Group Constitution

CONSTITUTION

NAME OF THE ORGANISATION

The name of the organisation shall be Herefordshire Service User Network (SUN)

OBJECTS OF THE ORGANISATION

To engage and support all disabled/impaired people living in Herefordshire by providing an independent Network, information and accessible regular meeting environments, to reduce isolation, improve self-esteem, offer peer support and to promote inclusion and engagement with their service provision with aims toward encouraging the positive aspects of independent living. Also to promote effective methods of service user involvement by appropriate consultation and liaison with the local authority, voluntary or other organisations.

MEMBERSHIP

Full Membership = formal members who can vote at an A.G.M.

Associate membership = members who are full participants in Network activities and consultations but do not have a full member vote.

1.1 Full Membership is open to any disabled/impaired person living in the County of Herefordshire.

1.2 Full Membership is open to service user controlled groups/organisations in Herefordshire.

1.3 Associate Membership open to supportive non-service user controlled Organisations and individuals.

2.1 The Committee may only refuse an application for membership if, acting reasonably and properly, they consider it to be in the best interests of the Network to refuse the application.

2.2 The Committee must inform the applicant in writing of the reasons for the refusal within twenty-one days of the decision.

2.3 The Committee must consider any written representations the applicant may make about the decision. The Committee' decision following any written representations must be notified to the applicant in writing but shall be final.

(3) Membership is not transferable to anyone else.

(4) The Committee must keep a register of all contact details.

Termination of membership

1. The member dies or, if it is an Organisation, ceases to exist;

2. The member resigns by written notice to the Network unless, after the resignation, there would be less than two members;

3. The member is removed from the membership by a resolution of the Committee that is in the best interests of the Network that his or her membership is terminated

A resolution to remove a member from membership may only be passed if; -

a. The member has been given at least 21 days notice in writing of the meeting of the Committee at which the resolution will be proposed

b. The member or, at the option of the member, the members representative has been allowed to make representative to the meeting.

THE COMMITTEE

a. A Committee shall be elected to carry out the business of the Network.

b. The Committee shall be made up of a minimum of 6 members, 70% of those having a disablility/impairment, to include Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary/Treasurer (this post may be the same person if required) and a maximum of 8 general members. The final 30% must have a qualification in or a direct experience of disability.

c. The Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. Vacancies arising through the year can be filled by elections at General Meetings.

d. Officers shall carry out the duties given to them at General Meetings.

e. The Committee shall meet no less than 4 times per year but preferably bi-monthly

f. Minutes of Committee meetings shall be available to all members.

g. The Committee can introduce or appoint new members as required.

h. Committee members have to be members of the Network

i. No Committee member may receive any benefit from being a Committee member other than legitimate expenses, i.e. travel

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

a. There shall be an Annual General Meeting held every 12 months and no more than 15 months, at which the Committee
will report on its work, present a statement of accounts and stand down to seek re-election.

b. The AGM shall elect a new Committee, vote on recommendations and any amendments to the Constitution.

c. The Secretary will notify all members of the date of the meeting not less than 14 days before the AGM.

OTHER GENERAL MEETINGS

(a). Any Special General Meeting open to all members will be held if 6 or, more than a third of the total membership agree at a general meeting or submit in writing a request for such a meeting to the Secretary. The secretary shall arrange for the meeting to take place within 14 days.

b. The secretary will publicise all General Meetings at least 5 days in advance.

QUORUM

No General Meeting or Annual General Meeting shall take place if less than 30% of the full membership is present. No Committee meeting shall take place if less than 4 members of the Committee are present. If the Secretary/Treasurer is one person then the meeting can take place if there are 3 Members present.

CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION

a. The Constitution can be altered at an AGM or Special General meeting.

b. Any suggested changes must be handed to the secretary 14 days before the AGM.

c. Changes must be agreed by two thirds of the members present at the meeting.

DISSOLUTION

a. The organisation may only be dissolved at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose and must be advertised 14 days before the meeting.

b. A proposal to dissolve the Network shall take effect only if agreed by two thirds of the members present at the meeting.

c. Funds and possessions will be disposed of by transfer to any Organisation for purposes the same as or similar to the this Organisation

FINANCE

The funds of the Network, including all donations contributions and bequests, shall be paid into an account operated by the Committee in
the name of the Network at such bank, as the Committee shall decide. All cheques drawn on the account must be signed by at least two members of the Committee.

All funds belonging to the organisation can only be used in furthering the aims