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Constitution

CONSTITUTION of the BASINGSTOKE RAMBLERS’ CLUB

MISSION STATEMENT

To be the preferred local provider of healthy walking activities available to all members of the public, and provide regular, interesting walks in a friendly atmosphere to suit all ages and abilities at an affordable cost.

1.  NAME

The name of the organisation (hereafter referred to as the Club) is THE BASINGSTOKE RAMBLERS’ CLUB.

2.  AFFILIATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS

The Club shall be affiliated to The Ramblers and The Campaign to Protect Rural England and have Activity Club Membership with HF Holidays.

3.  OBJECTIVES

     3.1 To encourage the enjoyment of the countryside by arranging rambles.

     3.2 To protect the amenities of the countryside and encourage adherence to the Countryside Code.

     3.3 To organise social events and rambling holidays for the participation of the members, and to encourage activities within the Club             and the community.

4. MEMBERSHIP

    4.1 The Club is a member’s club and consist of Members and Life Members.

    4.2 Members:

         a.  Any person of 16 years of age or over may become a member by making an application to join and by payment of the current                  year’s subscription.

         b.  Individuals under the age of 18 years may not vote at any meeting, nor hold office in the Club.

         c.  Members who have given distinguished services to the Club, or non-members who have given such service to rambling can                    gain Life Membership of the Club at the AGM, by proposal and a majority vote at the meeting. They will pay no subscription                    and will enjoy all the rights of membership.

   4.3 The Committee shall have the power to refuse to accept an application for membership. Such non-acceptance of an applicant                  shall be at the sole discretion of the Committee. No reason for the refusal need be provided by the Committee to the applicant.

   4.4 The full Committee can, by a three-quarters majority vote, revoke the membership of any person who has offended against the rules of the Club or whose conduct has, in the opinion of the Committee, rendered them unfit for membership of the Club. Before any such membership may revoked the Secretary shall give the member not less than seven days written notice to attend a meeting of the Committee and shall inform the member of the complaints made. The Committee may not revoke a Club membership without the member first having the opportunity of appearing before the Committee and answering the complaints made.

 SUBSCRIPTIONS

The annual subscription fee shall be set by a vote of the members at the Annual General Meeting. They will become due immediately for the current year. Any member who has not paid the subscription before 1st May in the current year shall cease to be a member. To resume membership of the Club, the required annual club subscription is paid by the prospective member in the year in which they wish to re-join.

  1. MEETINGS
    1. The Club shall hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) every year on the first Friday in February, or as soon as possible thereafter. Notification of the time and place of the Annual General Meeting is issued via the Club Newsletter, or by other means, no later than 31st December.
    2. The Secretary will schedule a Special General Meeting if requested by the Chairman, the Committee, or in writing by not less than twenty members. The purpose of the meeting within the request will be the only item to be discussed at this meeting. Notice of such a meeting is available to all members at least one week before the date of the meeting unless circumstances warrant a shorter period.
    3. Twenty members shall constitute a quorum for a General Meeting.
    4. The General Meeting can decide upon changes to the Constitution provided members have details of the proposed changes not less than one week before the date of the meeting.
    5. At any meeting of the Club or Committee, the Chairman shall have the casting vote.
  2. OFFICERS & COMMITTEE
    1. Those affairs of the Club not reserved for General Meetings shall coordinated by the General Committee (hereafter referred to as the Committee) of the Club consisting of the following named Officers: Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, Walks Programme Secretary, Rights of Way Secretary, Membership Secretary and Webmaster, together with two other members. Club members elect Committee members at the AGM. The Committee will elect a Vice-Chairperson from among its members at the first meeting after the AGM. Nominations for committee members are with the consent of the nominee. They can either be in writing on the forms provided by the Secretary before the AGM or made verbally at the AGM. Committee members will retire from office every year, however, will be eligible for re-election.
    2. The Committee will have the power to appoint sub-committees. The Committee will provide the Sub-committee with its terms of reference and its duration at the time of the Sub-committee formation.
    3. The quorum for a Committee Meeting shall be four, including two of the Officers. The quorum for any subcommittee meeting shall be two.
    4. The Committee shall have the power at any time to fill a vacancy among its Officers and members, and any person so appointed shall hold office only until the next AGM but shall then be eligible for re-election. The Committee shall also have the power at any time to co-opt members as necessary in the interests of the Club.
  3. ROLES OF OFFICERS & COMMITTEE MEMBERS
    • The Chairperson shall conduct the business of Committee and General Meetings and deal with issues arising between Committee meetings. The Chairperson presents a Report at the AGM.
    • The Vice-Chairperson shall act for the Chairperson in his/her absence, or when delegated to do so by the Chairperson.
    • The Secretary shall receive all correspondence of the Club, issue all notices of meetings, and keep minutes of General Meetings and Committee Meetings.
    • The Treasurer shall be responsible for overseeing all financial dealings of the Club and maintain bank accounts in the name of Basingstoke Ramblers Club. The Treasurer shall present annual audited accounts made up to the 31st of December at the AGM.
    • The Walks Programme Secretary shall co-ordinate the preparation and publication of a programme of rambles.
    • The Rights of Way Secretary shall liaise with the appropriate local authority department concerning any matters relating to rights of way, including obstructions, diversions and/or closures.
    • The Membership Secretary shall receive all membership subscriptions, maintain the membership records and be responsible for associated matters relating to membership, including the issue of membership cards.
    • The Newsletter Editor shall produce, with assistance, a monthly newsletter and arrange for its distribution to members.
    • The Webmaster shall maintain and update the Club’s website and deal with all matters relating to it.
    • Committee Members shall undertake roles as agreed by the Committee.
  4. AUDITOR

An Auditor is identified at each AGM to audit the Treasurer’s accounts for that year. The auditor must not be a member of the Committee.

  1. PERSONAL LIABILITIES

Neither the Club nor any official thereof shall be liable to any member or their guest(s) for personal injury or loss/damage to their property sustained during any of the Club’s activities.

  1. DISSOLUTION
    1. The Club can be dissolved by a properly convened assembly of the membership at a General Meeting.
    2. At least two-thirds of the members must be present at this General Meeting with more than three-quarters of those present voting for dissolution of the Club.
    3. If two-thirds of the members are not present. Then the General Meeting does not take place. A postal ballot of the whole club membership is then completed. A simple majority of those who vote in the ballot must agree to dissolution.
    4. If dissolution has been decided upon at the General Meeting, any five members may demand a postal ballot even though two-thirds of members are present.
    5. The ‘DISSOLUTION’ rule is amended by a postal ballot with at least two-thirds of the membership agreeing to any amendment.
    6. After dissolution, all remaining monies and properties will be donated to an organisation(s) with similar objectives to those of the Club.
  2. OTHERS
    1. It is the responsibility of members to adhere to the Highway Code and Countryside Code during rambles.
    2. The Committee may from time-to-time issue ‘Guidance for Members on Walks’ and ‘Advice for Walk Leaders.’
    3. Copies of these documents and the Constitution are available to all new members.

 

Constitution as updated at the Annual General Meeting on 7th February 2014.

UPDATED CONSTITUTION of the BASINGSTOKE RAMBLERS CLUB.pdf File Uploaded: 2 December 2021 187 KB
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