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Document ref. ORG-02, Issue 3.
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1
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MANAGEMENT
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The management of the affairs of the Group shall be
by means of a
Managing
Committee elected at the Annual General Meeting. The
Managing Committee
- shall consist of the Officers and ordinary committee
members
numbering not more than twelve in total.
- shall at all times act in the best interests of the Group
and shall be
empowered to take such action as they regard as
necessary to safeguard
the Group and its members. Any action taken
outside the provisions of
these Rules shall be ratified at the following
General Meeting.
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2
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OFFICERS
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The Officers of the Group shall be
CHAIRMAN - shall be
responsible for promotion of the Group,
formulating strategy and providing direction to the Managing Committee,
and shall present a Report on the activities of the preceding year at
each AGM.
VICE CHAIRMAN
- shall deputise for the Chairman, and undertake such duties as the
Committee shall determine.
SECRETARY
- shall be responsible for the general administration of the Group, and
- seeking nominations for membership of the Managing Committee
- seeking and proposing person(s) to act as the Group’s
auditor
- convening the Annual General Meeting, any Special General Meetings,
and all Managing Committee Meetings of the Group,
providing the Agenda
and keeping Minutes thereof
- publishing with the notice convening the Annual General Meeting the
names,
and where appropriate election statements, of
nominees for the
Managing Committee, and the name of
the proposed auditor
TREASURER
- shall be responsible for
- receiving all payments and paying monies due from the Group
- preparing a Budget and maintaining accounts which, after being
audited,
shall be submitted as a Report to the Annual
General Meeting
- maintain an account or accounts at a Bank or Banks approved
by
the Managing Committee.
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3
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THE MANAGING
COMMITTEE
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shall select from amongst its members persons to
fill posts such as :
MEMBERSHIP
SECRETARY - to maintain a record of current members,
process applications for membership and record renewals.
EDITOR
- to produce a minimum of four Newsletters of Group activities
and related matters per annum, and other publications as required.
TECHNICAL
BULLETIN EDITOR - to produce and distribute TBs as
required.
PUBLICITY
MANAGER - to promote the Group with special
reference to appearances at exhibitions.
WEBMASTER
- to maintain the Group’s Internet site(s) and services
KITMASTER
- to hold stocks and manage sales of books, kits, components or other
goods appropriate to the Group’s objectives
COPYMASTER
- to co-ordinate the copying and distribution of mailings.
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4
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THE MANAGING
COMMITTEE
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-
may co-opt not more than two members at any one time, and subject to
the
overall size limit of twelve.
- may set up Sub-Committees for special purposes and may
co-opt members and/or relevant specialists for such
Sub-committees. Co-opted member shall not vote at Managing
Committee meetings, unless co-opted to fill a vacancy which
has arisen since an Annual General Meeting.
Meetings shall not proceed without there being a quorum of 3 members
present.
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5
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THE
MANAGING COMMITTEE
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- may propose for election as PRESIDENT,
a member of long standing, with no Voting
or Executive powers, appointed for a period of five years, and
who may be re-elected.
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6
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ELECTION of COMMITTEE
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All Committee members shall retire at the AGM, but shall be eligible
for re-election.
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7
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SUBSCRIPTION
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The
subscription shall become due on 1st April of each year. A Joining fee
may be raised in addition to the annual
subscription. New members joining after the start
of the membership year shall receive a Voucher worth approx. 1/12th of
the subscription for each month from April to the month prior to that
in which they join.
Vouchers are redeemable for Technical Bulletins and any goods offered
by the Kitmaster, but become invalid at the end of the financial year
following the subscription year in which they were issued.
Members joining in February and March shall deemed to have joined on
the following 1 April and shall not receive Vouchers, but are eligible
to attend all meetings as members, and vote at the Meetings defined by
Rules 8 and 9.
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8
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ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING
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The Annual General Meeting [AGM] shall be held
within nine months of the end of the financial year, and at least three
weeks notice shall be sent to all members of the date and location of
the meeting and the business to be discussed.
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9
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EXTRA-ORDINARY
GENERAL
MEETING [EGM]
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At the written request of any five or more paid-up
members, or at the discretion of the Committee, an EGM shall be
convened for the discussion of any specific
business. At least two weeks notice of the date and
location of the meeting, and the business to be discussed, shall be
sent to all members.
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10
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ACCOUNTS
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The Financial Year shall run from 1 April to 31
March to coincide with the membership year.
The accounts shall be audited by a person independent of the Managing
Committee, and appointed at the previous AGM. In the event of
that person resigning before the next AGM, a replacement shall be
co-opted by the Managing Committee provided notice of such action is
given to the members within three months of such action.
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| 11 |
AREA GROUPS |
No area
group shall enter into any agreement, or contract, either expressed or
implied on behalf of the Group. Reasonable expenses may be claimed
supported by receipts and a signed statement up to a maximum of
£100 in a single financial year.
Membership
of an Area Group is restricted to members of the Model Electronic
Railway Group. Non MERG Guests may attend a limited number of meetings
at the discretion of the Area Group Leader.
All
Area Groups must follow any agreed guidelines that may be issued by an
Area Group Co-ordinator should one be appointed.
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12
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EXPENSES
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Committee Members
- shall be permitted to claim reasonable expenses incurred in
the conduct of their duties. Claims must be supported by
receipts and a signed statement.
- shall be permitted to claim an annual allowance not
exceeding 3 annual inland subscriptions to cover incidental expenditure
not otherwise claimable.
Members holding more than one post may only claim one such allowance,
and pro rata to their term of office if co-opted during the year.
The Treasurer shall have the right to reject or amend any claim for
expenses judged to be unreasonable or excessive. The Officers
shall have the ultimate authority to determine any dispute about
Expenses.
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13
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AMENDMENTS
to the RULES
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The Rules may be amended at a General meeting by
Resolutions passed by a majority of members present, provided the
Notice calling the Meeting includes the proposed amendment(s).
Proxy votes for or against proposal(s) may be deposited with the
Secretary.
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14
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MATTERS NOT
COVERED
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The
Committee is empowered to decide all matters not specifically covered by
by the Rules, subject to confirmation at the next AGM.
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15
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COPIES
of the RULES
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Each member shall be provided with a copy of the
current Rules and Charter. Membership of the Group shall be deemed to
be acceptance of the Rules.
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16
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SUSPENSION
or EXPULSION
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The
Committee is empowered to temporarily suspend or expel a member for
conduct to the discredit of the Group, the next AGM to confirm or
overrule the action. The member concerned shall
have the right to attend the Meeting and present their case against
suspension or expulsion.
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17
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MEMBERS
CONDUCT
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Members are encouraged to publicise the Group, but
any member misrepresenting the Group, or using its publications for
other than their personal non-commercial benefit, will be liable to
suspension under the above Rule. Any financial or other
commitment entered into in misrepresentation of the Group will be the
personal responsibility of the member(s) concerned.
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18
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WINDING-UP
of the Group
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The Group
may be wound up by a resolution of a majority of the members at a
Meeting called for the purpose. Any
assets of the Group remaining after settlement of debts shall be held
by the Model Railway Club [MRC], together with the names and last-known
addresses of members at the winding-up, against the establishment of
either a re-formed Group, or another organisation with comparable aims,
as decided by the MRC in their absolute discretion.
Only the capital sum held shall be passed to the re-formed Group or
similar organisation, together with the above-mentioned names and
addresses. If no suitable organisation materialises
within three years from the date of winding-up, the assets to pass
irrevocably to the MRC.
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Join MERG
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form.
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