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Association Constitution
1. NAME: The organisation is NEWBIGGIN BY THE SEA DOLPHIN WATCH ASSOCIATION ( NBTSDWA)
2. THE PURPOSES OF THE ORGANISATION ARE TO:-
Monitor and record dolphin and other cetacean and marine mammal activity.
Educate and inform the local community and visitors about our marine life.
Support local and national initiatives in marine conservation and habitat protection.
Liase with other agencies in projects that will benefit the community.
Explore health benefits of interaction with nature and wildlife.
3. COMMITTEE The organisation shall be managed by a committee who are appointed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM)
4. CARRYING OUT PURPOSES The committee has the power to raise funds,
receive grants and donations and apply such funds to carry out the work of the organisation. To co-operate with and support other organisations with similar purposes and do anything lawful and necessary to achieve the purposes.
5. MEMBERSHIP The organisation shall have a membership. Individuals who support the work of the organisation and are aged 18 and over can apply to the committee to become Association members. Once accepted membership lasts for up to 12 months and may be renewed each January on re-application to the Secretary. The committee will keep an up to date membership list.
The committee may remove a person's membership if they believe it is in the best interests of the organisation. The affected member has the right to be heard by the committee before any final decision is made and may be accompanied by a friend for such a meeting.
6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - (AGM) The AGM must be held every year with 14 days notice given to all members. There must be at least 5% of members present at the AGM. Every member has one vote. The committee shall present annual reports and accounts. Any member can stand for election as a committee member. Members shall elect up to 10 committee members to serve for one year. They will retire at the next AGM but may stand for re-election.
7. COMMITTEE MEETINGS Committee members must hold at least 4 meetings each year. At their first meeting after the AGM they will select a Chairperson, Secretary,Treasurer and Registrar. Committee members abide by a majority decision. At least 3 committee members must be present at any meeting to be able to take decisions. Minutes will be kept of every meeting. If committee members have a conflict of interest they must declare it and leave the meeting while this matter is discussed or decided. During the year the committee may appoint up to 2 additional committee members. They will stand down at the next AGM. The committee may make reasonable additional rules to help run the organisation. These must not conflict with the constitution or the law.
7 MONEY AND PROPERTY Money and property must only be used for the organisations purposes. The committee must keep accounts. The most recent annual accounts can be viewed by anyone on request. Committee members cannot receive any money or property from the organisation except to refund reasonable out of pocket expenses. Money will be held in the organisations bank account. All payments must be signed by 2 designated signatories who are committee members.
8. GENERAL MEETINGS If the committee decides it is necessary to change the constitution or wind up the organisation they must call an Extraordinary General Meeting so that the membership can make a decision. The committee must also call a general meeting in response to any 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 thirdsmajority. Minutes must be kept of any such meetings.
Winding Up - Any money or property remaining after payment of debts must be given to a non-profit or charitable organisation with similar purposes to this one.
Changes to Constitution - Can be made at the AGM or General Meetings. No change can be made that would make the organisation no longer not for profit.
General Meeting - Can be called on written request from a majority of members. Committee members can also call a General Meeting to consult the membership.
The current Constitution was adopted on 2nd November 2019.