Constitution    

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CONSTITUTION OF THE AUTISM TAKE 5 GROUP

1. TITLE

The group shall be known as Autism Take 5 Group (hereinafter referred to as the Group)

2. OBJECTS

The charitable objects for which the Group are established are:

a. To promote any charitable purposes for the benefit of parents and carers of any individual with autism, with or without a diagnosis, particularly those experiencing social isolation, in North and South Lanarkshire and in particular the advancement of health and social activities.

b. To provide relevant information, advice and support to parents and carers of any individual with autism, with or without a diagnosis.

c. To provide, or assist in the provision of, facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation and other leisure-time occupation generally.

d. To do all other things as will properly attain the above purposes.

3. MEMBERSHIP

Membership of Autism Take 5 Group will be open to anyone residing North and South Lanarkshire. Members can join the group after completing a registration form.

This will be regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religions, sex, sexuality, marital status, disabilities or disadvantaged by conditions or requirements, which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

4. OFFICE BEARER AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

a. The Office Bearers of the Group shall consist of Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, other such Office Bearers as may be deemed necessary by the Committee.

b. The management of the Group shall be vested in a Committee of the Office Bearers and a minimum of three ordinary members of the Group.

c. Members of the Committee shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). They shall be committee members for one year and shall be eligible for re-election. The committee shall elect Office Bearers (to hold office for one year) at the earliest possible meeting.

d. The committee shall meet four times annually or when it is felt a meeting is necessary.

5. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

It shall be a condition of membership that members at all times conduct themselves in a reasonable manner at meetings or in premises used by the organisation. Any member may be excluded for breach of this condition, or for any other conduct contravening the aims of the organisation, by a majority of those present and voting at any Management Committee or General Meeting. Any members so excluded shall have a right of appeal to the following General Meeting.

The Group will be non-party in politics and non-sectarian in religion.

6. FINANCE

a. All monies raised by or on behalf of the Group shall be applied to further the objects of the Group and no other purpose.

b. The Treasurer shall open and maintain a banking account in the name of the Group and shall keep proper accounts of income and expenditure and report on them or deliver them up as required by the Management Committee.

c. Such accounts shall be audited or examined at least once a year by auditors/or independent examiners appointed by the Annual General Meeting.

d. All cheques shall be signed by the Treasurer and any one of two Management Committee members nominated by the Committee as signatories.

7. SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS

Meetings of the support group are held weekly (during term-time) and are facilitator led. In the event of a grievance, the member or members should submit their complaint to either the Chair, Treasurer or Secretary for consideration and pursuit of an outcome acceptable to all the parties involved. If the complaint cannot be resolved or involves all 3 of the aforementioned office bearers, the complaint will be forwarded to the Community Learning and Development Department at North Lanarkshire Council for remediation.

8. GENERAL MEETINGS

The Management Committee shall arrange to hold general meetings not less than 4 times each year: the general meetings may coincide with special General Meeting and/or the AGM. Full members shall be able to vote on decisions that shall be taken by a simple majority of full members present and voting.

8. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

The Chairperson and Secretary of the Group may, at times, call a special meeting of the Group either for the purpose of altering the constitution or for considering any matter which the Management Committee may decide should be referred to the members in general. They shall call such a meeting at the request of not less than 4 committee members or on receipt of a written petition by not less than 9 members of the organisation giving reasons for their request.

9. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:

Any proposals to alter this constitution must be submitted to the Secretary of the Group not less than 28 days before the meeting at which it is to be discussed. Not less than 21 days notice shall be given of such a meeting together with the wording of the proposed alteration(s). Any alteration shall require the approval of two thirds of those present and voting at the meeting.

10. ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION:

Any proposal to this Constitution must be submitted to the Secretary of the Group not less than 28 days before the meeting at which it is to be discussed. Not less than 21 days notice shall be given of such a meeting together with the wording of the proposed alteration(s). Any alteration shall require the approval of two thirds of those present and voting at the meeting.

11. DISSOLUTION OF THE GROUP

a. In the event of winding up or dissolution of the Group a Special General Meeting shall be held to formally dissolve the Group. Notice of the meeting and the purpose for which it was called shall be circulated to all members of the Group 21 days before the date of the meeting.

b. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities including the return of those items and assets advanced or on loan shall not be paid to or distributed among members of the association but shall be given or transferred to a recognised charitable body or bodies having similar aims to those of the association.