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Constitution
of
COPING
(Derbyshire
Chronic Pain Support Group)
1.
Name
The name of the
organisation shall be COPING (Derbyshire Chronic Pain Support
Group), hereafter called The Group'.
2.
Objects
The objects of the
Group shall be:
1. To help to
improve the quality of life for people experiencing chronic pain,
and their families and partners, by providing emotional support,
relevant up-to-date information and appropriate
activities.
2. To raise
awareness of the problems and experiences of the above group of
people within the statutory and voluntary sector and the general
public.
3. To organise
regular support group meetings and other activities and events for
the benefit of members.
4. To maintain
links with the Southern Derbyshire Pain Management Programme and
encourage discussion regarding issues of concern.
5.
To
5. Liaise with groups and organisations with similar
aims.
3.
Powers
In order to achieve
its objects but not otherwise the Group may:
1. Raise funds and
invite and receive contributions from any person or persons
whatsoever by way of subscriptions, donations or
otherwise.
2. Collect and
disseminate information on all matters regarding the said
objects.
3. Promote and
carry out or assist in promoting and carrying out research, surveys
and investigations and publish the useful results thereof for the
benefit of the public.
4. Promote
positively equal opportunities within the community and within the
membership.
5. Arrange and
provide for, or join in arranging and providing for, the holding of
events, meetings, workshops, exhibitions, lectures, conferences,
seminars and training courses.
6. Cause to be
written and printed, or otherwise reproduced, and circulated such
leaflets or other documents which will further the said
objects.
7. Support members
to become more effective by encouraging attendance at seminars,
conferences and training courses.
8. Co-operate with
other charities, voluntary groups/organisations and statutory
authorities operating in furtherance of the objects or of similar
charitable purposes and to exchange information and advice with
them.
9. Do all such
other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of the
objects.
4.
Membership
Membership of the
Group is open to anyone, who is interested in furthering the
objects, willing to abide by the constitution and to pay any
subscription fee as may be laid down annually by the
Committee.
Every member shall
have one vote.
The Committee may
by unanimous vote, and for good reason, terminate the membership of
any individual provided that the individual concerned shall have the
right to be heard by the Committee, accompanied by a person of their
choice, before a final decision is made.
The Committee shall
have the right, for good reason, to refuse membership. A
written
explanation shall be given if requested.
5.
Officers
At the Annual General Meeting of the Group the
members shall elect from amongst themselves a Chair, Vice-Chair,
Secretary, Treasurer who shall hold office from the conclusion of
that meeting.
6.
Committee
The policy and
general management of the affairs of the Group shall be directed by
a Committee which consists of not more than 10 members and not less
than 6.
The members shall be elected at the
Annual General Meeting.
Election to the Committee shall be for one year
and all members shall retire annually but shall be eligible for
re-election.
Only members of the
Group shall be eligible to serve as members of the Committee. At
least 60% of the Committee shall be people experiencing chronic
pain.
The Committee may
from time to time co-opt further members, who may serve until the
conclusion of the next AGM, if appropriate. Co-opted members shall
not make up more than one third of the Committee and shall have
voting rights.
Any casual vacancy in the Committee may be filled by the
Committee and any person appointed shall hold office until the
conclusion of the next AGM and shall be eligible for election at the
meeting. He/she shall have voting rights.
7
Meetings
The Committee shall hold at least 6
ordinary meetings each year.
The Chair shall chair all meetings of the
Committee and the Group. If he/she is absent from any meeting, then
the Vice-Chair shall chair. If both the Chair and Vice-Chair are
absent, then members present shall choose one of their number to be
chair of the meeting before any other business is
transacted.
The quorum for Committee meetings
shall be 4.
Voting at Committee meetings shall be by a show
of hands. If there is a tied vote, then the Chair shall have a
second casting vote.
The Committee shall keep minutes, in books kept
for the purpose, of the proceedings at meetings of the Committee and
any sub-committee.
8
Finance
Any money obtained
by COPING shall be used only for the Group.
Any bank
accounts opened for the Group shall be in the name of the
Group.
Proper accounts shall be kept with regard to
all monies received by and paid out by the Group. The Treasurer and
one other nominated official shall sign the
cheques.
Members shall be entitled to claim out of
pocket expenses as determined by the
Committee.
9.
Annual General Meeting
An Annual General Meeting of the Group shall be
held in the month of June in each year or as soon as practicable
thereafter.
Every AGM shall be called by the Committee. The
Secretary shall give at least 14 days' notice of the meeting and a
list of people willing to stand for the Committee to all members,
who shall be entitled to attend and vote.
The business of the
AGM shall include:
• a report from the
Chair on the Group's activities over the year,
• a report from the
Treasurer on the finances of the Group,
• election of the
committee
• any other
business
The quorum for the
AGM and any General Meeting shall be one-fifth of membership or 10
members, whichever is greater.
10.
Special General Meeting
A Special General
Meeting may be called by:
1. The Committee,
or
2. At least
one-fifth of membership or 10 members, whichever is greater, having
signed a motion to discuss an urgent matter. The Secretary shall
give all members at least 7 days' notice of any Special General
Meeting together with notice of the business to be
discussed.
11.
Dissolution Alterations to the
Constitution
Any changes to this
Constitution must be agreed by at least two thirds of those members
present and voting at any General Meeting. Such General Meeting
shall be called under the rules laid down in sections 9 and
10.
The Group may be wound up at any time if agreed
by at least two thirds of those members present and voting at any
General Meeting. In the event of winding up, any assets remaining,
after all debts have been paid, shall be given to another Group with
similar aims.
13
Adoption of the Constitution
This
was adopted on the 11th February 2002
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