Society Constitution

1) "The Nerine & Amaryllid Society" is referred to as "The Society" in this constitution.

2) Aims and Objectives

2.1 Publish a journal.

2.2 Encourage members to exchange plant material on an informal basis.

2.3 Organise an exchange of plant material

2.4 Encourage research and recording across the Amaryllidaceae.

2.5 Promote registration of genera which are not currently registered.

2.6 Organise visits, lectures and other activities which will advance the interests of members and their plants.

2.7 Produce cultivation booklets/leaflets as expertise and time allow to improve the cultivation of the Amaryllidaceae.

2.8 Liaise with other individuals and organisations.

2.9 Consider plants other than Amaryllidacae.

3) The Membership & Subscriptions

3.1 Membership shall be open, on payment of an annual subscription, to

anyone interested in the aims and objectives of the Society.

3.2 The subscription rates shall be considered by the Committee and recommended to the Annual General Meeting. The rates, as amended and/or approved, shall apply to new memberships & renewals for the next year.

3.3 The Membership Year shall run from 1st January to 31st December. New members, enrolling after 31st July in that year, shall be enrolled as members until 31st December of the year following. Lapsed members, paying their subscription after 31st July in a membership year, shall be in membership until 31st December in the year of their re-enrolment.

3.4 All fully paid-up members shall receive copies of all current

publications of the Society, shall be entitled to attend and contribute to all functions and events organised by the Society and to vote at annual general meetings and extraordinary general meetings of the Society.

4) Society Management

4.1 The business and affairs of the Society shall be managed by a Committee which will consist of at least three and not more than ten members, including Officers (see 5.2), plus any co-opted members.

4.2 The committee will publish/notify a schedule of normal committee meetings.

4.3 In the absence of the chairman, the Committee shall elect a member to

conduct the meeting.

4.4 The decisions of the Committee shall be binding on the Society except

in those situations specifically provided for in this Constitution.

4.5 The Committee may appoint Members of the Society to official duties furthering the work of the Society. Such appointments shall be notified to members at the Annual General Meeting or in the Journal. Their work to be reported appropriately.

4.6 Area Representatives may be appointed by the Committee if required. 4.7 The Committee is accountable to the Members at the AGM or EGM.

5) Election of Officers and Committee

5.1 Nominations for the Officers and Members of the Committee shall be asked for in the Notice of the AGM and must reach the Secretary, in writing, with the permission of the Nominee, not less than fourteen days before the AGM. If more nominations are received than there are vacancies to be filled, election shall be by ballot of those members present at the AGM and entitled to vote. Past Officers and Committee members shall be eligiblefor re-election.

5.2 The Officers shall be elected at the AGM and shall include a Chairman,

Secretary and Treasurer. Officers may be allowed to hold two, but not more than two, offices simultaneously.

5.3 The Officers and Committee Members shall retire annually. In the event

of theresignation of any Officer, the Committee shall re-assign the duties accordingly until the next AGM.

5.4 Notwithstanding Clauses 5.2 and 5.3 the Chairman of the Committee shall serve no more than 3 years.

5.5 If a position cannot be filled on the Committee, then the Officers and Committee reserve the right to vary the conditions imposed by Clauses 5.2 to 5.4.

6) Annual General Meeting of the Society
6.1 The AGM will normally be held in October or November.

6.2 At least 28 days notice of the date of an Annual General Meeting shall be given, together with notice of all the business of the meeting and full minutes of the previous AGM.

6.3 Nominations for Officers and additional members of Committee shall be submitted in writing, proposed and seconded, to reach the Committee not less than 14 days before the date of the meeting.

6.4 The business of the AGM must include at least:

a) Approval of the minutes of the previous AGM (already circulated)

b) Consideration of the Financial Statement (presented at the meeting.

The accounts will be closed at the date of receipt of the August Bank

statement, normally during the last week of that month).

c) Reports by the Officers

d) Election of Officers and Committee Members

7) Extraordinary General Meeting of the Society

7.1 The Committee may convene an Extraordinary General Meeting.

7.2 The Members may convene an Extraordinary General Meeting on written requisition by not less than 10% of the members of the Society, who shall send to the Secretary written notice of the business they wish to transact at the meeting, not less than 56 days before the date requested for the meeting. All the members requesting the calling of an EGM shall sign the requisition.

7.3 The Constitution of the Society may be amended by a two-thirds

majority of members present at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Society.

7.4 The Secretary shall give 28 days notice of the date of such an EGM, together with details of the business to be transacted.

8) Dissolution

8.1 If required a motion to dissolve the Society shall be considered at an

Extraordinary General Meeting convened for that purpose.

8.2 The motion, proposed and seconded and supported by not less than two-thirds of the membership shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary at least 56 days before the proposed date of the meeting.

8.3 The motion shall be carried by not less than three quarters majority of the members present and voting at the meeting.

8.4 If such a motion is carried the members present and voting at the meeting shall decide the disposal of the Society's assets remaining after due discharge of debts to creditors of the Society.