Constitution

adopted on 8th June 2021

The Organisation shall be known as Friends of Wharfedale Greenway, hereafter referred to as the Organisation.

The area of benefit of the Organisation shall be communities along the proposed route of the Wharfedale Greenway, between Bolton Abbey and Pool in Wharfedale, including Menston.

3.1 To promote and assist in the development and provision, for the public benefit, of safe and accessible greenway routes, paths and facilities for active travel along the Wharfe valley

3.2 to promote active travel along the Wharfe valley;

3.3 to campaign for better active travel infrastructure along the Wharfe valley

4.1 to network and form partnerships with other organisations and agencies

4.2 to raise funds, receive donations and open a bank account

4.3 to apply for funding to meet the objects

4.4 to obtain or lease equipment and premises

4.5 to appoint trustees to hold property

4.6 to employ staff and recruit volunteers

and to do all such other lawful things as are necessary to further the objects of the organisation.

5.1 Membership of the Organisation shall be open to:

any person over the age of 16 years that supports the objects and who has paid any annual subscription laid down from time to time by the Management Committee. The majority of members must be over the age of 18.
any group which supports the objects of the Organisation or its work and has paid any annual subscription as laid down by the Management Committee. Groups will nominate a named person to be their representative in all dealings with the Organisation.

5.2 In addition:

applications shall be made in writing to the Management Committee
every member shall have one vote
the Secretary shall keep an up-to-date record of both individual and group membership
membership may be terminated by the Management Committee on the grounds of a member or group acting against the objects of the Organisation or bringing the Organisation into disrepute.

5.3 “Supporters” are Facebook Page members or mailing list sign-ups and are welcome to attend meetings and contribute to our activities, but will not have voting rights.

6.1 All meetings of the organisation shall be open

6.2. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

6.2.1 An annual general meeting shall be held at intervals of not more than 15 months, the date, time and place to be determined by the committee.

6.2.2 Each annual general meeting shall be convened by the Secretary who shall notify all members in writing at least 21 days before the date of that meeting.

6.2.3 Any motion for consideration at the annual general meeting must be in the Secretary’s hands no later than 14 days prior to the date of the meeting.

6.2.4 The business of the annual general meeting shall include:

adoption of annual report and accounts
election of the committee and its officers
appointment of an independent examiner.
6.2.5 Nominations for the committee should be submitted to the Secretary before or at the annual general meeting. If there are more nominations than there are vacancies to be filled, an election will be held.

6.2.6 Every member shall be entitled to one vote.

6.2.7 The quorum for both the annual general meeting and special meetings will be 3 voting members or 5% of the membership present and eligible to vote, whichever of these is the greatest.

6.3. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

A special general meeting should be convened at the request of at least 5 members, made in writing to the secretary giving 21 days notice. Such a meeting shall be held within 30 days of that request. Agenda and motions submitted should be circulated to all members.

The duty of the Management Committee will be to carry out the objects, provide the management and control the affairs of the Organisation.

7.1 There must be at least three members of the management committee. If the number falls below this minimum, the remaining members may act only to call a meeting of the management committee, or appoint new members of the management committee.

7.2The minimum age for being a member of the management committee is 18.

7.3 The maximum number of management committee members is 10. The committee may not appoint any additional committee members if as a result the number of management committee members would exceed the maximum.

7.4 At the annual general meeting of the Organisation, the members shall elect from amongst themselves a Chair, Treasurer and Secretary (the officers) who shall hold office from the conclusion of that meeting, plus up to an additional 7 members of the Management Committee.

7.5 The committee shall have authority to co-opt additional members as necessary. These co-optees will have voting rights.

7.6 In the event of any committee members resigning before expiry of office the committee shall co-opt a member to fill this vacancy. In the event of an Officer resigning, a replacement shall be elected by the committee from amongst its own members.

7.7 All members of the Management Committee shall resign at the AGM but shall then be eligible for re-election.

7.8 The committee shall meet no less than three times annually.

7.9 There shall be a quorum when at least one third of the number of members of the committee for the time being or 3 members of the committee, whichever is the greater, are present at a meeting.

7.10 The committee shall keep minutes of the proceedings at meetings of the committee and any sub-committee.

7.11 The committee may invite any persons with particular knowledge, experience or skill to attend committee meetings on special issues but without having the right to vote.

7.12 The committee may set up sub-committees and working groups from time to time, establishing their terms of reference and any delegated responsibilities as appropriate.

7.13 All committee members should be sent written notice of all meetings at least 7 days in advance of such meetings unless, when there is urgent business, shorter notice may be given in agreement with the Secretary.

7.14 If committee members have a conflict of interest they must declare it and leave the meeting whilst this matter is being discussed or decided.

8.1 All monies raised by or on behalf of the Organisation should be used to further the objects of the Organisation.

8.2 The Treasurer shall keep account of all income and expenditure and shall submit accounts to the annual general meeting.

8.3 A bank or building society account shall be established in the name of the Organisation and withdrawals shall be made in its name on the signature of any two of four named committee members.

8.4 Members of the Management Committee may claim reasonable out of pocket expenses whilst on business on behalf of the Organisation.

This constitution may be altered by means of a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at a quorate annual general meeting or a quorate special meeting held for that purpose. Any alterations to this constitution shall take immediate effect, providing that such implementation shall not run counter to any other provision of this constitution.

The Organisation may be dissolved at any time by means of a resolution agreed by a two thirds majority of those present and voting at any annual general meeting or special meeting called for that purpose. The Organisation’s assets will be distributed as voted upon at that meeting, following the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, to another voluntary organisation with similar objects.

Signed (Chair): Antony Butcher Date: 8.6.2021

Signed (Secretary): Neil Shearer Date: 8.6.2021
Signed (Treasurer): Ronan Carnally Date: 8.6.2021