WELWYN WINE SOCIETY

CONSTITUTION

 

 

CONSTITUTION OF THE WELWYN WINE SOCIETY (After 5th Amendment)

 

1. TITLE

The association shall be called ‘The Welwyn Wine Society’(hereinafter called ‘The Society’).

 

2. OBJECT OF THE SOCIETY

To enable members of the Society to advance their knowledge and enjoyment of wines by providing a program of tastings and talks.

 

3. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY

The executive shall consist of a Chairman, a Vice-chairman, a Treasurer and a Secretary and Programme Organiser, all elected from the membership, who shall remain in office until their successors are elected. They shall be elected annually by ballot at the AGM and at the end of their term shall be eligible for re-election.

 

4. COMMITTEE MEMBERS

The committee shall consist of the executive officers of the Society and four other elected members elected annually from the membership by ballot at the AGM.

The committee shall meet not less than four times each year and at such other times as deemed necessary. At least fourteen days written notice of committee meetings shall be given.

A quorum shall consist of two executive officers plus two other committee members. Any member of the committee who is absent from three consecutive meetings of the committee shall be deemed to have ceased to be a member of the committee unless an acceptable written explanation is received.

 

5. MEMBERSHIP OF THE SOCIETY

Membership shall be granted to any person over the age of 18 who makes a proper application and whopays the appropriate annual subscritption. 

 

6. REGISTER OF MEMBERS

The Secretary will keep a register of all members which will contain their names, addresses, and telephone numbers.

 

7. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

There will be an annual subscription to be paid by all members, which shall be of such a sum as defined by the executive officers and committee members and will be reviewed regularly on the recommendation of the officers of the Society.

Any change in the annual subscription will be subject to the approval of full members at the AGM or an extraordinary general meeting called for that purpose.

Subscriptions will be due on the first day of April each year. Any member more than 31 days in arrears will be considered to be no longer interested in the affairs of the Society and his/her membership will cease.

 

8. CO-OPTION

The committee shall be empowered to co-opt such other members as is deemed necessary.  Any member so co-opted shall serve until the next AGM and shall have full voting rights.

 

9. MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY

Meetings, which include tastings, will take place at least nine times per year subject to unforeseen circumstances. The committee will determine the meeting fee and timing and method of payment.

 

10. GUESTS

Members are allowed to bring guests to monthly wine tastings, wine dinners and the Annual Wine Fair subject to space availability and prior notification but guests will not have priority over members until after a pre-nominated date.

 

11. THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)

An AGM will be held as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year - presently 31 March. At least two weeks' notice in writing will be given to members by the Secretary with venue, date and time of the meeting together with an agenda will be sent out with tht month's call notice.

The approved statement of the annual income and expenditure account, and balance sheet shall be available at the meeting.

Any member may propose a motion for consideration at the AGM provided not less than one month's notice prior to the AGM have been given, in writing, to the secretary.

A quorum for the AGM shall be twenty members.

No resolution shall be passed unless carried by a 2/3rds majority on a show of hands of those present and entitled to vote (subject to the provisions of clause 14).

 

12. ASSETS OF THE SOCIETY

The treasurer shall operate a bank account for the receipt of all the Society’s monies.

The assets (cash, equipment and stocks) and disbursements therefrom, shall be used exclusively in furtherance of the objectives of the Society.

 

13. ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

The Society shall at the AGM appoint an acceptable person for the forthcoming year to check that year’s financial results.

That person shall, on request, be allowed to have access to the accounts of the Society and be allowed adequate time to examine the accounts intended for submission to members at the AGM.

 

14. ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION 0R ORGANISATION

Any member of the Society may propose an alteration, supported by not less than ten other members, to the constitution or organisation of the Society. On receipt of such a supported proposal the secretary will call an extraordinary general meeting specifically to consider the proposal.

No resolution shall be passed unless carried by a 2/3rds majority on a show of hands of those present and entitled to vote.

If any decision of those members attending an EGM called to alter the constitution or organisation is considered by the committee to be against the interests of the Society the committee shall have the right to call for a postal ballot of all full members. A two-thirds majority of those replying will be required to determine the outcome.

 

15. SUSPENSION / TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

In the event of any member acting in a way substantially detrimental to the name or operation of the Society the member may, upon a majority decision by secret ballot of the committee, either be suspended or have their membership of the Society terminated.

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16. DISBANDMENT 

Any decision to disband the Society shall be made by a two thirds majority of members at the AGM or/and EGM.

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In the event that the Society is wound up the Committee shall:

• Close the Society's website

• Sell or dispose of the Society's equipment

• Donate the Society's monies in equal shares to two national charitites approved by the Society's members

• Close the Society's bank account

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23 June 2022