CONSTITUTION 1. Name The name of the Association shall be the Wrington Twinning Association 2. Objectives The Association is essentially an enabling body to: a) promote and encourage the twinning relationship between the villages of Wrington and  Villeneuve-lès-Béziers, Languedoc, France, and any communities in the future b) maintain effective links of communication with the equivalent body set up by the Council of Villeneuve-lès-Béziers and any other communities in the future c) facilitate the exploration and development of mutual interests between individuals, businesses, organisations and other groups of the several communities d) attract funding to defray any costs incurred in a – c [above] 3. Powers In furtherance of the Objectives but not otherwise the Association may exercise the following powers: a) to raise funds and to invite and receive contributions; b) to buy or lease and to maintain any equipment or materials necessary for the achievement of the Objectives; c) to buy, take on lease or in exchange any property necessary for the achievement of the Objectives and to maintain and equip it for use; d) to sell, lease or dispose of all or any part of the property of the Association; e) to employ such staff (who shall not be members of the Association) as are necessary for the proper pursuit of the Objectives; f) to publish books, periodicals, pamphlets and other materials in printed, recorded or electronic format, and to hold intellectual property rights in any such material; g) to co-operate with other charities, voluntary bodies and statutory authorities operating in furtherance of the Objectives and to exchange information and advice with them; h) to appoint and constitute such advisory committees as the Committee may think fit; i) to do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of the Objectives. 4. Membership of the Association a) Membership of the Association is open to individuals on payment of an annual fee determined by the Committee b) Groups or individuals may be offered associate or honorary membership by resolution of the Committee c) Membership will be deemed to have lapsed when membership has not been renewed by the end of the financial year. The Committee may impose a rejoining fee at its discretion. d) The Committee may by a majority vote and for good reason terminate the membership of any individual member of the Association. 5. Membership of the Committee a) Members of the Committee shall normally be not fewer than 3 nor more than 7 persons interested in furthering the Objectives of the Association. Committee members are elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Association, and shall include one Parish Councillor. b) Every member shall have one vote. c) The Committee may appoint sub-committees at its discretion. Members of sub- committees may include non-members of the Committee 6. Honorary Officers a) Following their election at the annual general meeting of the Association the members of the Committee shall elect from amongst themselves a chairperson, a secretary, and a treasurer, who shall hold office from the conclusion of that meeting. b) At any meeting of the Committee, in the absence of the Chairperson, the Committee shall elect a chairperson for the meeting from their number.   7. Procedures a) Members of the Committee shall retire from office together at the end of the Annual General Meeting next after the date on which they came into office. They may be re-elected or re-appointed. b) In addition, the Committee may co-opt not more than 3 members to the group for a period of one year. Co-opted members normally do not have voting rights. c) The Committee shall hold at least four meetings each year. g) There shall be a quorum when at least one half of the number of members of the Committee are present at a meeting. h) Every matter shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members of the Committee present and voting on the question but in the case of equality of votes the chairperson of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote. i) The Association shall keep minutes, in books kept for the purpose, of the proceedings at meetings of the Association and any committee.  8. Annual General Meetings a) An annual general meeting shall be called once a year, not more than six months following the end of the financial year. b) Every annual general meeting shall be called by the Association with at least 21 days' notice. All members should normally attend and vote at the meeting. c) Members of the public may attend the meeting as observers. 8. Accounts a) The Treasurer shall present at the Annual General Meeting accounts and a report for the year ending on the 31st March. These accounts will be certified by an independent examination or audit report. b) The Association shall maintain a bank account. c) All monies received from any source shall be paid into this account. d) Cheques shall be signed by the Treasurer and one other nominated member of the Committee. e) The bank account shall be kept in credit. 9. Alterations to the Constitution The constitution may be altered by a resolution passed by not less than two thirds of the members present and voting at the Annual General Meeting. The notice of the annual general meeting must include notice of the resolution, setting out the terms of the alteration proposed. 10. Dissolution If the Committee decides that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Association it shall call a meeting of all members of the Association of which not less than 21 days notice (stating the terms of the resolution to be proposed) shall be given. If the proposal is confirmed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting the Association shall have the power to realise any assets held by the Association. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to other local organisations having Objectives similar to the Objectives of the Association, or failing that shall be applied for some other charitable purpose within the parish of Wrington. 11. Arrangements until the first Annual General Meeting Until the first Annual General Meeting takes place the constitution shall take effect as if references in it to the Committee were references to those persons whose signatures appear at the bottom of this document. This constitution was adopted on 8th November, 2010 Signed ....................................... Echo Irving (Chairwoman) .................…………... John Adams ..............................………... Sarah Chilcott ...............................………… Judith Kinsman ..............................………... Annabel Scott     .............................…..…..... Richard Thorn ..............................………... John Urquhart www.wrington.net Constitution