The Constitution of the Orpington Astronomical Society

Title

1) The Society shall be named The Orpington Astronomical Society.

Objects

2) The objects of the Society shall be the education of the inhabitants of Orpington and the surrounding areas in Astronomy, and the provision of facilities for active participation in astronomical observation.

Management

3) In furtherance of the objects but not further or otherwise the Society shall have the following powers:

(a). the organization of regular meetings for lectures and discussion.

(b). the maintenance of a library of astronomical works and the dissemination of current astronomical information.

(c). the foundation and maintenance of an observatory, and, or equipment. The organization and training of members in observational techniques and procedures.

(d). such other means as the Committee shall from time to time decide.

4) The Committee shall be empowered to recommend to the Annual General Meeting the appointment of a Life President or President. The Life President or President shall be an Honorary Member with the same privileges as an Ordinary Member, except that he/she may not be eligible to vote although he shall be entitled to attend all committee meetings. The Life President shall be entitled to serve as Chairman and be able to vote in this capacity.

5) The management of the Society shall be vested in the committee, who shall be solely responsible for the organization, activities and finances of the Society.

6) The Committee shall consist of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Programme Secretary, Observing Officer and four other members. Members of the committee may be called upon to undertake other specific responsibilities at the discretion of the Chairman or, in his absence, his deputy. Ordinary members may only attend Committee meetings at the invitation of the Chairman or, in his absence, his deputy. Five members shall constitute a quorum. In the event of the Committee failing to reach agreement on any issue the Chairman shall have a casting vote. In the absence of the Chairman his powers and duties shall devolve on the Vice-Chairman, if available, otherwise upon such other Committee member as the Chairman or Vice-Chairman shall appoint.

Membership

7) The Treasurer shall be responsible to the Committee for all financial affairs of the Society. He shall receive all money due to the Society and shall pay all sums due by the Society. He shall keep the Society accounts and prepare an income and expenditure account for presentation at every Annual General Meeting. His signature shall be sufficient receipt for monies due to the Society. A bank account shall be maintained in the name of The Orpington Astronomical Society. All cheques drawn on the account must be completed in full before being signed by two of the elected officers.

8) An Honorary Auditor shall be appointed who shall inspect the books of account and make such enquiries of the Treasurer and other officers as deems necessary. He shall submit and sign a report on the Society's accounts to the Annual General Meeting. The Honorary Auditor shall retire at the Annual General Meeting but shall be eligible for re-election.

9) Only paid up members shall be eligible for election to the committee. The Committee shall be subject to re-election at every Annual General Meeting. Retiring Officers and members of the Committee shall be eligible for re-election, provided that at least two members shall stand down each year and shall not be eligible to serve again for one year, and further that no-one shall serve as Chairman or Vice Chairman for more than three consecutive years, and shall not be eligible to serve in the same capacity for at least two years. A retiring Chairman or Vice-Chairman shall however be eligible for re-election to the Committee in any other capacity.

10) The Committee shall have power to fill vacancies arising between Annual General Meetings, and shall have power to co-opt additional members as required, provided that such co-opted members shall automatically retire at the succeeding Annual General Meeting.

11) The Committee shall have power to appoint sub-committees to carry out specific functions. The Convenor of a sub-committee shall ordinarily be a member of the Committee and shall report to the Committee.

12) Membership of the Society shall be open to any interested person at the discretion of the Committee.

13) The Committee shall also be empowered to recommend to the Annual General Meeting the appointment of Honorary Members. The total number of Honorary Members at no time to exceed five.

14) The Committee shall have power to terminate the membership of any person who in their view has acted against the Society's interests. Such person shall have the right of appeal against the expulsion.

15) All members shall, upon notification of their membership being confirmed, be liable to pay an Annual Subscription, with the exception of Honorary Members.

Meetings

16) The amounts of the Entrance Fee and Annual Subscription shall be determined by the Committee for the coming year, prior to the end of the proceeding year, and shall not otherwise be altered except at the Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General Meeting called for the purpose. The Annual subscription shall be due on the 1st January each year and shall cover the Society's financial year which shall be from 1st January to 31st December. Any member whose Annual subscription remains in arrears on the 30th June shall be deemed to have terminated his membership.

17) The Annual General Meeting shall ordinarily be held on the third Thursday in February, or on a date as close to that as can be arranged, Written notice shall be given to the membership at least two weeks prior to the date of the meeting.

18) At the Annual General Meeting the Officers shall present their reports, the election of the Committee shall be held and the rates of Entrance Fee and Annual Subscription for the current year fixed. At an Annual General Meeting fifteen members shall constitute a quorum.

19) An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be convened by the Chairman or, in his absence, his deputy on receipt of a written request signed by five members of the Committee or ten ordinary members and stating the purpose for which the meeting is required. The written notice convening the Extraordinary General Meeting shall be issued to members not less than two weeks prior to the date of the meeting and shall specify the business to be transacted thereat, and no other business shall be permitted. At an Extraordinary General Meeting fifteen members shall constitute a quorum.

20) General Meetings shall ordinarily be held on a Thursday of the months October to June inclusive. All meetings shall be held at the discretion of the Committee, who shall be responsible for deciding the time and place of the meeting, arranging the programme, and notifying the membership. Additional meetings, observing sessions, etc., may be arranged at the discretion of the Committee.

Amendments to the Rules

21) No alteration to the Constitution and rules of the Society may be made except at an Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting convened for the purpose. No amendment shall be made to this clause, clause 2 or clause 22 without the prior consent in writing of the Charity Commissioners.

22) No amendment shall be made which would cause the Society to cease to be a charity at law.

Dissolution

23) The Society may be dissolved by a resolution passed by two-thirds majority of those present at an Extraordinary General Meeting convened for the purpose of which 21 days notice shall have been given to the members. Such resolution shall give instructions for the disposal of any assets held by or in the name of the Society provided that if any property remains after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities such property shall not be given or transferred to such other charitable institution or institutions having objects similar to or all of the objects of the Society.