The Name of the Organisation Shall Be Museums in Somerset ( the Group )

Constitution

1. Introduction

The name of the organisation shall be ‘Museums in Somerset’ (‘the group’).

2. Area of Benefit

The work of the group shall be conducted within the area of the administrative areas of Somerset and North Somerset.

3. Aims

The aims of the group shall be:

a)  To promote and represent the interests of museums within Somerset.

b)  To encourage co-operation among members.

c)  To promote public access to collections and to associated information.

d)  To encourage liaison with and support from statutory authorities.

e)  To develop partnerships between local authority and independent museums.

f)  To promote improvement in standards of collections care.

g)  To promote consistency in the acquisition and disposal policies of member museums.

h)  To assist in the identification of funding opportunities for the benefit of members.

To attain the aims set out above, but not further or otherwise, the group shall have the following powers:

(i)  To bring together representatives of independent museums, statutory authorities and individuals engaged in the provision and support of museums in Somerset and to provide them with a corporate voice.

(ii)  To arrange and/or promote, either alone or with others, exhibitions, meetings, lectures, classes, seminars or training courses.

(iii)  To collect and disseminate information on all matters relating to its aims and to exchange such information with other bodies having similar aims.

(iv)  To raise, hold and disburse monies on behalf of the membership of the group, on the understanding that income or property held by the Museums in Somerset will not be given to its members during its lifetime.

(v)  To do all such other lawful things as shall further the aims of the group.

4. Membership of the Group

Membership of the group is open to all organisations whose aims include the provision of museums (see note 1) accessible to the public in Somerset and North Somerset (‘institutional members’).

An up-to-date list of all institutional members of the group shall be kept by the Secretary (see note 2).

5. Associates of the Group

Organisations which are not eligible for membership of the group and individuals who support its objects shall be eligible to become associates of the group subject to such conditions as the group may from time to time determine.

An up-to-date list of all associates of the group shall be kept by the Secretary.

6. General Meetings of the Group

(a) General Meetings shall be open to:

All staff and volunteers (including members of governing bodies) who work in member museums in a paid or voluntary capacity.

Associates

Voting rights shall be in accordance with Clause 9.

The General Meeting may co-opt, as advisers without power to vote, persons having special knowledge or experience.

General Meetings shall be convened at least three times a year, one of which meetings shall be the Annual General Meeting as referred to below. At least 14 days notice of General Meetings shall be given by the Secretary to members and associates.

(b) Annual General Meeting

Once in each year an Annual General Meeting of the group shall be held, being not more than 15 months after the holding of the preceding Annual General Meeting or the adoption of this constitution. At least 28 days notice shall be given by the Secretary to members and associates.

The business of each Annual General Meeting shall be:

(i)  To consider the annual report of the group on its activities during the preceding year.

(ii)  To elect the Honorary Officers of the group in accordance with Clause 8.

(iii)  To consider and vote on proposals to alter this constitution in accordance with Clause 11 below

(iv)  To consider any other business of which due notice has been given.

(c) Special General Meeting

The Chair of the group may at any time at his or her discretion, and the Secretary shall within 35 days of receiving a written request so to do, signed on behalf of not less than five institutional members and giving reasons for the request, call a Special General Meeting of the group to consider the business specified on the notice of meeting and for no other purpose. Such notice shall be given in writing to all institutional members and associates at least 28 days in advance of the Special General Meeting.

7. Honorary Officers

a)  The Honorary Officers of the group shall consist of a Chair, a Vice Chair Secretary and Treasurer and such other officers as a General Meeting may from time to time determine. Candidates for election as Honorary Officers must be authorised representatives of institutional members. Nomination of such candidates shall be received in writing by the Secretary at least 14 days before the Annual General Meeting. In the event of no nomination being received for one or more offices, the person presiding at the Annual General Meeting shall call for nominations from the floor.

Nominations may be made by institutional members and associate members.

b)  The Honorary Officers of the group shall serve in their respective capacities as officers of the Standing Committee.

c)  Honorary Officers will hold office for a year and be eligible for re-election, up to a maximum of three years in succession, after which they must step down for at least a year before standing again for office.

d)  Vacancies among the Honorary Officers which occur during the year may be filled until the next Annual General Meeting by decision of a General Meeting.

8. Standing Committee

A Standing Committee shall be approved by the Annual General Meeting to transact essential business of the group between general meetings. All decisions of the Standing Committee shall be subject to ratification by and report to the next general meeting of the group.

The Standing Committee shall comprise the honorary officers of the group and up to three further persons (‘general officers’), being representatives of institutional members or associates of the group, one of whom will always be a representative of Somerset Heritage Service. In addition the Museum Development Officer shall be a member of the Standing Committee ex officio.

Nominations for general officers shall be received in writing by the Secretary at least 14 days before the Annual General Meeting. In the event of no nominations being received for one or more offices, the person presiding at the Annual General Meeting shall call for nominations from the floor.

9. Rules of Procedure at all Meetings

(a)Voting

(i)  At general meetings each institutional member shall have one vote.

(ii)  At general meetings associate members will not have a vote except for the election of the honorary officers and the general officers of the Standing Committee.

(iii)  Co-opted advisers will not have a vote.

(iv)  In the case of an equality of votes the Chair shall have a second or casting vote.

It is the responsibility of each institutional member to nominate a representative to vote on its behalf at each meeting.

(b)Quorum

General Meetings: A quorum at general meetings shall be when at least 20% of the institutional membership is represented or six members whichever is the smaller. In the event that no quorum is present at an Annual General Meeting the meeting shall stand adjourned and be reconvened 14 days later and those representatives of institutional members at that meeting shall be deemed to form a quorum.

(c)Minutes

Minute shall be kept by the General Meeting and the Standing Committee and the appropriate Secretary shall create a record of all proceedings and resolutions.

10. Dissolution

The group may at any time be dissolved by a resolution passed by a two thirds majority of those representatives of institutional members present at a meeting of the group of which meeting at least 28 days notice shall have been sent to all members and associates of the group.

A meeting to consider the dissolution of the group shall normally be convened by its officers, but in the event that the group ceases to have functioning officers, such a meeting may be convened by any of the institutional members.

Any assets held by or in the name of the group after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities shall be transferred to another charitable or not-for-profit organisation to be applied towards aims similar to those of the group for the benefit of the inhabitants of the area of benefit.

11. Alterations to the Constitution

A resolution proposing to alter this constitution shall be received by the Secretary of the group at least 28 days before the Annual or other General Meeting at which it is to be considered. Twenty-eight days notice of the General Meeting shall be given in writing by the Secretary to all institutional members and associates of the group, and such notice shall specify the alteration or alterations proposed. An alteration shall require the approval of a two thirds majority of those representatives of institutional members present and voting at a General Meeting.

12. Constitution adopted 30th June 2004 and amended 26th May 2010.

Notes

Note 1. The Museums Association definition of a museum is as follows:

‘Museums enable people to explore collections for inspiration, learning and enjoyment. They are institutions that collect, safeguard and make accessible artefacts and specimens that they hold in trust for society.’

Note 2. The organisation is promoted by Somerset County Council who will provide administrative services to the group as negotiated and agreed with the Standing Committee.

Appendix

List of members of the Museums in Somerset group:

1.  Ashton Windmill (Grade II*), Chapel Allerton, Axbridge, BS26 2LS

2.  Axbridge and District Museum, King John’s Hunting Lodge, The Square, Axbridge, BS26 2AP

3.  Bakelite Museum (Grade II), Bridge Street, Williton, TA4 4NS

4.  Bishops Lydeard Mill and Rural Life Museum, Mill Lane, Bishops Lydeard, TA4 3LN

5.  Bishops Palace and Gardens (Grade I), Cathedral Green, Wells, BA5 2PD

6.  Blake Museum (Grade II*), 5 Blake Street, Bridgwater, TA6 3NB

7.  Blue Anchor GWR Railway Museum, Blue Anchor, Minehead, TA24 6LG

8.  Bruton Museum, 26 High Street, Bruton, BA10 0AA

9.  Castle Cary & District Museum, Market House, Market Place, Castle Cary, BA7 7AH

10.  Chard & District Museum, High Street, Chard, TA20 1QL

11.  Cheddar Caves and Gorge, Cheddar, BS27 3QF

12.  Cleeve Abbey (Grade I), Abbey Road, Washford, TA23 0PS

13.  Coleridge Cottage (Grade II*), 35 Lime Street, Nether Stowey, TA5 1NQ

14.  Community Heritage Access Centre (CHAC), SSDC Lufton Depot, 7 Artillery Road, Lufton, Yeovil, BA22 8RP

15.  Crewkerne and District Museum, Market Square, Crewkerne, TA18 7JU

16.  Dawes Twine Works, 94a High Street, West Coker, BA22 9AU

17.  Dovery Manor Museum, Doverhay, Porlock, TA24 8QB

18.  Dunster Castle Water Mill (Grade II), Mill Lane, Dunster, TA24 6SW

19.  Dunster Castle (Grade I), Dunster, TA24 6SL

20.  Dunster Dolls Museum, 17 High Street, Dunster, TA24 6SF

21.  East Somerset Railway Station, Cranmore Railway Station, Shepton Mallet, BA4 4QP

22.  Farleigh Hungerford Castle (Grade I), Farleigh Hungerford, Bath, BA2 7RS

23.  Fleet Air Arm Museum, Royal Naval Air Station, Yeovilton, BA22 8HT

24.  Frome Museum, 1 North Parade, Frome, BA11 1AT

25.  Glastonbury Abbey Estate (Grade I), Magdalene Street, Glastonbury, BA6 9EL

26.  Glastonbury Lake Village Museum (Grade I), 9 High Street, Glastonbury, BA6 9DP

27.  Haynes International Motor Museum, Sparkford, Yeovil, BA22 7LH

28.  Helicopter Museum, Locking Moor Road, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 8PP

29.  Ilchester Museum, High Street, Ilchester, BA22 8NQ

30.  Lambretta Scooter Museum, 77 Alfred Street, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1PP

31.  Montacute House (Grade I), Montacute, TA15 6XP

32.  Montacute TV, Toy & Radio Museum, 1 South Street, Montacute, TA15 6XD

33.  Muchelney Abbey (Grade I), Muchelney, Langport, TA10 0DQ

34.  Museum of Somerset, Castle Green, Taunton, TA1 4AA

35.  Museum of South Somerset, Hendford, Yeovil, BA20 1UN

36.  North Somerset Museum, Burlington Street, Weston super Mare, BS23 1PR

37.  Peat Moors Centre, Shapwick Road, Westhay, BA6 9TT

38.  Perry's Cider Mills, Dowlish Wake, Ilminster, TA19 0NY

39.  Sheppy’s Cider and Rural Life Museum, Three Bridges, Bradford-on-Tone, TA4 1ER

40.  Shoe Museum, 40 High Street, Street, BA16 0YA

41.  Somerset and Dorset Railway Museum, Washford Station, Washford, TA23 0PP

42.  Somerset Brick and Tile Museum (Grade II*), East Quay, Bridgwater, TA6 4AE

43.  Somerset Cricket Museum, 7 Priory Avenue, Taunton, TA1 1XX

44.  Somerset Military Museum, Castle Green, Taunton, TA1 4AA

45.  Somerset Rural Life Museum (Grade I), Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury, BA6 8DB

46.  Washford Radio Museum, Tropiquaria, Washford Cross, TA23 0QB

47.  Watchet Boat Museum, Harbour Road, Watchet, TA23 0AQ

48.  Watchet Market House Museum, Market Street, Watchet, TA23 OAN

49.  Wellington Museum, 28 Fore Street, Wellington, TA21 8AQ

50.  Wells & Mendip Museum, 8 Cathedral Green, Wells, BA5 2UE

51.  West Somerset Railway and Gauge Museum, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, TA4 3BX

52.  West Somerset Rural Life Museum, The Old School, Allerford, TA24 8HN

53.  Westonzoyland Pumping Station Museum (Grade II*), Hoopers Lane, Westonzoyland, TA7 0PS

54.  Willows and Wetlands Visitor Centre, Meare Green, Stoke St Gregory, TA3 6HY

55.  Wincanton Museum, 32 High Street, Wincanton, BA9 9JF

56.  Wookey Hole Caves and Museum (Grade II, SSSI), Wookey Hole, Wells, BA5 1BB