Constitution

Constitution-First Edition as adopted on the 5th July 2005

1. Name and Status

The organisation shall be named The Friends of Babbacombe Cliff Railway hereinafter referred to as The Friends’ (abbreviated when appropriate as “FBCR’. The Friends shall be a non-profit making organisation

2. Membership

Membership of The Friends shall be open to everyone whether resident, trader or visitors to Torbay.

It will also be open to those at a distance that would progress the objects of The Friends.

Honorary membership shall be offered to individuals that in the view of the committee have given or are likely to give exceptional service to the Friends or Babbacombe Cliff Railway. The total Honorary Membership shall not exceed 2% of the total.

3. Subscriptions

Members will pay a minimum annual subscription as determined by the Annual General Meeting.

4. Objects

To Preserve, Protect and Promote the Babbacombe Cliff Railway to ensure that it continues to operate for the general benefit of the local community and visitors in Torbay.

5. Equal Opportunities

The Friends supports the principle of equal opportunities in all areas of its activities and opposes all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination, particularly on the grounds of colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religious belief, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or disability. The Friends will monitor the implementation and exercise of this equal opportunities policy to ensure full compliance.

6. Functions of The Friends

In pursuance of its objects The Friends shall:

a) operate a bank account and manage investments

b) carry such insurances as necessary to adequately protect the Friends its Officers and Funds.

c) apply for grants and fund raise and disburse responsibly such funds

d) publish leaflets, books, audio and visual material

e) purchase goods and services

f) organise events and functions

g) affiliate liaise or enter partnerships with other organisations that share similar objectives

h) undertake any other lawful activities as approved by the committee

j) actively recruit members in every legitimate way so as to grow the organization

k) sustain PR campaign through local and wherever possible national and international media.

7. Organisation and Responsibilities

The members at the Annual General Meeting will elect a committee that shall be responsible for the day to day management and operation of the The Friends. Any full member of The Friends may stand for election at an AGM.

The committee shall consist of not less than 8 members who will elect from their number at least 3 Officers (Chair, Secretary and Treasurer). Method of election and terms of office will be decided by the committee. The committee shall not meet less than 6 times per year.

A committee meeting quorum shall be not less than half of the members and that number must include at least one of the Officers of the committee. The Chairperson shall carry the casting vote in the event of any vote being tied.

The committee will have the power to co-opt up to 3 additional non-voting members (who should where possible be full members of The Friends) and co-opt replacements into vacant seats on the committee. Duties of the Officers shall be:

Chairperson

a) Chair all committee and General Meetings of The Friends. In the absence of the Chairperson a member of the committee will take the Chair for that meeting only.

b) Act as spokesperson and representative for The Friends.

c) Carry out such duties as decided by the committee

d) Report to the committee all related activities and actions

e) Liaise closely with the other Officers to ensure the committee is fully serviced and kept properly informed.

f) Ensure that The Friends operates at all times within the terms of this constitution.

Secretary

a) Issue notices, agenda, minutes and reports for Committee and General meetings.

b) Maintain a (12 month) Forecast of Events as decided by the committee

c) Keep minutes of all General and Committee meetings

d) Maintain full and proper records on behalf of The Friends including correspondence.

e) Maintain a record of Membership of The Friends

f) Report to the committee on all related administrative activity

g) Liaise closely with the other Officers

Treasurer

a) Keep proper accounts of the finances of The Friends and produce a financial report for each committee and Annual General Meetings.

b) Maintain an appropriate bank account(s) in the name of The Friends

c) Prepare end of year accounts for audit purposes

d) Make accounts available for any paid up member provided reasonable notice is given.

e) Liaise closely with other Officers

8. Receipts and Expenditure

The funds of the organisation shall be kept in an account or accounts specifically for the purpose by the committee in the name of The Friends in such Bank (s) as the committee shall from time to time decide

All cheques drawn on the account(s) MUST be signed by at least two of the committee members who have been authorised to do so.

Monies received on behalf of The Friends by any member must be handed to the Treasurer for depositing in the account(s) at the earliest opportunity. No goods or services may be purchased or ordered without funds being available or without the approval of at least two of the Officers of the Committee.

9. Annual and Special General Meetings (AGM)

The Annual General Meeting

The Friends financial year shall be from Ist February -31st January and an AGM shall be held no later than two months from the end of the financial year (31st March). Notice of the AGM should be given to all members in writing no less than 28 Days prior to the meeting. The Agenda will include:

a) Approving the minutes of the previous AGM

b) Receiving the annual report of the Officers

c) Receiving the audited accounts and the appointment of auditors

d) Accepting the resignation of outgoing committee and elections of a new committee

e) Consideration of any new resolutions or voting as necessary on proposals to change or amend the Rules and constitution.

f) Setting the Annual Subscription

Special General Meeting (SGM)

The Secretary may call a SGM upon the instructions of the committee or receipt of a written request from at least 5% of the membership. The procedure for calling a SGM shall be the same as for an AGM.

10. Alteration to the Constitution

Changes to the Constitution may only be made following a resolution properly submitted to an AGM or SGM and agreed by a simple majority of those members eligible to vote and present at the meeting

11. Dissolution

The Friends may only be dissolved if a resolution to that effect is supported by a majority of not less than two thirds of the eligible members in a postal ballot following a SGM called for that purpose. After settlement of any outstanding liabilities the net assets of The Friends will be distributed to local charitable purposes as defined by the committee.

Declaration

This First Edition of the Constitution was agreed and adopted by The Friends of Babbacombe Cliff Railway at a General Meeting convened at The Precinct Centre on 20th June 2005 and ratified by the Committee at the meeting in the Downs Hotel on 5th July 2005.

Signed

Chairman John Ayres

Secretary ArthurChristian

Treasurer Janet Dann

First Member Jenny Richman

Contacts

Committee ( as of 11th June 2007 )

Chairperson - John Ayres jayres@blueyonder.co.uk,  Secretary - Arthur Christian fbcrsecretary@hotmail.co.uk, Treasurer - Kerry Gillon.  Adele & Gayle Farrell, Jill Gillon, Charles Blake, Bill Becher, Derek Latham, Les Jennings, Richard House.  New committee members Fred Garnett, Mary Popham, and Rachel Ives ( Elected at the Annual General Meeting March 13th 2007) committee member John Lawrence website & Cliff Railway Times ( Resigned from the committee on 11th June 2007 )  Annual Fees: Single £5, Under Sixteen's Free, Corporate clubs organisations, businesses £20. Members, committee current-no details available.

.......................................................................................................................................