Constitution

A. The Name of the Group/Association is Agudze Dance Ensemble

B. Aims & Objectives

The charity’s objects are:

(a) To educate the British people in the arts of Africa through the promotion and preservation of the cultures and traditions of Africa

(b) To encourage and promote cultural integration among people

C. Administration

Subject to the matters set out below the charity and its property shall be administered and managed in the accordance with this constitution by the Executive Committee, constituted by clause G of this constitution (“Executive Committee”)

D. Membership

(a) Membership of the charity shall be open to anyone living within the area of Waltham Forest and East London over the age of 18 years interested in furthering the objects and who has paid any annual subscription laid down from time to time by the executive committee.

(b) Every member shall have one vote

(c) The Executive Committee may by unanimous vote and for good reason terminate the membership of any individual concerned shall have the right to be heard by the Executive Committee, accompanied by a friend, before a final decision is made.

E. Powers

In furtherance of the objects but not otherwise the Executive Committee

May exercise the following powers:

(I) Powers to raise funds and invite and receive contributions provided that in raising funds the Executive Committee shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities and shall conform to any relevant requirements of the law

Power to buy, take on lease or in exchange any property necessary for the achievement of the objects and to maintain and equip it for use;

(II) Power subject to any consents required by law to sell, lease or dispose of all or any part of the charity;

(III) Power subject to any consents required by law to borrow money and to charge all or any part of the property of the charity with repayment of the money so borrowed;

(IV) Power to employ such staff (who shall not be members of the Executive Committee) as are necessary for the proper pursuit of the objects and to make all reasonable and necessary provision for the payment of pensions and superannuation for staff and their dependants;

(V) Power to co-operate with charities, voluntary bodies and statutory authorities operating in furtherance of the objects or of similar purposes and to exchange information and advice with them;

(VI) Power to establish or support any charitable trust, associations or institutions formed for all or any of the objects;

(VII) Power to appoint and constitute such advisory committees as the Executive Committee may think fit;

(VIII) Power to do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of the objects;

F. Honorary Officers

At the annual general meeting of the Association the members shall elect from amongst themselves a number of honorary officers as follows- a chair, a secretary treasurer and vice –chair who shall all hold office from the conclusion of that meeting.

G. Executive Committee

(1) The Executive Committee shall consist of not less than 4 members nor More than 8 members being:

(a) the honorary officers specified in the preceding clause;

(b) not less than 1 and not more than 3 members elected at annual general meeting who shall hold from the conclusion of that meeting;

(2) The Executive committee may in addition appoint not more than 1 Co – opted member. Each appointment of co- opted member shall be Made at a special meeting of the Executive Committee called under

Clause J and shall take effect from the end of that meeting unless the

Appointment is to fill a place which has not then been vacated. In which

case the appointment shall run from the date when the post becomes

vacant.

(3) All the members of the Executive Committee shall retire from office together at the end of the annual general meeting next after the date on which they came into office but they may be re-elected or re-appointed.

H: Determination of Membership of Executive Committee

A member of the Executive committee shall cease to hold office if he or she:

(1) is absent without the permission of the Executive Committee from all their meetings held within a period of six months and the Executive Committee resolve that his or her office be vacated; or

(2) notifies to the Executive Committee a wish to resign (but only if at least three members of the Executive Committee will remain in Office when the notice of resignation is to take effect)

I. Executive Committee Members not to be personally interested

No member of the Executive Committee shall acquire any interest in property belonging to the charity (otherwise than as a trustee) or receive remuneration or be interested ( otherwise than as a member of the Executive Committee) in any contract entered into by Executive Committee .

J. Meetings and proceedings of the Executive Committee

(1) The Executive Committee Shall hold at least two ordinary meetings each year. A special meeting may be called at any time by the chairperson or by any two members of the Executive Committee upon not less than 7 days notice being given to the other members of the Executive Committee of the matters to be discussed; but if the matters include an appointment of a co– opted member then not less than 14 days notice must be given

(2) The chairperson shall act as chairperson at meetings of the Executive Committee. If the chairperson is absent from any meeting, the members of the Executive Committee present shall choose one of their number to be chairperson of the meeting before any other business is transacted.

(3) There shall be a quorum when at least one third of the number of members of the Executive Committee for the time being or three members of the Executive Committee ,Whichever is the greater, are present at the meeting.

(4) Every matter shall be determined by a majority of votes of the Members of the Executive Committee present and voting on the Question but in the case of equality of votes the Chairperson of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.

(5) The Executive Committee shall keep minutes, in books kept for the purpose, of the proceedings at meetings of the Executive Committee and any sub-committee.

(6) The Executive Committee may from time to time make and alter rules for the conduct of their business, the summoning and conduct of their meetings and the custody of the documents. No rule may be made which is inconsistent with this constitution.

(7) The Executive committee may appoint one or more sub-committee consisting of two or more members of the Executive Committee for the purpose of making any enquiry, supervising, or performing any function or duty which in the opinion of the Executive Committee would be more conveniently undertaking or carried out by a sub-committee; provided that all acts and proceedings of any such sub-committees shall be fully and promptly reported to the Executive Committee.

K. Receipts and Expenditure

(1) The Funds of the Charity, including all donations, contributions and bequests, shall be paid into an account operated by the Executive Committee in the name of the Society at such bank as the Executive Committee shall from time to time decide. All cheques drawn on the account must be signed by at least three members of the Executive Committee.

(2) The funds belonging to the charity shall be applied only in furthering the objects

L. Accounts

The Financial Year for the charity will run from 1st April in any year to 31st March the following and the Executive Committee Shall Comply with these obligations:

(1) keep accounting records for the Charity for each financial year;

(2) Prepare annual statements of account for the Charity for each financial year to be presented to the annual General Meeting;

(3) Have the statements of account of the charity audited or independently examined from time to time when required to do so by funding bodies.

M. Annual Report

The Executive Committee will produce an Annual report detailing its activities (Including financial activities) over the preceding 12 months. This report will be subject to approval by the Annual General meeting.

N. Annual General Meeting

(1) There shall be an annual general meeting of the Charity to be held at the beginning of { } in each year or as soon as practicable thereafter.

(2) The Executive Committee shall call every annual general meeting The Secretary Shall give at least 21days notice of the annual general meeting to all the members of the Charity. All the members of the Charity shall be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting.

(3) Before any other Business is transacted at the first annual general meeting the persons present shall appoint a chairperson of the meeting. The chairperson shall be the chairperson of subsequent annual general meetings, but if he or she is not present, before any other business is transacted, the persons present shall appoint a chairperson of the meeting

(4) The Executive Committee shall present to each annual general meeting the report and accounts of the charity for the preceding year.

(5) Nominations for election to the Executive Committee must be made by members of the Charity in writing and must be in the hands of the secretary of the Executive Committee at least 7 days before the annual general meeting. Should nominations exceed vacancies, election shall be by ballot.

O. Special General Meetings

The Executive Committee may call a special general meeting of the charity at any time. If at least ten members request such a meeting in writing stating the business to be considered the secretary shall call a meeting. At least 21 days notice must be given. The notice must state the business to be discussed

P. Procedures at General Meetings

The Secretary or other person specially appointed by the Executive Committee shall keep a full record of proceedings at every general meeting of the Charity

There shall be a quorum when at least one tenth of the number of members of the Charity for the time being or six ordinary members, which ever is the greater, are present at any general meeting.

Q. Alterations to the Constitution

Subject to the following provisions of this clause the Constitution may be altered by a resolution passed by not less than two thirds of the members present and voting at a general meeting. The notice of the general meeting must include notice of the resolution, setting out the terms of the alterations proposed.

(1) No amendment may be made which would have the effect of making the charity cease to be a charity at Law.

(2) The Executive Committee Should Promptly send to the Commissioners a copy of any amendment made under this clause.

R. Dissolution

If The Executive Committee decides that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the charity it shall call a meeting of all members, of which not less than 14 days notice (stating the terms of the resolution to be passed) shall be given. If the proposal is confirmed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting, the Executive Committee shall have power to realize any asset held by or on behalf of the charity. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institution or institutions having objects similar to the objects of the charity as the members of the charity may determine or failing that shall be applied for some other charitable purpose. A copy of the statements of accounts, or account and statement for the final accounting period of the society must be sent to the Commissioners.

S. Arrangements until First Annual General Meeting

Until the first annual general meeting takes place this constitution shall take effect as if reference in it to the Executive Committee were references to the persons whose signatures appear at the bottom of this document.

This Constitution