CONSTITUTION OF NOTTINGHAM TRENT TWINS & MULTIPLE BIRTHS CLUB
1. NAME: the name of the club shall be the Nottingham Trent Twins & Multiple Births Club.
2. OBJECTIVES: the objectives of the club shall be to:
a) To advance the education of the public including persons engaged in medical, educational and welfare professions, about the incidence and effects of multiple births and, in particular to advance public education about all aspects of the care, welfare and development of twins and higher multiple births.
b) To preserve and protect the health (both physical and psychological) of the parents of twins or higher multiples, with special regard to the health of women who are expecting multiple births or who have given birth to twins or higher multiples.
3. MEMBERSHIP: the club may admit as members any parent or prospective parent of multiple births. It may also admit any foster parent, adoptive parent, childminder or in fact anyone with a genuine interest in multiple births, at the discretion of the committee. Each member shall apply on a form to be returned to the membership secretary.
4. SUBSCRIPTIONS: each member will pay an annual subscription to be due on 1st October each year. The rate of the subscription will be determined annually by the Committee. A member will be deemed as terminating their membership if the annual subscription has not been received by the Treasurer within three months of the annual due date.
5. ADMINISTRATION: the management of the club shall be vested in a committee which will comprise a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Minutes Secretary and other members as shall be elected at the AGM provided the total number shall not exceed thirteen. Should anyone holding these major roles want to stand down from the committee the Vice should adopt the major role.
All committee members shall retire annually. With regards to the five named roles, Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Minutes Secretary and Membership Secretary, these posts may be held for a maximum of 5 years. However, if after the third year in office someone else wishes to take on the role that person must stand down from the role.
6. GENERAL MEETINGS: The Annual General Meeting shall be held no later than three calendar months after the end of the financial year. Business at the meeting will include adoption of the annual report and financial statement, elections of all committee members and any decisions deemed necessary. Any committee member not intending to stand for re-election should give the Chairperson three months’ notice in writing or by electronic communication means in advance of the AGM. The quorum required at the AGM shall be no less than 10% of the current subscribing membership. All elections shall be held by ballot. Nominations for committee members shall be received not later than one calendar month before the AGM. It will be the responsibility of the individual member not attending the AGM to arrange their postal vote with the Secretary.
The committee may call a Special General Meeting at any time with not less than 14 clear days' notice, stating the terms of the resolution to be proposed. Any member can require the committee to call a Special General Meeting at 28 days notice. The request must be in writing and must state the nature of the business to be discussed.
7. FINANCE: the financial year will run from 1st October to the 30th September. Apart from any grants or donations, the financial resources shall be provided by membership fees, subscriptions and fund raising ventures held under the auspices of the committee.
8. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION: The constitution shall be reviewed in July prior to the September newsletter and be signed by the Chairperson annually. The constitution may be altered at a General Meeting, by two-thirds majority vote of those attending. The constitution may not be altered in such a way as to make the objectives of the club or application of funds non-charitable.
9. DISSOLUTION: if the committee decides that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the club it shall call a Special General Meeting with not less than 21 days’ notice (stating the terms of the resolution to be proposed). If the proposal is confirmed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting the committee shall have power to realise any assets held by or on behalf of the club. Any assets remaining after satisfying debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to TAMBA (Twins and Multiple Births Association, registered charity no.1076478) or applied for other charitable purposes as determined by the club members.
10. This constitution was adopted as the Constitution of Nottingham Trent Twins & Multiple
Births Club on ......................................... (date)
Signed ........................................................ Chairperson
Signed ....................................................... Minutes Secretary