The Constitution of the Huntingdonshire

Local History Society

1.  NAME

The name of the organisation shall be the Huntingdonshire Local History Society (hereinafter called the Society).

2. PURPOSES AND POWERS

(a)  The Society is established to promote the advancement of public education through the study of local history in the former count y of Huntingdonshire, now part of Cambridgeshire.

(b) In furtherance of the above purposes but not further or otherwise the Society may:

1. Promote and organise co-operation in the achievement of the same, nationally, internationally and locally.
2. Promote and carry out or assist in promoting and carrying out research, surveys and investigations and publish the results thereof.
3. Arrange and provide for or join in arranging and providing for the holding of exhibitions, meetings, lectures, seminars, visits and training courses.
4. Collect and disseminate information on all matters affecting the above purposes and exchange such information with other bodies having similar purposes.
5. Undertake, execute, manage or assist any charitable trusts which may lawfully be undertaken, executed or managed or assisted by the Society.
6. Procure to be written and print, publish, issue and circulate gratuitously or otherwise such papers, books, periodicals, pamphlets or other documents, films or sound recordings as shall further the above purposes.
7. Purchase, take on lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire any property and any rights and privileges necessary for the promotion of the said purposes, and construct, maintain and alter any buildings or erections necessary for the work of the Society.
8. Subject to such consents as may be required by law, sell, let, mortgage, dispose of or turn to account all or any of the property or assets of the Society.
9. Accept gifts and borrow or raise money for the purposes of the Society on such terms and on such security as shall be thought fit.
10. Procure contributions to the Society by personal or written appeals, public meetings or otherwise, provided that no permanent trading activity shall be undertaken in raising funds for its primary charitable objects.
11. Invest the monies of the Society not immediately required for its purposes in or upon such investments, securities or property as may be thought fit, subject nevertheless to such conditions (if any) as may for the time being be imposed or required by law.
12. Appoint local correspondents to collect and forward to the Secretary information regarding their particular district.
13. Maintain as interest in the conservation and preservation of sites, buildings and objects relevant to the purposes of the Society.
14. Work in conjunction with the Record Offices in the acquisition and preservation of documents relating to the county and the study thereof.
15. Do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the attainment of the said purposes.

3. MEMBERSHIP

The Society shall consist of individual, joint (Husband and Wife) and junior members, who shall pay such subscriptions as may be decided from time to time by the Society, subscriptions due and payable on January 1^st yearly.

4. PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT

The Society shall appoint a President to preside at the Annual General Meeting.  Vice-presidents may be appointed by the committee from time to time.

5. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE

The Officers shall be the Chairman, Vic-chairman, Hon. Secretary, Assistant Secretaries and Hon. Treasurer, who together with other elected members shall form the Committee of not more than 13 members.  The quorum at the meeting of the committee shall be five members.  The committee shall meet not less than twice a year.  The duty of the committee shall be to carry out the general policy of the Society and provide for the administration, management and control of the affairs and property of the Society.  Officers and members of the Committee shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.  The Annual General Meeting, should it so wish, may invite any organisation to appoint a representative thereto to serve for the year.  Ordinary members of the Committee shall normally retire after three successive years’ service.  The Committee shall have power to co-opt up to three suitable people, not necessarily members of the Society.

6. JOURNAL

The Committee shall have the power to determine the selling price of the Society’s journal from time to time.

7. AFFILIATION

Affiliation by other local organisations having similar interests shall be encouraged.  The Committee shall have the power to accept or reject applications, and determine the annual subscription.  Only one copy of the journal will be supplied free to each organisation.  Members of affiliated organisations shall be entitled to attend the Annual General Meetings of the Society (but without any voting rights).  The Society shall likewise be empowered to affiliate with other Societies having similar interests.

8. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting shall be held in April or May at a time and place to be arranged by the Committee.  At this meeting 25 members or a quarter of the membership, whichever is the greater, shall form a quorum.  Not less than 14 days’ notice of the meeting shall be given.  Business of the meeting shall consist of:

• Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting
• Chairman’s report;
• Secretary’s report;
• Treasurer’s report (which shall include a statement of accounts);
• Election of Officers and ordinary committee members;
• Election of Hon. Auditor;
• Other business

The secretary shall be notified in writing of any resolutions to be put forward at the Annual General Meeting by 1^st March.

9. FINANCE

The Society’s financial year shall run from 1^st January to December 31^st.  The Treasurer shall prepare an annual statement of account and balance sheet, which shall be duly audited, or subjected to an independent examination, prior to presentation to the Annual General Meeting.

10. EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING

Extraordinary General Meetings of the Society, of which not less than 14 days’ prior notice shall be given to members, may be called by the Secretary either on the motion of the Committee or as soon as may be after the receipt of a request in writing signed by not less than 20 members, and stating the object of the meeting.

11. AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION

Any amendment of, or addition to, these Constitutions may be made at the Annual General Meeting, or at an Extraordinary General Meeting, if approved by not less than two-thirds of the persons present and voting.  Notice of any motion for such amendment or addition must be given in writing to the Secretary not less than 28 days before the meeting, and a copy shall be sent by the Secretary to every member at least 14 days before the meeting at which it is to be considered.  Provided that no amendment is made which would cause the Society to cease to be a charity at law.

12. DISSOLUTION

If the Committee by a simple majority decides at any time that on the ground of expense or otherwise it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Society, it shall call a meeting of all members of the Society who have the power to vote, of which meeting no less than 21 days’ notice (stating the terms of the Resolution to be proposed thereat) shall be given.  If such decision shall be confirmed by a simple two-thirds majority of those present and voting at such meeting, the Committee shall have power to dispose of any assets held by or on behalf of the Society.  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 Society as the Committee, with the approval of the Charity Commission for England and Wales, may determine.

13. INTERPRETATION

For the interpretation of the Constitution the Interpretation Act 1979 shall apply as it applies to the interpretation of an Act of Parliament.

Revised 7 May 1999, 7 October 2010

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