THE CONSTITUTION

RCAS HQ

THE COMMITTEE

OUR CONSTITUTION

MEMBERS INFORMATION

THE SITES

Ripon City Allotment Society

o o o~ CONSTITUTION ~o o o

1. Name The Society shall be called “Ripon City Allotment Society”

2. Objectives The objectives of the society shall be :-

a. To represent the interests of allotment holders within the city.

b. To promote the use of allotment gardens particularly within Ripon.

c. to provide information and services for members in relation to their gardening needs.

d. to improve the standard of gardening in the Ripon committee.

3. Membership For membership purposes the year will commence on 1 April.

Membership is unrestricted and is conditional on an annual fee tobe fixed and reviewed by the Committee. For membership purposes the year will commence on 1 April.

4.Management of the Society The management of the Society shall be vested in a committee which, as a guide, will comprise the following.

a. A chairman

b. A treasurer

c. A general secretary

d. A show secretary

e. Two members from Kirkby Road Allotments

f. Four members from Fishergreen Allotments

g. Three Members from Bondgate Green Allotments

h. One Member from Gallows Hill Allotments

i. One Member from Quarry Moor Lane Allotments

j. One member from River View Allotments

k. Two non-allotment members.

The elected committee shall meet at least twice a year. A quorum of the committee shall comprise of no fewer than 6 members /officers. The Management Committee shall make any regulations and bye-laws which they consider necessary.However, the constitution shall only be amended by a General Meeting of the Society for which 7 days notice will be given in writing. The Management Committee being able to co-opt additional members as considered necessary.

5. Annual General Meeting An AGM shall be held annually within 3 months of the close of theSociety’s financial year. At least 7 days notice will be given and the meeting should be held within the city boundary. At the AGM theCommittee will present a report and statement of accounts for the past year. During the meeting the Committee for the forthcoming year will be elected. A special General Meeting may be called at any time by the Committee or by the submission of a requisition signed by 20 members of the Society. Ten members will form a quorum for all General Meetings.

6. Nominations for Committee Nominations for committee members and officers willbe accepted upto the

Members start of the AGM. Retiring members will be eligible for re-election.

7. Annual Accounts The Treasurer will draw up accounts at the Financial Year End and submit them to auditors appointed by the Committee. The audited accounts will be presented at the AGM

8. Banking A Banking Account shall be maintained in the name of Ripon City Allotment Society. All cheques drawn on the account shall be signed by the Treasurer and one other member/ officer of the Committee. The Committee shall be entrusted with the power to invest any funds which they consider prudent and surplus to short-term requirements.

9. Gratutities No member of the Society shall give a gratuity to any officer or member of the Committee. Any member of the Society acting on behalf and in so doing receiving a benefit, financial or otherwise, shall notify the Committee immediately. In addition any relationship with {business or otherwise] contractors or suppliers should be declared.

10. Honoraria Honoraria will only be made to members and officers of the Society if at least 80% of the membership attending the AGM are in favour of the proposal. Any proposal must be included in the Agenda for the AGM.

11. Infraction of the rules The Committee will deal with any reported infraction of the rules.

12. Disposal of Assets Any revenue which accrues and is surplus to the day-to-day needs of the Society given a reasonable contingency fund, should be made available to further the Society’s stated objectives. In the event of disbandment being necessary any funds remaining should be donated to nominated charitable organisations within Ripon or given to another non-profit making horticultural organisation in the City. All other assets should be disposed of at the Committee’s discretion.

13. Rules This constitution will be displayed in all Society premises and will be available to members on request.