FROME THIRD AGE - CONSTITUTION

TITLE

The name of the organisation shall be Frome Third Age (F3A).

AIM

To provide an organisation for social companionship and enjoyment by the provision of monthly meetings, talks, visits and group activities. F3A is non-profit making, non-political, decidedly non-commercial and unaffiliated to any other organisation.

MEMBERSHIP

Open to any person residing in Frome and the surrounding district.

MANAGEMENT

a.    The business of F3A shall be conducted by the Committee, which shall comprise:  Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Speaker Secretary, Membership Secretary, Treasurer, Social Media and Technical Support.

b.    The Committee shall, within the framework of the Constitution, make such rules and regulations as are necessary for the running of F3A.

c.    The Committee shall have powers to co-opt such members as they consider necessary for the running of F3A.

d.    Apart from briefings at the monthly meetings, a Newsletter will be published in March and September, outlining the F3A programme and activities.

SUBSCRIPTION

a.    Membership subscription is due in January.

b.    Any member who has not paid by the end of February will be deemed to have excluded themselves and will not be eligible to participate in any F3A activity.

c.    The Committee will determine membership fees annually.

d.    Prospective members will be allowed to attend for one monthly meeting (excluding group meetings) before the annual subscription is payable.

e.    New members joining after 1st July will pay half subscription for that year.

f.      New members will be issued with a copy of the F3A Constitution booklet.

 
OFFICERS

a.    The officers of F3A shall be full members and shall consist of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Speaker Secretary, Membership Secretary, Treasurer, Social Media and Technical Support.  Officers shall be elected at an Annual General Meeting or an Extra Ordinary General Meeting and with the exception of the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, hold office for one year. The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson shall hold office for two years.

b.    Nominations in respect of officers shall be made in writing and received by the Secretary not less than one month before an Annual General Meeting or an Extra Ordinary General Meeting.  All nominations must be proposed and seconded and agreed by the nominee. Officers willing to stand for a further period will be accepted without further nomination. In the event of more than one nomination for a committee post, a ‘show of hands’ ballot will be held.

AUDITOR

An auditor shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting.

ACCOUNTS

a.    The Financial Year shall run from 1st January to 31st December.

b.    The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping a complete and accurate account of the finances and for submitting an audited copy of the balance sheet to be included in the March Newsletter.

c. Any monies belonging to F3A, other than required for administrative purposes, shall be lodged with a bank of the Committee’s choice and may only be withdrawn on the signature of any two of the approved signatories, namely the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.  The Treasurer and Secretary have authority to use internet banking.  Payments by BACS to be authorised by an approved signatory

d. The Treasurer shall hold an amount of petty cash for sundry payments.

MEETINGS

a.    Meetings will be held monthly on the second Friday between 2.00 pm and   4.00 pm, unless otherwise notified.

b.    The Annual General Meeting will be held in January.

c.    Any business held during the year after the January Annual General Meeting will be held at an Extra Ordinary General Meeting as required.

d.    Committee Meetings will be held at the discretion of the Chairperson.

e.  A meeting of the Committee and Group Co-ordinators will be held at least once a year.

ACTIVITIES

a.    In addition to the monthly meetings, other activities will be arranged as required or proposed by members.

b.    Any activity will be the responsibility of a co-ordinator who will determine membership, venue, date and time of the activity.

c.    Various activities form part of the core of F3A programme and are published in the bi-annual Newsletter and on the F3A Website.

d.    New groups can be proposed at any time, but their viability must first be determined by a co-ordinator. All groups should be self-sustaining and no commitment to financial outlay must be assumed, unless expressly authorised by the Committee.

e.    Participation in group activities is undertaken at members’ own risk.  F3A can take no responsibility for injuries or mishaps sustained during meetings or events.

CONDUCT

Any member acting in a manner deemed to be detrimental to the interests of the F3A shall be liable to a disciplinary enquiry by the Committee.  The procedures for this enquiry are outlined in the following F3A documents:

·                 Disciplinary

·                 Complaints

·                 Code of Conduct

ALTERATION TO THE CONSTITUTION

a.    Any alteration to the Constitution shall be put before members at an Annual General Meeting or an Extra Ordinary General Meeting and their acceptance or rejection shall be decided by a majority vote.

b.    Notice of any alteration or addition to the Constitution must be proposed and seconded and given in writing to the Secretary not less than fourteen days before an Annual General Meeting or an Extra Ordinary General Meeting.

WINDING UP OF THE FROME THIRD AGE

If, in the opinion of the Committee, F3A is no longer sustainable, any assets remaining at dissolution shall be donated to local charities.  The Committee shall determine the distribution.                       

Constitution Revised August  2026