Constitution

In January 2012 our group gained official recognition as an independent charitable cause. Our Constitution, written by Janet Farrow (our Treasurer) follows:

CONSTITUTION OF THE OPEN DOOR COMMUNITY ART PROJECT

1. NAME

The name of the Committee managing the Open Door Community Art Project shall be known as Open Door Community Art Project.

2. OBJECTS

The objects of the project are to:

Promote and celebrate the variety and quality of local talent
To promote art activities to all
Engender a sense of community ownership and pride
Engage harder-to-reach local communities in a positive way through consultation and involvement
Strengthen the vulnerable economic viability of the town and sustain a vibrant local art economy
Enhance our tourisn offer so that the town retains its attraction beyond the traditional summer season
Develop new ways to support our artist population, so enhancing the wider culture
Broaden awareness of the arts to strengthen local support and encourage new and established audiences
To work and encourage the youngsters of the community to engage in community events and activities
To work and support other community groups to deliver activities and events with an art element

3. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Accessibility is a key element of the project. In its work the project will seek equality - in access to the activities, events and workshops regardless of age, race, gender, disability or income.

4. OPEN DOOR COMMUNITY ART PROJECT COMMITTEE-STRUCTURE, DUTIES AND POWERS

The COMMITTEES DUTIES. These shall be to manage the affairs and implement the Objects of the Project.

NUMBERS. The Committee will be composed of up to 12 members who will be elected at the Annual General Meeting, plus any co-opted members.

COMPOSITION. The majority of members shall be practising artists.

NOMINATIONS. Nominations for the Committee membership shall be invited from all practising Community artists and members of the public.

OFFICERS. The Committee shall elect its own Chair, Secretary and treasurer from amongst its numbers (including those who are co-opted members), plus any other posts deemed necessary. Details of the elected posts will be included in the minutes of the AGM.

CO-OPTED MEMBERS. The Committee can, at the wish of the majority co-opt members on to the committee. Co-opted Members will have the same rights and responsibilities as elected members.

TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP. The Committee may, on a majority vote, and with good reason, terminate any membership of the Committee. The Individual concerned will have the right to be heard by the Committee, accompanied by a friend if they so wish, before a final decision is made.

WORKING GROUPS. The Committee can, if it deems useful, delegate the task of carrying out particular aspects of its work to Working Groups. At least one member of the Committee shall sit on each Working Group and shall report back to the main committee and can act within their remit but nor incur expenses not authorised in advance by the main Committee.

MEETINGS. Committee meetings shall be held when necessary, but not less than 6 meetings a year, and normally 4-6 weekly. They must included a report on the Minutes of the previous meeting.

SPECIAL MEETINGS. These may be called by the Chair or by a Committee quorum, which must consist of a minimum of four elected Members of the committee.

VOTING. Decisions shall be made on the basis of a majority vote. In the event of a tie, the Chair shall have an additional casting vote.

MINUTES. Minutes must be kept of all decisions made in Committee meetings.

CHAIR'S DUTIES AND POWERS. The Chair will draw up an Agenda for each meeting and conduct the Committee's proceedings. In the Chair's absence, the Committee will elect a temporary replacement who will have the same powers.

5. FINANCES

The Open Door Community Art Project Committee shall:

Prepare financial accounts annually and submit them to the AGM for approval and adoption
Maintain a bank account in the name of the Project, with tow name signatories to include an officer and one other Committee Member. The withdrawal of funds by whatever means shall require the signature of both signatories.
Keep accurate accounts of finances through the Tresurer, available for reasonable inspection by the Committee and any other interested parties, and be presented for adoption at the AGM.
Require that decisions involving substantial expenditure shall only be made when there are at least four Committee members present.
Ensure that all monies received and all activities carried out by the Project are devoted to furthering its Objects.

6. GENERAL MEETING

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS. Each year the Committee shall convene an AGM within fifteen months of the previous AGM and subject to at least fourteen days notice. The AGM shall be open to all. The AGM shall be required in particular to adopt accounts for the previous year and to approve the minutes of the last AGM.

EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING. EGM's may be convened by the Committee to decide any particular matter on which a decision cannot await the next AGM. At least fourteen days notice shall be given. An EGM must be convened in writing, with an accompanying Agenda and its business shall be confined to the matters for which it is convened, as set out in the Agenda.

7. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote in a General Meeting.

8. DISSOLUTION

In the event of the project being dissolved, existing assets shall, after payment of all its debts, be dispersed among the local groups with similar objectives to the Project, as identified and approved by the Committee.

CONSTITUTION ADOPTED JAN 2012