CONSTITUTION AND RULES
1.
NAME
1.1 The name of the group shall be Mallow Tidy Towns Association.
2.
OBJECTIVES OF THE GROUP
The enhancement and maintenance of the physical environment of Mallow Town, in particular
-the general improvement and upgrading of the environment
-the development of community pride and the encouragement of a spirit of neighbourliness
-continue to contribute to the positive image of Mallow
-endeavour to make Mallow a better place to live in, work and visit
-be instrumental in the development of community facilities catering for both young and old residents of our
town
2.1 To work with Mallow Town Council and Cork County Council to help promote the ethos and development aims of the
group.
2.2 In all future planning and work, to consider the long term objective of ensuring that Malllow Tidy Towns Association is
a relevant, vibrant and useful source for our community.
2.3 To adhere where possible and practicable, to sustainable green practices including organic principles.
2.4 To ensure that Mallow Tidy Towns is accessible and inclusive, as far as is reasonably practicable to anyone who
wishes to participate and further the stated aims of the group.
3.
Membership
3.1 Membership of the Association shall only be open to individuals who recognize that the objectives of the club will be achieved through practical activities, and the potential risk for personal injury associated with these activities. All Members acknowledge their awareness of and accept these risks, and agree to be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
3.2 Members shall be over the age of 18.
3.3 New members wishing to join are free to do so at any time without prejudice.
3.4 Minors (under the age of 18) will not have membership of the MTT but can visit the activities at any time and participate in any events under supervision.
3.5 Elected Public representatives may become members of the Association and the Association welcomes their involvement
and interest. However, such elected Public Representatives may not offer to be and cannot be elected as officers of the Association., so as to ensure that no unfair advantage may be gained, or the perception of any unfair advantage may be raised, as against other elected Public Representatives who have not been so elected.
4.
MANAGEMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION
4.1 MTT will be controlled by its members acting in General Meeting. One of these meetings will be the Annual General Meeting at which Committee Members will be elected.
4.2 Management of the Association between General Meetings shall be entrusted to the elected committee, who must act in accordance with the Constitution and the Rules of Association. They may make decisions on matters not covered by Constitution or Rules, but these must be approved at a Committee Meeting where 75% of the Committee Members are in agreement to authorize these decisions.
4.3 Where a conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest is seen to exist between the aims of the association and any individual member, it is incumbent on the member to make the Association aware of the situation, and to absent themselves from the decision-making process regarding the conflicting issue.
5.
COMMITTEE
5.1 The Committee Members shall be elected by the members at an Annual General Meeting and shall be the Chair and vice Chair, the Treasurer and asst Treasurer, Club Secretary and asst Secretary and at least two other officers.
5.2 Elected officers of the Club qualify for re-election to the same post they previously held up to a maximum term of three sequential years.
5.2 The Committee will comprise of no less than 6 and no more than 10 Members at any one time.
5.3 The Association may replace an officer who fails to attend three consecutive meetings without valid reason.
6.
MEETINGS
6.1 The Association shall meet regularly, but not less than four times a year, one of which will be the A.G.M.
6.2 The Chair of MTT, or in his/her absence the Vice-Chairperson, will normally preside at, and chair all meetings of the Committee, and General Meetings ofthe Club, provided a quorum had been reached, and shall be responsible for
reporting to the Membership at the Club's AGM.
6.3 The Club Secretary shall keep records of the Membership of the Club and any other administrative records as required. The Secretary shall be responsible for all correspondence relating to Club affairs and for giving notice of Annual General Meetings and Committee meetings and distribution of minutes from those meetings. The Secretary shall give, at least 5 clear days notice of a committee meeting and its agenda.
6.4 The Minutes shall be kept by the Secretary, who shall enter therein a record of all proceedings and resolutions.
6.5 The Treasurer shall collect and bank all donations and monies from fund-raising events, and account for all income and expenditure of the Club, and shall be one of two necessary signatories for withdrawal of funds.
6.6 A quorum for a meeting of the Committee shall be half of the elected voting members rounded up to the next whole number.
6.7 In the case of the AGM, items for inclusion should be submitted in writing at least 14 days prior to the AGM and communicated to the members at least 7 days before the AGM. Items for inclusion may only be proposed by any member of the Association. All members intending to vote should verify their right to vote before the commencement of the meeting, and a membership roll will be presented at each AGM which can be examined if necessary to prove valid membership.
6.8 The Treasurer shall collect and bank all donations and monies from fund-raising events, and account for all income and expenditure of the Club, and shall be one of two necessary signatories for withdrawal of funds.
6.9 A quorum for a meeting of the Committee shall be half of the elected voting members rounded up to the next whole number. The Committee shall hold at least six meetings each year.
6.10 Decisions cannot be actioned unless agreed by at least 75% (or nearest equivalent) of Committee members. If necessary, the Chair shall have a casting vote.
7.
CLUB FINANCES
7.1 The Association shall appoint a Treasurer and an assistant Treasurer.
7.2 Club Finances shall be monitored by the Treasurer who reports directly the committee. All income and expenditure should be clearly logged and any monies raised lodged in a bank or credit union account as soon as practicable. The bank or credit union account will have two signatories and a full statement of accounts will be available for examination by the committee every quarter and presented to the membership on an annual basis at the AGM. All funds must be spent in their entirety for the benefit of Mallow Tidy Towns, and for no other purpose whatsoever.
7.3 The assets and equipment of the Association shall vest in the officers of the Association for the time being, who shall hold same in trust for the Association.
8.
RULES OF THE CLUB
8.1 A committee meeting shall have the power to set Club rules. Such rules shall be in accordance with the articles of the Club's Constitution.
8.2 Any member of the club is entitled to vote at General meetings.
8.3 Votes will be decided on a show of hands basis
8.4 The Club rules may be amended by a simple majority of those present and voting at a General Meeting. Notice of any proposed amendment must be delivered
(see 6.3 above)
8.5 The Chairperson shall have a casting vote in the event of a tie (in addition to his/her vote as a member).
8.6 Each and all of the members will be responsible for implementing health and safety requirements and ensuring they are adhered to at all times.
8.7 Each member is responsible for the safety of his fellow members. Everyone is a safety officer.
8.8 All members will be responsible for maintaining the group’s property in a clean, usable and safe condition.
9.
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE CLUB
9.1 This Constitution may be amended only at an Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting by a motion supported by a two thirds majority of those present and entitled to vote.
10
EQUALITY STATEMENT
10.1 The Association shall implement an all-inclusive, non-political, non-sectarian and non-racial approach
in carrying out its objectives.
10.2. The Association shall strive in it’s composition for a balance in gender, age and geographical
representation.
11.
DISSOLUTION OF THE CLUB
11.1 The Club can be dissolved by two thirds majority vote carried out in accordance with Article 9 whereupon the
Committee will arrange to discharge any assets and monies, after all outstanding liabilities have been discharged, to Mallow Town Council for the benefit of the community of Mallow town.
November 2012