth.
• No members of the Organisation shall receive any benefit either in cash or in kind from any disposal of the Organisation’s assets.

12. STANDING ORDER

Members shall, at all times conduct themselves in a reasonable manner at meetings or in the premises used by the Organisation, and be excluded if they contravene the objectives of the Organisation. This will be done by a majority of those present and voting at any Committee or general meeting.

• Any members may make a proposal. In order for it to be voted on by other members it must be seconded, (or supported) by someone else.
• Only members present at the meeting may vote.
• The only exception to the above rule will be that members whose disability or medical condition makes it impossible to attend a meeting. In these circumstances such members may empower the Chairman or Secretary to vote on their behalf.
• Before voting any member may propose an amendment, which must also be seconded.
• The Chairman shall have the casting vote when there is equal voting.

This constitution was adopted by the Charminster Traders Association on Tuesday, 11th August 2009.