Constitution
1. Name
The Name of the Group shall be "The Friends of Chatham Traction".
2. Objects
The objects of the Group are to advance the education of the public in the history of the Medway area by:-
(1) Acquiring, restoring and preserving the 1939 Bristol K5G double-deck bus registered GKE68 and any associated tools, spares, and other related items ("the Property") and thereafter to maintain it for the public benefit;
(2) Demonstrating for the public benefit the role played by the Chatham and District Traction Company, its predecessors and successors in serving the transport needs of the Medway community and thereby enhancing cultural, tourism and citizenship opportunities in the area.
3. Powers
The Group has the following powers, which may be exercised only in promoting the Objects:
3.1 To publish or distribute information.
3.2 To exchange information or advice with other bodies operating in furtherance of the Objects or with similar Objects.
3.3 To engage agents, staff or advisers.
3.4 To enter into contracts.
3.5 To raise funds.
3.6 To insure the Property.
3.7 To do anything else within the law to promote the Objects.
4. Membership
Membership of the Group is open to any individual or organisation interested in promoting the Objects and shall be in accordance with the Rules set out in the Appendix.
5. The Executive Committee
5.1 The Executive Committee shall be the Trustees of the Group and will be responsible for the management of the Group.
5.2 No Trustee shall acquire any personal interest in property belonging to the Group (other than as a normal member) or in any contract entered into by the Group.
5.3 The Executive Committee shall be conducted in accordance with the Rules set out in the Appendix.
6. Accountability
6.1 The Committee will follow best practice as reflected in the Charities Acts including the preparation of an annual report and the audit or independent examination of the annual accounts.
6.2 The Group will operate under the Rules for meetings set out in the Appendix.
7. Dissolution
7.1 If at any time the Trustees decide that it is necessary or desirable to dissolve the Group, an Extraordinary General Meeting will be called with advance notice of the terms of the proposed resolution. If the proposal is confirmed by a two-thirds majority of those present the Trustees shall have the power to realise any assets held by or on behalf of the Group.
7.2 Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be transferred to such other charitable institution which the Trustees may decide. A copy of the final accounts and of the decisions of the final meeting shall be retained for three years for future reference.
8. Amendment
This constitution may be amended by resolution passed by at least two thirds of members voting at a General Meeting
THIS CONSTITUTION was adopted at a meeting of members held on 24th March 2007 and was signed by the following Trustees:-
Name Position Signature
APPENDIX - RULES
1. MEMBERSHIP
1.1 The Committee will keep a register of members who have paid the prescribed subscription.
1.2 Membership terminates if the member dies or resigns by written notice to the Group.
1.3 The Group may terminate the membership of any individual or organisation whose continued membership would in the reasonable view of the Group be harmful to the Objects.
2. MEETINGS
2.1 There shall be an Annual General Meeting each year of which the Secretary shall give at least 21 days notice to all Members when nominations for election to the Committee will also be requested. The first Annual General Meeting will be held within 4 months of the date of this document and thereafter within 16 months.
2.2 The meeting will appoint a Chairman. The Committee will present the meeting with the report and accounts for the year.
2.3 The meeting will elect the Committee of Trustees for the next year.
2.4 Any group of 10 Members may at any time request the Committee to call an Extraordinary General Meeting. At least 21 days notice must be given and the notice of the meeting must state the business to be discussed.
2.5 The Committee will hold at least 6 meetings each year and the quorum at a meeting will be 3.
2.6 A meeting may be held either in person or through electronic means agreed by the Trustees in which each participant may communicate with all other participants.
2.7 The Committee consists of at least 3 and not more than 6 individuals who are Members of the Group, namely the Chair, the Hon. Secretary, the Hon. Treasurer and 3 other Members.
2.8 The Chair or other Committee Member chosen by those present presides at each Committee meeting.
2.9 The Honorary Secretary will take minutes of each meeting. These will be available to all Members of the Group electronically within two weeks of each meeting. Similarly, agendas will be issued two weeks in advance. On request from Group Members hard copies will be available and a hard copy in a minute book will be retained for future reference.
2.10 Every issue may be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast at a Committee meeting.
2.11 A person automatically ceases to be a Member of the Committee if he or she is absent from 3 consecutive meetings of the Committee, ceases to be a member of the Group or resigns by written notice to the Committee.
3. FINANCE
3.1 All funds of the Group including all donations and contributions will be paid into an account operated by the Committee. All cheques drawn will be signed by two of four nominated Committee Members.
3.2 The Honorary Treasurer will provide a report of the Group’s finances to each Committee meeting, providing the necessary evidence by way of bank statements, pass books, vouchers etc. These reports will form part of the minutes of the meeting. The Honorary Treasurer will also prepare and present the annual accounts of the Group at the Annual General Meeting.