Home

North Hampshire Photographic Society
CONSTITUTION

Friday 9th May 2008

  1. Name
    The Club shall be called "The North Hampshire Photographic Society".
  2. Aims and Objectives
    To form a meeting place where members can be stimulated and encouraged in the art of photography to produce images, using both film and digital media, which portray the world around us, and which give pleasure to themselves and others. The club shall be operated as a 'Non Profit' organisation.
  3. How to achieve this
    By holding formal weekly meetings normally from September to the following May. North Hampshire Photographic Society will present lectures and presentations by highly experienced amateur and professional photographers, and will hold competitions, workshops and tutorials. In addition, during the summer recess, field trips may be organised to places and or events of interest on a casual basis.
  4. Membership
    1. Membership shall be open to all.
    2. Classes of membership shall be:
      Full Member
      Associate Member (Sub Group only)
      Junior Member (up to 18th birthday)
      Senior Member (60+ and Retired)
      Honorary Life Member.
    3. Honorary Life Membership may be granted to any person, who in the opinion of the Committee has rendered outstanding service to the Club.
      Grant of this class of membership shall be ratified by at least a two-thirds majority of the membership present at an A.G.M.
    4. All paid-up Members and Honorary Life Members shall have one vote at general meetings.
    5. Potential members may visit the club up-to three times after which they will be asked to join the Club at the designated subscription.
    6. Members found using work in competition the copyright of which belongs to another artist/photographer will be excluded.
    7. Members indulging in abusive or threatening language or behaviour against other members, or which brings the society or any of our parent federations into disrepute will be excluded.
  5. Committee
    1. A committee consisting of not less than five executive members shall manage club affairs.
    2. Members of the committee shall include
      Executive members:-
      1. Chairman
      2. Vice-Chairman
      3. Secretary
      4. Projected Image Competition Secretary
      5. League & Print Competition Secretary
      6. Digital Audio Visual Group Secretary (vacant)
      7. Treasurer
      Non-executive members:-
      1. President
      2. Vice-President
      3. One full member (minimum)
    3. The quorum for the Committee shall be four.
    4. Committee meetings shall be convened by the Chairman or, exceptionally, by three members of the Committee. A minimum of 28 days notice should be given to all committee members under normal circumstances.
    5. In the event of a tied vote on any resolution, the chairman of the meeting shall exercise a casting vote.
    6. During the year the Committee by majority vote may invite additional members onto the committee to fill any new posts deemed necessary. The appointment of such additional members shall be subject to election at the following AGM.
    7. Sub Committees may be formed by resolution of the Committee to run specific club functions.
  6. Annual General Meeting (AGM)
    1. The AGM shall normally be held on any Friday in May, or not more than 15 months after the last AGM. Notice of the AGM shall be given in writing to all current members not less than 28 days prior to the meeting.
    2. The quorum for the AGM shall be a minimum of 10 members or 20% of the membership whichever is greater.
    3. All motions shall be placed in writing at least 24 hours prior to the meeting and must be seconded by at least two members.
    4. A member who is unable to attend shall be allowed to nominate a proxy to vote on his or her behalf. This intention must be conveyed in writing to the secretary at least 24 hours prior to the start of the meeting.
    5. The committee shall submit reports for the previous year.
    6. The Treasurer shall provide a statement of accounts which have been subjected to scrutiny by an independant person appointed at the preceding AGM.
    7. Executive Members of the Committee and the President shall be elected at the AGM and will normally serve for a term of one year. If there is no challenger for a particular post then the outgoing member may serve a further term if duly elected. The non-executive member shall stand for re-election at each AGM so that the post is more readily subject to scrutiny by the general membership.
    8. In the event of a member of the committee resigning their post, an Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called to find a successor unless the Annual General Meeting is scheduled within the following 56 days.
  7. Subscriptions and funds
    1. The Annual Subscription for each class of membership shall be recommended by the committee and agreed by a simple majority of members present at the Annual General Meeting. A reduced subscription will normally apply for junior and senior members and special cases. Honorary Life Members shall be exempt.
    2. A Financial Reserve should be held to maintain the Club's continuity in the event of fluctuations in membership numbers, subscription income and expenditure for judges, lecturers meeting rooms and equipment.
  8. Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)
    An EGM may be called by the President or Chairman or by not less than 5 members of the Club serving written notice to the Chairman. The Committee shall fix a date for the meeting within 28 days of receiving such notice. All members are to be informed in writing at least 7 days prior to the meeting and must at the same time be provided with a copy of the motion(s) to be proposed. No other business may be transacted in the EGM.
  9. Amendments to the Constitution.
    The Constitution may be amended only at an EGM or AGM and the motion(s) there presented require a 2/3rds majority of members present (including proxy votes) to be carried. A minimum of fourteen days notice shall be given for such motions to allow consideration by the membership.
  10. Club Property
    North Hampshire Photographic Society owns several items of photographic equipment including studio lighting and backdrops. This equipment is primarily for members use during the various studio sessions organised each season. Members may borrow equipment from the register from time to time with the approval of at least two membrs of the committee, on the strict understanding that whilst in their possession, they are responsible for any loss or damage incurred.
  11. Dissolution of the Club.
    1. The decision to wind up the club may only be taken at an EGM or AGM. In the absence of a quorum at such a meeting, a motion signed by 10 members or 10% of the membership, whichever is the greater, shall constitute the same decision. Such decision may be occasioned when the funds of the Club are insufficient for the Club to run properly, or may be occasioned under other exceptional circumstances.
    2. After discharging all debts and liabilities of North Hampshire Photographic Society, the remaining assets shall be donated or transferred to a voluntary organisation having similar objectives to those of the Club. The final decision regarding such donations and transfers shall rest with the committee by simple majority.

Valid HTML 4.01!