1. NAME
The Society’s name is “The Redditch Local History Society” abbreviated to “RLHS” and herein after referred to as the Society in this document.
2. THE AIMS OF THE SOCIETY
The aims of the Society are:
a) To identify and collate data on the existing buildings and artefacts
b) To develop maps identifying important historic buildings and artefacts
c) To encourage interest and promote the preservation of the towns historic sites and artefacts
d) To mount exhibitions related to the history of Redditch
e) To organise talks/lectures on the history of Redditch
f) To create an audio/visual catalogue of Redditch history
The Society is to acknowledge and encourage the interests of people in the local history of Redditch and the surrounding area. The Society shall undertake the following to achieve its aims:
a) To pursue original research that is made available to all;
b) To share information amongst the members of the Society so as to add to the body of knowledge;
c) To organise talks and courses that will provide members and the general public with relevant information, knowledge or skills to pursue individual or group research;
d) To mount a programme of activities on topics relevant to the history of Redditch and the surrounding area;
e) e) To build a local archive of documents (or photocopies of documents), illustrations and artefacts relating to the local history of Redditch and the surrounding area;
f) To arrange guided local history walks in Redditch and the surrounding area;
g) To gather oral histories;
h) To mount exhibitions of an historical nature;
i) To create and maintain an internet Redditch Local History Society website;
j) To publish a range of books, leaflets and resource materials relating to the local history of the area;
k) To act as a resource for material and information for schools, libraries, media, museums etc;
l) To extend any of the above and develop additional activities as opportunities rise.
3. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The Society shall be managed by a committee of members who are appointed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Society. The Management Committee will consist of three
principal officers, namely Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer and other members as thought appropriate and elected at the AGM.
The Society may elect an Hororary President as appropriate to further the objectives of the ociety. The Hororary President has no vote on Society business.
4. CARRYING OUT THE PURPOSES
In order to run the Society the Management Committee have the power to:
a) collect membership fees;
b) raise funds, receive grants and donations;
c) apply funds to carry out the work of the Society;
d) co-operate with and support other organisations with similar purposes;
e) do anything which is lawful and necessary to achieve the purposes;
5. MEMBERSHIP AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
a) Membership shall be open to all persons interested in the local history on payment of an appropriate subscription;
b) Guests are welcome to attend Society meetings and events on payment of an ppropriate charge;
c) Membership fees and guest charges will be decided at the Annual General Meeting. Subscriptions will include individual or family membership. The amount of each type membership shall be recommended by the Committee and agreed at the Annual General Meeting for the following year. Annual subscriptions will e renewable from the date of the Annual General Meeting;
d) Once accepted by the Management Committee, membership lasts whilst membership fees are received. The Society will keep an up-to-date membership list;
e) The Management Committee may remove a person’s membership if they believe it is in the best interests of the Society. The member has the right to be heard by the Management Committee before the decision is made and can be accompanied by a friend.
6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - AGM
a) An Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Society must be held every year, with 14 days notice given to all members telling them what is on the agenda. Minutes must be
kept of the AGM.
b) There must be at least 6 members present at the AGM.
c) Every member has one vote.
d) The Management Committee shall present the annual report and accounts.
e) Any member may stand for election to the Management Committee
f) Members shall elect the Management Committee to serve for the next year. They will retire at the next AGM but may stand for re-election.
g) The AGM will be held during April every year.
7. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETINGS
a) The Management Committee must hold at least 3 meetings each year. Management Committee may act by majority decision.
b) At least 3 elected Management Committee members must be present at a meeting to be able to take decisions. Minutes shall be kept for every meeting.
c) If Management Committee members have a conflict of interest they must declare it and leave the meeting while this matter is being discussed or decided.
d) The Management Committee may make reasonable additional rules to help run the Society. These rules must not conflict with this constitution or the law and must be
approved at the next AGM.
8. MONEY AND PROPERTY
a) The Treasurer shall prepare a draft Income and Expenditure Account for the year to present at the Annual General Meeting. The accounts shall be audited annually by an independent auditor.
b) Any Bank Account(s) shall be maintained in the name of the Society and shall be operated by the Treasurer, Chairman and Secretary;
c) The Treasurer shall receive all donations, contributions, bequests and grants. All income from whatever source shall be paid into the Society Bank Account;
d) The three principal Officers are responsible for the maintenance and safe ustody of the property of the Society;
e) All items of expenditure by any member of the Committee shall be strictly within the context of the aims and objectives of the Society. All such expenditure shall be subject to the prior approval of the Treasurer, who may wish to consult with other Committee members. No officer or other Committee member shall unilaterally make any commitment or enter into any agreement to purchase supplies or equipment or take any action that will incur expense to the Society without first consulting the Treasurer;
f) Failure to observe the above principles may result in a Committee member not being reimbursed.
9. GENERAL MEETINGS
If the Management Committee consider it is necessary to change the constitution, or wind up the Society, they must call an Extraordinary General Meeting so that the membership can make the decision. The Management Committee must also call an Extraordinary General Meeting if they receive a written request from the majority of members. All members must be given 14 days notice and told the reason for the meeting. All decisions require a two-thirds majority. Minutes must be kept.
a) Winding up - any money or property remaining after payment of debts must be given to a Society with similar purposes to this one.
b) Changes to the Constitution - can be made at AGMs or Extraordinary General Meetings. No change can be made that would make the organisation no longer a Society.
c) Extraordinary General Meeting - called on written request from a majority of members.
d) Management Committee may also call an Extraordinary General Meeting to consult the membership on any matters it considers important to the members.
10. Ownership issues:
Any resources or materials obtained and/or published by the Society will remain the roperty of the Society.
The domain names - www.redditchhistory.org.uk and www.rlhs.org.uk - are to be made available for the exclusive use of the Society for the life of the Society.
11. COMMENTS AND OPINIONS
Any comment or opinion given to the press, media, official bodies or to the public by a member of the Society committee or by a Society member can only be deemed to
be that of the individual concerned unless the matter has been discussed within the Committee and agreed by them. Any written communication to such bodies should
be done on Redditch Local History Society headed paper.
12. SETTING UP THE SOCIETY
This constitution was discussed, agreed and adopted on the 4th October 2010 during the RLHS meeting of date.
A printed copy of the constitution which includes the attendees at this meeting is available on request.