CONSTITUTION
Muir of Ord (Pensioners) Table Tennis Group Constitution (10.09.2019)
1. NAME
The name of the Group shall be the Muir of Ord (Pensioners) Table Tennis Group, hereafter referred to as the Group.
2. OBJECTIVES
The objectivess of the Group shall be:- to improve the health and well being of people of pensionable age by engaging in the sport of table tennis and through participation in the groups social and sporting activities to have fun.
3. POWERS
In furtherance of the objectives, the Management Committee may exercise the power to:
a. Promote the health and well being of the membership irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, religion or political view.
b. Invite and receive contributions and raise funds where appropriate, to finance the work of the Group, and to operate a bank account to manage such funds.
d. Publicise and promote the work of the Group and organise meetings and events.
e. Engage with groups of a similar nature for mutual benefit.
f. Take any form of action that is lawful, which is necessary to achieve the objects of the Group.
4. MEMBERSHIP
a. Membership shall be open to anyone who aged 50 years or over who has an interest in assisting the Group to achieve its aim and is willing to adhere to the rules of the Group.
b. Where it is considered membership would be detrimental to the aims and activities of the Group, the Management Committee shall have the power to refuse membership, or may terminate or suspend the membership of any member by resolution passed at a meeting. Members shall have the right to appeal via an independent adjudicator determined by members of the Management Committee.
c. Any member of the group may resign his/her membership by providing the Chairperson with written notice.
5. WAITING LIST
When necessary a waiting list of people wishing to join will be maintained and new members will be admitted in order of application.
There are three permanent exceptions to this rule as listed below:-
a Spouse or partner of an existing MOOPTTG member. (No other family relationship will normally be considered.)
b A person who has been a member of MOOPTTG in the previous season who renews their membership before one calendar month after the start of the current season. Memberships that have not been renewed one calendar month after the start of the season will be deemed to have lapsed.
c A person who has been a member of MOOPTTG in the previous season who has been unable to renew their membership due to circumstances beyond their control eg. Illness.
6. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
a. The Group shall be administered by a management committee of no less than three (3) people and no more than ten (10), who must be in active membership of the Group. Members will be elected for a period of up to one year, but may be re-elected at the Group's AGM.
7. OFFICERS
The Group shall have a committee consisting of:
The Chairperson
The Treasurer
The Secretary/Assistant Treasurer
and any additional members of the Group that the committee deems necessary at the AGM.
8. COMMITTEE MEETINGS
a. The committee shall meet at least three times a year. Meetings shall enable the Group to discuss actions and monitor progress to date, and to consider future developments and to monitor, approve and record all income nad expenditure.
b. All members shall be given at least seven (7) days' notice of when a meeting is due to take place, unless it is deemed as an emergency.
c. It shall be the responsibility of the Chairperson to chair all meetings or a designated deputy in his/her absence. All meetings must be minuted and minutes accessible to interested parties.
d. The AGM shall normally take place in September or October of each year. At least seven (7) days' notice shall be given before the meeting takes place.
f. All members are entitled to vote at the AGM. Voting shall be made by a show of hands on a majority basis. In the case of a tied vote, the Chairperson or an appointed deputy shall make the final decision.
9. FINANCE
a. Any money acquired by the Group, including donations, contributions and bequests, shall be paid into an account operated by the Management Committee in the name of the Group. All funds must be applied to the objectives of the Group and for no other purpose.
b. Bank accounts shall be opened in the name of the Group. Any deeds, cheques etc relating to the Group's bank account shall be signed by at least two (2) of the following committee members: Chairperson; Treasurer; Secretary.
c. Any income/expenditure shall be the responsibility of the Treasurer who will be accountable to ensure funds are utilised effectively and that the Group stays within budget. Official accounts shall be maintained, and will be examined annually by an independent person. An annual financial report shall be presented at the AGM. The Group's accounting year shall run from 1 May to 30 April the following year.
10 ALTERATION OF THE CONSTITUTION
a. Any changes to this constitution must be agreed by a majority vote at a special /annual general meeting.
b. Amendments to this constitution or dissolution of the Group must be conveyed to the Secretary formally in writing. The Secretary and other officers shall then decide on the date of a special /annual general meeting to discuss such proposals, giving members at least four weeks (28 days) notice.
11. PLAYING SEASON
The playing season will normally run from 1st September to 31st March of the following year. Excepting for emergencies any motion to extend or shorten the season by more than 2 playing sessions at either end of the season must only be taken at an AGM.
12. FRIDAY GROUP
The new Friday Group will be managed by the existing (Tuesday Group) Management Committee in line with this constitution until the Friday Group becomes self sufficient or until it is unable to support itself financially. Financial records for the Friday Group will be kept within the main Tuesday Group accounts but detailed seperately. If, or when, the Friday Group becomes self sufficient it is intended that the Friday Group be given the opportunity to manage its own affairs as a seperate group. In the meantime the Friday Group will be offered two places on the existing management committee without voting rights and all Friday members would be entitled to attend the AGM, again without voting right,s until the Friday Group becomes self sufficient.
12. DISSOLUTION
a. The Group may be dissolved if deemed necessary by the members in a majority vote at a special meeting. Any assets or remaining funds after debts have been paid shall be returned to their providers or transferred to local charities or similar groups at the discretion of the Management Committee.
This constitution was adopted at the AGM of the Group held at the Free Church of Scotland Hall, Muir of Ord on 10th September 2019 and replaces the constitution dated September 2014 with immediate effect.
