Newark & District Photographic Society

Constitution

1. Name & Structure
   1. The Society shall be called the 'Newark & District Photographic Society', referred to in the following rules as 'The Society'.
   2. The Society shall be based in Newark, Nottinghamshire or the surrounding district.
   3. The Society shall take the form of an unincorporated association, operating as a not-for-profit organisation for the benefit of its members.
   4. The Society shall be affiliated to the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain through the relevant regional Federation.
2. Object
   1. The object of the Society is the advancement of the art and practice of photography through the enhancement of the knowledge and skills of the members by promoting interest and education in all aspects of photography.
3. Membership
   1. Membership of The Society is open to all individuals aged 18 years or over.
   2. The Society shall not discriminate on the grounds of age, sex, race, disability, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, and religious background.
   3. Membership shall last for one year from September 1st regardless of when a member joins within that year.
4. Management
   1. The Society's business shall be managed by a Committee consisting of a President, Honorary General Secretary (Secretary), and Honorary Treasurer (Treasurer), held by separate members, and up to 10 further Committee members.
   2. The Society shall hold appropriate property and public liability insurance(s).
   3. The Society shall hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) within its membership year, with the Committee giving at least 28 days' notice of the agenda.
5. Decision Making
   1. An emergency resolution means a resolution passed when a simple majority of all members entitled to vote do so, in person or in writing, in favour of the motion.
   2. A special resolution means a resolution passed when a supermajority of not less than threequarters (rounded up) vote in favour of the motion.
   3. An ordinary resolution means a resolution passed when a simple majority vote in favour of the motion.
   4. A resolution of The Society, except an emergency resolution, must be passed at a General Meeting that is quorate by the appropriate majority of members who, being entitled to, vote in favour of the motion.
   5. Members shall not be eligible to attend General Meetings or vote on any motion if they are in default with regards to their Annual Subscription.
   6. General Meetings shall be deemed to have reached a quorum when one-third of the current membership rounded up plus one is present or represented.
6. Finance
   1. The funds of The Society must be applied for the purpose of carrying out the object of The Society in accordance with its Constitution and Rules and for no other purpose.
   2. No payment shall be made from the funds of The Society without the approval of two members of the Committee.
   3. The Society's financial year shall match its membership year, ending on August 31st, after which a Statement of Accounts must be drawn up by the Treasurer.
7. Assets
   1. The assets of The Society must be used for the purpose of carrying out the object of The Society in accordance with its Constitution or as allowed by its Rules.
   2. A register of The Society's assets and their location must be maintained by the Committee.
8. Interpretation and Alteration of Constitution and Rules
   1. The Society's Constitution takes precedence over any and all of The Society's Rules, competition rules, or Standing Rules and Rules of Procedure
   2. Questions concerning the interpretation of The Society's Constitution, Rules, competition rules, or Standing Rules and Rules of Procedure shall be decided by the Committee and its ruling shall be final.
   3. The Society's Constitution may not be altered in any way except by a special resolution of a General Meeting.
   4. The Society's Rules may not be altered in any way except by an ordinary resolution of a General Meeting.
9. Dissolution
   1. The Society may be dissolved by a special resolution of a General Meeting, after which its funds and assets shall be disposed of in accordance with The Society’s Rules.