| 1. |
The group is owned by the current membership and is run on a not-for-profit basis. |
| a) |
All funds are owned by the current membership; if any member resigns they waive all rights to any funds held in the group’s account. |
| b) |
The members are all jointly liable for the group.
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| 2. |
Only 1 representative of each profession or category.
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| 3. |
Members must represent their primary occupation, not a part-time business.
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| 4. |
Attendance is mandatory. |
| a) |
If a member cannot attend they must arrange a suitable substitute. |
| b) |
The member should inform the membership secretary of details of their substitute by no later than the day before the meeting. |
| c) |
If a member cannot attend due to an emergency, they should inform the membership secretary in advance of the meeting. This will not count as an unexplained absence. |
| d) |
A member will not be permitted to continue membership if they have more than 3 unexplained absences in a quarter.
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| 5. |
There is no insistence on providing referrals.
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| 6. |
The members agree to be invoiced in advance for their membership fees for each 12-month period.
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| 7. |
The members agree to be invoiced in advance for their breakfast fees for each 12-month period. |
| a) |
The membership agrees to pay 12 equal monthly instalments in advance for breakfast fees. |
| b) |
If a member is behind on payments, the group reserves the right to refuse attendance until this is resolved.
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| 8. |
All annual and breakfast fees are non-refundable. If any cheques are returned, a fee of £25 will be applied.
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| 9. |
New members will be decided as follows: |
| a) |
The membership secretary will assess any applications for membership, and make recommendations to the group. |
| b) |
Members will be given the opportunity to raise any objections to membership. |
| c) |
In the absence of objections, the members will be deemed to have accepted the proposed member. |
| d) |
In the event of an objection, a vote will be held of the members present at that meeting, and a 75% majority will be required to admit the new member. The membership secretary will have the casting vote. |
| e) |
If a proposed member’s trade or profession clashes with an existing member, the proposed member shall not be permitted to join without the consent of the existing member. Final decisions on this matter will be at the discretion of the membership secretary.
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| 10. |
There shall be a Leadership team of a Chair, Treasurer and Membership secretary.
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| a) |
Chair |
| i) |
Runs the leadership team. |
| ii) |
Deals with disputes and grievances. |
| iii) |
Runs meetings and the group in general. |
| iv) |
Runs spotlight schedule. |
| v) |
Organises social events.
|
| b) |
Treasurer |
| i) |
Runs bank account. |
| ii) |
Settles venue bills. |
| iii) |
Invoices membership. |
| iv) |
Gives a monthly running total of account to members.
|
| c) |
Membership Secretary. |
| i) |
Checks on attendance. |
| ii) |
Monitors referrals. |
| iii) |
Looks after new membership and renewal applications. |
| iv) |
Looks after new members.
|
| d) |
The leadership team will be elected by the membership for a period of 6 months. |
| i) |
The leadership team will receive 6 months free membership during this term, but will be required to pay breakfast costs. |
| ii) |
At the end of each 6-month period, a new team will be elected. |
| iii) |
Sitting leadership team membership can be carried over for multiple terms.
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| e) |
The leadership team shall be entitled to claim all reasonable expenses such as postage. All decisions on these matters are at the discretion of the Treasurer.
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| 11) |
All disputes should be raised with one of the leadership team who will endeavour to resolve it. Decisions will be taken by the Leadership team, and the Chair will have the casting vote.
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| 12) |
Guests will be asked to make a decision on membership after attending 2 meetings.
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| 13) |
The group’s policies are subject to change following consultation with the existing membership.
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| 14) |
Visitors are welcome from any profession, provided that if there are any clashes with an existing member, that member agrees to their attendance.
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| 15) |
If any member does not live up to these responsibilities, his membership can be revoked at any time. Decisions on these matters shall be at the discretion of the Leadership committee, and the Chair shall have the casting vote. |
