Constitution
Friends of St Mary’s
Chilham 2017
1 Our Purpose
Is to promote and help in the maintenance of our beautiful historic church of St Mary’s Chilham including preservation, repair, improvement and enhancement.
2 Our Aims
To promote a wide interest in the care and preservation of our church, its history and its work and to provide a focus of support for it.
To raise additional funds for the maintenance of its fabric, interior decorations and furnishings so as to assist the PCC.
The PCC will continue to be responsible for the day to day running of the church. The Friends shall not undertake permanent trading activities in raising funds.
To invite, promote and receive donations and contributions in pursuit of these aims and in time to seek Charity Status.
3 Our rules
The name of the society shall be “Friends of St Mary’s Church Chilham”
Membership of Friends of St Mary’s Church Chilham shall be open to anyone interested in the objects of the Friends and who has paid the annual membership subscription of £25 which was agreed at the Committee meeting on June 6th, 2017.
Membership shall be available to anyone without regard to gender, race, nationality, disability, sexual preference, religion or belief.
The affairs of Friends of St Mary’s Church Chilham shall be managed by a committee to include a chair, secretary and treasurer, membership secretary, Social and Events secretary and up to two co-opted members. At least one member of the Committee shall be a member of the Parochial Church Council who will be a non-voting observer.
The Chairperson shall chair all meetings of the group.
The quorum of the management committee meetings shall be 4 members. In the absence of a Chairperson, those present should elect a chairperson for the meeting from their number.
Voting at Management committee meetings shall be by a show of hands. If there is a tied vote, then the Chairperson shall have a second vote.
4 The Annual General Meeting
The AGM shall be held within 4 months of the end of the financial year of the society. The financial year shall end on December 31st. The AGM shall appoint the committee for the following year.
The AGM shall also
Receive the independently examined accounts for the previous year. The accounts will be inspected by an independent examiner.
Liaise with the PCC regarding recommendations from the Friends committee concerning the use of any funds raised.
Consider other matters which might further the aims of the Friends.
All members shall be given at least 14 days notice of the AGM and shall be entitled to attend and vote. The quorum for an AGM shall be 30% of the members
The business of the AGM shall include
Receiving reports from the Chairperson.
Receiving a report from the Treasurer on the finances of the group. Electing a Management Committee.
Considering any other matter as may be decided.
5 The committee shall
Meet at least three times a year.
Liaise with the PCC so we can ensure that there is a positive outcome and advise the Annual meeting of Friends regarding the needs of the church.
Consider possible fund-raising activities.
Consider other matters which might further the aims of the Friends.
6 A bank account
is open with name of “Friends of St Mary’s Church Chilham” There are four signatories any two unrelated of whom are both required to authorise payments or transfers from the account.
7 The rules
may be amended by two thirds majority of the members present at the AGM provided that 14 days notice of the proposed amendment has been sent to all members.
8 In the event of the dissolution of the Friends
any monies held shall be passed to the Parochial Church Council of St Mary’s Church Chilham, to be held as Restricted Funds to be spent only in accordance with the aims of the Friends as set out in Section 2 of this Constitution.