Our Society's Constitution

Constitution
1) Club Name
2) Club Logo
3) Constitution Committee
4) Club Committee
5) Club Members
6) Club Rules
7) AGMs
8) Rules Governing FBAS Delegate (added 12/12/09)

1) The Club will be known as:
South Tyneside Aquatic, Marine & Pondkeeper Society. (S.T.A.M.P.S)
1a) The sole right to used the STAMPS name & South Tyneside Aquatic, Marine & Pondkeeper Society lies with the 5 people named as the Constitution Committee.

2) The Club Logo will be:

2a) The sole right to used the STAMPS logo lies with the 5 people named as the Constitution Committee.

3) Constitution Committee
3a) The Constitution Committee will consist of the founder members named below
3b) It will have the final decision on any changes to the Club’s constitution, change in the intended direction of the Club and disputes between members, Club Committee or both
3c) The Constitution Committee can be called into action by one of its own  members, any Club Member or Club Committee member
3d) The Constitution Committee will meet at the Club meeting nearest to 4 weeks after it is called upon for a decision
3e) All Club members can attend this meeting to give their evidence
3f) The decision of the Constitution Committee overrides all other decisions
3g) The constitution committee comprises (in alphabetical order):

Paul Barrow
Ken Drummond
Bede Kerrigan
Ken Scott
Peter Wright

4) Club Committee
4a) The Club Committee will be elected by Club Members at the A.G.M.
4a.1) Chairman, Treasurer & PRO voted for in odd years; Secretary, Vice-Chairman, Auction Secretary & Show Secretary in even years. (added 11/12/07, see AGM Report)
4b) The term of Club Committee members will be two years.
4c) The Club Committee will consist of a least three members: Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.
4d) Club Members or the Club Committee may add further committee members to fill other administration roles as they see fit (Vice Chairman, Show Sec. Publicity Officer etc.)
4e) Club Committee meeting CAN ONLY be held if all Committee members have been invited.
4f) Club Committee meetings CANNOT be held if any Committee member objects because they cannot attend.
4g) A quorum for a Club Committee meeting will be MORE THAN 50% of its members.
4h) All Club Committee members will have an equal vote at committee meetings.
4i) In the event of a tie, The chairman has the casting vote.
4j) In the case of a dispute, any Club Committee Member can call on the Constitution Committee to intervene.

5) Club Members  
5a) Club membership is by invitation only
5b) A fee, fixed by the Club Committee in consultation with Club Members, will be paid annually.
5b.1) Over 18s - full-fee, 16-18 years old - half-fee, under 16s - free. (added 28/12/07)
5c) Club members will vote for the Club Committee members.
5d) A Club meeting can take place with any numbers of members present and does not need to have Club Committee member present.
5e) Club Members DO NOT have the power to make any decision effecting the Club.
5f) Club Members can be called upon to vote at meetings if asked to by the Club Committee.
5g) In the case of a dispute, any Club Member can call on the Constitution Committee to intervene.

6) Club Rules
6a) The Club Members will protect, look after and conserver any living creature in their care
6b) The Club will be affiliated to the Federation of British Aquatic Societies (F.B.A.S.)
6c) All Club fish shows will be run in accordance with F.B.A.S. rules.
6d) The Club will be affiliated to the Tyne Tees Area Association of the F.B.A.S. (T.T.A.A.)
6e) No fee will be payable at meeting other than the fixed fee mention in 5b & 5b.1
6f) The Club will have a separate bank account administered by the Treasurer & Secretary.
6g) Accounts will be presented at every A.G.M., or at the request of the Club Committee.
6h) The Club may not have more than an amount fixed by the Club Committee in its bank account.
6i) Rule 5h may be relaxed if a large amount is due to be paid out in the near future (Open Show, Trips etc.)
6j) Money over that in 5h will be paid to a charity to be decided by Club Members.
6k) In the event of the Club closing or a major unsettled dispute, all remaining funds in the Club will be paid to charity.
6l) In the event of 6k, the Constitutional Committee will decide the charity.

7) Annual General Meetings (AGM)
Proposing of Committee Members
7a) All club members have the right to propose a person for a committee post.
7b) Written proposal must be with secretary 7 days before the AGM.
7c) Junior members do not have the right to vote at AGMs.
7d) Postal & proxy votes are not allowed at AGMs.
7e) In special cases, the Constitution Committee will grant the right to vote to those above (7c & 7b)
7f) Permission for 7e last for one AGM only.
7g) Request for postal, proxy or junior member to votes must be sent to the Constitution Committee at least 14 day before AGM.
7h) The Constitution Committee can, at its discretion, allow late requests.
7i) In special circumstances, The Constitution Committee has the right to restrict voting to a limited number of members.
7j) Those members in 7i will be chosen by the constitution committee
7k) The reason for this restriction must be given to members.
7l) Candidates for Committee posts do not need to be at the AGM as long as they are willing to take on the post.
7m) Late nominations for Committee posts can be discussed under AOB, but no decision can be taken at that AGM
7n) Any Committee post not taken up will be given to a member of the Constitution Committee for one year
7o) Committee post held under 7n, will shortened or extended until a suitable candidate is found.
7p) The date of an AGM cannot be changes without the consent of the full Constitution Committee.

7q) AGM's Any Other Business (AOB)
7q.a) All club members have the right make proposals for AOB.
7q.b) Written proposal must be with secretary 7 days before AGM.
7q.c) Postal, proxy & junior votes for AOB will at the discretion of the Secretary or Chairman.
7q.d) Postal, proxy & junior votes will not be used at AOB for changes to the Constitution or votes for Committee members.
7q.e) AOB will not be used for late proposals of Committee Members, except under 7n.

8) Rules Governing FBAS Delegates

8a) Any decisions regarding the FBAS Delegate should be added to the constitution. 
8b) Any decisions taken at 2009 AGM should be reviewed regularly throughout the year to iron-out problems. 
8c) The Secretary only can contact the Delegate to give him instructions on voting or other policies. 

8d) FBAS Delegate voting at FBAS General Assemblies and AGMs (This pertains to FBAS assembly agenda only) 
8d.a) All members, when possible, will be asked for their opinion as to how the delegate will vote. 
8d.b) Those present at a club meeting, if greater than 50% of full membership, will constitute a quorum for this purpose. 
8d.c) All members will be informed by email of the result of that meeting within two days and can reply. 
8d.e) In an emergency or if a quorum is not formed all members will be informed by email and can vote by email. 
8d.f) Those without email will be informed by letter or phone, depending on timescale, and can vote by the same method. 

8e) FBAS Delegate voting on issues raised by STAMPS or without instruction from the club. 
8e.a) The delegate will always vote as instructed by STAMPS. 
8e.b) The delegate should always vote in favour of STAMPS when issues are raised in AOB. 
8e.c) When not instructed, the Delegate can use his own judgment to vote on behalf of STAMPS

8f) STAMPS proposals for changes to the FBAS Constitution or rules.
8f.a) These should be discussed at least two meeting before the general assembly. 
8f.b) All members will be involved in the discussion, and will vote on the proposal (The Secretary should use any means at his disposal to contact all members). 
8f.c) Proposals will be sent to the FBAS General Secretary & our Delegate in good time for the General Assembly. 

8g) Voting at an FBAS AGM 
8g.a) The Delegate must propose, second and vote for any candidate for an FBAS post as instructed by STAMPS
8g.b) When not instructed, the Delegate can use his own judgment to vote on behalf of STAMPS.

 END OF CONSTITUTION