UKSMG Constitution

1). NAME:

The Group shall be known as "The UK Six Metre Group", hereinafter known as "the Group".

2). AIMS:

The aims of the group will be:-

1. to encourage operation on the Six Metre Band,
2. to publicise and exchange information relating this band with other users,
3. to bring to the attention of appropriate official bodies any special aspects associated with Six
4. Metre Band operation which merit attention.

3). MEMBERSHIP:

1. Membership of the group shall be open to all persons. The Committee reserves the right, in exceptional cases, to refuse an application for membership.
2. The committee shall be empowered to expel any member whose conduct, in the committee's opinion, is considered to be prejudicial to the aims and interests of the Group. No member shall be expelled without first being given the opportunity to appear before the committee.
3. At its sole discretion, the committee shall be empowered to grant to an individual Honorary Membership of the group. Such membership shall carry all the rights of full membership but be free from annual subscription.

4). SUBSCRIPTIONS:

1. The annual subscription for membership shall be determined from time to time by the committee.
2. All subscriptions shall be due and payable on the anniversary date. Members in arrears will be treated as non-members until any subscription(s) due is (are) fully discharged.
3. In special circumstances the committee shall have the power to waive or reduce subscriptions payable by an individual member.

5) ADMINISTRATION:

The Groups affairs shall be administered by a committee comprised of officers and ordinary members. The officers shall comprise a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary. There shall not be more than 6 and no fewer than 4 ordinary members of committee. For a period of one year after relinquishing office, the past chairman shall serve as an ex-officio member of the committee.

6) ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND ORDINARY COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

1. Officers and ordinary committee members shall be elected annually by a postal ballot (see 6(j)).
2. The term of office for both officers and ordinary members of committee shall commence on the date of their election and continue until the date of the next election.
3. For the postal ballot, a Returning Officer who is not a member of the group shall be nominated by the Chairman, and the name of the Returning Officer circulated to members with ballot papers. The decisions of the Returning Officer shall be final.
4. Members wishing to stand for election as officers or ordinary members of the group shall submit a nomination to the Secretary no later than six weeks prior to the published date of the election.
5. A valid nomination shall bear the signatures of a proposer and a seconder, both of whom shall be fully paid-up members of the Group. The nominee will signify his/her willingness to stand for election and may submit a short statement stating his/her qualifications for candidacy.
6. Serving officers or ordinary committee members are not debarred from standing for re-election.
7. No later than thirty days before the scheduled date of an election, the Secretary shall send to all fully paid-up members of the Group valid ballot papers containing details of all those offering themselves for election.
8. Members of the Group wishing to vote shall send their completed ballot papers to the Returning Officers postmarked no later than the due date stated on the ballot papers.
9. The results of the ballot shall be announced at the Annual General Meeting and by a statement in a group publication circulated to all members.
10. Following a postal ballot, if there remain unfilled posts for officers or ordinary members of committee, these posts may be filled at an Annual General Meeting by candidates being nominated and seconded from the floor and a vote taken by a show of hands. A simple majority shall determine the outcome.
11. The committee through a vetting proceedure shall appoint the Treasurer.

7). FINANCE: The Treasurer shall:

1. maintain the Group's accounts.
2. be responsible for the safe keeping of Group funds under his/her control.
3. advise the committee on all financial matters pertaining to the activities and aims of the group.

Withdrawals of Group funds up to one hundred pounds shall require only the signature of the Treasurer. Sums in excess of this amount shall require the signature of the Treasurer and one other of the group's officers.

8). ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:

Members shall receive notification of the date, time and venue of an Annual General Meeting provided that not less than 28 days prior to the scheduled date of the such meeting. The committee shall be empowered to call an Extraordinary General Meeting provided that not less than 28 days notice of the scheduled date of such meeting is notified in writing to group members. The agenda for an Annual General Meeting shall be:

• Apologies for absence
• Minutes of previous meeting
• Chairman's report
  
• Secretary's report
• Treasurer's report
• Result of postal ballot
• Election of any officers and ordinary members of committee to offices not filled by postal ballot
• Any other business

9). COMMITTEE:

1. The committee shall meet not less than twice annually. Any two officers of the Group or any three ordinary members of committee may call for a committee meeting to be held provided that 28 days notice of the date of the meeting is given.
2. A quorum of the Committee will be deemed to be present if two officers and three other members of the committee are present.
3. The Chairman will preside at all meetings at which he/she is present.
4. The Secretary shall keep Minutes of all committee meetings.
5. All elected committee members present at committee meetings shall be entitled to vote.

10). PUBLICATIONS:

1. The committee shall make all necessary arrangements to ensure a flow of information to Group members and shall appoint an editor for the Group's publication.
2. An editor who is not an elected officer or ordinary committee member shall be permitted to attend committee meetings but not be entitled to vote.

11). CONSTITUTION:

The Constitution may be amended from time to time subject to the following conditions:

1. proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing and signed by a proposer and seconder, both of whom must be fully paid-up members of the Group.
   
2. members will be balloted on such amendments.
   
3. at least sixty percentage of votes cast must be in favour for any amendment to gain acceptance.