Horsley Countryside Preservation Society

Rules of the Society

1. TITLE - The Society shall be called "Horsley Countryside Preservation Society".

2. OBJECT - The object of the Society shall be the preservation of the rural amenities and characteristics of the Parishes of East and West Horsley in the County of Surrey and such neighbouring areas as, in the opinion of the Executive Committee of the Society, may be considered to affect the parishes of East and West Horsley.

3. MEMBERSHIP - Any person may become a member of the Society.

4. REGISTER OF MEMBERS - A register of members shall be kept by the Secretary or such other officer of the Society as the Executive Committee shall direct; the register shall be available at all meetings of the Society or its Executive Committee.

5. TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS - The general business of the Association shall be vested in an Executive Committee which shall consist of four officials, namely, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, with five other members, all unpaid, to be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

6. SUBSCRIPTIONS - The annual subscription shall be such sum as the Executive Committee shall from time to time determine; the Executive Committee may determine whether one subscription shall cover the membership of more than one person.

 7. BANK ACCOUNT - A Bank account shall be kept in the name of the Society with such joint bank as the Executive Committee shall from time to time select; cheques drawn must bear the signature of two officials.

8. ELECTIONS -   (a) The appointments of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary shall be made by the Committee, subject to confirmation at the Annual General Meeting. Such appointments shall normally be of 3 years duration, with retirements of these officers phased, as far as possible, at one yearly intervals so as to ensure a proper continuity of work.

(b) Subject to the provisions of Rule 9, at each Annual General Meeting the two members of the Committee (other than the Chairman and Treasurer) who have been longest in office since their appointment or last election shall retire but shall be eligible for re-election.  If at any time more than two such members have equal length of service, the members to retire shall be decided by lot.

(c) Nominations from members of the Society to the Committee MUST be seconded and received by the Secretary not less than 14 days before the A.G.M.

9. ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE - The Executive Committee shall have power to fill any vacancy and to appoint additional members, but any member so appointed shall retire at the next Annual General Meeting and be eligible for re-election.

10. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS - The Committee shall meet not less than six times a year and five members shall form a quorum. The Chairman or the Secretary shall convene all meetings.

11. FINANCIAL YEAR - The financial year of the Society shall be from the 1st day of April to the 31st day of March.

12. AUDITORS - The accounts of the Society shall be audited by two members elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. The auditors shall not serve on any Committee of the Society.

13. DISQUALIFICATION FROM MEMBERSHIP - A member who in the opinion of the Executive Committee (given after such member has had an opportunity of being heard by such Committee) has acted in a manner detrimental to the interests of the Society shall be liable to exclusion from membership. Members whose subscriptions are more than 3 months in arrears shall likewise be liable to exclusion.

14. SUB-COMMITTEES - The Executive Committee shall have power to delegate specific business to sub-committees and to dissolve sub-committees at their discretion. Sub-committees shall consist of such members of the Executive Committee as the Executive Committee shall decide and shall report on its transaction at each meeting of the Executive Committee.

15. GENERAL MEETINGS -The Annual General Meeting shall be held within six weeks of the close of the financial year; other general meetings shall be held as decided by the Executive Committee.

16. CHAIRMAN - The Chairman of the Society, or in his absence, the Vice Chairman, shall preside at all Executive and General Meetings. If both are absent, a Chairman shall be appointed for the meeting by those present.

17. ALTERATION OF RULES - These rules shall not be amended or added to except by a resolution of a majority present and voting at a General Meeting of members.

18. DISSOLUTION - In the event that the Society ceases to operate, after discharging all debts and liabilities of the Society, the remaining assets will not be paid or distributed among members, but shall be given or transferred to some other voluntary organisation having similar objects to those of the Society.

Last revision to add clause 18.                   Agreed at AGM of 29.03 .2011