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Constitution of the Bramley Parish Theatre
Players adopted on
the eighteenth day of October 2007
1.
Name
The
Group shall be called Bramley Parish
Theatre Players and be known by the acronym BPTP.
2. Objects
The
objects of the BPTP are to involve the public in the dramatic and
operatic
arts, and to further the development of public enjoyment, appreciation
and
taste in the said arts.
3. Powers
In
furtherance of these objects but not otherwise the BPTP through its
Executive
Committee may exercise the following powers:
a)
to
promote plays, drama, comedies, operas, operettas and other dramatic
and
operatic works of educative value;
b)
to
purchase acquire and obtain interests in the copyright of or the right
to
perform or show any such dramatic or operatic works;
c)
to
purchase or otherwise acquire plant, machinery, furniture, fixtures,
fittings,
scenery and all other necessary effects;
d)
to
raise funds and invite and receive contributions from any person or
persons
whatsoever by way of subscription, donation and otherwise, provided
that in
raising funds the BPTP shall not undertake any substantial permanent
trading
activities and shall conform to any relevant requirements of the law;
e)
subject
to any consents required by law to sell, lease or dispose of all or any
part of
the property of the BPTP;
f)
subject
to any consents required by law to borrow money and to charge all or
any part
of the property of the BPTP with repayment of the money so borrowed;
g)
to
co-operate with other charities, voluntary bodies and statutory
authorities
operating in furtherance of the objects or similar charitable purposes
and to
exchange information and advice with them;
h)
to
establish or support any charitable trusts, association or institutions
formed
for all or any of the objects;
i)
to
assist and further such charitable institutions and charitable purposes
as the
Executive Committee shall from time to time determine;
j)
to
appoint and constitute such advisory committees as the Executive
Committee may
think fit;
k)
to
do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of
the
objects of the BPTP.
4. Membership
The
BPTP
shall consist of Members, and may also include as honorary Life Members
such
other persons as shall have rendered special services to the BPTP.
Members may
be acting members or support members.
5. Eligibility for Membership
1.) Full
Membership shall be open to all those
over the age of 18, having sympathy with the objects of the BPTP and
desiring
actively to further it and to pay the entrance fee, where applicable
and annual
subscription laid down from time to time by the Executive Committee.
Every Full
Member shall have one vote.
2.) Young
person’s membership shall be open to
anyone under the age of 18, having sympathy with the objects of the
BPTP and desiring
actively to further it and to pay the entrance fee, where applicable
and annual
subscription laid down from time to time by the Executive Committee.
Young
people shall not have a vote. Young people will elect two
representatives for
the year. The Executive Committee will consult these representatives
and may
invite them to meetings or parts of meetings from time to time.
6. Applications for Membership
Applications
for membership shall be made by requesting membership, to any member of
the
Executive Committee. Membership will be probationary for the first
month and
then full membership will be accorded or denied by the Executive
Committee.
7. Capabilities of Candidates for Membership
Prior
to election all candidates for membership as performers (Acting
Members) shall
satisfy the Executive Committee as to their histrionic and/or musical
ability.
8. Expulsion of Members
The
Executive Committee may by a unanimous vote remove from the list of
Members the
name of any Member who has persistently neglected the work undertaken
by the BPTP
or whose conduct it considers likely to endanger the
welfare
of the BPTP. The individual shall have the right to be heard by the
Executive
Committee, accompanied by a friend, before a final decision is made.
9. Subscriptions and Fees
The
annual subscription to the BPTP and entrance fees, if applicable, shall
be
determined from time to time by the Executive Committee.
10. Payment of Entrance Fees and Subscriptions
Entrance
fees, if applicable, and first annual subscriptions shall become due
and be
paid to the Treasurer on receipt of notice of election to full
membership from
the Secretary, and all subsequent annual subscriptions shall become due
by 1st.
October in each year and shall be paid to the Treasurer not later than
30th.
November.
11. Non-Payment of subscriptions
The
Executive Committee shall have power by bare majority to suspend any
member
whose subscription remains unpaid after 30th.
November in any year
from exercising all or any of the privileges of membership until his or
her
subscription
is paid.
12. Adjustment of Subscriptions
The
Executive Committee shall have power to remit such portion of the
subscription
as they think right in the case of Members elected after 1st.
January or Members leaving the neighbourhood and resigning their
membership
before the end of any season and to re-admit to the BPTP without
entrance fee
any persons who have previously been Members
when
such persons have resigned owing to leaving the neighbourhood or for
other good
cause.
13. Resignations
Members
wishing to resign must tell the Secretary and the Executive Committee
will
decide what portion of the annual subscription, if any, may be refunded.
14. Honorary Life Members
Honorary
Life Members may, on the nomination and recommendation of the Executive
Committee only, be elected on such terms as the members of the BPTP at
an
Annual General Meeting may from time to time decide.
15. Executive Committee
a)
The
BPTP shall be managed by an Executive Committee elected at the Annual
General
Meeting consisting of the following Officers, namely: Chairman,
Treasurer,
Secretary, Child Protection Officer, and 4 Members. One member of the
Executive
Committee can hold more than one position (such as Financial
Secretary). In
that case there needs to be 5 other Members. These Officers and
Committee
Members shall all be over the age of 18.
b)
The
Pantomime Director shall be chosen by the committee annually following
the
annual pantomime and before the Annual General Meeting. The Director is
then an
ex-officio member of the Executive Committee with full voting rights.
c)
A
member of the Executive Committee shall cease to hold office if he or
she:
•
is
disqualified from acting as a member of the Executive Committee by
virtue of
section 72 of the Charities Act 1993 (or any statutory re-enactment or
modification
of that provision)];
•
becomes incapable by reason of mental disorder, illness or injury of
managing
and administering his or her own affairs;
•
is
absent without the permission of the Executive Committee from all their
meetings held within a period of six months and the Executive Committee
resolve
that his or her office be vacated; or
•
notifies to the Executive Committee a wish to resign (but only if at
least
three members of the Executive Committee will remain in office when the
notice
of resignation is to take effect)
d)
The
proceedings of the Executive Committee shall not be invalidated by any
vacancy
among their number or by any failure to appoint or any defect in the
appointment or qualification of a member.
e)
No
person shall be entitled to act as a member of the Executive Committee
whether
on a first or subsequent entry into office until after signing in the
minute
book of the Executive Committee a declaration of acceptance and of
willingness
to act in the trusts of the BPTP.
f)
The
Executive Committee shall co-opt two members under 18 selected by the
BPTP
members under the age of 18 to represent them on the committee. These
representatives shall have no voting rights but will be expected to
join in
discussions.
16. Executive Committee Members not to be personally interested
a)
Subject
to the provisions of sub-clause (b) of this clause no member of the
Executive
Committee shall acquire any interest in property belonging to the BPTP
[otherwise than as a Trustee for the Charity] or receive remuneration
or be
interested (otherwise than as a Member of the Executive Committee) in
any
contract entered into by the Executive Committee.
b)
Optional
– see footnote2. Any member of the Executive Committee for
the time being who
is a solicitor, accountant or other person engaged in a profession may
charge
and be paid all the usual professional charges for business done by him
or her
or his or her firm when instructed by the other members of the
Executive
Committee to act in a professional capacity on behalf of the BPTP:
provided
that at no time shall a majority of the members of the Executive
Committee
benefit under this provision and that a member of the Executive
Committee shall
withdraw from any meeting at which his or her own instruction or
remuneration,
or that of his her firm, is under discussion.
17. Meetings of
Executive Committee
a)
The
Executive Committee shall hold at least two ordinary meetings a year.
b)
A
special meeting may be called at any time by the Chairman or by any two
members
of the Executive Committee upon not less than 4 days’ notice
being given to the
other members of the Executive Committee of the matters to be discussed.
c)
The
Chairman shall act as chairman at meetings of the Executive Committee.
If the
Chairman is absent from any meeting, the members of the Executive
Committee
shall choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting before
any other
business is transacted.
d)
There
shall be a quorum when at least one third of the number of members of
the
Executive Committee for the time being or 3 of the Executive Committee,
whichever is greater, are present at a meeting.
e)
Every
matter shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members of the
Executive Committee present and voting on the question but in the case
of
equality of votes the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or
casting
vote.
f)
The
Executive Committee shall keep minutes, in books kept for the purpose,
of the
proceedings of meeting of the Executive Committee and any sub-committee.
g)
The
Executive Committee may from time to time make and alter rules for the
conduct
of their business, the summoning and conduct of their meetings and the
custody
of documents. No rule may be made which is
inconsistent
with this constitution.
h)
The
Executive Committee may appoint one or more sub-committees consisting
of three
or more members of the Executive Committee for the purpose of making
any
inquiry or supervising or performing any function or duty which in the
opinion
of the Executive Committee would be more conveniently undertaken or
carried out
by a subcommittee: provided that all acts and proceedings of any such
sub-committees shall be fully and promptly reported to the Executive
Committee.
18. Executive Committee’s Powers
The
Executive Committee shall have power to decide any questions arising
out of
these Rules and all other matters connected with the BPTP (other than
and
except those which can be dealt with only by the BPTP in General
Meeting)
and make maintain and publish all necessary orders regulations and
bye-laws in
connection therewith.
19. Finance
a)
The
funds of the BPTP shall be applied solely in furthering the objects of
the BPTP.
b)
The
funds of the BPTP, including all members’ fees, donations,
box office income
and bequests, shall be paid into an account operated by the Executive
Committee
in the name of the BPTP at such bank as the Executive
Committee
shall from time to time decide. All cheques drawn on the account must
be signed
by at least two members of the Executive Committee.
c)
No
member of the BPTP shall receive payment directly or indirectly for
services to
the BPTP or for other than legitimate expenses incurred in its work.
d)
No
expenditure shall be incurred by any member of the BPTP without the
knowledge
of the Treasurer and/or Secretary and all accounts shall be sanctioned
by the
Executive Committee.
e)
The
BPTP shall give an annual subscription to the National Operatic and
Dramatic
Association in accordance with the subscription scales published by
that
Association, and shall abide by the Rules & Bye-Laws of that
Association.
20. Financial Year
The
financial year of the BPTP shall commence on 1st.
April and an
annual profit and loss account and balance sheet shall be prepared
within two
calendar months after 31st. March in each year.
[The Executive
Committee shall comply with their obligations under the Charities Act
1993 (or
any statutory re-enactment of modification of that Act) with regard to
the
preparation of an annual report and annual return and their
transmission to the
Commission.]
21. Annual General Meeting
a)
The
Annual General Meeting of the BPTP shall be held in the month of June
or as
soon as practicable thereafter, when the Report of the Executive
Committee and
accounts for the past year, duly examined, shall be presented; also the
Officers, other members of Executive Committee and an Examiner, for the
ensuing
year, and the honorary Life Members, if any, elected, and all general
business
transacted.
b)
Every
Annual General Meeting shall be called by the Executive Committee. The
Secretary shall give at least 21 days’ notice of the Annual
General Meeting to
all members of the BPTP. All the members of the BPTP shall be entitled
to
attend and vote at the meeting.
c)
Before
any other business is transacted at the first Annual General Meeting
the
persons present shall appoint a chairman of the meeting. The chairman
shall be
the chairman of subsequent Annual General Meetings, but if he or she is
not
present, the persons present shall appoint a chairman of the meeting.
d)
The
Executive Committee shall present to each Annual General Meeting the
report and
accounts of the BPTP for the preceding year.
e)
Nominations
for election to the Executive Committee must be made by members of the
BPTP in
writing and must be in the hands of the Secretary at least 21 days
before the
Annual General Meeting. Should nominations exceed vacancies, election
shall be
by ballot. Should there be no written nominations, nominations can be
accepted
at the meeting.
22. Retirement of Officers and Executive Committee
The
Executive Committee (including the Officers) and the Examiner shall
retire
annually but shall be eligible for re-election.
The
names of candidates for these positions shall be sent to the Secretary
in
writing at least 21 days before the Annual General Meeting and if more
names
are proposed than the number required to fill the vacancies and
sufficient are
not withdrawn at or before such Meeting, the election shall be by
ballot. If
all the before-mentioned positions shall not be filled at such Meeting
or any
casual vacancy shall thereafter occur the same shall be filled by the
remaining
members of the Executive Committee.
23. Special General Meetings
A
Special General Meeting of the BPTP may be called at any time at the
discretion
of the Executive Committee and shall be called within 21 days after the
receipt
by the Secretary of a requisition in writing to that effect signed by
at least
three Members. Every such requisition shall specify the business for
which the
Meeting is to be convened and no other business shall be transacted at
such
Meeting.
24. Procedure at General Meetings
The
Secretary or other person specially appointed by the Executive
Committee shall
keep a full record of proceedings at every General Meeting of the BPTP.
25. Quorum at General Meetings
No
business other than the formal adjournment of the Meeting shall be
transacted
at any General Meeting unless a quorum be present and such quorum shall
consist
of not less than 5 persons present and entitled to
vote.
26. Resolution at General Meeting
Unless
otherwise provided by these Rules all resolutions brought forward at a
General
Meeting shall be decided by a bare majority of the votes properly
recorded at
such Meeting and in the case of an equality of votes the Chairman shall
have a
second or casting vote.
27. Notice of General Meeting
A
printed notice of every General Meeting accompanied in the case of the
Annual
General Meeting by the Statement of Accounts for the past year and
particulars
of nominations for the Executive Committee (including the Officers) and
Examiner
and of any proposal to elect an honorary Life Member shall be sent to
each
member at least 14 days prior to the day fixed for such Meeting.
28. Selection of Works
The
Executive Committee shall select the works to be produced by the BPTP
and shall
determine the dates of productions.
29. Selection of Cast
The
cast for any production shall be selected by the Executive Committee or
by a
Selection Sub-Committee appointed by the Executive Committee and
consisting of
not less than three persons. Auditions are to be carried out in line
with BPTP Audition Policy.
30. Revision of Cast
The
Executive Committee or its appointed Sub-Committee shall have power to
revise
the cast from time to time in consultation with the Show Director, if
any
Acting Member to whom a character has been assigned shall, in its
opinion, prove
unsuitable for the part.
31. Obligations of Acting Members
Acting
Members shall to the best of their ability play the parts assigned to
them and
obey the directions given at all rehearsals and performances.
32. Control of Rehearsals
The
Musical Director shall conduct all music rehearsals and the Director
shall
direct all stage rehearsals.
33. Attendance at Rehearsals and Performances
A
record of the attendance of Acting Members at rehearsals and
performances shall
be kept by the Secretary. The Executive Committee shall have power to
prohibit
any Member whose attendance at rehearsals shall have been irregular
from taking
part in the performance of the work in preparation. Acting Members
absenting
themselves from three consecutive rehearsals may, at the discretion of
the
Executive Committee and in consultation with the show director, be
deemed to
have resigned their parts in the work then in rehearsal.
34. Acting Members in excess of Requirements
If
at
any time the number of Members rehearsing a production exceed the
number of
persons required for the representation of the same, preference shall
be given
to the Members who, by the regularity of their attendance, shall, in
the
opinion of the Executive Committee, have rendered themselves most
efficient.
35. Production Money
All
monies due from Members in connection with the production and
performance of
any work shall be accounted for, and paid to the Treasurer, within 28
days
after the conclusion of the final performance.
36. Production Account
Within
two calendar months after the final performance of any work produced by
the BPTP,
the Executive Committee shall prepare or cause to be prepared a full
statement
of the receipts and expenses of each production and the same shall be
open for
the inspection of Members at such time and place as the Executive
Committee
shall decide.
37. Recovery of Money due to BPTP
All
monies due and owing to the BPTP, including the Entrance Fees and
Subscriptions
of Members, shall be recoverable at law in the name of the Secretary.
38. Dissolution of BPTP
If
the
Executive Committee decides that it is necessary or advisable to
dissolve the BPTP
it shall call a meeting of all members of the BPTP, of which not less
than 21
days’ notice (stating the terms of the resolution to be
proposed) shall be
given. If the proposal is confirmed by a two-thirds majority of those
present
and voting the Executive Committee
shall
have power to realise any assets held by or on behalf of the BPTP. Any
assets
remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities
shall be
given or transferred to such other charitable institution or
institutions
having objects similar to the BPTP as the members of the BPTP may
determine or
failing that shall be applied for some other charitable purpose. A copy
of the
statement of accounts, or account or statement, for the final
accounting period
of the BPTP will be sent to the Charity Commission.
39. Alteration to Rules
a)
No
alteration of these Rules shall be made except at a General Meeting nor
unless
21 days prior to such a meeting a written notice of the proposed
alteration or
of one substantially to the like effect shall have been given to the
Secretary,
who shall give 14 days notice thereof to the members and the resolution
embodying such proposed alteration shall be carried by a majority of at
least
two thirds of the members present and voting at a General Meeting.
b)
No
amendment may be made to clauses 1, 2, 16, 38 or this clause without
the prior
consent of the Charity Commission.
40. Health and Safety
The BPTP Health and Safety Policy will be followed by all members of the society. Any members observing unsafe practice, incidents etc. must report this to the Executive Committee for action.
41. Child Protection
The BPTP Child
Protection Policy will be followed by all members of the society. It
will be
revisited annually for revision as necessary in the light of any
revised good
practice. All adults, both cast and crew will be given training or
re-training
annually and this recorded by the Child Protection Officer. Any
concerns about
Child Protection must be passed immediately to the Child Protection
Officer who
will decide the most appropriate action.
42. Equal Opportunities
The BPTP
Equal Opportunities Document will be followed by all members.
This
policy was accepted in July 2007
and revised on 2nd. October 2008.
Signed
Edward Turner
Chairman
Signed
Sarah Coulson
Financial
Secretary
Accepted at
the
Signed
Chairman
Signed
Secretary