FURNESS MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY FORUM
CONSTITUTION
(as amended November 2007)
1. NAME
The name of the organisation will be “Furness Multicultural Community Forum”
2. AIMS
To promote racial harmony in Furness for the benefit of the public, by the provision of a local drop-in centre to offer advice and support and by any other charitable means as the trustees from time to time determine.
3. POWERS
In furtherance of the aims the organisation may:
3.1 Employ and pay a person or persons to supervise, organise and carry on the work of the Organisation and make all reasonable and necessary provision for the payment of pensions and superannuation to or on behalf of employees and their dependants. Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum will negotiate, agree and manage contracts for services with appropriate providers.
3.2 Bring together in conference the representatives of voluntary organisations, government departments, statutory authorities and individuals
3.3 Promote and carry out, or assist in promoting and carrying out research, surveys, and investigations, publishing the results
3.4 Arrange and provide for, or join in arranging and providing for, the holding of exhibitions, meetings, lectures, classes, seminars, performances and training courses
3.5 Collect and disseminate information on all matters affecting the aims of the organisation, and exchange this information with other bodies having similar aims, whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere
3.6 Undertake, execute, manage or assist any charitable trusts which may lawfully be undertaken, executed, managed or assisted by the organisation
3.7 Procure to write, print, publish, issue and circulate papers, books, periodicals, pamphlets or other documents, films or tapes as will further the aims of the organisation
3.8 Purchase, lease, exchange, hire or acquire any property and any rights and privileges necessary for the promotion of the aims of the organisation, and construct, maintain and alter any buildings or erections necessary for the work of the organisation
3.9 Make regulations for the proper supervision, control and management of any property that may be acquired
3.10 Subject to such consents as may be required by law, sell, mortgage, dispose of, or turn to account all or any of the property or assets of the organisation
3.11 Accept gifts, and borrow or raise money for the aims of the organisation, on terms and security as is thought fit, provided that the organisation will not undertake permanent trading activities in raising funds for these aims
3.12 Obtain contributions for the organisation by personal or written appeals, public meetings, social events or otherwise
3.13 Invest the money of the organisation not immediately required for objects, investments, securities or property as appropriate, subject to conditions (if any) as may be imposed or required by law
3.14 Affiliate to, or become a member of, any regional or national body with similar aims, and pay any subscriptions, donation or affiliation fee that may be desirable
3.15 Do all other lawful activities as necessary for the attainment of the aims of the organisation
4. AREA OF BENEFIT
Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum will work for the benefit of the Furness Peninsula (including the areas of Barrow Borough, Ulverston, High and Low Furness) and Millom & Without.
5. MEMBERSHIP
Membership of the organisation will be open to all, irrespective of belief, race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, nationality, or religion
5.1 Full membership is open to individuals who live or work in the Furness area (as defined in Clause 4) and the area of Millom & Without, who share the aims of the organisation
5.1.1 Associate membership will be open to individuals who share the aims of the organisation, and who neither live nor work in the Furness area
and the area of Millom and Without. Associate members will not have the right to vote at general meetings of the organisation
5.1.2 Associations or organisations whether statutory, corporate or otherwise, and whether local, national or international, which support or further the aims of the organisation, will be known as affiliated groups
Each member organisation as set out in clause
5.1.2 will appoint one person to represent it and vote on its behalf at the meetings of the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum. In the event of that person resigning or leaving an organisation s/he will cease to be a representative. The organisation concerned will have the right to appoint a representative, informing the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum’s Secretary in writing.
6. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
The Executive Committee may, by resolution at a meeting, terminate or suspend the membership of any person or group if, in its opinion, that person or group has been guilty of conduct prejudicial to the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum or its aims. That person or the individual representing the group will have the right to be heard by the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum before the final decision is made. There will be a right of appeal to an independent arbitrator appointed by mutual agreement.
7. THE FURNESS MULTI-CULTURAL
COMMUNITY FORUM
The policy and general management of the affairs of the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum will be directed by an Executive Committee, which will meet not less than 6 times a year.
The Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum will consist of:
7.1 The Executive Committee elected under Clause 8
7.1.1 One representative appointed by affiliated groups and statutory authorities in accordance with clause 5
7.1.2 The Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum may appoint sub-groups as necessary, and will determine their terms of reference, powers, duration and composition. All acts and proceedings of the sub-groups will be reported back to the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum as soon as possible
7.1.3 Persons under the age of 18 may serve on the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum, but may not vote on any issue which has legal or constitutional implications
8. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
8.1 Only members of the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum will be eligible to serve as Officers
8.2: The Annual General Meeting of Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum will elect a Chair, a Vice Chair, a Secretary, a Treasurer and 10 members (2 of these members should be young persons servicing in a consultative capacity only). Half of the entire membership of the Executive should be from the BME community.
In the first instance the non-officer members will be appointed for 2 years, and officers will be appointed for 3 years, subject to re-election thereafter.
8.3 If a vacancy occurs amongst the Executive Committee, the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum will have the power to fill it from amongst its members. Any persons appointed to fill such a casual vacancy will hold office until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting, and will be eligible for election at that meeting
8.4 The Executive Committee may appoint sub-groups as necessary, and will determine their terms of reference, powers, duration and composition. All acts and proceedings of the sub-groups will be reported back to the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum as soon as possible
9. EMPLOYMENT OF STAFF
9.1
The Executive Committee may appoint staff, and determine the amount of any remuneration and the terms and conditions of employment. The Executive Committee may dismiss or terminate the service of staff in accordance with the general code of employment law. All acts and proceedings of the Executive Committee relating to employment of staff will be reported back to the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum as soon as possible
9.2 Any member of staff will not be eligible to be a member of the Executive Committee or sub-group of the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum, but may be invited to attend as a non-voting adviser
10. GENERAL MEETINGS
OF THE FURNESS MULTI-CULTURAL FORUM
10.1 The Annual General Meeting of the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum will be held at a time and place determined by the Executive Committee. It will be no more than 15 months after the preceding Annual General Meeting, or the adoption of this Constitution. The Secretary will give at least 21 days’ notice
to members 10.2 The business of each Annual General Meeting will be:
10.2.1 To consider the Annual Report of the Furness Multi-Cultural
Community Forum and its work carried out during the preceding year
10.2.2 To approve the audited accounts of the Furness Multi-Cultural
Community Forum
10.2.3 To elect the Executive Committee and members in accordance
with clause 8.2.
10.2.4 To appoint independent auditors for the coming year
10.2.5 To consider and vote on proposals to alter this Constitution
10.2.6 To consider any other business of which 7 days’ notice
has been given
11. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
The Chair of the Executive Committee may at any time call a Special General Meeting of the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum. The Secretary will call a Special General Meeting of the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum, within 21 days of receiving a written detailed request, signed by not less than one third of members. This meeting will consider only the business specified in the notice of the meeting.
12. RULES OF PROCEDURE AT ALL MEETINGS
12.1 All questions arising at any meeting will be decided by a simple majority of those present and entitled to vote. No member will exercise more than one vote, even if s/he is appointed to represent two or more interests, but in the case of an equality of votes, the Chair will have a second or casting vote
12.2 Quorum
12.2.1 Executive Committee meetings: At least 6 members will form a quorum at meetings
12.2.2 The Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum meetings: At least 5 Executive Committee members and 5 non-executive members, or one third of the membership, whichever is less, will form a quorum at the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum meetings
12.2.3 In the event that no quorum is present at an Annual General Meeting of the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum, the meeting will stand adjourned and be reconvened 14 days later. Those present at that meeting will be deemed to be quorate
12.3 Minutes will be kept by the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum, the Executive Committee and all sub-groups, and be recorded by the Secretary
13. RULES OF THE
FURNESS MULTI-CULTURAL COMMUNITY FORUM
The Executive Committee will have the powers to adopt and issue rules. These rules will come into operation immediately, and will be submit to review by the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum. They will not be inconsistent with this Constitution
14. FINANCE
14.1 All monies raised by, or on behalf of the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum, shall be applied to further the aims of the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum. Nothing will prevent the payment in good faith of reasonable out-of-pocket remuneration to any employee, trustee or volunteer
14.2 The Treasurer will keep proper accounts of the finances of the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum
14.3 The Auditor appointed at the Annual General Meeting will audit the accounts at least once a year
14.4 An audited statement of accounts for the last financial year will be submitted by the Executive Committee to the Annual General Meeting
14.5 An account will be opened in the name of Furness Multi-cultural Community Forum at any financial institution that the Executive Committee decides. The Executive Committee will authorise in writing the Treasurer, the Secretary and two members of the Executive Committee, to sign cheques on behalf of the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum. All cheques must be signed by not less than two of the four authorised signatories.
15. PROPERTY
The Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum will have sole ownership of any property acquired by or on behalf of the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum
16. ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION
(1) Subject to the following provisions of this clause the Constitution may be altered by a resolution passed by not less than two thirds of the members present and voting at a general meeting. The notice of the general meeting must include notice of the resolution, setting out the terms of the alteration proposed
(2) No amendment may be made to the name of the charity clause, the objects clause, the dissolution clause or this clause without the prior consent in writing of the Commissioners
(3) No amendment may be made which would have the effect of making the Charity cease to be a charity at law
(4) The Executive Committee should promptly send to the Commission a copy of any amendment made under this clause
17. DISSOLUTION
If the majority of the Executive Committee decides on the grounds of expense or otherwise that it is advisable to dissolve the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum it will call a meeting of all voting members of the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum. A notice will be posted, with not less than 21 days’ notice, in a conspicuous place or places in the Furness area (as defined in Clause 4), and advertised in the local newspapers. If the majority of those present confirm this decision, any assets remaining, after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities, will be applied towards such charitable purpose as the Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum may decide.