CONSTITUTION OF THE
BRIDLINGTON-MILLAU TWINNING ASSOCIATION
Updated January 2002
The Association
1. Name of the Association.
The name of the Association shall be the Bridlington-Millau Twinning Association.
2.Aims of the Association.
a. To promote and foster friendship and understanding between the people of Bridlington and District and those of Millau and District in Aveyron, France, and those of other towns with which the Association may later form links.
b. To encourage visits and exchanges by individuals and groups to and from our linked towns, particularly by children, young people and families, encouraging them to develop personal contacts and by doing so to broaden the mutual understanding, develop European Unity and encourage full participation by cultural, educational, recreational and commercial activities of our two linked towns. It is with this in mind that we will encourage a Secondary School exchange every year, with the hope of both secondary schools in Bridlington eventually exchanging students individually every year. By agreement with our twin town, there will also be a thematic town visit to our respective linked town every other year. It is also agreed that all members travelling either to or from Millau will be encouraged to stay in families for the time of their stay.
c. To organise activities to foster the aims of the Association and to give members the opportunity to come together on a regular basis for social events which enhance the Twinning theme.
3. Membership.
Membership shall be open to all persons or organisations in sympathy with the aims of the Association. There shall be three categories of membership, which will be renewed every January by subscription, determined at the AGM. For the year beginning January 2001, the following rates will apply:
All members will receive a minimum of 4 Newsletters per year and the issue of a Newsletter will be determined by the Committee. Newsletters will keep all members informed of events and news from Millau over the year. These will be posted.
4.Committee.
a. The affairs of the Association will be conducted by the Management Committee, the executive members of which will be elected at the AGM in the first three weeks of January every year. The Association will appoint a President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Press Officer, Membership Secretary, Treasurer and other officers as it seems necessary.
The Elected posts for Jan 2002 - Jan 2003 are President - Bob Owen.
Chairman - Chris Myers.
Vice-Chair and Press Secretary -Daphne Ford.
Secretary and Membership Secretary - Barbara Hall.
Treasurer - John Ford.
b. The Committee is open to ALL members of the Association and Committee meetings will be held on the first Monday of every month, whenever practical, at the Town Hall at 7.00 pm. These meetings could be cancelled or extra meetings called at the Chairman’s discretion.
c. The quorum of members attending shall be five.
d. The Committee shall have the power to set up sub-committees.
5. The Chairman.
The Chairman of the Committee, the Secretary and the Treasurer will be ex-officio members of all sub-committees.
6. The Management Committee.
The Management Committee will call an annual general meeting of the Association in the first three weeks of January, every year, giving each member notice in writing of at least 14 days through the Newsletter.
7. Voting at the AGM.
a. Only members present at the meeting will be entitled to vote.
b. Each individual member will be entitled to one vote and each group membership will have the right to two votes providing that two members of such an organisation are present at the meeting.
8. Special General Meeting
A Special General Meeting of the Association may be called at any time on a written request signed by at least 12 members of the Association and delivered to the Secretary, containing details of the matter to be discussed. At least 28 days notice must be given.
9. Accounts
Accounts to 31st December of each "twinning year" shall be submitted to each Annual General Meeting.
10. Money
All monies received on behalf of the Association shall be kept at Midland Bank, Bridlington Branch and all cheques drawn on the Association's account will be signed by any two of the Chairman, the Secretary and the Treasurer.
Association money will be used first and foremost to promote Twinning in Bridlington, providing between January 2002 and January 2003:
a. A subsidy for groups travelling independently of the Association the level of which will be determined by the committee.
b. Welcoming a group from Millau in 2002.
c. Social events for all Association members.
11. Amendments to the Constitution.
Amendments to the Constitution shall only be made at the AGM or a Special General Meeting. Notice of the proposed amendment shall be given to the Secretary at least 21 days before the meeting and details will be given in notice convening the meeting. No such amendment shall be carried unless a majority of the members present and voting at the meeting vote in its favour.
12. Dissolution of the Association.
In the event of the dissolution of the Association, all surplus funds shall be transferred to such charity or charities as the Committee in its absolute discretion decide.