THE CORNWALL RETIRED MEMBERS ASSOCIATION
CONSTITUTION
1) NAME
The name of the RMA shall be: -THE CORNWALL RETIRED MEMBERS ASSOCIATION, hereinafter referred to in this constitution as the “RMA”
2) AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The aims and objectives of the RMA shall be: –
2.1) To promote and safeguard the interests of all its members, their dependants and actively liaise with other pensioner organisations.
2.2) To promote measures for Members, welfare, companionship and social contacts.
2.3) To maintain links with serving members of the Fire Service.
3) MEMBERSHIP
Membership of the RMA shall be open to: –
3.1) Former uniformed personnel whether whole-time or on call who have retired or were discharged from the Fire Brigades maintained by Fire Services in the United Kingdom under the Fire Services Acts to date. Every such person on joining the Association shall be styled a “Member” with power to vote at meetings.
3.2) The RMA, at its discretion, may admit other persons as associate members.
3.3) The RMA may grant Honorary Life Membership to such persons as it deems appropriate.
4) ORGANISATION
4.1) The RMA will elect its own Officers, and Committees if found necessary, from its members and make its own rules or standing orders
4.2) Records of business transacted by the RMA shall be maintained and copies of the minutes of such meetings sent to all members.
5) THE RMA
The business of the RMA shall be managed by a Committee, hereinafter referred to as “The Committee” –
5.1) The Committee elected by the RMA shall have the Power to make standing orders, all business and matters of procedure at Committee Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with any such standing orders. The Committee shall have the power to vary, alter or revoke any such standing orders.
5.2) The Committee shall consist of: The Chairman (Vice Chairman?) The Secretary, Newsletter Editor, The Treasurer, NARF Rep.
5.3) The Chairman will preside at the Annual General Meetings and meetings of the Branch. He shall perform such further functions and duties as may be assigned to him by the Committee.
5.4) The Vice Chairman shall in the absence of the Chairman preside and undertake the duties of the Chairman at meetings.
5.5) The Secretary will be responsible under the direction of the RMA for conducting general correspondence and keeping of accurate records as necessary for efficient administration. The secretary shall on all occasions, as far as it is practicable, act only within agreed policies of the Branch. Any matters not defined in these policies or queries which may arise, are referred to the next meeting of the RMA before any action is taken, or if urgent must be referred to the Chairman for his ruling.
5.6) The Secretary will ensure that all members of the RMA are kept informed of all relevant matters The Secretary shall attend Annual General meeting and all meetings of the RMA, at which an accurate record is made to include, names of those attending, apologies received for non-attendance, matters discussed and decisions reached. The secretary will produce this record in the form of minutes kept on file, copies of which he will circulate to all members of the Branch. The secretary will present these Minutes at the next applicable meeting, for acceptance and signing by the Chairman of that meeting. If the Secretary is absent from a meeting, the Chairman of that meeting will arrange for the Minutes to be recorded and passed on to the Secretary for file and circulation. The Secretary will perform such other duties as specified in this Constitution or directed by the Branch.
5.7) The Chairman and Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, NARF Rep will be elected at an Annual General Meeting.
5.8) The Quorum for a RMA Meeting shall 1/3 of the RMA Members who are empowered to vote at such meetings.
5.9) Voting shall be by a show of hands, as decided by the Branch. Each member of the RMA authorized by this Constitution to vote, shall be entitled to one vote. If the votes are equal the Chair of that meeting shall have the casting vote.
6) ASSETS
6.1) The income and property of the RMA shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the Aims and Objectives of the RMA as set out in Clause 2 of this Constitution.
7) FINANCE
7.1) Subscriptions
7.1.1) The Financial Year shall be from 1st January to 31st December.
7.1.2)The Annual subscriptions shall be determined for the following year at an Annual General Meeting and are payable to the Treasurer for every member.
7.2) Accounts
7.2.1) The RMA Treasurer shall be responsible for the general direction of the financial affairs of the RMA.
7.2.2) The Treasurer shall be responsible for the accounting, records and financial procedures of the Association in relation to income received, expenditure, assets and liabilities.
7.2.3) The Treasurer shall be responsible for the RMA banking arrangements and shall operate such accounts in the name of the RMA. Any accounts held at bank requiring one signature for withdrawals. Other signatories will normally be the Chairman and Secretary.
7.2.4) The Treasurer shall submit a statement of the RMA financial position to all meetings of the RMA.
7.2.5) The Treasurer shall, at the Annual General Meeting of the Association, submit a statement of the Association’s financial affairs. The statement should be independently audited by 2 other members of the committee duly elected at the previous years’ Annual General Meeting.
7.2.6) In normal circumstances the Treasurer shall be only empowered to incur expenditure on behalf of the RMA, with the authority of the RMA.
8) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
8.1) The Annual General Meeting of the RMA shall be held at such time and place as the RMA determine, usually in the month of March.
8.2) The Agenda and the procedure for the Annual General Meeting shall be in accordance with Standing Orders and the Programme determined by the RMA.
9) NOTICES OF MOTION PROPOSED FOR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS
9.1) Notices of Motion proposed for the Annual General Meeting may be submitted by RMA Members. All notices of Motion shall be sent to reach the Secretary not later than 14 (fourteen) days before the Annual General Meeting.
9.2) Notices of Motion received by the specific date, shall be placed on the Agenda and circulated to all RMA Members by the Secretary not later than 7 days before the Annual General Meeting.
9.3) Any amendment to a Notice of Motion must be received by the RMA Secretary in sufficient time to be circulated 7 (seven) days before the start of the Annual General Meeting.
10) SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
10.1) A Special General Meeting of the RMA may be convened by the Chairman, or in response to a request in writing to the Secretary, by not less than 6 (six) RMA members. The RMA Secretary shall convene such meetings.
10.2) Voting and procedure shall be in accordance with Standing Orders for the conduct of such meetings.
11) ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION
11.1) This Constitution shall not be rescinded, altered or added thereto except at an Annual General Meeting of the RMA, at which such changes must be approved by not less than two thirds of the Members present.
11.2) Such Notice(s) of Motion shall be given accordance with Clause 9 of this Constitution and notified to all RMA members by the RMA Secretary.
12) DISSOLUTION OF THE RMA
12.1) The RMA shall not be dissolved except by a Special General Meeting of the RMA convened for that specific purpose in accordance with the procedure set out in Clause 10 of this Constitution.
12.2) The RMA shall not be dissolved unless two-thirds of the Members present vote in favour of dissolution.
12.3) If the decision is taken to dissolve the RMA, then it shall be competent for the Members present at this Special General Meeting to arrange for the disposal of the assets of the Association.
13) ISSUE DATE
13.1) This constitution was amended, voted and re-issued on (date)