Constitution
TITLE
The Society will be known as "The Highworth Choral Society" hereinafter called "The Society".
OBJECTS
The aims of The Society are:
To promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of choral music by the presentation of public concerts sung to the highest possible attainable standard and other activities involving or relating to the whole spectrum of song incorporating choral music.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership of The Society shall be open to singers who have paid the current membership fee, provided that:
a. The Committee shall have the right (although no auditions are held) to refuse membership and renewal of membership to applicants they consider unsuitable and
b. prospective members shall be permitted to attend four choir rehearsals without being required to apply for membership.
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE
a. The Official Committee shall consist of the following Officers:
Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer and not less than two and not more than five other members.
b. The Musical Director, Pianist, or any member may be co-opted on to the Committee for one or more meetings as is thought fit.
c. The Chairman or Secretary and any three members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.
d. Officers can serve for three consecutive years without re-election, unless a member expresses an interest in taking over a position on the Committee. In this case an election would take place at the next AGM. Serving Officers must stand for re-election after their three-year tenure if they wish to continue in the role.
MANAGEMENT
All the arrangements for Concerts and other events, and control of finance, shall be in the hands of the Committee who may delegate to a music sub-committee such powers and duties as they think fit.
MUSIC SUB-COMMITTEE
A Music Sub-Committee may be elected by the Committee, consisting of the Librarian, Musical Director and two other members of the committee. The sub-committee shall appoint a member to be responsible for convening meetings and reporting decisions of the sub-committee to the full committee.
FINANCE
a. The Society's financial year shall run from the 1st August.
b. An annual subscription shall be charged to the members at a rate to be determined at the General Meeting of the Society. The meeting may agree a concessionary rate or rates if it sees fit.
c. For any new member joining after 1st January, or any member returning after January 1st who has missed a full calendar year of the Society's activity, the subscription rate will be 60% of the current full fee.
For any new member joining after 1st April, or any member returning after April 1st who has missed a full calendar year of the Society's activity, the subscription rate will be 30% of the current full fee.
Guests who wish to rehearse for and sing in a single concert may (at the Committee's discretion) be accepted at a rate of 30% of the current full fee, but will not be eligible to vote in any of the Society's meetings.
There will be no concession or refund of fees to any member who is unable to, or does not wish to, rehearse for or sing in any of the Society's concerts.
d. If the Committee deems it necessary for the financial stability of the Society, an additional fee may be charged to those members attending each rehearsal meeting at a rate to be determined by the committee, for as long as they consider that the fee is required.
e. A bank account shall be maintained in the name of The Society and cheques shall be signed on behalf of The Society by any two of the Treasurer, Chairman or Secretary.
f. The Society may receive donations, grants in aid, and financial guarantees. Tickets for any or all of its concerts or other events may be offered for sale to the public.
g. The income and property of The Society, wheresoever derived, shall be applied towards promoting the objects of The Society as set forth above and to cover donations to charitable causes and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred either directly or indirectly to any members of The Society except in payment of legitimate expenses incurred on behalf of The Society or as professional fees.
h. In the event of the winding-up or dissolution of The Society any remaining assets after all liabilities have been discharged shall not be transferred or paid to any member or members of The Society but shall be transferred to a charitable organisation whose objects are similar to those of The Society and whose Constitution precludes the distribution of income and assets amongst its members.
GENERAL MEETING
a. The Annual General Meeting shall be held within six weeks after the 1st September each year. Fourteen days notice shall be given to all members.
b. The Agenda shall include the election of Officers, Independent Examiner and Committee Members and the presentation of accounts approved by the Independent Examiner.
c. Only fully paid-up members (as at 31st March) will be entitled to vote.
AMENDMENTS
Subject to the following provisions of this clause the Constitution may be altered by a resolution passed by not less than two thirds of the members present and voting at a general meeting. The notice of the general meeting must include notice of the resolution, setting out the terms of the alteration proposed. No amendment may be made to the Title clause, the Objects or this clause without the prior consent in writing of the Commissioners. No amendment may be made which would have the effect of making the Charity cease to be a charity at law. The Committee should promptly send to the Commission a copy of any amendment made under this clause.
GENERAL
Any matters in dispute not covered by this Constitution shall be dealt with by the Committee.
Adopted 30 April 1990 / Amended 13 May 1992, 23 September 2002,
13 September 2004, 25 September 2017, 26thSeptember 2022