Home.contact us.About Us.News.Meetings.Diary and Dates.

Constitution

 

1. Name

 

The name of the association shall be Pathways – Sawston District Disabled Forum (hereafter called The Group)

 

2. Objects

 

The objects of the group shall be:

 

  1. To improve the lives of disabled people through campaigning, sharing information, networking and raising expectations
  2. To promote the active participation of disabled people in consultation on local and national issues  
  3. To campaign for equality of opportunity for disabled people
  4. To promote and publicise the work of the group and its activities

 

3. Powers

 

In furtherance of the said objects but not further or otherwise the group shall have the following powers:

a. to raise funds and apply from, invite, obtain, collect and receive contributions from any other person or persons whatsoever by way of subscription, donation grant, legacy, and otherwise, provided that the group shall not undertake any permanent trading activities in raising funds for the said objectives.

b. to employ on such terms and conditions of employment as the group shall determine any paid or voluntary worker or workers to assist in the attainment of the said objectives.

c. to reimburse any person held personally liable or liable in a representative capacity for the obligation of debt providing that the obligation was entered into on the authority and with the consent of the management committee.  The assets of the organisation shall be applied by way of indemnity to meet any such liability, debt or any excess under an insurance claim.  Where the assets are insufficient, part of any debt or liability may be met to the extent of the group’s assets only.

d. to do all such other lawful things as shall further the attainment of the said objectives or any of them.

 

4. Membership

 

a.        Full Membership is open to:

 

i. Individual disabled people who live or work in the Sawston district and surrounding villages who are interested in furthering the work of the group, and who have specific expertise or experience relevant to the work of the group (using the definition of disability as per the Disability Discrimination Act 1995)

 

ii. Carers of disabled adults or children.

 

iii. Family members of disabled adults or children.

 

b. The committee hereinafter constituted shall have the right:

 

i. To approve or reject applications for membership

ii. For good and sufficient reason to terminate the membership of any individual; provided that the individual member concerned or the appointed representative concerned shall have the right to be heard by the committee, before the final decision is made.  In any case, any such member shall have a right of appeal to the next annual general meeting.

 

c. Every member shall subscribe to the group such annual  sum (if any) for the next financial year as shall be determined at the Annual General Meeting hereinafter mentioned and the words  “financial year” shall mean the period April 1st to March 31st inclusive

 

5. Honorary Officers

 

  1. At the annual general meeting hereinafter mentioned, the group shall elect a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer (hereinafter called ”The Honorary Officers”) being persons who are full members of the group

 

b.     The Honorary Officers shall hold office until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting after their election but shall be eligible for re-election - provided that no Honorary Officer shall hold office for more than three consecutive years, unless no other nominations are forthcoming and the group agrees to the continuance.

 

  1. The Honorary Officers shall be ex-officio members of the committee hereinafter constituted.

 

  1. In the event of an officer ceasing to hold office during any year, the management committee shall have power to elect by majority vote, and if necessary, by secret ballot, a replacement officer for the remainder of the year.  

 

6. Committee

 

  1. Save as otherwise herein provided, the policy and general management of the affairs of the group shall be directed by the committee hereinafter constituted.

 

  1. The committee shall consist of the Honorary Officers and not less than three nor more than nine other full members of the group elected by the Annual General Meeting hereinafter mentioned.  

 

  1. In addition to the Honorary Officers and the management committee members so elected, the Committee may co-opt to serve on the committee in an advisory capacity other interested individuals or representatives of statutory or voluntary agencies active in the locality or of such other organisations as the committee may determine provided that no such co-opted member shall be entitled to vote.  Co-opted members must not represent more than one third of the total number of the committee

 

  1. The Committee shall meet not less than four times per year.

 

  1. Three members of the Committee or one third of the Committee members - whichever is the greater) shall constitute a quorum.

 

  1. Minute books shall be kept by the Committee and the Secretary shall enter therein a record of all proceedings and resolutions of the Committee.

 

  1. Every matter shall be determined by a majority of votes of the committee members present and voting on the question, but in the case of equality of votes, the Chair shall have a second or casting vote.

 

  1. Management committee meetings shall be open to all members (full, associate and affiliate) as observers who may speak at the discretion of the chair but shall not vote.

 

j. Disqualification and removal of management committee members: a management    committee member shall cease to hold office if s/he:

  1. Resigns office by written notice to the group    
  2. Becomes incapable by reason of mental disorder, illness or injury of managing and administering his/her own affairs
  3. Has been convicted of any offence involving dishonesty or deception
  4. Is absent without the permission of the committee from 3 consecutive meetings and the committee resolve that his/her office be vacated.

 

 

7.  Annual and Extraordinary General Meetings

 

a. The first general meeting of the group shall be held not later than the 1 October 2006, and once in each year thereafter an Annual General Meeting of the Group shall be held at such a time (not being more than 15 months after the holding of the preceding Annual General Meeting) and place as the committee shall determine.  Notification of a General Meeting shall be given in writing by the Secretary to all members not less than 21 days prior to the meeting.  

 Nominations for election to the management committee must be made in 14 days before the AGM to the secretary.  In exceptional circumstances, nominations will be accepted at the AGM. At such Annual General Meeting the business shall include:

 

i. The receipt and approval of the Annual Report and the Accounts for the preceding year from the Committee

 

ii. the appointment of an auditor or auditors/independent examiner

 

iii. the election of the honorary officers and the management committee members (other than co-opted members) to serve on the committee

 

iv. the determination of the annual membership subscription payable under 4e hereof.

 

v. the transaction of such other matters as may from time to time be necessary.

 

b. i. The quorum for a general meeting (both annual and extraordinary) shall be one third of the total membership for the time being of the Group or such other number of the Group in General Meeting shall from time to time determine.

 

ii. Save as otherwise herein provided, all questions arising at a general meeting (both annual and extraordinary) shall be decided by a simple majority of those present and voting thereat.  A member of the group shall be entitled to appoint a proxy who shall be a member of the group to attend any General Meeting that s/he is unable to attend and to exercise the vote of the member in whose stead s/he is attending in addition to his own vote.  Provided that no such entitlement shall apply in respect of clauses 9 and 10 hereof.  Save as foresaid, no person shall exercise more than one vote but in case of an equality of votes, the Chair or in their absence, the member elected to chair the meeting, shall have second or casting vote.

 

8. Finance

 

  1. The Treasurer shall keep proper accounts of the Group and shall prepare accounts for the last financial year for submission to the members at the Annual General Meeting and the words “financial year” shall mean the period 1st April - 31st March inclusive.

 

  1. The accounts shall be appropriately examined/audited at least once a year by the examiner/auditor or auditors appointed by the Annual General Meeting

 

 

 

  1. The funds of the Group shall be applied in furtherance of its objects and no payment shall be made to any members except for the services actually rendered as the Committee except reasonable and proper out of pocket expenses.

 

  1. A bank account shall be opened by the committee. The Committee shall authorise in writing the Chair, the Secretary, and the Treasurer to sign cheques on behalf of the group.  All cheques must be signed by not less than two out of the three authorised signatories.

 

 

9. Alteration to the Constitution

 

No alteration or addition to this constitution shall be made except at a General Meeting of the Group called for such a purpose.  No alteration or addition shall be to clause 2, this clause 9 and clause 10 and no alteration shall be made which would cause the group to cease to be a charity in law.  Alterations or additions to the constitution shall receive the assent of not less than two thirds of the members present and voting at a general meeting.

 

10. Dissolution

 

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 of which 21 days notice shall be given (to the members).  Such a resolution may give instructions for the disposal of any assets held by or in the name of the Group but provided that if any property remains after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, such property shall not be paid or distributed among the members of the group but shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institution or institutions having objects similar to some or all of the objects of the Group as the Group may determine and if and in so far as effect cannot be given to this provision then to some other charitable purpose.

 

 

telephone

07982

046***

to offer,

or ask for,

help and advice

 

THIS WEBSITE IS NO LONGER

BEING UPDATED

DUE TO AN INFORMATION DEMAND BY

CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL

WHICH THE WEBSITE MANAGER BELIEVES

MAYBE

UNLAWFUL.

UNTIL THIS IS CLARIFIED

THIS SITE IS NO LONGER BEING UPDATED

OR MANAGED