The Constitution
The
orchestra shall be called The Bathgate Concert Orchestra (hereafter
referred to as the Orchestra)
The
object of the Orchestra shall be to promote, improve, develop and maintain
public education in and appreciation of good music in all its aspects by
the presentation of public orchestral concerts.
The
Orchestra shall be composed of Patrons, Associate Members, Active Members
and Junior Members. Patrons shall be such persons as shall receive and
accept an invitation from the Committee to act in such a capacity.
Associate Members shall be such persons who desire to, or are invited to
support the Orchestra.
Active Members shall be such persons as take an active part in the
Orchestra at the Committee’s discretion. Junior Members shall be such
young persons that take an active part in the Orchestra at the
Committee’s discretion and are not required to pay Annual Subscription.
They shall have no voting powers. The Annual Subscription shall be fixed by the Committee and
approved at the Annual General Meeting. Application for Membership shall
be made to the Secretary or any other member of the Committee.
The
Committee is a group of Office Bearers elected annually at The Annual
General Meeting where a Musical Director is also appointed. Office Bearers
shall consist of President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Leader,
Deputy Leader, Librarian, Public Relations Officer, and three members of
the Orchestra. The Office Bearers shall retire annually but be eligible
for immediate re-election.
The
Orchestra shall accept the direction of the Musical Director, Leader or
Deputy Leader at any practice or performance. The Musical Director shall
consult with the Leader and Deputy Leader as occasion arises in connection
with any music, which requires consideration.
The
President, whom failing, the Vice-President, shall preside at all meetings
of the Orchestra and Committee. Should both be absent the meeting shall
elect its own Chairman. At all meetings the Chairman shall have a
deliberate as well as casting vote. The Committee shall have power to
co-opt a member to fill any vacancy, but the co-opted member shall be
eligible for re-election at the next Annual General Meeting. The Committee
shall have the power at any time to appoint Sub-Committees for specific
purposes, with or without powers.
Five
members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. No member shall be
elected to the Committee unless present at the meeting or unless their
consent has previously been obtained.
The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Orchestra and
its Committees; conduct all the correspondence of the Orchestra and call
all meetings in connection with the Orchestra.
All
monies shall be lodged in a bank in accounts in the name of the Orchestra;
cheques and withdrawals from the account shall require any two signatures
from three designated signatories selected from the Committee. The bank
accounts shall be operated by the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall keep a
record of the transactions and intromissions with the funds of the
Orchestra. The Treasurer’s record of his intromissions with the funds of
the Orchestra shall be audited by two members of the Orchestra who will be
outwith the Committee and appointed for the purpose at the Annual General
Meeting. A certified record of intromissions shall be presented by the
Treasurer to the Annual General Meeting. The financial year for the
Orchestra shall end on each 31st July.
The
Funds, Property an Assets of the Orchestra shall be vested in the
Committee in trust for the Orchestra. Members of the Orchestra shall
accept responsibility for the whole management of the Orchestra and for
any financial loss, which may be incurred. The funds of the Orchestra
shall be applied to the stated objects of the Orchestra.
The
income and property of the Orchestra, whencesoever derived, shall be
applied solely towards promoting the objects of the Orchestra as set forth
above and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred either directly
or indirectly to any member or members of the Orchestra, except in payment
of legitimate expenses incurred on behalf of the Orchestra.
In
the event of the Orchestra being wound up, any assets remaining upon
dissolution after the payment of proper debts and liabilities shall be
transferred to a charitable institution or institutions having similar
objects to those of the Orchestra.
The
printed music shall remain the sole property of the Orchestra and be
returned at the end of the current session or at an earlier date if
requested by the Librarian.
The
Annual General Meeting of the Orchestra shall be held at a suitable date
in November of each year to receive the report of the President of the
Committee, the report of the Treasurer, to elect Office Bearers and a
Musical Director, and to transact any other competent business.
Special
General Meetings of the Orchestra may be called by the authority of the
Committee or on demand by not less than six members, who shall sign and
deliver to the Secretary, a requisition stating distinctly the business to
be brought before the meeting. On receipt of such a requisition, the
Secretary shall call the meeting, which must be held within fourteen days
of receipt of such a notice. Seven
days notice shall be given of all General Meetings. Fifteen members shall
form a quorum at any General Meeting.
GENERAL.
In
any matter not specifically provided for, the Committee shall have full
powers to act as they may consider to be in the best interests of the
Orchestra.
No alteration, amendment or addition to the Constitution and Rules of the Orchestra shall be made except at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose. Notice of the proposed alteration, amendment or addition must be given in writing to the Secretary not less than fourteen days before the date of the said meeting. The proposed alteration, amendment or addition must be supported by two thirds of the members present at such a meeting.