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Constitution of "Lancashire Secular Humanists"
1. Name and Objects
The group shall be called "Lancashire Secular Humanists" and shall have the following objective:
To advance the education of the public in the philosophy of Humanism as defined by the articles of The British Humanist Association.
2. Membership
Any person who agrees with the objects of the group may become a member on payment of the annual subscription [called "Membership Fee".
The executive committee may refuse to admit as a member, or terminate the membership of, any person whose conduct is, in its opinion, inconsistent with the objects of the group.
3. Honorary Officers
The Honorary Officers should be: President, Vice President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Programme Secretary, Publicity Officer, and Treasurer.
They shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting of the Group.
4. Executive Committee
The Executive Committee should consist of the Honorary Officers and not fewer than three members; each serving for two years.
Any vacancy may be filled by the Executive Committee subject to confirmation at the next AGM.
The Chairman of the Group shall be Chairman of the Executive Committee.
The Chairman shall have the casting vote.
The general business of the Group shall be administered by the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee shall meet at least once every three months, and [at least] fourteen days notice shall be given to all members.
A "quorum" shall be five members of whom at last three shall be Honorary Officers.
5. Annual General Meetings
An Annual General Meeting shall be held before the end of October in each year.
It shall receive financial accounts and the reports of the Executive Committee for the year ended the previous 31st August.
It shall elect the Honorary Officers of the Group and the members of the Executive Committee.
At least 21 days notice of the meeting shall be given to all members.
Nominations of members who have prior approval [duly seconded by fully paid-up members] and notices of resolutions must be received by the secretary at least seven days before the meeting. Any member whose nomination for Honorary Office does not lead to election shall be considered as a nominee for ordinary membership of the Committee.
6. Special General Meetings
A Special General Meeting may be convened by the Executive Committee or shall, on receipt of a request signed by [at least] 20% of the members of the Group, be convened by the secretary within six weeks of such a request.
At least 21 days notice of the meeting shall be given to all members.
Only business stated on the notice convening the meeting shall be considered at such Special General Meetings.
The "quorum" at both of the above types of general Meetings shall be 25% of the members of the Group.
In any dispute concerning the affairs of the Group, a general meeting shall be the final authority.
7, Finance
The income and property of the Group shall be devoted to the promotion of the objects of the Group.
Honorary Officers and Members of the Executive Committee may not receive payment for their services to the Group.
In the event of the Group having to be wound up, all funds after payment of liabilities shall go to the British Humanist Association.
The Annual Subscriptions to the Group shall be set by the Annual General Meeting.
8. Constitution Amendments
The constitution may be amended by resolution passed by at least two-thirds of the members present and voting at a General Meeting.
The notice of the General Meeting must include notice of the resolution setting out the terms of the amendment proposed.
9, Affiliations
The Group shall maintain its affiliation to the British Humanist Association.
Affiliation to other bodies may be sought by resolution of a general Meeting.
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This constitution should be regarded as an interim arrangement during the group's inaugural year and will be open to amendment, ratification and adoption at the first AGM.
