1 AIM OF THE GROUP

The aim of ARC is to provide a forum to facilitate community and social projects that contribute to the well-being of the residents of Abbotsbury. It is an apolitical, secular, non-profit making organisation that strives to include all ages and sectors of the community and to work alongside other organisations operating for the benefit of the residents.

2 STATUS

1. The Group shall be known as the Abbotsbury Residents Corps (ARC).

3 MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership shall be open to any full time or part time resident of the village who supports the Objects of the Group.
2. A person shall be deemed to be a member of the Group if they have completed the prescribed Membership Application Form and have paid the current subscription.
3. All members shall be entitled to attend at any General Meeting of the Group and those aged 18 or above may vote thereat and stand for election to the Committee.
4. A person shall cease to be a member of the Group if their subscription falls seven months in arrears.
5. A person shall cease to be a member of the Group if their conduct is considered to be directly detrimental to the objectives of the Group by not less than two thirds of the General Committee. Such a person will be given reasonable notice in writing of a meeting convened by the General Committee to consider such a matter and may in writing or in person submit an explanation of the conduct in question to the General Committee before a vote is taken. Failure to communicate with the Committee, on receipt of such reasonable notice, in writing or in person will be accepted as that person’s intent to resign from membership of the Group and their name will be removed from the record of members.
6. A member may resign membership by written notice to the Group or to any member of the Committee.
7. The Committee shall maintain an up to date record of the names and addresses supplied by all members of the Group and that record shall be conclusive for the purpose of any notice required by virtue of this Constitution.
8. The Corp's membership list shall be available to any member on request, and may be published by the Committee, but it may not be used for any commercial purpose.
9. The Committee shall have power to extend to any person at its discretion honorary membership of the Group and to revoke the same in like manner. An honorary member may receive publications of the Group and participate by invitation in activities of the Group, but shall not have the right to vote at any General Meeting of the Group or to stand for election to the Committee.

4 VOTING

1. Providing a quorum is present, decisions either by the General meeting or the committee shall be made by a majority of those present and voting at the meeting. The Chairman of the meeting, whichever it is, shall have a casting vote.
2. A quorum for the General Meeting shall be 10 members or one third of the membership whichever is the larger. A quorum for the Committee shall be three members of whom one must be an Officer.
3. If a quorum is not present the meeting is unable to make binding decisions.

5. MINUTES

1. Minutes shall be taken at each meeting by the Secretary, if present or any member who may be asked to by the chairman of the meeting.
2. The first item of business at any meeting shall be to read and approve or amend the minutes of the previous meeting.
3. The Secretary shall keep a file of the minutes of all meetings.

6. SUBSCRIPTIONS

1. The subscription for membership of the Group shall be determined annually by the Committee.
2. All subscriptions to the Group shall be due on 1st October each year.

6. MANAGEMENT

6. FINANCE

1. All monies raised by or on behalf of the Group shall be applied in furthering the objects of the Group provided that the Group shall not undertake any permanent trading activities in raising funds for the said objects.

1. The Treasurer shall open a banking account in the name of the Group.
2. A convenient number of the Committee shall become signatories of the bank account
3. All cheques are to be signed by two signatories
4. The Treasurer shall keep proper accounts of the finances of the Group and report thereon to the Committee as required by them.
5. At the end of the Group’s financial year the accounts shall be audited by a person experienced in audit work that is not a member of the Committee.
6. The audited accounts are to be certified: "We/I have audited the accounts for the financial year (year) in accordance with approved auditing standards. In my/our opinion, the attached accounts provide a true and fair view of the financial state of affairs of the Abbotsbury Residents Group as at (year end date)" and signed by the auditor.
7. All contracts entered into by the Group must be approved and the approval minuted by the Committee.

6. GENERAL MEETINGS

1. A General Meeting of the membership shall be called at the request of a majority of the Committee or not less than ten members of the Group, who shall give reasons in writing to the Secretary.
2. A Committee member, as agreed by the other Committee members present, shall preside at a General Meeting of the Group.
3. No business shall be transacted unless a quorum of not less than ten members, or one tenth of the membership, whichever shall be the greater, of whom one shall be an officer of the Group, is present.
4. Every member attending a General Meeting shall be entitled to one vote on each/any motion proposed.
5. Notices of motions or additions to the Agenda must be in writing signed by the proposer and seconder and must be received by the Secretary not less than seven clear days before the meeting. Any motion on proper notice will be put to the meeting unless in the opinion of the Committee it is vexatious or frivolous. Such motion shall be put to the meeting notwithstanding the opinion of the Committee if so requested by not less than ten members of the Group attending and entitled to vote at a General Meeting.

6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

1. The Annual General Meeting of the Group is a General Meeting.
2. It shall be fixed to take place not later than three calendar months after the end of the financial year of the Group (31st January).
3. The AGM shall be chaired by the current Chairman of the Committee if he or she is present. Failing that, by any member of the Committee present.
4. At least twenty-one days notice shall be given to members that a meeting is to take place.
5. The Agenda for the Annual General Meeting shall consist of the following:

e. Nominations to the Committee must be must be supported by a Proposer and a Seconder

6. ALTERATIONS TO CONSTITUTION

1. Any alteration to this Constitution shall require the approval of a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at the General Meeting at which it is discussed.
2. Any resolution for the alteration of the Constitution must be received by the Secretary at least fourteen days before the meeting at which the resolution is to be brought forward.

6. DISSOLUTION

1. The Group may be dissolved by a Resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at a Special General Meeting convened for the purpose. Notice of such meeting shall be not less than twenty-one clear days.
2. Such resolution may give instructions for the disposal of any assets held by or in the name of the Group, provided that if any property remains after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities such property shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Group but shall be given or transferred to such other group, society or organisation determined by the Committee whose objects are similar to those of the Group and the Group shall thereupon forthwith be dissolved.