Constitution
Our current constitution appears below. However, the committee are currently in the process of updating the constitution.
Alsager Camera Club
(Issue 3 13th August 2012)
CONSTITUTION AND RULES
(Note the changes from Issue 2 are shown in CAPITAL ITALIC and record the result of a postal vote organised by the Secretary and agreed by members 22nd May 2011)
Alsager Camera Club was founded in 1987. The club is a member of the Lancashire
and Cheshire Photographic Union, which is in turn Affiliated to the Photographic
Alliance of Great Britain.
Aims
The aims are:
- To provide a forum for members to improve their standard of photography and
to provide the opportunity to share a hobby with like-minded people.
- To continually build and extend an enthusiastic group with a high standard of
photographic skills which is open to all in the local community.
- To promote the art of photography in the community.
Objectives
The Club will
- Provide regular meetings and field trips where members can build and extend their photographic skills
- Actively encourage new members to participate within the group
- Use their photographic skills for the benefit and enjoyment of the community
- Exhibit photographic work within the community
Powers
To achieve the above aims and objectives the Club may
- Raise funds, in addition to the subscription and attendance fee, in order to update and purchase new equipment
- Make payments to cover the general running costs of the meetings, hire of room, guest speaker’s fees, exhibition costs etc.
- Make appropriate links within the community.
- Advertise the Club to encourage membership
The Business and Management of the Club.
The Business of the club shall be administered by a Management Committee of seven members, who are each elected for a term of one year at the Annual General Meeting each year, into the roles of: Chairperson, General Secretary, Treasurer, Programme Secretary, Competition Secretary, Equipment Officer and Communications Officer.
The Committee will have the power to co-opt additional members when deemed necessary to fulfil the aims and objectives of the Club
At Ordinary or Annual General Meetings: –
The Chairperson (or delegated member of the administrative team in the absence of the former) shall have overall responsibility for the Club and the management of meetings.
The Secretary will record the minutes of the meetings, and is tasked with providing adequate information on the Club to anyone who enquires about membership, and provides the interface to the L&CPU and the local community.
The Treasurer will maintain accurate financial records for member subscriptions
and all other income and expenditure. The accounts for the year will be presented for the approval of the members at the AGM.
The Treasurer will have the power to make payments to cover the general running expenses of the Club. All cheques must be signed by two officers of the Club.
The Programme Secretary will prepare a winter programme of events for Ordinary meetings and Field trips during the following year for agreement by the committee at least one month before the beginning of each Club year. Each booking for speakers will be confirmed in writing and written confirmation sought for each event. A written reminder will be sent to each speaker two weeks before the event at which they are required to attend.
The Competition Secretary will be the single point of contact for other Photographic Clubs for the arrangement of interclub meets and competitions. A written reminder will be sent to each judge two weeks before the event that he/she is required to attend.
The Equipment Officer will be responsible for the procurement and maintenance of the equipment belonging to the Club.
The Communications Officer will be responsible for the circulation of news and information on events and activities to the membership, and to increase the profile of the Club within the local community
Membership
Membership is open to all that have an interest in photography, on payment of the subscription and attendance fee at meetings. Membership will apply from 1st of September to the 31st August each year.
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting shall generally be held on the last scheduled meeting
of the Club year, usually at the end of May. Members will be informed at least four weeks before the arranged date.
The Management Committee will be elected at this meeting
Ordinary Meetings.
Ordinary Meetings will normally take place on a Thursday evening starting at 7:30pm.
The Chairperson, or delegated member of the Management Committee shall be responsible for the orderly conduct and progress of business.
The formal programme of Club events starts in September and continues through to the end of May of the following year.
The programme of events will inform members of the planned activities. This will include the date of the Annual General Meeting
Subscriptions and Fees.
The cost of subscription for the year ahead and the attendance fee for Ordinary meetings
will be agreed at the Annual General Meeting.
Membership fees will be due for payment at the first Ordinary meeting in September.
Membership will be considered to have lapsed if the subscription has not been paid by the first Ordinary meeting in December.
Prospective members and visitors may attend a maximum of three Ordinary Meetings
(but not an Annual General Meeting) on payment of an attendance fee.
Only members may enter Club or interclub competitions, vote at local competitions or borrow any material assets of the club.
Dissolution Clause
Notice of proposed closure of Alsager Camera Club must be made in writing to all club members.
A meeting of all members must be called to discuss the proposals.
Four weeks notice of any such meeting must be given.
In the event that the Club has to be wound up, all surplus funds and remaining assets will be passed to the Lancashire and Cheshire Photographic Union.
Constitution and Rules
The Constitution and Rules may only be altered at either
- The Annual General Meeting or
- An Extraordinary General Meeting
At least four weeks notice must have been given to members.
APPROVAL WILL BE ACHIEVED BY A SIMPLE MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS PRESENT.
Young People
Following advice received from the L & CPU we have been advised to incorporate the following into our constitution for insurance and legal reasons: –
“Members and visitors under 18 years of age must be accompanied at all meetings and other events by a parent or guardian, or an adult with the specific agreement of the parent/guardian, who will be responsible for their safety at all times.”