Association Rules

 

Asociación U3A Internacional Costa Brava

(Costa Brava U3A)

ASSOCIATION RULES

[Authorised by Article 9[g] of the Constitution]

 

1)            NAME:

 

a)              The name ‘Asociación U3A Internacional Costa Brava’ has been shortened in these Rules to ‘Costa Brava U3A’.

 

2)            OBJECTS AND POWERS

 

a)              OBJECTS

The Objects of the Costa Brava U3A are:

 

i)                    to advance the cultural and educational interests of the English speaking public in the Costa Brava, especially of those who are retired;

ii)                  to provide leisure and recreational activities in order to improve conditions of life and social welfare of all members.

 

b)              POWERS

To further the above objectives, the Costa Brava U3A may:

 

i)                    receive subscriptions donations, sponsorship fees, endowments and legacies from persons who support the Costa Brava U3A.

ii)                  acquire or dispose of property, rights and privileges;

iii)                organise lectures, seminars, conferences and courses;

iv)                publish reports, pamphlets, journals, films, videos, etc;

 

3)            MEMBERSHIP

 

a)              Anyone over the age of 50 who supports the Objects may become a member on approval of the Committee and payment of the annual subscription.

 

b)              The Committee may terminate membership of anyone who:

a.      owes money to the Costa Brava U3A for more than two months; or

b.      acts in a manner that is inconsistent with these Rules, 

PROVIDED THAT the member concerned is offered the chance to be heard by the Committee before its final decision is made.

 

4)            MANAGEMENT

 

A Committee of members controls the affairs of the Costa Brava U3A.  

 

a)              The Committee consists of at least five and not more than ten members [not counting co-opted members], including a President, Secretary and Treasurer. Every responsibility must be exercised by a different person

 

b)              All Committee members serve for a minimum of one year.  

 

c)              Retiring Officers of the Committee [President, Secretary & Treasurer] may be re-elected provided that none holds the same office for more than three consecutive years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

d)              Officers and Committee members are elected by secret ballot at the Annual General Association Meeting [AGM] as follows:  

 

i)                    A Returning Officer is responsible for the election process.

ii)                  Written nominations for the Committee, showing proposer and seconder must be sent to the Returning Officer by the date specified.    .

iii)                The newly elected Committee takes office immediately after the AGM.

iv)                The Committee may co-opt up to two further members with full voting rights, their term of office expiring at the following AGM.

v)                  Committee members may resign by giving written notice to the President and the Committee may appoint replacements.   All such persons may be elected to the committee at the next AGM.

 

e)              Committee procedure

i)                    The Committee must meet at least four times a year.

ii)                  A Committee quorum will be one half of the Committee, plus one, including one officer of the Committee.

iii)                All Committee decisions will be decided by a simple majority of votes of Committee members present.   The President has a casting vote.

 

f)                The President will chair all Meetings of the Association and the Committee.   When he / she is not available, the Vice President, an officer or a nominated member of the Committee must preside.

 

g)              The Secretary must keep minutes of all Committee and General meetings, sign them and have them counter-signed by the President.  Minutes should also be kept by all Sub-Committees.

 

h)              Special Committee meetings may be called by the President or by any three of its members giving seven days’ notice of all issues to be raised to all co-members.

 

i)                The Committee may appoint sub-Committees, delegate tasks to them and nominate chairpersons.  Sub-Committees must report back to the Committee when asked.

 

5)            MEETINGS

 

The Annual General Association Meeting [AGM]:

a)              The AGM must be held once every year.   At least 15 days’ notice will be given in writing to all members.   A quorum will be 20 per cent of paid up members.  

 

b)              The purpose of the AGM will be to:

i)                    approve:   [a] the Annual Report  [b] audited accounts   [c] the budget          

                                                  [d] proposed subscription quotas [e] changes to these Rules;

ii)                  elect:         [a] President [b] Secretary [c] Treasurer [d] Committee;

iii)                consider:   [a] proposals to alter the Constitution  [b] any other business

 

 

c)              Additional items may be added to the agenda at the start of the meeting if the majority of those present agree but decisions taken on such items must be agreed by 2/3 of those present.

 

d)              The chairperson has a casting vote.

 

The Extra-ordinary General Association Meeting [EGM]:

e)              An EGM may be called by the Committee or by a request signed by 10 per cent of all members and stating the object of the meeting.     The Secretary will give 30 days’ notice of such a meeting.   A quorum will be 20 per cent of the membership.

 

 

The Association Meeting [AM]:

f)                An Association Meeting must be held every two months to provide all members with an opportunity to meet each other, exchange information about the work of their groups and take part in a whole association activity.

 

 

6)       FINANCE

 

a)              All money raised must be used, at the discretion of the Committee, solely for the benefit of the Costa Brava U3A which is a non-profit-making association.

 

b)              Financial accounts must be kept for the calendar year ending 31st December.

 

c)              The Treasurer must keep full accounts of all moneys received and spent and publish audited accounts at the AGM.

 

d)              The President, Secretary and Treasurer must be signatories for all bank accounts.  Bank transactions must be signed by the Treasurer and one other person.

 

e)              The Committee has the power to recommend ordinary and extra-ordinary subscriptions and quotas for approval at the AGM

 

f)                No Committee member will be responsible for losses caused by their own actions taken in good faith or those of properly appointed agents, provided that such agents are appropriately supervised.

 

g)              Committee members may receive out-of-pocket expenses incurred in work for the Costa Brava U3A, subject to the ‘Rules for Reimbursement of Expenses’.

 

7)       PROPERTY

 

a)              All property must be applied solely towards the Objects of the Costa Brava U3A and will be held jointly by all members.

 

8)       POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE

 

a)              Matters not provided for in these Rules and not involving an amendment to the Constitution, must be dealt with the by Committee

 

9)       ALTERATION OF THE CONSTITUTION

 

a)              This constitution [other than paragraphs 2, 9 and10] may be amended with the agreement of two-thirds of members voting at a General Association Meeting.   Twenty-one clear days’ notice must be given to all members stating the intention to put forward such a resolution.  

 

b)              No amendment can be made that would cause the Costa Brava U3A to cease to be a non-profit making organisation.

 

10)   DISSOLUTION

 

a)              The Costa Brava U3A may be dissolved by a resolution of a three-quarters majority of those voting at a meeting PROVIDED that at least twenty-one clear days’ notice has been sent to all members stating the intention to put forward such a resolution.   Any assets remaining after payment of all debts and liabilities must be transferred to a non profit-making institution with similar objectives to the Costa Brava U3A