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Our Constitution
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Please click here for a history of COPING Committee minutes.
Constitution of COPING (Derbyshire
Chronic Pain Support Group) 1. Name The name of the organisation shall be COPING (Derbyshire Chronic Pain Support Group), hereafter called The Group'. 2. Objects The objects of the Group shall be: 1. To help to improve the quality of life for people experiencing chronic pain, and their families and partners, by providing emotional support, relevant up-to-date information and appropriate activities. 2. To raise awareness of the problems and experiences of the above group of people within the statutory and voluntary sector and the general public. 3. To organise regular support group meetings and other activities and events for the benefit of members. 4. To maintain links with the Southern Derbyshire Pain Management Programme and encourage discussion regarding issues of concern. 5. To 5. Liaise with groups and organisations with similar aims. 3. PowersIn order to achieve its objects but not otherwise the Group may: 1. Raise funds and invite and receive contributions from any person or persons whatsoever by way of subscriptions, donations or otherwise. 2. Collect and disseminate information on all matters regarding the said objects. 3. Promote and carry out or assist in promoting and carrying out research, surveys and investigations and publish the useful results thereof for the benefit of the public. 4. Promote positively equal opportunities within the community and within the membership. 5. Arrange and provide for, or join in arranging and providing for, the holding of events, meetings, workshops, exhibitions, lectures, conferences, seminars and training courses. 6. Cause to be written and printed, or otherwise reproduced, and circulated such leaflets or other documents which will further the said objects. 7. Support members to become more effective by encouraging attendance at seminars, conferences and training courses. 8. Co-operate with other charities, voluntary groups/organisations and statutory authorities operating in furtherance of the objects or of similar charitable purposes and to exchange information and advice with them. 9. Do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of the objects. 4.
Membership
Membership of the Group is open to anyone, who is interested in furthering the objects, willing to abide by the constitution and to pay any subscription fee as may be laid down annually by the Committee. Every
member shall have one vote. The
Committee may by unanimous vote, and for good reason, terminate the
membership of any individual provided that the individual concerned
shall have the right to be heard by the Committee, accompanied by a
person of their choice, before a final decision is made. The
Committee shall have the right, for good reason, to refuse
membership. A 5.
Officers At the Annual General Meeting of the Group the members shall elect from amongst themselves a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer who shall hold office from the conclusion of that meeting. 6.
Committee
The policy and general management of the affairs of the Group shall be directed by a Committee which consists of not more than 10 members and not less than 6. The
members shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. Election
to the Committee shall be for one year and all members shall retire
annually but shall be eligible for re-election. Only
members of the Group shall be eligible to serve as members of the
Committee. At least 60% of the Committee shall be people
experiencing chronic pain. The Committee may from time to time co-opt further members, who may serve until the conclusion of the next AGM, if appropriate. Co-opted members shall not make up more than one third of the Committee and shall have voting rights. Any casual vacancy in the Committee may be filled by the Committee and any person appointed shall hold office until the conclusion of the next AGM and shall be eligible for election at the meeting. He/she shall have voting rights. 7 MeetingsThe
Committee shall hold at least 6 ordinary meetings each year. The Chair shall chair all meetings of the Committee and the Group. If he/she is absent from any meeting, then the Vice-Chair shall chair. If both the Chair and Vice-Chair are absent, then members present shall choose one of their number to be chair of the meeting before any other business is transacted. The
quorum for Committee meetings shall be 4. Voting
at Committee meetings shall be by a show of hands. If there is a
tied vote, then the Chair shall have a second casting vote. The Committee shall keep minutes, in books kept for the purpose, of the proceedings at meetings of the Committee and any sub-committee.
8
Finance
Any
money obtained by COPING shall be used only for the Group. Proper
accounts shall be kept with regard to all monies received by and
paid out by the Group. The Treasurer and one other nominated
official shall sign the cheques. Members shall be entitled to claim out of pocket expenses as determined by the Committee.
9.
Annual General Meeting An
Annual General Meeting of the Group shall be held in the month of
June in each year or as soon as practicable thereafter. Every AGM shall be called by the Committee. The Secretary shall give at least 14 days' notice of the meeting and a list of people willing to stand for the Committee to all members, who shall be entitled to attend and vote. The business of the AGM shall include: • a report from the Chair on the Group's activities over the year, • a report from the Treasurer on the finances of the Group, • election of the committee • any other business The
quorum for the AGM and any General Meeting shall be one-fifth of
membership or 10 members, whichever is greater.
10. Special General Meeting A Special General Meeting may be called by: 1. The Committee, or 2. At least one-fifth of membership or 10 members, whichever is greater, having signed a motion to discuss an urgent matter. The Secretary shall give all members at least 7 days' notice of any Special General Meeting together with notice of the business to be discussed. 11. Dissolution Alterations to the Constitution Any
changes to this Constitution must be agreed by at least two thirds
of those members present and voting at any General Meeting. Such
General Meeting shall be called under the rules laid down in
sections 9 and 10. The
Group may be wound up at any time if agreed by at least two thirds
of those members present and voting at any General Meeting. In the
event of winding up, any assets remaining, after all debts have been
paid, shall be given to another Group with similar aims. 13
Adoption of the Constitution
This
was adopted on the 11th February 2002
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