Constitution
1. Title
The Club shall be known as the Wakefield Camera Club, hereinafter called the ‘Club’.
2. Objectives
The aims and objectives of the club are the furtherance of all branches of photography through lectures, demonstrations, exhibitions, outings, competitions and to encourage participation in the club’s activities as widely as possible across all age groups.
3. Membership
3.1. Membership Classifications
3.1.1. Full Membership.
3.1.2. Free Membership (Under 21 years)
3.1.3. Honorary Life Member
4. Honours
4.1. In order to recognise and reward distinguished service to the club by a member, the membership may elect the member as an Honorary Life Member at an AGM.
4.2. Life members are not required to pay the annual subscription fees.
4.3. Life members have the right to vote on any committee they wish to attend and receive committee emails.
5. Club Committee
5.1. The club committee shall be elected annually and shall consist of: President, Vice President, Treasurer, General Secretary and any additional officers or posts recommended by the outgoing committee.
5.2. In the event that those present at the (AGM) Annual General Meeting are unable to fill all the vacant committee posts, constitution Rule 5.1 be suspended for a period not exceeding one year.
5.3. Committee members must be proposed by a member and seconded by another member.
5.4. The President will hold office for a two (2) year term and then will be required to step down. The Vice-President will automatically become President when the current President’s term of office comes to an end. In the event there is no Vice-President in post, the incumbent President can be asked to serve an additional period to be decided by the membership.
5.5. In the event of a position on the committee becoming vacant during the year, the committee may ask the membership to elect a replacement at any club meeting.
5.6. The committee will:
5.6.1. Meet at least once every three months.
5.6.2. Ensure that the club is insured to cover public liability, equipment loss or damage and personal liability for committee members.
5.6.3. Publish a set of rules governing the running of club competitions.
5.6.4. Appoint member(s) to represent the Club at Y.P.U. meetings.
6. Subscriptions
6.1. Subscriptions are due annually on the first Monday in October each year.
6.2. Any person under 21 at the start of the club year, usually the 1st October, will be given free membership and entry until the beginning of the next club year.
6.3. Parents or guardians of a young person, or the carer of a vulnerable adult will not be charged an annual membership fee, or an entry fee, unless they personally wish to enter competitions.
6.4. Subscription fees to be fixed annually at the AGM.
6.5. Any member who becomes two months in arrears will be regarded as a non-member and will have to re-apply for membership.
6.6. To enter a club or YPU competitions, subscriptions must be a paid by the date of the competition hand in.
7. Annual General Meeting (AGM)
7.1. The Annual General Meeting to be held on the second Monday in December, or as soon after as can be arranged. There must be in attendance at least 20% of the members to form a quorum before the meeting can proceed.
7.2. Notices of motions affecting Club Rules shall be given to the Secretary and made available to members at least two weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting.
8. Extra Ordinary Meetings (EGM)
8.1. An extra-ordinary general meeting will be called by the committee, if requested in writing to the Secretary by any six members of the club. The meeting to take place within fourteen days of any such request.
9. Club Competition Rules
9.1. The committee shall be empowered to make any changes that may be required for the effective running of club competitions, any such proposals to amend competition rules will be communicated to all members by email and newsletter at least two weeks prior to the proposed implementation.
9.2. Any member having objections to any such changes should put their objections in writing to the President or Competition Secretary within the two weeks’ notice period. Any objections will be raised at the next available club meeting and voted on, at which the majority shall decide.
10. Finances
10.1. The club’s financial year shall end on the 30th of September to ensure the accounts be audited in time for submission to the membership at the AGM.
11. Dissolution of the Club
11.1. The decision to wind up the club may only be taken when the funds of the club are insufficient for the club to run properly, and/or the membership has fallen to eight (8) or less, this decision can only be taken at an EGM or AGM. In the absence of a quorum at such a meeting, a motion signed by at least 50% of the surviving membership shall constitute agreement to wind up the club.
11.2.After discharging all debts and liabilities of the club, the remaining assets are to be given or transferred to some other charitable institution or institutions, having objectives similar to the club and agreed by the remaining members.