Adopted on the 24th May 2006 at the Annual General meeting
The name of the group is Friends of Apex Park Improvements Group called 'the Friends' in this constitution.
Aim:
To provide opportunities for community members to improve and promote the use of, awareness of and care of facilities within Apex Wildlife & Leisure Park in order to make the park a welcoming, safe and enjoyable environment for all.
Objectives:
o To work in partnership with Sedgemoor District Council and or other interested parties, to help manage and generally look after the Apex Park in a manner that will enhance its value to the community.
o To make changes which will be of benefit to those visiting the park and to the flora and fauna living in it.
o To make special efforts to encourage children from the local primary schools and other youth groups to take an interest in the park; to help them understand its value in the environment and to the community and to show them ways in which management can enhance this, in the belief that they may continue the work of 'The Friends' in future.
o To raise awareness and profile of the park.
o To influence and adopt the District Council’s Management Plan for the park and help achieve its aims and objectives.
To further the objectives the Committee may exercise the following powers:
o Set up a bank account in the name of the 'Friends'.
o Raise funds and receive contributions, donations and otherwise, provided that the group shall not undertake any permanent trading activity.
o Produce leaflets/posters/website to publicise the groups activities.
o Hold regular meetings.
o Pay necessary expenses involved in the running of the ' Friends'.
Membership:
Membership of the 'Friends' shall be open to any person who has an interest in the preservation and enhancement of the Apex Leisure & Wildlife Park. All members will be issued with a membership card on an annual basis.
Committee Members (Officers)
The group shall elect a committee consisting of not less than 4 members. They shall be elected to serve for 1 year. From amongst the Committee a chairperson, a secretary, treasurer and marketing officer will be elected. Names for the committee will be put forward either by the process of nominating & seconding, or by people volunteering to stand. A vote (if necessary) will be taken by a show of hands, or in the case of sensitive issues, by a ballot (conducted there & then) at the Annual General Meeting.
Other members may be appointed to hold/undertake particular responsibilities within the group e.g. fund-raising, etc.
Meetings:
Friends of Apex Park Improvements Group Meetings will be held on a 6-8 weekly basis.
Finances:
(a) Any money raised shall be used to further the aims of the 'Friends' and for no other purpose.
(b) A bank account will be opened in the name of the 'Friends' at the Natwest Bank, Burnham on Sea.
(c) The committee shall decide the signatories to any account set up in the name of the group (two out of three signatories to sign any cheque).
(d) A simple written note of the 'Friends' financial position will from time to time be produced and available at meetings of the committee.
(e) No member shall derive any financial benefit from the 'Friends', except for payment of reasonable expenses.
(f) No money will be paid out in the name of the 'Friends' without a receipt being presented.
Annual General Meeting:
An AGM of the group shall be held every year. All members shall be notified not less than 14 days before the meeting and an agenda will be circulated. The business of the AGM will be:
o To receive the Chairman's report of the previous years activities.
o To receive the Treasurer's report and the audited accounts.
o To elect Committee Members for the following year.
o To conduct any other business that the Committee may see fit to include.
The quorum of the committee members at the AGM should be 3.
Amendments to the Constitution:
If amendments to the Constitution are necessary, members will be informed in writing and given the opportunity to consider and vote on the amendments. The amendments will only be made if there is a two-thirds majority vote of all members.
Dissolution:
If 2/3rds of the 'the Friends' think that the Organisation should be closed down, the Committee should call a Special Meeting open to all members to discuss & vote on this. 14 days' notice should be given, and the purpose of the meeting should be publicised. Any decision will be reached by a majority vote.
If the decision reached is to dissolve 'the Friends' then the Committee should donate the assets (money, equipment, etc.) provided that any remain after the payment of all debts and liabilities. Such assets shall not be given or distributed among the members, but shall be given to another legally constituted organisation with similar conservation objectives as 'The Friends'.
