Constitutionof Mansfield & District Garden Holders’ Association

Approved at AGM on6th October 2012

Name:The name of the organisation is: The Mansfield & District Garden Holders’ Association

[MADGAS]

Objectives:

  1. To purchase goods, on a co-operative basis, supplied for the use of the Members.
  2. To maintain and operate the Association [MADGAS]Members’ Centre
  3. To foster the gardening interests of its members.
  4. To inform, educate and preserve gardening skills.
  5. To advocate environmentally sustainable gardening.
  6. To foster good relations with residential neighbours as well as local statutory & non-statutorybodies.
  7. To develop the Association [MADGAS]
  8. To practice good stewardship.
  9. To adhere to the Data Protection Act (1998) and all other acts and regulations relevant

toan un-incorporated association.

Powers:

  1. To raise funds, open and operate bank accounts.
  2. To obtain or lease equipment and premises.
  3. To obtain the services and advice of experts and professionals.
  4. To recruit volunteers and employ staff.
  5. To network and form working relationships with other organisations and agencies.
  6. To obtain appropriate insurance.
  7. To do all such other lawful things as are necessary to further the objectives of the organisation
  8. To seek and identify other funding sources to secure finances to realise the aims of the Association. [MADGAS]
  9. To hold and maintain data related to members.

Equal Opportunities:

The Association [MADGAS] shall be a non-political, non-sectarian andnon-racial and aim to ensure no-one will be discriminated against on grounds of age, class, employment status, physical or mental disability or mental health, political belief, race, religion, sex, marital status or responsibilities of care, sexuality or unrelated criminal convictions.

Jurisdiction:

The jurisdiction of the Association [MADGAS]is to pursue any activities which are directly or incidentally conducive to the furtherance of its objectives.

Membership:

  1. Membership is open to anyone who shares the objectives of the organisation.
  2. Members must lodge a signed application form with theAssociation [MADGAS].
  3. Membership shall be confirmedby the payment of the annual subscription and presentation of a current membership card.
  4. The subscription will be decided by the Stewards on an annual basis.
  5. The Stewards shall keep a register of members.
  6. The Stewardmay reserve to itself the right of admission or otherwise of applicants.

Meetings:

  1. The Stewards shall convene an Annual General Meeting [AGM] forMembers. Not more than 16 months shall elapse between AGM’s.
  2. The AGM agenda will comprise of the following items:
  • Presentation of accounts.
  • The election of Stewards.
  • Any other related business.
  1. 14 days clear notice shall be given of any AGM or special generalmeeting.
  2. The Stewards may call a special general meeting at any time.
  3. A quorum for Members’ Meetings shall be 5
  4. The Stewards will meet on a regular basis as needs require with a minimum of two meetings per year.

Stewards: The workings of the Association [MADGAS] shall be administered by the Stewards:

  1. The minimum number of Stewards shall be 3. They are: Organiser, Treasurer and Volunteer Coordinator.Additional Stewards may be appointed as required.

[ Membership Coordinator, Site Coordinator, Ordering and Delivery Coordinator would be examples of other roles]

  1. All Stewards will have a specific role.
  2. A person shall not be eligible for office unless they are a member of the organisation.
  3. Stewards shall retire each year but be eligible for re-election at the AGM.
  4. The AGM will elect the Stewards.
  5. Stewards shall not beliable, provided they have not acted fraudulently, for any financial loss or damage to property or persons not covered by existing insurance.
  6. Stewards shall have full executive power to deal with all business ofthe Association, except matters affecting the Constitution of the Association,which shall be dealt with only at a General Meeting.

Finances:

  1. Accounts will be prepared for presentation at AGMs
  2. Copies of the current annual accounts will be made available, on request, to any interested party.
  3. All surplus monies arising from the general business of the Association [MADGAS] and all contributions received shall be used for the accomplishment of the Association’s Objectives.
  4. Two auditors will be appointed from the membership.

Dissolution:

Should the Association[MADGAS] be dissolved, and having paid all outstanding monies,all remaining fundswill pass to a similar organisation or to charity as decidedby the Stewards. Any grant funding shall be returned to the funding organisation.[First consideration be given to The Trustees for the Allotments for the Labouring poor in acknowledgment to the generosity shown when constructing the Members’ Centre.]

Amendments:

The constitution can only be amended at the AGM or at a special general meeting called for the purpose.

This constitution was presented at the AGM held on 6th October 2012