FOQ Constitution
September 2007Constitution of FRIENDS OF QUANTOCK
Name – the name of the association shall be “Friends of Quantock.”
Boundaries -the boundaries of the Quantocks for the purposes of the association are those of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (created in 1957) and clearly shown on the maps issued by Somerset County Council in 1990 as part of the Quantock Hills Management Plan with freedom for the Executive Committee of the association to recommend from time to time such inclusion of additional territory or such exclusion as it may determine.
Object – the object of the association is to safeguard the landscape, natural beauty and amenities of the Quantocks in co-operation with other bodies who have similar objects or interests provided that, in furtherance of the association’s objects, the Executive Committee may from time to time take action concerning areas near the Quantocks but outside the boundaries before mentioned.
The association is hereby declared to be non-profit making, and to exist for charitable purposes only. Its funds will be directed solely towards the objects above mentioned, for the protection of the rights and privileges of the public and commoners, and such other charitable purposes in connection with the Quantocks as may be decided upon from time to time by the association.
Membership – there shall be two classes of members, namely:
(i) affiliated organisations comprising national, provincial and local organisations, societies and clubs concerned in any way with rural preservation;
(ii) individual annual subscribing members.
Officers – the Officers of the association shall be elected annually at the general meeting and shall consist of a President, Vice-President(s), Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer and these shall be ex-officio members of the Executive Committee, and of such other committees and sub-committees as may be appointed.
Committee – the association shall be managed by a Committee not exceeding twelve in number (exclusive of the officers) to be elected annually at the general meeting; nominations shall be made in writing by a proposer and seconder; shall be accompanied by the consent of the nominee and shall reach the Secretary not less than four days before the general meeting. Nominations may also be made by the retiring Committee. The Committee may from time to time co-opt such members (not exceeding five) as it may desire for such purposes and periods as it may desire. The Committee shall determine its own procedure. Four shall form a quorum.
Subscriptions – annual membership subscriptions from individual members and affiliated organisations shall be such amounts as are determined from time to time at the annual general meeting.
Affiliated Organisations – affiliated organisations may each appoint one delegate or such other number of delegates as may be decided by the Committee to represent them at the annual general meeting.
Annual General Meeting – the annual general meeting of the association, of which at least fourteen days’ notice in writing must be given to each member and affiliated organisation, shall be held in such month as the Committee may determine. A copy of the annual report and the balance sheet shall be sent to each member and affiliated organisation. It shall be the business of the annual general meeting to elect the Officers and Committee, to adopt the annual report, to approve the balance sheet, and to transact any other competent business. Not less than seven days’ notice of any motion shall be given in writing to the Secretary, together with the name of the proposer.
A special general meeting may be convened at any time (subject to fourteen days’ notice to members and affiliated organisations) by the Chairman of the Committee, by the Committee, or by twenty-five members of the association.
Rules – any of these rules may be rescinded, supplemented or altered at any annual general meeting of the association. Fourteen days’ notice of motions for such purpose shall be given in writing to the Secretary.
Dissolution – the association shall not be dissolved except by a resolution of three quarters of those present at a special general meeting called for the purpose.
In the event of dissolution, any surplus funds of the association shall be disposed of in such way, being in conformity with the object of the association, as the committee shall decide.
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