Our Constitution

Constitution of An Unincorporated Association

1. Name
The name of the Association is Arno's Park Action group

2. Objects
The Objects of the Association are:
To improve and promote Arno's Court Park for the benefit of park users, the local community and wildlife by: 2.1 providing a friendly and welcoming community focus for people interested in the Park and what happens to it;
2.2 actively stimulating local interest in the park and community participation in its present and future management;
2.3 consulting with local residents to ensure that any improvements to the park and activities in the park meet the needs of the community and park users;
2.4 acting as a convulsive and monitoring body for the council, police and any other body working in the park; 2.5 working with the Council and others to ensure Arno's Court Park is a clean and safe place, maintained and managed to a high standard, that everyone can enjoy using;
2.6 improving existing , and providing new, facilities in the park for people of all ages and abilities, including children and young people;
2.7 encouraging greater use of the park through improvements, events and other activities;
2.8 supporting the management of the park for the benefit of wildlife and wildlife habitats.

3. Powers
The powers of the orgaisation shall be as follows:
3.1 To hold regular meeting to progress its aims
3.2 To organize and manage events and exhibitions
3.3 To apply for and raise funds to be used for furthering its aims
3.4 To employ paid staff and follow any legal requirements
3.5 To acquire or hire property of any kind
3.6 To let or dispose of property of any kind
3.7 To make grants or loans and to give guarantees
3.8 To dispose of or invest funds in any lawful manner
3.9 To take out insurance to protect the income and property of the Association and members of the Committee where required
3.10 To enter into contracts to provide services to or on behalf of other bodies
3.11 To co-operate with other bodies
3.12 To support, administer or set up other charities
3.13 To do anything else within the law which promotes or helps to promote the Objects

4. Membership
4.1 Membership will be open to persons who are interested in promoting the Objects of the Association and have been approved by the Committee.
4.1.1 Youth Membership: is open to any person aged between 5-16 years old who are interested in promoting the objects of the Association. Youth members have the right to attend and speak at General Meetings (including the AGM). They cannot stand for election to the 4.1.2 Full Membership: is open to any person aged 17 years and over who is interested in promoting the objects of the Association. Full members have the right to attend and speak and vote at General Meetings. They can stand for election to the Management Committee.
4.1.3 Co-opted membership: The Committee may co-opt further members from time to time who can attend in an advisory and non-voting capacity. Co-opted members may be individuals or representatives of other groups, organizations and businesses.
4.2 The Committee may terminate the membership of any individual whose continued membership would, in the reasonable view of the Committee, be harmful to the Association.
4.3 Every full member will be entitled to one vote at an AGM or General meeting.

5. General Meetings
5.1 The Association will hold at least one General Meeting each calendar year (the Annual General Meeting).
5.2 At the Annual General Meeting the members shall:-

a) receive the report of the Management Committee of the year's activities.
b) receive the annual accounts of the Association.
c) elect members to the Management Committee.
d) appoint an Independent Examiner to verify the accounts.
e) discuss and determine any issues of policy or deal with any other business put before them by the Management Committee or members.

5.2 A Special General Meeting may be called at any time by the Management Committee and must be called within 14 days after a written request to the Management Committee from at least 3 members.
5.4 At least ten days' notice shall be given to all members of the group of all special or general meetings.

6. The Management Committee
6.1 The Committee will be elected by the membership at its Annual General Meeting.
6.2 The Committee will consist of at least 3 and no more than 20 individuals.
6.3 The quorum for the Committee will be 3.
6.4 The Committee will have the authority to co-opt additional Committee members.
6.5 At least 6 Committee meetings will be held each year.

7. Working Groups
7.1 The Management Committee may establish working groups, from time to time.
7.2 A working group shall consist of at least 1 Management Committee member, up to 3 ordinary members and, if beneficial, up to 2 non-members of the group.
7.3 The purpose of working groups shall be to aid and assist the work of the management Committee.
7.4 The actions and proceedings of such working groups shall be reported to the Management Committee.
7.5 Working Groups shall be subordinate to and may be regulated and dissolved by the Management Committee.

8. Income and Property
8.1 The Property and funds of the Association must be used only for promoting the Objects and do not belong to the members of the Association or the Committee.
8.2 Committee members may be paid reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
8.3 The Association will keep a record of all income and expenditure and will ensure that these accounts will be verified annually at the AGM

9. Declaration of Interest
9.1 It will be the duty of any member of the group or Management Committee who is in any way directly interested financially or professionally in the activities of Arno's Court Action Group or Arno's Park to declare such interest and not to use the group for any promotional or financial gain, except with the prior agreement of the committee.

10. Changes to the Constitution
10.1 The Constitution may be amended by a resolution passed not less than two thirds majority of the members present and voting at a General Meeting. Members must be given at least two weeks' notice of the meeting. The notice of the General Meeting must include notice of the resolution, setting out the terms of the amendment proposed.
10.2 No amendment shall be made to clauses 1 (name), 2 (objects), 8 (income and property), 9 (declaration of interests), 11 (dissolution) or 10 (this clause) without the unanimous agreement of all the membership of the Association and every member of the Management Committee.
10.3 No alteration(s) shall be made to this document that will destroy the not-for-profit nature of the Association.

11 Dissolution
The organization can be dissolved at a General Meeting with at least two thirds of the members in attendance, in agreement to dissolve. After making provision for all outstanding liabilities of the Association, the Committee must transfer all the remaining property and funds to an organization with the same or similar objects.