If you have comments, suggestions or feedback please email gallowayraiders@gmail.com
as soon as you can and ​well before the approval deadline. 

                    
                                    DRAFT CONSTITUTION (for consultation, to be approved by 30th November 2018) 

1. NAME
The name of the society is The Galloway Raiders 
 
2. OBJECTS
To bring together lovers of the writing of S.R.Crockett to discuss and explore his literature, literary works and sites and artefacts associated with them.
To promote, educate and advocate for his work to the broader general public by means including (but not solely) the issuing of publications, the maintenance of a dedicated website and by holding meetings and events relevant to his life, literature and legacy.
 
 3. POWERS
In pursuance of the objects set out in clause 2 (but not otherwise) the association shall have the following powers:
a) To hold meetings, activities and events related to the objectives.
b) To take such steps as may be deemed appropriate for the purpose of raising funds for the association’s activities.
c) To accept grants, donations and legacies of all kinds (and to accept any reasonable conditions attaching to them).
d) To liaise with other voluntary sector bodies, authorities, UK or Scottish Government departments and agencies, and other bodies, all with a view to furthering the association’s objects.
e) To form any company which is a charity with similar objects to those of the association, and, if considered appropriate, to transfer to any such company (without any payment being required from the company) the whole or any part of the association’s assets and undertaking.
f) To effect insurance for the association.
g) To do anything which may be incidental or conducive to the furtherance of any of the association’s objects.
 
4. GENERAL STRUCTURE
The structure of the association shall consist of
The MEMBERS - comprising Associate Members and Full Members and
The MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
 
 5. MEMBERSHIP
a) Associate membership of The Galloway Raiders will be open to anyone, regardless of race, age, religion, gender or sexual orientation.
b) Full membership of The Galloway Raiders will be open to anyone, regardless of age, religion, gender or sexual orientation on payment of an annual subscription.
c) The annual subscription for Full Membership will be decided at the Annual General Meeting and will be due at the first meeting of the year.
d) Every Full member in good standing shall have one vote at the AGM.
Honorary Life Members may be appointed by the AGM and confer full membership rights.

5.1 Application for membership
Associate membership is open to anyone who subscribes to the Galloway Raiders website or by written request to the committee.
Full membership is open to anyone who completes a membership application form either in writing or via the Galloway Raiders website and who pays the membership fee. 
The Management committee may, at its discretion, refuse to admit any person to membership.

5.2 Withdrawal from membership
Any person who wishes to withdraw from membership shall send a written notice to the association, on receipt of which they shall cease to be a member.

5.3 Explusion from membership
Any person may be expelled from membership by way of a resolution passed by a majority   vote at a general meeting (of members) providing the following procedures have been observed:
a) At least 21 days’ notice of the intention to propose the resolution must be given to the member concerned, specifying the grounds for the proposed expulsion
b) The member concerned shall be entitled to be heard on the resolution at the general meeting at which the resolution is proposed.

6. MANAGEMENT
6.1 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
 a) The Annual General Meeting of The Galloway Raiders will be held in September. At least 14 days’ notice will be given to members. The attendance of one quarter of full members will make a quorum.
b) At the AGM, members of The Galloway Raiders will elect a chairman, a secretary and a treasurer, who will hold post for one year and be eligible for re-election at the next AGM. Other officers and committee positions may be established and voted for on recommendation by the committee.
c) All paid-up Full members in good standing will be entitled to nominate, second or vote for officers and committee members at the AGM and to vote on any resolutions proposed at AGM
d) Up to four ordinary committee members will be elected at the AGM. The committee will have the power to co-opt replacement members if a vacancy occurs between elections. Committee members must have full membership of The Galloway Raiders.
e)Resolutions will be put to the AGM by members of the committee, proposals to be received by the secretary in writing at least seven days before the AGM.
f) Reports and accounts will be submitted.
 
6.2 COMMITTEE MEETINGS
a) The committee will meet at least three times each year.
b) At least 3 committee members must be present at a committee meeting to be able to make decisions.
c) A proper record of all transactions and meetings shall be kept.
 
6.3 EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETINGS
An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called at the request of the chairman or of five other Full members. At least 14 days notice will be given to members. One third of Full members will make a quorum.

6.4 ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION
The constitution will be reviewed every three years or at request by a majority of the committee members. Any alterations must be approved by the membership at an AGM or EGM. Proposals for changes must be received by the secretary at least seven days before the meeting.

6.5 ACCOUNTS
a) The funds of the group including all donations, contributions and bequests, shall be paid into an account operated by the management committee. All cheques drawn on the account must be signed by at least two members of the Management Committee.
b) The funds belonging to the group shall be applied only to further the aims of the group.
c)  A current record of all income, funding and expenditure will be kept.

6.6 DISSOLUTION
a) The Group may be dissolved by a resolution passed by a simple two-thirds majority of those present and voting at a Special General Meeting.
b) On dissolution of The Galloway Raiders any funds or assets remaining will be applied to such objectives as shown above.
 

This is a working document and not my area of expertise (Cally) so I'm more than open to comments and shared wisdom!