Constitution of Streetbeaters
Samba Drumming Group
1. Name
The name of the Group shall be Streetbeaters.
2. Aims
The aims of the Group shall be:
• To provide the opportunity for people of all ages and abilities, from the North East and elsewhere, to have fun while working together to make, and perform, carnival street music (Samba).
• To promote, maintain, improve and advance education by the encouragement of the arts, primarily but not exclusively carnival street music (Samba).
• To provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life.
3. Powers
In order to achieve its aims the Group may:
• Raise money
• Open bank accounts
• Secure suitable venues
• Secure suitable storage facilities
• Purchase, rent and maintain equipment
• Take out insurance
• Employ staff
• Organise courses and events
• Work with similar Groups and exchange information and advice with them
• Do anything that is lawful which will help it to fulfil its aims
4. Membership
• Membership of the Group shall be open to any individual over the age of five years, regardless of disability, political or religious affiliation, race, sex or sexual orientation, who is:
• interested in helping the Group to achieve its aims
• willing to abide by the rules of the Group
• willing to pay any subscription agreed by the Management Committee
• There will be three categories of membership as follows:
• Junior Membership – anybody aged 5yrs to 17yrs who fulfils the criteria set out in 4a). Junior members may elect up to three representatives who may be invited to meetings of the Management Committee, but may not vote.
• Affiliate Membership – any non-drummer aged 18yrs + who fulfils the criteria set out in 4a). Affiliate members will be invited to an AGM at which they will be asked to elect a Management Committee.
• Full Membership – any drummer aged 18yrs + who fulfils the criteria set out in 4a). Full members will be invited to an AGM at which they will be asked to elect a Management Committee.
• Any membership may be terminated for good reason by the Management Committee provided that the member concerned shall have the right to be heard by the Management Committee, accompanied by a third party of their choice, before a final decision is made.
5. Management
• The Group shall be administered by a Management Committee of not less than three and not more than twelve individuals elected at the Group's Annual General Meeting (A.G.M.). The Management Committee will be appointed as follows:
9 { Full Members of the Group
{ Affiliate Members of the Group
up to 3 { Individuals co-opted by the other Management Committee members
• The Management Committee may co-opt onto the Committee up to three individuals.
• The Management Committee may invite individuals to any meeting in an advisory and non-voting capacity that it feels will help to fulfil the aims of the group.
• The Officers of the Management Committee shall be: the Chairperson, the Treasurer and the Secretary.
• The Management Committee shall meet at least twice a year.
• At least three Management Committee members must be present for a Management Committee meeting to take place.
• Voting at Management Committee meetings shall be by a show of hands. If there is a tied vote then the Chairperson shall have a second vote.
• The Management Committee shall have the power to remove any member of the Committee for good and proper reason.
• The Management Committee may appoint any other member of the Group as a Committee member to fill a vacancy, provided that the maximum prescribed number is not exceeded.
• The Management Committee may appoint sub-committees to carry out specific tasks but the sub-committees must always report back to the Management Committee as soon as possible. At least one member of every sub-committee must be a Management Committee member.
6. Finance
• All monies received by or on behalf of the Group shall be applied to further the aims of the Group and for no other purpose.
• Any bank accounts opened for the Group shall be in the name of the Group.
• Any cheques issued shall be signed by two of three nominated members of the Management Committee.
• The Group shall ensure that its accounts are independently examined every year.
• The Group may pay reasonable out of pocket expenses to members or Management Committee members.
7. Annual General Meeting
• The Group shall hold an Annual General Meeting (A.G.M.) every twelve months.
• All members will be given at least fourteen days notice of the A.G.M. and will be entitled to attend. However, only Full Members and Affiliate Members will be entitled to vote.
• The business of the A.G.M. shall include:
• Receiving a report from the Chairperson on the Groups' activities over the year
• Receiving a report from the Treasurer on the finances of the Group
• Electing a new Management Committee
• Considering any other matter as may be decided
• At least three (or one third of members if greater) members must be present for the AGM and any other General Meeting to take place.
• No decision may be made at a General Meeting unless at least one third of members are present. If at least one third of members are not present then the meeting may be adjourned for at least 14 days. At the re-convened meeting, decisions based on a majority vote can be made provided there are at least three members present.
8. General, Special and Extraordinary Meetings
General, Special or Extraordinary meetings may be called by the Management Committee, or three members, to discuss non routine or urgent matters. The Secretary shall give all members fourteen days notice of any meeting together with notice of the business to be discussed.
9. Alterations to the Constitution
Any changes to this Constitution must be agreed by at least two-thirds of those members present and voting at any General Meeting.
• Dissolution
The Group may be wound up at any time if agreed by two-thirds of those members present and voting at any General Meeting. In the event of winding up, any assets remaining after all debts have been paid shall be given to another group with similar aims.
• Adoption of the Constitution
Until the first A.G.M. takes place the persons whose names, addresses and signatures appear at the bottom of this document shall act as the Management Committee referred to in this constitution.
This Constitution was adopted on 26-10-05 by:
- Joanna Newcombe
- Ema Wright
- Darroch Hall
- Judith Rust
- Joan Wardle
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