The Wendel Singers’ Constitution

Terminology

The association shall be known as “The Wendel Singers” (hereinafter referred to as “the Choir”).

The association shall be governed by a Committee of members (hereinafter referred to as “the Committee”).

The word “Member” shall mean any member of the Choir whose subscription is fully paid up to date.

Aims

The aims of the Choir shall be to bring together likeminded people to rehearse harmony-sung songs with a view to giving occasional or regular public performances.

Membership

Membership shall be open to any person who enjoys part-singing and any other person who is willing to support the aims of the Choir by offering their time and/or skills.

Members shall pay a regular subscription fee set by the Committee at such intervals as the Committee prescribes.

The Committee may invite Guest Singers to sing with the Choir on a temporary or ad hoc basis. These will not be considered Members of the Choir and will not be required to pay any subscription.

Meetings

The Choir shall meet to rehearse weekly, with such seasonal breaks as are agreed by the members.

The Committee shall meet at least twice a year. Minutes shall be taken and made available for inspection by the members on request. A quorum of 5 will be required for a binding resolution to be passed.

The Choir shall hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) in September or October each year and the minutes shall be circulated to all current members before the following AGM. A simple majority of the members present will be sufficient to pass any motion at the AGM, except that an amendment of this Constitution will require a simple majority of the total membership.

An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be called whenever the formal approval of the members is required for a matter which cannot reasonably be left until the next AGM or in the event of a motion to wind-up the Choir.

The Committee

The members shall elect a committee at the AGM. The Committee shall be responsible for maintaining the smooth running and financial health of the Choir.

Members of the committee shall be elected for a term of three [3] years and will be eligible for re-election.

The Committee will appoint a Chairman, a Secretary and a Treasurer who will be the “Officers” of the Choir.

The Committee will consist of the Officers, plus four [4] (or such other number as may be agreed by the AGM or EGM) members.

The Committee may appoint vice-officers to assist the Officers or deputise for them in case of illness or absence.

The Committee may co-opt members to fill any vacancies that arise between AGMs. Co-opted membership will expire at the end of the financial year, but such members will be eligible for election at the AGM.

The Committee will appoint a Choirmaster and an Accompanist to the Choir and may offer expenses and an Honorarium – reviewable on an annual basis - to either or both of these in order to ensure the continuity of the Choir

The Choirmaster and the Accompanist will be ex-officio members of the Committee and may discuss or vote on any subject except the matters of honoraria for either of those posts

The Committee may make any procedural rules they see fit

The Officers

The Officers will be appointed by the Committee

The Officers will perform the usual functions of those posts but may delegate such matters as may be mutually agreed to vice-officers or other committee members.

The Officers shall not be eligible to be paid an Honorarium but may claim legitimate expenses.

Finances

The Financial Year shall run from 1st September to 31st August and the Treasurer shall prepare a Financial Report which shall be audited by a person who is not an Officer of the Choir.

_________________________________________________________________

Annual subscription: £100

Payment in one or two instalments (Sept/Feb) to be made

• by cash,
• or by cheque payable to The Wendel Singers
  
• or by BACS to: SORT CODE 09-01-54    ACCOUNT NUMBER 54304285 Reference:  Payee's name

---

DATA PROTECTION POLICY
We hold the names and contact details (postal address, phone number(s), email address) of members for two purposes:
to record subscriptions  (held by the Treasurer)
so that we can contact members when necessary, especially in emergencies like when a practice has to be cancelled at short notice (held by John Summerwill).
The information is not passed on to anyone outside The Wendel Singers.
Members have a right to keep any or all of their contact details private if they wish. Details will be removed from the databases immediately on request.