Mountain Club Constitution

1. NAME

The club shall be called the

“Ullapool Hillwalking Club”, hereinafter referred to as “the Club”.

2. OBJECTS

The objective of the Club is to organise outdoor activities and promote an awareness of the environment, with particular reference to walking and climbing, for the benefit of Club members. Further, the Club will act as a catalyst to encourage members to increase their mountaineering craft and experience.

3. THE COMMITTEE

3.1 The Committee shall consist of a minimum of a Chairman, a Secretary and a Treasurer.

3.2 Committee members shall hold office for a maximum of one year. They are eligible for re-election annually. All Committee members hold full voting rights in line with normal member conditions.

3.3 At the AGM nominations will be accepted for candidates to sit the new Committee. Each nominee to the Committee shall be proposed and seconded by two other Club members, and election will be by the members present by simple majority on a show of hands.

3.4 Club members shall be informed of all nominees for Committee positions at the time of the AGM announcement. If a nominee wishes, he/she may present a written statement of why they feel they should be elected that will be distributed to Club members prior to the AGM. Further, the nominee(s) can also make a verbal presentation of their reason for standing at the AGM itself.

3.5 The Committee shall meet at such times as it considers necessary for the transaction of business.

3.6 The Secretary shall keep the Minute Books and shall conduct all correspondence.

3.7 All Committee members shall be members of the Club.

4. MEMBERSHIP

4.1 There shall be an annual subscription set at each AGM. This shall be proposed by the Committee and determined by a simple majority vote by the Club members. The annual subscription fee is non-refundable.

4.2 The liability of the members shall be limited to the payment of any fees and subscriptions laid down under this Constitution and subject to any regulations made thereunder.

4.3 The subscription approved by the Committee shall be payable within 30 days of joining the Club.

4.4 Any member whose subscription or entrance fee to the Club remains unpaid for 30 days after the due date shall be referred to the Committee who will take the action deemed appropriate. Such action shall amount to a request to pay the subscription fee immediately (defined as money paid into the Clubs bank account within 2 weeks) followed by suspension of membership and corresponding membership rights should the person fail to pay within that timescale.

5 GENERAL MEETINGS

5.1 The Club shall hold an Annual General Meeting in the month of February to:

5.1.1 Approve the minutes of the previous year's AGM.

5.1.2 Receive reports from the Chairman and Secretary.

5.1.3 Receive a report from the Treasurer and approve the Annual Accounts.

5.1.4 Receive a report from the Auditors.

5.1.5 Elect the Committee.

5.1.6 Consider changes to the Constitution.

5.1.7 Appoint Auditors for the Club's accounts.

5.1.8 Deal with other relevant business.

5.2 An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called by an application in writing to the Secretary supported by at least 25% the membership of the Club. The Committee shall also have the power to call an Extraordinary General Meeting by decision of a simple majority of its members.

5.3 At least 30 days notice shall be given to all voting members of any General Meeting.

5.4.1 With the exception of changes to the Constitution decisions put to a vote shall be resolved by simple majority at General Meetings.

5.4.2 The Chairman of the Club shall hold a deliberative as well as a casting vote.

5.5 It is a requirement that a minimum of 25% of Club membership must be present at an Annual or Special GM. Where attendance falls below this number any vote taken is invalidated.

5.6 Any change to the Constitution shall require a two thirds majority of those present and eligible to vote at a General Meeting. Notice shall be given to all voting members of any General Meeting as specified in 5.3 and then any proposal to change the Constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary at least 15 days prior to the meeting.

6 ACCOUNTS AND ASSETS OF THE CLUB

6.1 The financial year shall run from 1 January to 31 December each year.

6.2 The Treasurer shall be responsible for the preparation of annual accounts of the Club.

6.3 The accounts shall be audited by an independent person (not a member of the Committee) elected annually by the Annual General meeting.

6.4 All cheques drawn against the Club's funds shall be signed by the Treasurer and one other nominated office-bearer.

6.5 All members of the Club shall be considered to be jointly responsible for the financial liabilities of the Club.

7 Bye-laws

The Committee shall have the power the publish and enforce such bye-laws as the membership feels necessary to govern the activities of the Club.

8 Expulsion of Members

The Council shall operate a fair system for deciding upon the expulsion of a Member as laid down by the ‘Law of Natural Justice’.

9 Dissolution

In the event of the dissolution of the Club, any assets thereof shall not be distributed amongst the members of the Club in any way whatsoever.