Constitution

As amended and agreed at the AGM of the club, held October 2006.

The Club shall be known as "THE COMPUTER CLUB", and hereinafter referred to as the "Club"

Objects

The objects of the Club shall be: -

1. To arrange meetings of interest to the Club members
2. To promote awareness and appreciation of computing between the Club members and the general public.
3. To obtain discounts for the Club members.
4. To promote good communications with all computer users, possibly on an international scale.

Membership

Full membership of the Club is open to all computer users. All computer users may apply for Postal Membership, which will entitle them to receive by post copies of the club magazine and other information when produced. Postal members are non-voting members.

Rates of subscriptions for all classes of membership will be decided by the Club. The membership year runs from 1st November one year to 31st October the next. The full annual subscription will apply for anyone joining within 6 months of the start of the year, with a proportional rate being paid after this time.

Signing the registration/renewal form shows that the Club member agrees that the Club cannot be held liable for any personal injury, loss of earnings, damage to equipment etc. resulting from any advice given by Club members, occurring at meetings or while travelling to and from meetings.

Any member wishing to leave the Club during the period of Membership should give the Secretary one months notice in writing. A suitable proportion of the annual membership fee will be returned if this occurs less than six months after joining or renewal.

Annual General Meeting

The AGM will be held at an October meeting of the Club each year. 20% membership (rounded down to the nearest whole number) will represent a quorum. The AGM will be free to all members, but only full members will have a right to vote.

Committee

The Committee members will be proposed, seconded and elected by a simple majority at the AGM. If there is more than one candidate a vote will be necessary and this will be a show of hands or a paper vote. The Committee will consist of the following:-

• Chairman
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• One elected member

The Committee will be allowed to co-opt any member who may be of use to the Committee. The Committee may appoint sub-committees of Club members as and when required. All Committee members will have one vote. The Chairman will also have a casting vote if necessary. Co-opted members will not have a vote at Committee meetings.

If it is not possible for a committee member to continue in their post until the next AGM the process of electing a new member will take place at the next general meeting.

President

The Honorary appointment of life President can be conferred on a member in recognition of meritorious work for the Club.

Meetings

At each meeting, each member shall pay the meeting attendance fee as set by the Committee (the meeting attendance fee can be subject to change without notice if the venue of the meeting is forced to change). Prospective members are welcome to attend their first night free of charge. Club meetings will usually be held on the second and fourth Friday of each month.

General Meetings are arranged to be held every six months, usually June and December.

Finance

Accounts are to be presented each year at the AGM. Bank account to be opened with signatories the Treasurer, Chairperson, Secretary and one other elected committee member (with two of the four signatures being needed on bank documents). A payment for running expenses and small sums for known useful hardware, software etc may be authorised by the Committee, but any expenditure larger than £150.00 needs the consent of the Club members by simple majority vote at any ordinary meeting. All remaining monies must be paid into the Club's account. Any hardware, software and property of the Club is to be put in the care of two specified Committee members. All property of the Club should be recorded. An up to date inventory of all Club property should be maintained by the Treasurer and be made available for inspection at all meetings.

A small quantity of petty cash (collected from the attendance fees) will be kept by the Treasurer for the purposes of postage/printing/room hire and the purchase of refreshments over the course of the following month – this sum is not to exceed £30.00 at any time. The elected officers have the authority to spend a maximum of £10.00 per month on items other than the room hire and printing costs without prior committee approval – any greater sum must receive prior committee approval.

Changes in Constitution

Changes in constitution of the Club may only be made by two-thirds majority vote (of those present) at a General Meeting of the Club, all members having been duly notified. Any member wishing a change in the constitution must submit the proposal in writing to the Secretary at least two weeks before any General meeting may be called. A General Meeting may be called at the discretion of the Committee if two members request it, providing there has not been a general meeting in the previous two months.

Closure of the Club

If the Club Full members so desire and provided there is at least three quarters majority vote of all voting members then the Club may be wound up. The voting must be a postal ballot with the closing date for votes stated on the voting slip. All Full members must be notified. If such a vote is carried, the assets of the Club, after all expenses and outstanding accounts are settled, should be sold or auctioned and money thus obtained be given to the Radstock Methodist Church. If computer hardware or software is held by the Club and it could be of use to this organisation, then it may be given rather than sold to release capital. The disposal of assets should be the responsibility of the Committee, or a person appointed by the Committee.