Revised Constitution 2021

Doncaster Naturalists’ Society
Founded 1880

Constitution (accepted by members at the A.G.M. 2021)

  1. The name of the group shall be the Doncaster Naturalists’ Society.
  1. The aims of the Society shall be to encourage interest in all aspects of Natural History and to promote the conservation of wildlife and the protection of habitats, especially within the Doncaster Metropolitan Borough.
  1. Membership of the Society shall be open to anyone interested in furthering the aims of the Society. An annual subscription shall be payable by each member, due on 1 January, with the exemption of Honorary Life Members. Rates of Subscription shall be determined by the Committee and recommended for approval at the A.G.M.
  1. The Executive Committee

(a)  Shall be composed of members with these specific posts:
           President
           Immediate Past President
           Treasurer
           General Secretary
           Minutes Secretary
           Programme Secretary
           Recorder
           Webmaster
           Members with no particular role, co-opted by the Committee or elected by the A.G.M.

(b)  Shall meet at least twice a year, a quorum to consist of 4 members, with the Chair having a casting vote.

(c)   Shall have the power to deal with all administrative matters, including finance, in order to further the best interests of the Society.

(d)  Shall have the power to fill any vacancy arising during the year, and to co-opt any extra members whenever deemed necessary.

(e)   Shall have the power to appoint Honorary Life Members where appropriate.

  1. Appointment of Officers

(a)  The President  (who shall also be the Chair of the Executive Committee) shall be nominated to serve for a term of two years, thereafter becoming the Immediate Past President. Should no new candidate be forthcoming, the term of the incumbent President may be extended, subject to the recommendation of the Executive Committee and the approval of the A.G.M.

(b)  All officers of the Executive Committee, including the President, shall be elected biennially and should be nominated and seconded. Retiring Committee Members shall be eligible for re-election. Any Society Member wishing to stand for the Committee shall be eligible for election, provided there are a proposer and seconder for the nomination. Should there be more than one nomination, a ballot shall be held.

Committee Members must be prepared to attend a reasonable number of Committee Meetings.

(c)  Details of all Executive Committee and Ordinary Indoor Meetings shall be recorded in the appropriate minute books. In the event of the absence of the President at those meetings, then that office shall be filled by the Immediate Past President, if still a Member of the Society. If neither the President or Immediate Past President be available, then the General Secretary shall preside.

  1. The Finances of the Society shall be under the control of the Treasurer, who shall keep a regular account of receipts and payments, and who shall present a provisional balance sheet to the Executive Committee at least 14 days before the A.G.M. The financial year shall run from 1 January to 31 December in any given year.
  2. The Annual General Meeting shall be held during the month of January on a date and place to be decided by the Executive Committee.

The business of the A.G.M. shall be :

(a)  To receive from the Officers reports on the Society’s activities during the previous year’

(b)  To receive from the Treasurer, and to approve, the statements of accounts covering the previous year.

(c)   To elect the Officers of the Executive Committee for the ensuing year.

(d)   To transact any other Society business.

  1. Extraordinary General Meetings

(a)   The Executive Committee shall have the power to call an Extraordinary General Meeting at any time.

(b)   It shall also be required to do so within 28 days of the receipt of written notification, signed by no less than one third of the existing membership, and specifying the business for which the meeting is to be called. The business to be transacted must appear on the Agenda, and no other business may be discussed.

  1. Constitution

A copy of the Society’s current Constitution shall be made available to each member of the Society. Any additions or amendments to the rules of the Constitution may be made only at an Extraordinary General Meeting called especially for the purpose, and then only if the proposed additions or amendments receive not less than two-thirds of the votes of the Society members present.

  1. Dissolution

If the Executive Committee resolves that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Society it shall call a meeting of the Society, of which no less than twenty-one days notice shall be given to all members, stating the terms of the resolution to be proposed. If the proposal should be confirmed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting, the Executive Committee shall have the power to realise any assets held by the Society. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be transferred to such other charitable institution as the Members shall determine, based on a simple majority of the Membership.

 

Here is a copy of the original Constitution