CONSTITUTION

As amended by General Meeting, 23 October 2008.

1. TITLE

The name of the Society shall be the Wigton Choral Society hereinafter referred to as the Society

2. OBJECT

The object of the Society shall be to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of music principally in choral singing in a mixed voice choir by the presentation of public concerts and by such other ways as the Society through its Committee shall determine from time to time.

3. MEMBERSHIP

The members of the Society shall be those who pass an audition given by the Musical Director (see the Equal Opportunities policy) and w3ho pay the termly subscription at the appropriate rate as shall be determined by the Committee and approved at the Annual General Meeting.

4. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE

The management of the Society shall be in the hands of a Committee consisting of a Chairman, an Hon. Secretary, and Hon. Treasurer, an Hon. Librarian, an Hon Publicity Officer and at least two, but not more than five, other members; the Officers and Committee members shall be elected by and out of the Society’s members at the Annual General Meeting; they shall hold office for one year and be eligible for re-election.

5. MUSICAL DIRECTOR and ACCOMPANIST

The committee shall appoint a Musical Director, who is responsible for the musical development and training of the Society. He/she shall be remunerated in accordance with a mutually agreed contract based on the model contract published by Making Music (National Federation of Music Societies). His/her other duties shall be defined in the contract. The Musical Director may attend committee meetings ex-officio as and when invited to do so.

The committee may also appoint an accompanist, who will be remunerated by a mutually agreed scale of fees. The accompanist may also attend committee meetings ex-officio as and when invited to do so.

6. MANAGEMENT

While it is to be expected that the Musical Director shall put forward suggestions for concert programmes and guest artists, the responsibility for all the arrangements for concerts and other events and the control of finance shall be in the hands of the Committee.

7. FINANCE

a) The financial.year shall end on 31st July.

b) A banking account shall be opened in the name of the Society and cheques shall be signed by any two of the following three officers, viz. Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, and Chairman..

c) The Society may receive donations, grants in aid and financial guarantees and tickets for any or all of its concerts and other events shall be offered for sale to the public.

d) The income and property 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 members of the Society except in payment of legitimate expenses incurred on behalf of the Society.

8. DISSOLUTION

In the event of the Society being wound up any assets remaining upon dissolution after the payment of proper debts and liabilities shall be transferred to a charitable institution or institutions having similar objects to those of the Society.

9. GENERAL MEETING

An Annual General Meeting will be held in September/October and members shall be given at least fourteen days’ notice in writing.

10. EXAMINED ACCOUNTS

The financial accounts shall be examined and submitted to the members at the Annual General Meeting. The examiner, appointed by the Annual General Meeting, shall meet the requirements laid down by the Charity Commission.

11. AFFILIATIONS

The Society shall be affiliated to Making Music (National Federation of Music Societies) so long as the Committee deems this to be beneficial to the Society.

The Society may also take part in musical events organised by others which fulfil the Society's object (see 2 above). While participating in such events (e.g. Cumbria Rural Choirs), the Society shall maintain its independence.

12. INSURANCE

The Society shall maintain an insurance policy (/policies) providing cover for public liability indemnity, and employer's liability.

13. AMENDMENTS

The constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the members present at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting, provided that fourteen days’ notice of the proposed amendment has been sent to all members and provided that nothing herein contained shall authorise any amendment which shall have the effect of the Society ceasing to be a charity.

23rd October 2008  

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