Constitution for “Market Drayton Writers' Group”

1. Name

            The name of the Association shall be “Market Drayton Writers Group”

2. Objectives

            The objectives of the Association is to be a self-help Group, to provide support and mutual encouragement to writers of any genre by meetings, the provision of advice, feedback and information, workshops, readings or any other activity considered to be of value to the members of the group.

3. Powers

            In furtherance of the objectives but not otherwise the Association may exercise the following powers:

            a) to raise funds and invite and receive contributions;

            b) to co-operate with other groups or associations with similar objectives to that of the             Association; and

            c) to do all such other, lawful, things as are or may become necessary for the achievement of         the objectives.

4. Membership

Membership of the Association shall be open to all persons over 18 who are interested in supporting the objectives of the Association.  Any member of the public who attends a Group meeting, to decide whether to join, will not be charged.

5. Subscription

            All members of the Association shall pay such subscriptions and at such time as the Annual General Meeting shall determine.

6. Executive Committee

            a) the Association shall be managed by an Executive Committee (EC) to be elected annually             at the Annual General Meeting;

            b)  the EC shall consist of a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer together with any further             members deemed necessary at the Annual General Meeting;

            c) if vacancies arise on the EC, the EC shall have the power to replace them from among its             membership; and

            d) all members of the EC shall retire from office at the Annual General Meeting following             the date on which they came into office but they may be re-elected or re-appointed.

7. Executive Committee Meetings

            a) the EC shall hold at least three ordinary meetings each year;

            b) a quorum shall be not less than three members of the EC are present;

            c) every matter shall be determined by a majority of the EC members present and voting. In             case of equality of votes the Chairperson (or the member acting in that position at the EC)      shall have a second or casting vote;

            d) minutes shall be kept as a record of the proceedings of each meeting; and

            e) the EC shall have the authority to appoint one or more sub-committees providing that all         acts and proceedings of any such sub-committee shall be fully reported back to the EC.

8. Annual General Meeting

            a) there shall be an annual general meeting (AGM) held in the month after the end of the             Association's financial year. Members will be given not less than 14 days notice of this      

meeting;

            b) the EC shall present the report and accounts of the Association for the preceding year;

c) nominations for election to the EC must be made by members of the Association in             writing no less than seven days prior to the meeting; and

d) a quorum at an AGM will be not less than six members.

9. Special General Meeting

The EC may at any time, giving not less than 14 days notice to all members, call a Special General Meeting of the Association stating the business to be discussed. The Secretary may

also call a  Special General Meeting at the request of not less than five members of the Association.

10. Finance

            a) all monies raised or held by or on behalf of the Association shall be applied to further the objectives of the Association and for no other purpose;

            b) the funds of the Association shall be held in a bank account operated by the EC;

            c) all cheques drawn on the account must be signed by at least two members designated by the EC and approved by the EC; and

            d) a suitably qualified person appointed by the EC shall independently examine the accounts at least once a year.

11. Alterations

Any alteration to the constitution shall require the approval of a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at the Annual General Meeting at which it is discussed. The Secretary must receive, in writing, any resolution for the alteration of the constitution not less than 21 days before the meeting at which the resolution is to be brought forward.

12. Dissolution

a) the Association may be dissolved at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose  and must be advertised not less than 14 days prior to the meeting;

            b) any proposals to dissolve the Association shall only take effect if agreed by the majority of members attending and voting at the meeting.