CONSTITUTION OF CAMBUSKERS COMMUNITY GROUP

Name

The name of the group is Cambuskers Community Group - Called 'the group' in these rules.

Aims of the group:

  1. Celebrating the variety of talented street performers in the city;
  2. Highlighting the 'Street Performers Code of Practice' throughout the festival; this code of conduct aims to ensure that businesses, residents & visitors can enjoy a time-honoured tradition, which goes back to medieval times;
  3. Creating a fabulous atmosphere throughout the city centre;
  4. Bringing in visitors to the city;
  5. Boosting local businesses and economy.

Powers

To further these aims, the group may exercise the following powers:

  1. Raise funds and invite and receive grants, donations and other contributions;
  2. Buy or lease and maintain any equipment or materials necessary for the achievement of the objectives;
  3. Buy, take on lease or in exchange any property necessary for the achievement of the objectives and to maintain and equip it for use;
  4. Sell, lease or dispose of all or any part of the property of the organisation;
  5. Employ such paid workers (who shall not be members of the Management Committee) as are necessary for the proper pursuit of the objects;
  6. Co-operate with other organisations in furtherance of any of the objects or of similar purposes;
  7. Carry out lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of the objects.

Membership

Eligibility for Membership:

  1. Membership is open to all individuals or organisations who support the aims of CCG and agree to abide by this Constitution;
  2. Each member will have one vote and will be eligible to stand for election onto the Committee;
  3. The group will be non-party-political, non-sectarian and will be committed to non-discriminatory practices and to equality, inclusion and diversity.

Management Committee

  1. The group shall elect a committee of between 3 and 12 members who will direct the policy and management of the group. They shall be elected to serve for one year after which time they may stand for re-election;
  2. Membership of the Committee is open to all members of the group.From amongst the Committee, a Chair, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Website Officer and a Volunteer Coordinator will be selected;
  3. The members of the Committee have the power to co-opt other volunteers onto the Committee other roles are needed - such as a fundraiser, marketing and media officer etc.

The Officers on the Committee shall be:

  1. A Chair, who shall chair both general and committee meetings, and who will make the final decisions on any conflicts or disagreements;
  2. A Secretary, who shall be responsible for the taking of minutes and the distribution of all papers;
  3. A Treasurer who shall be responsible for maintaining accounts;
  4. A Website Officer who shall design and maintain the website;
  5. A Volunteer Coordinator who shall be responsible for providing continuous support to the volunteers in the group, as well as providing supervision and direction.

Rules of Procedure:

  1. Apart from changes to the constitution all questions that arise at any meeting will be decided by a simple majority of those present. All members of the group will be expected to vote;
  2. Any motion must have a proposer and seconder before it is discussed or voted on;
  3. The Chair will have a casting vote in the event of a tied vote at all meetings;
  4. The Committee will have the power to co-opt members outside of an AGM;
  5. The Committee will meet a minimum of four or six (4 or 6) times a year. The quorum level will be set at five (5) members.

Termination of Membership:

A member of the Committee shall cease to hold office if s/he:

  1. Has been convicted of any offence involving dishonesty or deception;
  2. Has become incapable by reason of mental disorder, illness or injury of managing his or her own affairs;
  3. Is absent from all the group's meetings held within a period of six (6) months and the Committee resolves that s/he shall cease to hold office;
  4. Notifies the Committee of her/his resignation: Provided that at least three (3) members of the Committee will remain in office when the notice of resignation is to take effect.

Meetings

  1. General meetings will be held as often as necessary and at least four or six (4 or 6) times a year when an event is scheduled to take place;
  2. One of these meetings will be the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the group which shall be held within fifteen (15) months of the previous AGM;
  3. All members shall be notified not less than fourteen (14) days before a meeting;
  4. An agenda will be circulated not less than fourteen (14) days before the meeting;
  5. The business of the AGM will include selecting the committee, reporting on the activities during the year, amendments to the constitution and approval of the group's accounts;
  6. At the meeting, the Chair will give a full report on all festival activities and the Treasure will give a full financial report;
  7. Notes from each meeting will be sent out no less than seven (7) days after the meeting and all kept on file to refer to if needed. A reminder of the next meeting date will be included in the notes. A reminder email about the meeting will also be sent the day before the meeting is due to take place;
  8. An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) can be held at the Chair's discretion or by a written request to the chair of not less than 20% of the Members. The meeting shall be called within twenty-one (21) days of such a request and appropriate measures taken to inform all members. An EGM should only consider the business specified in the request.

Finances

  1. A bank account will be opened in the name of the group;
  2. Any money raised shall be used to further the aims of the group and for no other purpose;
  3. The account will require two signatures on any cheque or other bank document (except paying in slips). There will be four signatories available for signing cheques, usually the Treasurer, Chair, Secretary and one other officer;
  4. A simple written note of the group's financial position, will be produced and presented by the Treasurer at all committee meetings;
  5. A statement of accounts verified by a competent person who is independent of the group shall be tabled at the AGM;
  6. No member shall derive any financial benefit from the group, except for payment of 'reasonable expenses' ;
  7. Members can be paid for administrative and development work within the agreed budget;
  8. No money will be paid out in the name of the group without a receipt being presented.

Amendments to the Constitution

If amendment(s) to the constitution are necessary, members will be informed in writing within twenty-one (21) days and given the opportunity to consider and vote on the amendments. The amendment(s) will be made if there is a two-thirds majority vote of members.

Dissolution

If the committee, by a simple majority, deem it advisable to dissolve the group, it shall call a meeting of all the members of the group, giving not less than fourteen (14) days' notice. If such a decision is confirmed by a majority of those present, then all the assets of the group shall be transferred to another local voluntary group or community group with similar aims.

Adopted on 1st March 2025.

Copy Signed by Chair, Treasurer and Secretary held in group records.