Constitution

NAME:  The association shall be called the Rustington Residents Association and shall be based in the Parish of Rustington.

OBJECTIVES:  The objectives of the Association shall be:

 

• • To be non-party political and non-sectarian.
  • To support and promote all measures benefiting Rustington residents and to oppose measures deemed to be detrimental.
  • To safeguard and preserve local amenities and to endeavour to influence development to this end.
  • To organise and promote any social activity considered desirable by the General Committee.

 

MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be open to all residents of the Parish of Rustington and shall be conditional upon payment of a Life Membership Fee, an amount decided by the General Committee and subject to fluctuation. Membership shall include all adults in a household, irrespective of the number of occupants.

Any Member standing as candidate in any election shall not use Membership of the Association to canvass votes or incorporate the Associations name in any literature.

FINANCE

The finances of the Association shall be vested in the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Treasurer and deposited in a Bank or other authorised deposited holder in the name of the Association.  Withdrawals shall bear the signatures of not less than two of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary and one other nominated Member of the General Committee.

Withdrawals on behalf of the Village Friends shall bear the signatures of three nominated signatories.

Funds and other monies surplus to immediate requirements shall be placed in any Trustee investment at the discretion of the General Committee.

The Financial Year of the Association shall be from 1^st February to 31^st January.  The General Committee may establish separate bank account for specific purposes.

MANAGEMENT

The business affairs of the Association shall be conducted by a General Committee to further its objectives.

The General Committee shall consist of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Publicity Officer and up to six members of the Association. Nominations of the officers must be received by the Secretary in writing not less than 14 days before the Annual General Meeting of the Association.

The officers shall be elected by the Members present at the Annual General Meeting of the Association. They may remain in office indefinitely or until alternative nominees are proposed and elected by Members.

The Geneal Committee shall meet at least once a quarter.  Seven members of the General Committee shall form a quorum.  Meetings shall be private and confidential.

The General Committee may (1) Form a standing Executive Sub-Committee consisting of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer which shall be authorised to take decisions where it is impractical to convene a General Committee Meeting; such decisions to be ratified by the next Geneal Committee meeting. (2) Form Sub-Committee to consider any specific matters in detail prior to any action by the General Committee of the Executive Sub-Committee. (3) Co-opt additional members and consultants as it sees fit.

MEETINGS

The Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held not later than 30^th April each year at which shall be presented the Annual Report and Certified Accounts of the Association.  An Extra-Ordinary General Meeting may be called at any time by the General Committee or at the request of at least twenty voting Members, delivered to the Secretary not less than thirty days in advance of the proposed meeting.

LIABILITY OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

 Any person (whether a Member of the Association, or not) who attends a function or who takes part in an Excursion organised by the Geneal Committee of the Association, does so at his or her own risk.  Neither the General Committee nor the officers nor any Member of the Association shall be liable to any such person for personal injuries or death of loss or damage to property sustained at premises occupied by the Association or during Excursions organised by the Association.

CONSTITUTION RULES

The Constitution and Rules may only be altered by a resolution passed at a General Meeting of the Association.

CESSATION OF THE ASSOCIATION

If, upon resolution of a General Meeting the Association shall cease to exist, all funds standing to the credit of the Association shall be distributed in such a manner as may be resolved by the members attending the General Meeting, less any administrative fees incurred during the distribution of such funds.