Newark CAMRA Constitution


Constitution of the Newark & District Branch of CAMRA

1. NAME

The name shall be: NEWARK AND DISTRICT BRANCH OF CAMRA, hereinafter called “the Branch”.

2. OBJECT

The objects of the Branch shall be to support the Campaign for Real Ale Limited (hereinafter called “CAMRA Ltd”) within the geographical area of Newark & District, as agreed with neighbouring branches.

3. REGULATIONS

The Branch shall observe the regulations for Branches laid down by the Directors of CAMRA Ltd.

4. MEMBERSHIP

Any member of CAMRA living within the geographical area of the Branch is entitled to be, and any other member of CAMRA may apply to become, a member subject to the approval of the Branch Committee who may refuse membership without assigning any reason

If any member of the Branch shall cease to be a member of CAMRA his/her membership of the Branch shall automatically terminate.
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5. OPEN MEETINGS

The Branch shall hold a Branch Meeting at least once in every two calendar months. Any person shall be free to attend such Branch Meetings whether they are members of the Branch or not. Only Branch members may vote. Resolutions passed or approved at such a meeting shall not be binding on the Branch, Branch Committee and Branch Officials.

6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

An Annual General Meeting shall be held once in every year and not more than fifteen months shall elapse between one Annual General Meeting and the next. Only members of the Branch and the Directors of CAMRA Ltd or their duly appointed representatives shall be entitled to attend the Branch Annual General Meeting and only Branch members allowed to vote. The business to be conducted at the Annual General Meeting shall include:

• The approval of the accounts of the Branch
• The election of officials
• Appointment of auditors
• Any other business

At least twenty eight days notice of the Annual General Meeting shall be given to all members of the Branch and to the Directors of CAMRA Ltd either by post, email or by a CAMRA Ltd publication which in the ordinary course of events will give sufficient notice. A quorum for the Branch Annual General Meeting shall be ten persons present.

7. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

A Special General Meeting of the Branch may be called only on the decision of the Branch Committee, on written request signed by 5 members of the Branch or by one tenth of the Branch membership (whichever is the greater), or by the Directors of CAMRA Ltd. At least 21 clear days notice of such a Special General Meeting shall be given to all members of the Branch and the Directors of CAMRA by post, email or by a CAMRA publication which in the ordinary course of events will give sufficient notice. Only persons entitled to vote at a Branch Annual General Meeting shall be entitled to vote at a Special General Meeting.

8. BRANCH COMMITTEE

The Branch Committee shall consist of a Chairman, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and up to nine other members. The Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Committee members shall be elected at and hold office from one Annual General Meeting of the Branch to the next, (unless specifically removed), when they shall be eligible for re-election.

Any member of CAMRA Ltd who is a member of the Branch may serve on the Committee provided that he or she is not already on the Committee of any other Branch set up under the regulations of CAMRA Ltd.

The Branch Committee shall be empowered to fill by co-option from the Branch membership any casual vacancy that arises during the year. The Branch Committee shall undertake the general conduct of the affairs of the Branch. Additional members can be co-opted during the year at the discretion of the Committee.

In the event of the resignation of an entire Branch Committee the Directors of CAMRA will appoint such interim officers as may be necessary to manage the affairs of the Branch until a General Meeting of the Branch can be properly convened.

9. COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The Branch Committee shall meet not less than once in every three calendar months and the quorum for such a committee meeting shall be not less than four members of the Branch Committee.

10. ELECTIONS

Nominations for posts on the Branch Committee shall be in writing signed by a proposer and seconder both of whom shall be members of the Branch and accompanied by evidence of the willingness of the proposed person to stand. All such nominations must be presented to the AGM. Verbal nominations, if proposed and seconded by Branch members, will be accepted at the AGM.

11. FINANCES

The financial year of the Branch shall commence on 1st October each year. The assets of the Branch shall be under control of the Branch Committee and no payments shall be made out of Branch monies except by authority of the Branch Committee. The Branch Committee shall ensure that the Treasurer keeps proper books of account and that all monies received are placed to the credit of the Branch at such a bank as the Branch committee shall from time to time select. All cheques and other orders relating to the Bank Account shall be signed by the Treasurer and one of two other members of the Committee appointed by the Committee for that purpose.

All books relating to the finances of the Branch shall be produced to the Directors of CAMRA Ltd or their duly authorised representative on demand, on seven days clear notice to the Branch.

Two copies of the audited Accounts shall be lodged with CAMRA at its Registered Office and with the Regional Director in whose region the Branch is situated within one month of the date of the Annual General Meeting.

12. AUDIT

The accounts of the Branch in each year shall be audited by a professional auditor or by two members neither of whom shall be a member of any Branch Committee or a Director of CAMRA Ltd. The auditor shall be appointed by the Branch at its Annual General Meeting.

13. WINDING UP

The Branch may be wound up by a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, the business having been notified in the notice convening the same and upon a resolution to that effect being passed by a majority of two thirds of those present and
entitled to vote. Upon dissolution the assets of the branch shall be used firstly to pay off all proper liabilities of the Branch and any surplus thereafter shall be paid to CAMRA Ltd. If the Branch membership falls below ten the Branch shall be wound up.

13. BYE-LAWS

The Branch Committee shall have the power (unless and until overruled by the Branch in General Meeting) to adopt Bye-Laws for the better furtherance of the objects of the Branch. The Branch Secretary shall maintain a record of such Bye-Laws.

14. ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION

The Constitution may be altered only at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting called for that purpose, with the specific alteration having been stipulated in the notice convening the same and subject to the approval of at least two thirds of those present and entitled to vote.

15. NOTICE

The accidental omission to give notice of any meeting to any person entitled to such notice shall not invalidate any proceedings at that meeting.