VNM Constitution – revised April 2023
CONSTITUTION for the community group known as Visit New Mills
Name The name of the group shall be Visit New Mills
The purposes of this Community Group are:
- Foster a cohesive marketing strategy for the New Mills area
- To increase the vibrancy and vitality of the local community of the New Mills area via the promotion of its distinctive heritage, nature, characteristics and amenities
- To promote the rich cultural heritage and leisure opportunities in the area by raising awareness and encouraging participation for local people and for those from further afield
- To foster the sustainable development of the local economy of the New Mills area for the benefit of the local community
- To foster positive perception and identity of the area for the health and wellbeing of the local community
- To encourage the evolution of New Mills as a green transport hub to the local area, reducing car dependency by visitors wherever possible
- To advocate good environmental practices such as recycling, new plantings in green spaces.
- Building community pride and social cohesion.
- Management of the Community Group
In furtherance of the charitable purposes of the Group, the management shall be carried out by a committee of officers elected at the Annual General Meeting.
- Carrying out the purposes
- In order to carry out the charitable purposes, the officers of the committee have the power to:
- Raise funds and support for the purposes
- Work in partnership with existing local groups and stakeholders
- Employ volunteers
- Take out necessary insurances
- Carry out research
- Undertake and promote a range of practical projects
- Hire in and/or purchase equipment and resources as necessary
- Hire Out equipment and resources as necessary
- Publicise activities and achievements
- Do anything which is lawful and necessary to achieve the purposes
Meeting and Officers of VNM
The minimum age to be an officer shall be 16 years of age
Any officer not attending a meeting without apology for three months will be contacted by the committee and checked on their wellbeing.
In the event of an officer standing down during the year a replacement will be elected by the next general Meeting of members.
Any meeting should be attended by at least 50% of officers to be quorate
Chair to be appointed at each meeting
Annual General Meeting
The AGM must be held within 15 months of the previous AGM – with at least 14 days’ notice and an agenda given to all officers
Every officer has a vote
The officers shall present the annual reports and accounts
Officers shall act by majority decision
Specific committee roles, including those of Chair, Treasurer and Secretary, will be elected at the first committee meeting following each AGM
Minutes shall be kept and published for every meeting
If officers have a conflict of interest, they must declare it and leave the meeting whilst this matter is being discussed or decided
During the year the officers may appoint up to 2 additional officers to support the work of the group. They will stand down at the next AGM
The officers may make reasonable additional rules to help achieve the purposes. These rules must not conflict with the constitution or the law.
Committee meetings
Officers must hold at least 4 meetings a year
Officers shall act by majority decision
Specific committee roles, including those of Chair, Treasurer and Secretary, will be elected at the first committee meeting following each AGM
Minutes shall be kept and published for every meeting
If officers have a conflict of interest, they must declare it and leave the meeting whilst this matter is being discussed or decided
During the year the officers may appoint up to 2 additional officers to support the work of the group. They will stand down at the next AGM
The officers may make reasonable additional rules to help achieve the purposes. These rules must not conflict with the constitution or the law.
Money and property
Money and property must only be used for the purposes of the Group
Officers must keep accounts. The most recent annual accounts can be seen by anybody on request
Officers cannot receive any money or property from the Group, except to refund reasonable out of pocket expenses
Money must be held in the Group’s bank account. All cheques must be signed by 2 out of 4 nominated officers
General meetings
If the officers consider it is necessary to change the constitution, or wind up the enterprise, they must call a General Meeting so that the membership can make the decision.
All decisions require a two-thirds majority. Minutes must be kept
All questions that arise at any meeting will be discussed openly and the meeting will seek to find general agreement that everyone present can agree to.
Equality and diversity – VNM are committed to treating all people equally and with respect irrespective of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Winding up – any money or property remaining after payment of debts must be given to a local enterprise with similar purpose to this Group
Changes to the Constitution – may be made at AGMs or General Meetings. No change can be made that would make the organisation no longer have charitable aims