Our Constitution

STANNINGTON MIXED CHOIR

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RULES AND CONSTITUTION 2024

 

THE CHOIR:

• The Choir shall be called ‘STANNINGTON MIXED CHOIR’

• It will be free from discrimination on the basis of race, colour, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, or sexual orientation (Equal Opportunities Act, 2010)

 

OBJECTIVES:

• The objective of the choir shall be the study and practice of choral music in order to foster public knowledge and appreciation of such music through public performances

• To provide people with an opportunity to participate in and learn the skills of singing and performing in a safe environment

• To assist and support such charitable institutions or purposes as the committee determine

 

MEMBERSHIP:

• A mixed voice choir for men and women, including young people under the age of 18 years. NB: This will be at the committee’s discretion.

• Prospective members can either contact the Secretary or Chairperson for membership or contact the choir via the website: https://stanningtonchoir.com

• Members are expected to attend for the majority of rehearsals. If a member misses three or more rehearsals, immediately prior to a concert, their eligibility to sing at that concert will be at the discretion of the Musical Director and committee

• If a member is unable to attend rehearsals for a prolonged period of time, or because of long term illness, they should:

  • Contact a member of the committee (see Finance Section)

  • Contact the Choir Treasurer

• If a member disagrees with any aspect of the running of the choir they can ask for this to be discussed at a committee meeting

• If a member is dissatisfied with the outcome or decision made by the committee, the matter can be raised with the Trustees for a final decision

• If a member decides to leave the choir, they should inform a member of the committee and return their music folder, including any music, and uniform that belongs to the choir

• For good and sufficient reason, the membership of an individual may be terminated by the decision of the committee, with the provision that the said individual will have the right to be heard by the committee before the decision is finalised

THE COMMITTEE:

• Management of the choir shall be conducted by a committee consisting of:

  • Chairperson

  • Treasurer

  • Secretary

  • Music Librarian

  • Publicity and Social Media Secretary

  • IT Manager

  • Additional assistants to these officers

• The Musical Director and Pianist shall be ex-officio members of the committee, without voting rights, and be invited to attend committee meetings

• There will be a nominated Safeguarding Officer (SO) within the choir responsible for ensuring that a safeguarding policy is in place

• The committee will ensure that the nominated Safeguarding Officer is assisted by a designated deputy

• The committee will ensure that individuals are trained to undertake these roles

• The committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting by the majority of members

• Four weeks’ notice shall be given for the AGM meeting and nominations for office shall close one week before the meeting

• Committee meetings shall be held as and when necessary, with a pre-determined agenda

 

FINANCE:

• The Musical Director and Pianist will be paid an honorarium, determined by the committee

• Reasonable ‘out of pocket’ expenses, incurred by members on choir business, will be reimbursed

• The annual and monthly subscriptions shall be determined at the AGM

• Members in full-time statutory education will only pay a subscription at the end of their course

• The committee will have the discretion to remit or suspend the subscription fee if:

  • A member is in financial hardship: i.e.: Job Seekers Allowance

  • A member is unable to attend rehearsals for a prolonged period of time: i.e.: long term illness

• The financial year for the choir will end on 31 March

• The Treasurer shall have the accounts examined annually by an independent examiner who has been approved by the committee

• The Treasurer shall present a report of this examination to all members of the choir at the AGM

 

MUSIC:

• All music is the property of the choir and must not be sold or loaned without sanction from the committee: it must be returned to the choir when a member leaves

• Members are responsible for their own music and must replace damaged or lost copies

• The choice of music shall be determined by the Musical Director, assisted by the Music Librarian

• The programme selection for concerts shall be determined by the Musical Director after consultation with choir members

 

UNIFORM:

• All items of uniform, purchased by the choir, shall remain the property of the choir and must be returned when a member leaves

 

GENERAL:

• A Special General Meeting may be called, with 14 days notice, at the request of at least 10 choir members

• The Rules and Constitution of the choir shall only be altered at an AGM or a Special General Meeting

• A copy of the Rules and Constitution shall be given to all members

• If, upon the winding up or dissolution of the choir, there remains any property whatsoever after all debts and liabilities have been satisfied, the same shall not be distributed amongst the choir members but shall be given or transferred to a charitable organisation agreed by the committee

 

 

September 2024