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RRCS Constitution

1. Title

The name of the Society shall be The Reigate and Redhill Choral Society, hereinafter referred to as the Society.

2. Objects

The object of the Society shall be to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of choral music in all its aspects.

The Society shall act for the general good of all its members and not for the promotion or advancement of the skills of individual members.

The Society is committed to providing a vehicle for the enjoyment of choral music in all its many forms by:

promoting and encouraging live music in the community; bringing together all who enjoy singing in a lively and social atmosphere;
raising standards of presentation and promotion through innovative programming and excellence in performance;
promoting and fostering involvement from all sections of the community; welcoming all singers regardless of their race, ethnic or national origins, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, religious or political beliefs or socio-economic status;
helping members to acquire and develop the necessary skills to achieve the realisation of their full musical potential;
providing members with services that are effective, efficient and good value for money;
aiming to achieve the highest possible standards in issues of governance, internal structure and communication;
playing a constructive role in establishing and building ongoing relationships with businesses, organisations and individuals; and
such other ways as the Society, through its Management Committee, shall determine from time to time.

3. Membership

There are two categories of membership: Ordinary Members, who pay the annual subscription at the rates determined by the Committee and accepted by a General Meeting, or whose annual subscriptions are met by bursary funds, and Honorary Members, proposed by the Management Committee and approved by the Membership, who pay no membership fee.

The membership period shall be deemed to commence from the end of the Annual General Meeting and, on payment of the relevant subscription, shall continue until end of the next Annual General Meeting.

4. Management

The administration of the Society shall be undertaken by and under the supervision of the Management Committee. The Management Committee shall establish such Sub-Committees as it requires to carry out the activities of the Society. The Management Committee shall control the finances of the Society. The Management Committee shall meet regularly and a record shall be kept of decisions made.

5. Officers and Management Committee

5.1 The Management Committee shall consist of the following members:

three Officers, namely a Chairman, an Honorary Secretary, and an Honorary Treasurer, one of whom shall be the official contact for Making Music: The National Federation of Music Societies;
a representative of the Borough Council, if appointed; and
not less than four or more than ten Ordinary Members.

5.2 The Management Committee shall be elected by and from the Society's members at the Annual General Meeting.

5.3 The Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer shall be elected for two years, and shall be eligible for re-election on an annual basis thereafter up to a maximum term of six years. None of such Officers shall be eligible for re-election as an Officer for two years thereafter.

5.4 Ordinary Management Committee Members shall be elected for two years and shall be eligible for re-election on an annual basis thereafter.

5.5 The Management Committee shall have the power to co-opt members to the Management Committee.

5.6 The quorum for the Management Committee Meetings shall be four members.

5.7 The Music Director shall be invited to attend meetings of the Management Committee to discuss, and report on, all matters that he agrees to undertake for and on behalf of the Society. The Accompanist may be invited to attend Management Committee Meetings as required.

5.8 At least one member of the Management Committee shall be appointed to each Sub-Committee and report on the activities of the Sub-Committee to the Management Committee.

6. Powers

In furtherance of the objects but not otherwise the Management Committee may exercise the following powers:

to raise funds and invite contributions provided that in raising funds the Management Committee shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities and shall conform to any relevant legal requirements;
to employ such staff (who shall not be members of the Management Committee) as are necessary for the proper pursuit of the objects;
to co-operate with other charities, voluntary bodies and statutory authorities and to exchange information and advice with them;
to support any relevant charitable trusts, associations or institutions
to appoint such operational Sub-Committees as the Management Committee may think fit;
to terminate the membership of any individual, provided that: (i) the decision of the Management Committee is unanimous both as to the termination and as to there being good reason for it; (ii) the individual concerned shall have the right to be heard by the Management Committee accompanied by a friend if desired, before a final decision is made; and (iii) if any member of the Management Committee is the individual whose membership is under consideration, or is connected with the complaint against the individual, that member of the Management Committee shall not be eligible to vote on the decision, and a unanimous vote by all other Management Committee Members present will be required;
to do all such other lawful things as the Management Committee deems necessary for the achievement of the objects.

7. Presidents

The Society may appoint a President and Vice-presidents who shall retain office during its pleasure.

8. Finance

8.1 The Financial Year of the Society is 1 August to 31 July.

8.2 The Chairman, The Honorary Treasurer and the Honorary Secretary ("Officers of the Society") and up to two other nominated members of the Management Committee shall be the authorised signatories on the Society's main bank account. Additional bank accounts may be opened in the name of the Society as agreed by the Management Committee. All cheques or other payment instructions payable to third parties from any of the Society's bank accounts shall be signed by two of the authorised signatories, one of whom must be an Officer of the Society. Transfers between the Society's accounts may be made on the instructions of one Officer of the Society.

8.3 The Society may receive donations, grants in aid and financial guarantees. The Society may sell advertising in its concert programmes and accept sponsorship. Tickets and programmes for any or all of its concerts and other events may be offered for sale to the public.

8.4 The property and income of the Society whencesoever derived shall be applied solely towards promoting the objects of the Society as set forth above and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred either directly or indirectly to any member or members of the Society except in payment of legitimate expenses incurred on behalf of the Society.

8.5 In the event of the winding-up of the Society any remaining assets after all liabilities have been discharged shall not be paid or transferred to any member or members of the Society but shall be transferred to a charitable organisation (as determined by the Management Committee), whose objects are similar to those of the Society and whose rules preclude the distribution of income and assets among its members.

8.6The Officers of the Society shall be responsible for investment policy.

9. General Meetings

The Annual General Meeting of the Society shall be held within sixteen weeks of the end of the financial year. At least four weeks' written notice shall be given of the date of the Annual General Meeting. Notice of the business for consideration at the meeting shall be provided in writing to the Honorary Secretary at least two weeks before the meeting.

A Special General Meeting may be convened at the discretion of the Management Committee, or at the request of at least ten members of the Society. At least two weeks' written notice of the meeting shall be given to the membership.

10. Independent Examination of the Accounts

The accounts of the Society shall be submitted for Independent Examination by an appropriately qualified person who is not a member of the Society and whose appointment shall be submitted for approval by the membership at the Annual General Meeting. Should the need arise the Management Committee shall be authorised to appoint an interim independent examiner pending the confirmation of the appointment by the Membership at the Annual General Meeting.

11. Amendments

The constitution may be amended by a favourable vote of at least two-thirds of the members present at an Annual or Special General Meeting convened in accordance with the rules set out above and provided that nothing contained in the proposed amendment(s) shall have the effect of the Society ceasing to be a charity.

12. Equal Opportunities

No individual shall be excluded from membership of the Society or de-barred from any official capacity on the Management Committee on the grounds of race, ethnic or national origins, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, religious or political beliefs or socio-economic status.

The constitution was formally adopted at the AGM held on 16th September 2008.

For further information: call 01737 772811 or email info@rrcs.org.uk
	Reigate & Redhill Choral Society is affiliated to Making Music: The National Federation of Music Societies and gratefully acknowledges support received from the Borough of Reigate & Banstead Arts Council. Registered Charity No 280195

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