CATS PROTECTION (WOLVERHAMPTON)
CONSTITUTION Version 2.0
This constitution was adopted at the Annual General Meeting
on 27 March 2011 and amended on 20 April 2012.
1. Name
The branch is part of Cats Protection, registered charity 203644 (England and Wales) and will be known as Cats Protection (Wolverhampton) branch.
2. Scope
The branch will operate in the Wolverhampton area, defined by Wolverhampton postcodes.
3. Purpose
The purpose of the charity is to prevent and relieve the suffering and distress of cats and to advance the welfare of cats.
4. Carrying out the purpose
In order to carry out the charity’s purpose, the branch committee (as defined by rule 16h and 16i) is authorised to:
- raise money and receive grants and donations;
- spend from income to carry out the work of the charity;
- co-operate with other charities with similar purposes;
- do anything lawful and necessary to achieve its purpose.
5. Ethos
As individual members, and as an organisation, we believe that working together is the best way to achieve our purpose. Everything we do for Cats Protection, in private and in public, will be done in a friendly and co-operative way recognising that Cats Protection (Wolverhampton) is a voluntary organisation and members give their time freely for the benefit of cats and kittens in our area.
Cats Protection (Wolverhampton) is committed to the principle of fair treatment to all, and to maintaining an anti-discriminatory culture for our members, volunteers and supporters. To this end we insist that all individuals connected with the branch are treated with equal respect and dignity at all times, and that those individuals who are representing the branch in any capacity comply with and uphold this policy without exception.
6. Membership
The branch shall have a membership. People who support the work of the charity and are aged 18 or over can apply to the branch committee to become a member.
Membership shall be renewed annually. Any member more than two months in arrears shall be deemed to be lapsed. A membership fee shall be payable in January each year at a rate set by the committee.
The committee, in consultation with the charity’s trustees or appointed officers, may remove a person’s membership or (in the case of committee members) ask them to resign from the committee if they believe it is in the best interests of the charity. The member has the right to be heard by the committee and can be accompanied by a friend (who may advise the member, but not address the committee).
7. Annual General Meeting (AGM)
a) The branch AGM shall be held annually in March or April, on a date to be agreed by the committee.
b) 14 days written notice will be given to all members telling them what is on the agenda.
c) There must be at least 14 members present at the AGM.
d) The branch’s officers will present the annual report and accounts.
e) Any member may submit resolutions to be discussed at the AGM. Such resolutions must be received in writing by the secretary no later than 21 days before the AGM.
f) Any member may stand for election to the branch committee.
g) Members will elect three officers and 8 committee members.
h) The branch officers will be branch co-ordinator, secretary and treasurer.
i) The branch committee will comprise the following 7 roles:
- Welfare officer
- Homing officer
- Media and publicity
- Neutering Coordinator
- Events and fundraising
- Fosterer representative (must be a fosterer)
- Newsletter editor
j) Candidates for election to the branch committee should be nominated at the AGM by at least two people and must be full members of Cats Protection.
k) Voting will be by exhaustive ballot or show of hands. A candidate shall be declared elected when s/he receives the votes of 50% of the members in attendance plus one vote.
l) The officers and committee members will retire at the AGM but may stand for re-election.
m) The committee shall have the authority to co-opt members to fill vacancies not filled at the AGM or arising subsequently.
n) In the event of a vacancy on the committee, the committee shall determine how to fulfil the duties of the vacant role.
o) The officers will report on behalf of the committee to the AGM on the work of the committee in the preceding year.
8. Branch meetings
Branch meetings may be called by the committee or by the branch’s officers at the written request of 5 members.
Branch members will be given a minimum of ten days’ written notice. The notice of the meeting will set out the business to be discussed. The meeting shall discuss only the business for which is called. The quorum for a branch meeting will be 15 members.
9. Committee meetings
The committee must hold at least six meetings each year and at least one in any three month period. A special committee meeting may be called by the Coordinator or at the written request of at least three members of the committee. The quorum for a committee meeting will be 4 members.
A committee member ceases to be a member of the committee if s/he is absent from meetings for a period of six months. In the event of illness, or other reasonable cause, this period may be extended by the committee. Officers and members of the committee shall report on their area of responsibility to the committee. The manager of the CP shop will be entitled to attend meetings of the committee ex-officio (without a vote).
10. Voting
Voting at all meetings will be show of hands, unless an anonymous ballot is requested by at least three members.
The Chair of the meeting shall have an individual vote, but no casting vote. In the event of a tied vote, the resolution will not be carried.
11. Changes to the constitution
This constitution can only be amended at a meeting of the branch members.