SWSHAS CONSTITUTION

 

as amended at the AGM held on 13th November 2018

 

1.    NAME

The society shall be called THE SOUTH WEST SHROPSHIRE HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY (SWSHAS)

 

2.    AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

a.  To promote and further an interest in all aspects of History and Archaeology, particularly in relation to South West Shropshire and adjacent areas.

b.  To provide members with a programme of lecturers and visits.

c.  To support where possible other local organisations which provide opportunities for study in history and archaeology

d.  To seek to provide opportunities for members to pursue practical and theoretical research in their chosen areas of interest

e.  To publish annually a Journal, comprising a report of the Society's activities and articles by members and others on topics of local historical and archaeological interest.

 

3.    MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be open to anyone interested, on payment of the appropriate fee

 

4.    COMMITTEE

The management of the Society shall be entrusted to the COMMITTEE, which shall consist of CHAIRMAN, VICE-CHAIRMAN, HON. SECRETARY, HON. TREASURER, and not more than TWELVE other members, elected by the Society at its Annual Meeting.  SIX members shall be a Quorum for Committee Meetings.  Committee members may offer themselves for re-election.  All officers and committee members shall be honorary and shall not receive remuneration.  The officers may claim, through the committee, legitimate expenses incurred in the service of the Society.  An HONORARY PRESIDENT and HONORARY VICE PRESIDENT may be elected by the members at the Annual Meeting.  The Committee shall have the power to co-opt up to TWO additional members.

 

5.    ELECTIONS AND ANNUAL MEETING

The Officers and Committee shall be elected annually at the Society's Annual Meeting.  All members of the Society shall be invited to attend this meeting and shall have full voting powers.  A minimum of two weeks' notice shall be given of this meeting which shall normally be held in November.  Items for the Agenda must be submitted to the Secretaryin writing at least one week before the AGM.

The Annual Meeting shall transact the following business:

a.  Recieve, consider, and, if approved, adopt a statement of the Society's Accounts to the end of the previous year

b.  Consider and, if approved, sanction any changes to the Constitution

c.  Elect Officers and Committee

d.  Appoint an auditor

e.  Deal with any other appropriate business decided by the Committee or raised by membership

Voting at Annual Meetings shall be by a show of hands, unless the Chairman decides a Ballot is necessary.  Decisions shall be made on a simple majority.  Each member shall have one vote, and there shall be no voting by Proxy.  If equal votes are cast, the Chairman shall have the casting vote.  The Quorum for an Annual Meeting shall be TWENTY Members.

 

6.    EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETINGS

Such meeting may be convened by the Committee at its discretion, or within twenty-one days of receipt of a request in writing signed by not less than twenty full members stating the object of their request.  Members shall receive at least two weeks' notice of such meetings

 

7.    FINANCE

All monies raised by or for the Society shall be applied to further the objects of the Society and for no other purpose

The Hon. Treasurer shall keep proper accounts of the Society's finances.  These shall be audited annually by a qualified auditor, appointed at the Annual Meeting, and shall be submitted for inspection at the Annual Meeting

 

8.    SUBSCRIPTIONS

There shall be a Membership Fee and a Concessionary Fee for full-time students.  The Committee shall determine and, at its discretion, review these fees.  Recommended changes shall be ratified by the Annual Meeting.

 

9.     DISSOLUTION

If the Committee decides by a simple majority that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Society, it shall call a meeting of all members, with a minimum of two weeks' notice.  This meeting shall also be advertised in newspapers circulating in the area.  If the Committee's recommendation is endorsed by a simple majority of those present and voting at the meeting, the Committee shall, after discharging all debts and liabilities, dispose appropriately of all remaining assets according to the instructions of the members after due discussion and with a simple majority approval