HEALTH SERVICE FORUM SOUTH EAST 1994

CONSTITUTION

1. NAME

The name of the organisation is "HEALTH SERVICE FORUM SOUTH EAST 1994" hereinafter referred to as the "Forum".

2. OBJECTS

To inform the residents of South Glasgow of the changes in the N.H.S. which relate specifically to their area, covering the Hospitals, G.Ps, Community Care and the NHS overall, to the best of our ability. Also to organise petitions or protests in support of the N.H.S. as the members shall decide at a public meeting and to co-operate and co-ordinate with other Health Service Fora in the NHS Greater Glasgow Area and other health groups.

3. POWERS

A) Engage and pay fees to professional and technical advisers / consultants to assist in the work of the Forum.
B) Bring together in conference and work in liaison with representatives of voluntary organisations, government departments, local and other statutory authorities and individuals.
C) Promote and carry out or assist in promoting and carrying out research, surveys and investigations and where considered appropriate, publish the results.
D) Raise funds and invite and receive contributions from any person or persons by way of subscription or otherwise.
E) do all such other lawful things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objects.

4. MEMBERSHIP

A) Membership is open to all persons over the age of 17 years.
B) The membership secretary shall register all members names and keep a list thereof.
C) All members must abide by the terms of the Constitution and any Standing Orders adopted under the Constitution.
D) The Committee has the right to withdraw / withold membership for a good reason. Any member whose membership has been withdrawn may appeal in writing to the committee following the withdrawal of membership where his/her appeal against withdrawal will be considered. The Executive Committee may decide to ask the member to appear at a Special meeting to present his/her case.

5. SUBSCRIPTIONS

There shall be an annual subscription of £5 per person (£3 unwaged) or £20 per group membership. Subscriptions may only be altered by a majority vote at the A.G.M. or Special General Meeting.

6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

6.1 The A.G.M. of the Forum will be held on the second Tuesday of April of each year, or such other time as the Committee may determine, not being more than 15 months after the previous A.G.M. At the A.G.M. the following business shall be transacted:-

A) Election of Office Bearers
B) Election of other Committee Members
C) Adoption of Constitution
D) Any other competent business

6.2 At the second and subsequent A.G.M.'s the following business shall be transacted:-

A) Election of Office Bearers
B) Election of Committee Members
C) Consideration of Annual Accounts
D) Consideration of Competent Motions
E) Consideration of Chairperson's Report
F) Any other competent business

6.3 The secretary shall give 28 days written notice to all members of the date of the Annual General Meeting.

7. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

7.1 A Special General Meeting shall be called in the following circumstances:-

A) If the Committee so requires.
B) On the written demand of 25% of the members.
C) On the appeal by a member whose membership has been withdrawn, in terms of Clause 3D.
D) Where a motion for dissolution has been tabled in terms of Clause 9 and where an A.G.M. is not to be held within 28 days of tabling such a motion.

7.2 The procedure for calling a Special General Meeting shall be similar to those calling an A.G.M.

8. REMIT OF THE COMMITTEE

A) The committee shall consist of four office bearers and seven committee members.
B) All committee members shall hold office from one A.G.M. to the following A.G.M. and shall be eligible for re-election. All committee members shall be entitled to resign from office at any time.
C) The office bearers shall be the Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Vice Chair. All office bearers shall be elected by the A.G.M.
D) The other committee members shall be elected by the A.G.M.
E) The committee shall have the right to co-opt any individuals to act on the committee as they see fit. Individuals so co-opted shall not have voting rights.
F) The committee shall meet at such intervals as determined by the committee.
G) Members of the Forum who are not members of the committee may, if the committee so allow, attend and be heard at the committee meetings - but shall have voting rights.
H) Matters not determined by the Constitution shall be decided by the committee.
I) The committee shall be entitled to appoint a sub-committee for the consideration of any matters falling within the aims and objectives of the Forum.
J) Where it is deemed by the committee that a difficulty of a temporary nature arises and it is not considered necessary to dissolve the Forum, the committee have the power to suspend the Forum for a period of not more than three months, before calling an A.G.M. or a S.G.M.

9. PROCEDURES AT ALL MEETINGS

A) All questions arising at the meeting shall be decided by a majority of those present and entitled to vote thereat. In the case of an equality of votes, the chair shall have a second or casting vote.
B) The Quorum at all meetings shall be six.
C) Any notice required to be served by the Secretary under the Constitution may be served on them personally or by sending it through the post in a stamped envelope addressed to such a member(s) at his/her last known address - and any letter so sent shall be deemed to have been received within ten days of posting.

10. STANDING ORDERS AND RULES

The committee shall have the power to adopt Standing orders and Rules.

Such Standing orders and Rules shall come into operation immediately - provided that they shall not be inconsistent with the provision of this Constitution.

11. DISSOLUTION

If the management committee by a simple majority decide at any time on the ground of expense or otherwise it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the association, it shall call a special general meeting of the association, of which meeting not less than 21 days’ notice (stating the terms of the resolution to be proposed at the meeting) shall be given. If such decision is confirmed by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast in relation to the resolution at such meeting, the management committee shall settle the debts and liabilities of the association. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of such debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to a charitable organisation or organisations having objects similar to the objects of the Forum as the committee may determine.

12. ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION

A) The Constitution may not be altered except by a Resolution passed by a 2/3rds majority of those present at the A.G.M. or a S.G.M.
B) Any Resolution shall be lodged in writing with the Secretary at least 28 days before the A.G.M. or S.G.M., at which said Resolution is to be voted on.
C) The Notice given for the said meeting must include a copy of the Motion proposing the alteration of the Constitution.

13. FINANCE

A) The Treasurer shall submit a report of finances at each meeting.
B) The account shall be produced at least once a year.
C) A statement of the accounts for the last financial year shall be submitted by the committee to the A.G.M.
D) All financial documents shall be the property of the Forum.
E) A bank account shall be opened in the name of the Forum with such a bank as the committee shall from time to time decide.
F) The committee shall authorise in writing the Treasurer, Chair and Secretary of the Forum to sign cheques on behalf of the Forum.
G) All cheques must be signed by not less than two of the Authorised Signatories.