Constitution

THE WEST CORNWALL FOOTPATHS PRESERVATION SOCIETY

CONSTITUTION

1.   TITLE

The Society shall be called “The West Cornwall Footpaths Preservation Society”.

2.    OBJECTS

The objects of the Society shall be:

To assist in the preservation of all public footpaths and bridleways in that part of Cornwall lying west of a line drawn from Navex Point in the north to Trewavas Head in the south.
To call to the attention of the appropriate authority any matter likely to hinder the public in their use of any of the above paths.
To promote the creation of new paths under the appropriate Act where these are needed.
To promote the use of footpaths by publishing to the Membership a list of walks led by members. Walks may be in any area but will predominantly be in the western part of Cornwall.

3.     AFFILIATION

The Society shall be affiliated to such organisations as a General Meeting may determine.

(NOTE:  at present the Society is affiliated to the Ramblers Association).

4.     MEMBERSHIP

Membership of the Society shall be open to any person interested in the furtherance of its objects subject to the acceptance by the Executive Committee.

Decisions upon membership shall be made by the Committee whose decision shall be final. The Committee, by a majority vote, will have the right to terminate the membership of any individual or group if, in its opinion, it is in the best interests of the Society.

5.     SUBSCRIPTION

The annual subscription shall be of such an amount as may be determined by the Annual General Meeting from time to time.  The first payment shall be made on joining the Society and all subsequent payments shall become due on 1 June in each year.  Members whose subscriptions are in arrears by 5 months, i.e. 1st Nov. shall be deemed to have resigned, unless a Standing Order is in the system for a later date.

6.     OFFICERS

The officers of the Society shall be as follows:
President
Chairman of Executive Committee
Vice-Chairman
Hon. Treasurer
Hon. Membership Secretary
Hon. Secretary
Hon. Social Secretary
Hon. Walks Secretary
Hon. Rights of Way Officer

They shall be elected at each Annual General Meeting to hold office for the ensuing year.  These officers shall be ex-officio members of the Executive Committee and any sub-committee.

In addition, the Annual General Meeting may elect any number of persons as Honorary Vice Presidents in recognition of their services in promoting the Objects of the Society.  These Vice-Presidents shall hold office at the pleasure of the Society and without need of further election.

7.     ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Government of the Society and the control of all its affairs shall be vested in the Annual General Meeting of members.   The Annual General Meeting shall be held on a date between 1 April and 31 July inclusive in each year for the transaction of the following business:

To receive the Report and Statement of Accounts for the preceding calendar year.
To elect the officers for the ensuing year.
To elect the Executive Committee for the ensuing year.
To decide upon any proposal or matter and transact any other business of which not less than 28 days’ previous notice shall have been given to the Hon. Secretary.
Any motion shall be decided by a simple majority of those present and voting, but the chairperson shall be entitled to a casting vote.

8.     EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee shall meet four times a year, and additionally if so requested by the Chairman or any four members of the Committee.  Subject to any decision of the Annual General Meeting, the Committee shall conduct the business of the Society and shall have power to expend the Society’s funds for purposes consistent with the Objects of the Society.

The Committee shall consist of not more than 10 members, including elected officers.
Nominations for officers and/or membership of the Committee must be made in writing and must reach the Hon. Secretary at least 14 days before the Annual General Meeting.
If the number of nominations exceeds the number of vacancies the election shall be by ballot of the members present at the Annual General Meeting.
The Committee shall have the power, if they deem it desirable, to co-opt additional members and to fill any casual vacancy among officers pending the next Annual General Meeting.
Between the meetings of the Committee the officers may deal with any outstanding matter, subject however to the approval of the Committee at the next meeting.
At any meeting of the Executive Committee, five members thereof, to include a minimum of two Officers, shall constitute a quorum.

9.     DISSOLUTION

The Society may at any time be dissolved by a resolution passed by two thirds of the members at an Extraordinary General Meeting.  Such resolutions shall contain instructions for the disposal of any assets held by, in the name of, the Society after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities.  After such satisfaction any monies or assets shall be transferred to an Organisation or Registered Charity with like aims and objectives agreed by the Committee.  No monies or assets will be transferred to any individual.

10.     CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT

This constitution shall be amended only by an Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting duly summoned for that purpose, and after not less than 28 days’ previous notice to the Hon. Secretary, such notice to include a copy of the proposed amendment.  A Special General Meeting shall be summoned only if requested by the Committee or upon the receipt by the Hon. Secretary of a requisition signed by not fewer than ten members of the Society.

Amended: May 1984, November 1989, May 2005, November 2008, May 2010, May 2012, July 2013, July 2014