AGM 11th May 2016 - the amended constitution

Many thanks to all who came. 

The chair’s report was read out. 

The accounts were presented. 

Barbara Rich and Monica Lang were re-elected as chair and treasurer. 

Members scrutinized and discussed the constitution.  

We need money for room hire and projects, so should we make a charge on the door at meetings? The constitution allows for a voluntary collection, so this will be implemented - which upholds our principle of History for All with no compulsory charges.   

A proviso was added to the last paragraph: “ Dissolution. …all remaining money and assets… will be donated to Topsham Museum Society provided there is/are no interested party/parties in Starcross.”

• It was unanimously agreed to formally adopt the amended constitution.

The Constitution of Starcross History This group shall be called ‘Starcross History’

Aims  

To invite speakers to meetings. 

2.To chronicle the history of Starcross¹ 

 3. To chronicle the histories of Starcross residents. 

4. To catalogue and photograph buildings of interest. 

5. To have an online archive in form of website and/or a blog. 

6. To make audio &/or video &/or written record of the history of Starcross and its residents.

7.  To record the whereabouts of artefacts associated with Starcross. 

8. To encourage, carry out, or help with; tangible projects which document , publicise or enhance historical aspects of Starcross. 

9. To document archaeological sites in the area. 

10. To investigate archaeological sites in the area. 

11. To publicise historical aspects of Starcross 

12. To contact the descendants of Starcross historical figures, to keep them informed about our relevant research and/or projects. 

13. To visit places which have a connection to Starcross. 

14. To hold social events. 

15. To fundraise to support all these activities

Starcross will benefit from these activities because a wider and more extensive knowledge of its history will add to its identity.

Members To join, anyone may add their name and contact details to the list of members held by the committee.

Starcross History  is open to anyone who supports the aims of the group and participates in its activities

The group will not discriminate on the grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sexuality, disability, religious or political belief, marital status or age.

There will be no membership fee. Instead, there will be collections and raffles at meetings, and fundraising events.  This will provide funds for speakers, room hire, storage facilities, a website, insurance  and administration.

Membership will cease when members  stop volunteering or attending activities, or when they ask for their name to be deleted from the members’ list.

Committee Initially, a committee will be formed from volunteers. The committee will comprise: Chair. Secretary and Treasurer. Further committee members may be co-opted because they have particular skills or knowledge.  Thereafter. a  committee will be elected at the Annual General Meeting

Committee meetings will take place as required

The quorum for committee meetings will be half the number on the committee at the time

Meetings Starcross History will hold a meeting every one or two months.

The date, time and place of the meetings will be advertised

A financial statement will be presented.

Members and/or invited speakers can address the meeting.

The meeting can discuss progress on projects, decide on new projects and plan future activities.

There will be no charge to attend, but there will be a collection, and a raffle, and a charge for refreshments.

Annual General Meeting  Annual General Meetings will take place with a maximum interval of 15 months

The date, time and location of the AGM will be published on the internet, and in local media

Members must submit items for discussion at least two weeks before the published date of the meeting

Nominations for the committee will be taken as soon as the meeting date is published, and at the meeting

The quorum for this meeting is set at 5% of the membership, or 6.

Finance The Lloyds Bank Treasurer's Account will require 2 signatories for all transactions.

All monies will be counted by 2 members, the amounts verified and recorded. The monies will be held by the treasurer  and a financial statement presented to the meetings.

Signatories on  the bank account will be a committee member and the treasurer.

Records of income and expenditure will be maintained by the Treasurer and a financial statement given to each meeting

An annual statement of accounts will be presented to the Annual General Meeting

All money raised Starcross History will be spent solely on the objects laid out in the constitution

Dissolution

If it is agreed to dissolve the group all remaining money and other assets, once outstanding debts have been paid, will be donated to Topsham Museum Society provided there is/are no interested party/parties in Starcross.