Friends of Addiscombe Railway Park

Constitution

1   Name

The Friends shall be called The Friends of Addiscombe Railway Park (hereinafter called the Friends ).

2   Aims

The aims of the Friends, in consultation with and with the approval of the London Borough of Croydon and in affiliation with BTCV, are:

(a) to preserve, maintain and enhance Addiscombe Railway Park and promote its use and enjoyment by the local community and  members of the public;

(b) to carry out programmes of practical work directed towards the development of leisure facilities, conservation and the promotion of bio-diversity; 

(c) to promote social inclusion, good health and wellbeing within the local community.

(d) to affiliate with BTCV to facilitate the delivery of the above 

3   Membership

Membership shall be open to all persons aged 16 or over who are interested in the aims as in clause 2.

4   Subscriptions

 All members of the Friends shall be required to pay such annual subscription as the  Management Committee may annually determine. 

5   Management Committee

The Management Committee of the Friends will consist of a Chairperson, a Treasurer, a Secretary and up to eight Committee Members.  The Committee shall have the right to elect honorary Committee members who shall not have voting rights on the Committee.  All members of the Friends have the right at the next Annual General Meeting to stand for election as a Committee Member.
The Committee shall have the right to co-opt members of the Friends to the Committee if and when it deems necessary.

6   General Meetings

There will be an Annual General Meeting of the Friends in March ,when the business to be transacted is the adoption of the Annual Report, Financial Statement of Accounts, the Auditor's Report, the election of a new Management Committee and the discussion of general policy.  The Committee may convene Extraordinary General Meetings provided members of the Friends are informed at least 21 days in advance.  All members of the Friends shall be entitled to be present at a General Meeting, to take part in discussions,    and to vote.  At least 50% of  members shall form a quorum at any General Meeting.

7   Management Committee meetings
 
The Management Committee shall meet not less than once every three months and four members of the Committee shall form a quorum. If for some reason the Chairperson or the Secretary cannot attend a meeting another member of the Committee will deputise on that occasion. Any member of the Committee who without good cause fails to attend three consecutive Committee meetings shall be deemed to have resigned from the Committee.  All Committee members except honorary members shall be entitled to vote at meetings.  The Chairperson shall have a second or casting vote.  The Management Committee may appoint sub-committees as and when necessary.

8   Minutes

Minutes shall be taken at all Meetings.

9   Finance

All monies for or on behalf of the Friends shall be applied to further the aims of the Friends and for no other purposes.  The Treasurer shall keep proper and accurate account of finances belonging to the Friends.  Statements of Account shall be presented at six month intervals to the Management Committee.  A yearly report and financial statements will be presented at the Annual General Meeting and will be subject to an independent examination as defined by part VI of the Charities Act 1993.  No expenditure may be incurred on behalf of the Friends without approval of the majority of the Management Committee.
 
10  Amendments to the Constitution

This constitution may be amended by a resolution passed by a two-thirds Majority of the members of the Friends present at a General Meeting whether Annual or Extraordinary.  No amendment shall be made which would cause the Friends to cease to be a Charity at law.

11  Dissolution

If at any time a majority of the membership of the Friends considers it advisable to dissolve the Friends the Management Committee shall call an Extraordinary General Meeting giving at least 21 days notice and stating the proposal to dissolve the Friends.  If such a decision shall be confirmed by a two-thirds majority of those present at the meeting, the Management Committee shall have the power to dispose of any assets held by or in the name of the Friends.  Any assets remaining after the discharge of any proper debts and liabilities shall be applied towards a charitable trust or trusts having similar aims as the Friends of Addiscombe Railway Park.