1. Name: the name of the organisation shall be "Banda Sem Nome" (hereinafter known as 'the band')

2. Aims: the aims of the band are to develop arts (in particular live music) within the local community by:

(a) Supporting and promoting local arts, crafts and music events as deemed appropriate by the band Committee and

(b) Supporting and promoting the development of percussion / music skills by, and for, the local community.

Performances of the band within Alvechurch, Hopwood and Rowney Green will generally be free of charge, although this shall be at the discretion of the Committee.

The band may also play at events outside Alvechurch as approved by the Committee, for payment / expenses or otherwise as deemed appropriate by the committee.

3. Membership and Attendance

(a) The band will consist of Adult Members, Child Members and Associate Members.

(b) Adult Members: The term 'Adult Member' shall refer to a person over the age of 14 years who has attended a minimum of five practice sessions and whose membership has been approved by the Committee. Only Adult Members shall have voting rights at an AGM or Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), and shall elect at each AGM a minimum of 6 Adult Members to serve on a  Committee which will conduct the affairs of the band.

(c) Adult Membership shall automatically cease in the case of any member who does not attend any practice sessions during a period of time which includes five practice sessions, or who attends fewer than 5 practice sessions in 12 months, unless the Secretary is informed of a satisfactory (in the opinion of the Committee) reason for such non-attendance. In exceptional circumstances the Committee may withdraw the membership of an individual following a vote in which two thirds of the Committee members present vote in favour of the withdrawal of such membership.

(d) Child Members: The term 'Child Member' refers to a person under the age of 14 years who has

attended a minimum of five practice sessions and whose membership has been approved by the Committee. A member of the committee will be assigned special responsibility to liaise with the child members and to represent their views at committee. The Committee may limit the number of Child Members at their discretion, so as to preserve an approximate adult:child ratio of 2 : 1.

(e) Children have been an important part of the band since its inception. However no child under 14 years of age shall attend practices or performances without a responsible adult (that is an adult willing to accept responsibility for the welfare and conduct of the child).

(f) Associate Members: The term 'Associate Member' shall refer to a person (child or adult) who has applied to join the band, but has attended fewer than five practice sessions during the 12 months preceeding an Annual General Meeting, and/or whose application has yet to be considered by the Committee.

(g) Individual applications to join the band will be considered at the discretion of the Committee. The Committee may impose a joining fee, and a charge for attendance at practice sessions etc, and may also impose a limit on the total membership number as appropriate, taking into consideration such factors as the size of the room available for practice sessions, levels of attendance etc).

4. Meetings of the Committee:

(a) The Committee shall arrange meetings at a time and place agreeable to the Committee.

(b) The quorum for a meeting shall consist of at least 4 Committee members.

(c) The Secretary shall arrange to have notices of meetings and agendas circulated to all members of the Committee no later than 3 days before any meeting.

(d) A typical agenda for a meeting shall include the following: 1) Attendance and apologies; 2) Minutes of the last meeting; 3) Matters arising from the minutes; 4) Treasurer's report; 5) Other matters arising; 6) Any Other Business; 7) Correspondence; 8) Date of Next Meeting.

(e) The Committee shall be able to, after a vote has

been taken, co-opt any members to replace retiring members of the committee, or fill any other vacancies as they see fit.

(f) If the Chair is absent from any meeting, those Committee members present shall, prior to the conduct of any business elect one of their number to Chair the meeting

(g) Every matter shall (except as in this constitution) be determined by the majority of the voting members present.

(h) Voting shall be by a show of hands unless a secret ballot is called for by a voting member.

(i) The outcome of votes shall be recorded in minutes of the meeting.

(j)  The Chair presiding at any meeting shall hold one vote, and in the case of equality of votes,  a casting vote.

5. Annual General meeting:

(a) The AGM will be held every 12 months. All Committee members shall stand down from the Committee at the AGM but shall be eligible for re-election.

(b) The business of the meeting shall be chaired by the Chair of the outgoing Committee prior to the election of the new Committee

(c) The Adult Members of the band shall elect the following officers of the Committee:

Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Instrument Gaffer, Events Co-ordinator, Membership Secretary, and   other adult representatives as appropriate.

(d) The agenda for the AGM shall be as follows: 1) Attendance and apologies; 2) Minutes of the last AGM; 3) Matters arising from the minutes; 4) Constitution; 5) Treasurer's Report; 6) Any Matters Arising; 7) Chair's Report; 8) Election of the Committee; 9) Appointment of Auditors; 10) Date of next ordinary meeting

6. Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)

(a) An EGM of the band members can be called at the request in writing to the Secretary, of at least 4 Adult Members.

(b) 48 hours notice must be given for such meetings.

(c) The EGM must be attended by all Adult Members who caused the meeting to be held. Decisions must be approved by a majority of at least 50% of all Adult Members.

(d) An EGM shall be Chaired by the Chair of the Committee, or in his / her absence by another

member of the Commitee.

(e) An EGM shall discuss only what the meeting has been called for, and no other business; and any decision must have the agreement of over 50% of the whole voting membership of the band.

7. Minutes

(a) The Secretary shall ensure that minutes are kept of every meeting.

8. Accounts

(a) The Treasurer shall ensure that suitable books and accounts are kept, and that the income and expenditure of the band are correctly entered therein

(b) The books and accounts shall be audited annually by an independent auditor who shall be chosen at the AGM

9. Constitution

(a) Alterations to this constitution must receive the assent of not less than two thirds of the votes cast, in a ballot, at the AGM and must be binding on the Committee until the next AGM. Votes may be cast by members present at the meeting, or by written proxy.

(b) A resolution for the alteration of the constitution must be received in writing by the Secretary at least 28 days before the AGM, at which the resolution is to be brought forward.

10. Dissolution

At an AGM, or EGM, if it is the opinion of two thirds of the whole voting membership of the band that they cannot continue:

all assets may be realised at the discretion of the Committee; and the proceeds (or the assets themselves), together with any residue funds shall, after all debts etc., have been dealt with, be given to Alvechurch Schools, for the benefit of pupils.

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