Constitution

Name

The name of the Group shall be The Carers Social Group

Aims and Objectives

The aims of the Group shall be to provide social opportunities for carers of learning disabled and autistic adults in the London Borough of Greenwich. We to aim create a supportive network that connects, informs and empowers carers. The group will not discriminate on the grounds of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, sexuality, disability, religious or political belief, marital status or age.

Powers

To further these aims the management committee shall have power to:

(a) Obtain, collect and receive money or funds by way of subscriptions, donations, grants and any other lawful method towards the aims of the Group.

(b) Co-operate with, support and work in partnership with other local statutory authorities, community groups, charities and corporate bodies in a common effort to carry out the aims of the Group.

(c) Do all such lawful things as will further the aims of the Group.

Membership of the Carers Social Group Committee

(a) Membership of the Group shall be open to:

(i) Individuals (over the age of 18 years) who are interested in furthering the work of the Group.

(b) Every member shall have one vote.

(c) The Executive Committee may unanimously and for good reason terminate the membership of any individual provided that the individual concerned shall have the right to be heard by the Executive Committee, accompanied by a friend, before a final decision is made.

A member is a person who agrees to abide by the constitution in return for rights given in the constitution. Members will be entitled to attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and have a Vote.

As a group we will adhere to the Principles of Data Protection, as detailed in the Data Protection Act 1998. 

Carers of learning disabled and autistic adults will be encouraged to sign up to our Email Mailing List. Personal data is safeguarded on our secure email mailing list. The list is used according to permissions given when signing up to the list and data protections laws. 

Equal Opportunities

The Carers Social Group will not discriminate on the grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sexuality, disability, religion or political belief, marital status or age.

Management

(a) A Management Committee elected annually at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall manage the Group.

(b) The committee shall consist of a chair, secretary, treasurer, and 2 other voting members.

(d) The committee shall meet at least 6 times each year.

(e) At least 3 committee members must be present at a committee meeting to be able to make decisions.

(f) A proper record of all transactions and meetings shall be kept. This is the responsibility of the Secretary. Minutes shall be stored online and will be viewable on request.

General Meetings

(a) An Annual General Meeting shall be held within 12 months of the date of the adoption of this constitution and each year thereafter. The committee shall present the annual report and accounts. Members shall elect between 3 and 5 committee members to serve for the next year. They will retire at the next AGM but may stand for re-election.

(b) Notices of the AGM shall be published three weeks beforehand and a report on the Group’s financial position for the previous year will be made available at the same time.

(c) A Special General Meeting may be called at any time at the request of the committee, or not less than one quarter of the membership. A notice explaining the place, date, time and reason shall be sent to all members three weeks beforehand.

(d) One third of membership or three members being present, whichever is the greater, shall enable a General Meeting to take place.

(e) Proposals to change the constitution must be given in writing to the secretary at least 28 days before a general meeting and approved by a two thirds majority of those present and voting.

Finance

(a) The funds of the group including all donations, subscriptions and grants, shall be paid into an account operated by the management committee. All cheques drawn on the account must be signed by at least two members of the Management Committee.

(b) The funds belonging to the Group shall be applied only to further the aims of the group.

(c) A current record of all income, funding and expenditure will be kept.

(d) Trustees cannot receive any money or property from the charity, except to refund reasonable out of pocket expenses.

Dissolution

(a) The Group may be dissolved by a resolution passed by a simple two-thirds majority of those present and voting at a Special General Meeting.

(b) If confirmed, the committee shall distribute any assets remaining after the payment of all liabilities to other charitable group(s) or organisation(s) having aims similar to the Group or some other charitable purpose(s) as the Group may decide.

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Setting up the Un-incorporated Group

This constitution was adopted on 15 March 2024 by the people whose signatures appear below. They are the first members of the Group and will be the trustees until the AGM, which must be held within one year of this date.

Signed by Chair, Vivien Davies on 15 March 2024

Signed by Secretary, Fenella Howard on 15 March 2024

Signed by Treasurer, Edithe Feulefack on 15 March 2024

Link to signed document here