Constitution of Craigavon Historical Society

  1. Name and authority

    The Society shall be known as “Craigavon Historical Society”, hereinafter referred to as “the Society”. Business of the Society shall be transacted by a committee of members which shall be known as "the committee of Craigavon Historical Society", hereinafter referred to as “the Committee” p>

  2. Objectives

    2.1 to encourage and support the study of local history, primarily within the Craigavon Area.
    2.2 to work with other agencies concerned with the collection, conservation, interpretation and exhibition of artefacts relating to the history and local heritage of the Craigavon area
    2.3 To encourage the study of local history in schools
    2.4 To publish local history material

  3. Annual General Meeting

    3.1 The Society shall hold an annual general meeting, hereinafter referred to as “the AGM”, each year, generally in September, at which the honorary secretary shall present an annual report and the honorary treasurer shall present the statement of accounts for the previous year.

    3.2 The AGM shall elect a chairman, vice-chairman, honorary secretary, honorary treasurer, and committee members. In the event of multiple nominations for new committee members in excess of available places a secret ballot shall be held to determine which of the nominees shall be elected.

    3.3 Extraordinary General Meetings may be called to discuss special business at the discretion of the Committee or the request of five members of the Society.p>

  4. Membership

    4.1 Membership of the Society shall be open to all, subject to payment of an annual membership fee. The amount of the fee shall be set annually by the committee.

    4.2 The Committee may invite individuals to become “honorary members” in recognition of services to the Society. Such honorary members shall be exempt from fees.

  5. The Committee

    5.1 The Committee shall be responsible for management of the Society. Its members shall be elected from members of the Society each year at the AGM. Members and Officers may present themselves for re-election in subsequent years. The Committee shall have a minimum of seven and a maximum of seventeen members, excluding co-opted members.

    5.2 A minutes secretary shall record the proceedings of Committee meetings and this record shall be agreed and signed by the chairman at the next Committee meeting.

    5.3 The Committee shall have the power to co-opt up to three members per year. Where co-opted members of the Committee are not also members of the Society they shall not have voting rights.

    5.4 The Committee may require the resignation of any of its members who is absent from three consecutive Committee meetings without tendering a reason acceptable to the Committee. The Committee may by co-option fill any resulting vacancy.

    5.5 The Committee shall meet at least three times per year. Meetings shall be convened on two weeks' notice. A quorum of five voting members or at least one third of the full Committee (whichever is the greater) shall be required before material business may be transacted.

    5.6 In the chairman’s absence, the vice-chairman shall conduct the business of the meeting. In the absence of the chairman and vice-chairman, a chair will be agreed by those present.

    5.7 Decisions of meetings shall be decided by a simple majority of those present and allowed to vote. In the event of a tie, the chairman shall have a casting vote.The committee shall consist of members of the society. It shall be elected each year at the AGM. Exceptionally, one person who is not a member of the Society may be co-opted on to the committee.

  6. Finance

    6.1 Funds shall be used to further the objectives of the Society.

    6.2 The Treasurer shall keep a record of all financial transactions and prepare accounts for the AGM.

    6.3 For the signing of cheques, up to four signatories shall be appointed, two of whom must sign each cheque. These two signatories must not be related to each other.

  7. Amendments to the constitution

    Any amendment to the Constitution may be made only at a general meeting and on Notice of Motion which must be in the hands of the Honorary Secretary, signed by proposer and seconder, not later than the 15th day of the preceding month or at an Extraordinary General Meeting called for the purpose upon a request signed by not fewer than 20 members of the Society. No amendment shall be made unless carried by two thirds of the members present.

  8. Dissolution

    If members of the Society wish to wind up the Society an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) shall be called. If voting members agree at the EGM by a simple majority that the Society shall be wound up, then a date shall be set for the winding up and prior to that date any funds remaining after liabilities have been met shall be disbursed in pursuance of the Society’s objectives in a manner to be agreed by the Committee.


    Date of Adoption: 22 September 2009.




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