Constitution of the British Caribbean Association
1 TITLE
The organisation shall be known as BRITISH CARIBBEAN ASSOCIATION
2 INTRODUCTION
British Caribbean Association is a voluntary association of British and Caribbean people, drawing its membership from all parties in the House of Parliament, the Caribbean community in the United Kingdom, other groups and individuals interested in Caribbean affairs.
3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
.a. To foster and develop friendship and understanding between the peoples of Caribbean and the United Kingdom.
.b. To stimulate all forms of mutual aid between the people of the Caribbean and the United Kingdom.
.c. To provide a meeting place and forum for discussion for those involved in Caribbean affairs, Race and Group relations, and an opportunity for informal social gatherings.
.d. To sponsor lectures, conferences and other meetings to educate a wider public as to Caribbean affairs.
.e. To influence Government policy in the long-term interests of the Caribbean peoples both in their own countries and in Britain.
.f. To give advice, help and assistance to members if and when required.
.g. To give financial assistance whenever possible, within the discretion if the membership of the Association.
4 CATEGORIES OF MEMBERSHIP
.a. British and Caribbean citizens, other groups and individuals interested in Caribbean affairs living in the United Kingdom are eligible to become members by paying the agreed annual membership subscription.
.b. A youth member is one who qualifies under 4 .a. and is not older than 18 years.
5 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION
.a. Full Membership £20.00
Concessions (un-waged persons) £15.00
This becomes payable on the 1 st January of each year in advance.
.b. Any member who fails to pay the annual subscription within 6 weeks of the due date for payment may have his or her membership suspended.
.c. Any member may be reinstated on payment of the amount due.
.d. The Central Council may amend the Annual Subscription in its discretion.
6 MEETINGS
The Annual General Meeting shall be held in July (or as close to that month as feasibly possible) when all Officers and Members of the Central Council shall be elected.
The quorum for the Annual General Meeting shall be not less than 20% of the paid-up members.
7 SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
Fifty percent (50%) of the Membership can request a Special General Meeting by giving 28 days written notice to the Honorary Secretary,
8 CENTRAL COUNCIL
The Association shall be administered by Central Council who shall meet at least twice a year. The Central Council may request a Special General Meeting by giving 28 days notice to the Member;
9 ELECTION OF OFFICERS
At an Annual General Meeting the following Officers shall be elected :-
Chairperson DeputyChairpersons ViceChairpersons) HonoraryTreasurer AssistantTreasurer HonorarySecretary AssistantHonorarySecretary MembershipSecretary CentralCouncilConvener LiaisonOfficers Auditors
Vacancies may be filled if and when the need arises at the next General Meeting.
10 CHAIRPERSON
The Chairperson who should be a Member of Parliament shall preside at all Meetings. He/She will maintain order and ensure that the Constitution is adhered to. He/ She will sign the Minutes and have a Casting vote only.
DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON (S)
The Deputy Chairperson shall carry out the duties of the Chairperson in his/her absence. VICE CHAIRPERSON (S)
The Vice Chairperson s (one of whom should preferably be a Member of Parliament) shall carry nut the duties of the Chairman in his/her absence and of the Deputy Chairperson in his/her absence.
HONORARY SECRETARY
The Honorary Secretary shall conduct all correspondence on behalf of the Association and shall keep in order all documents belonging to the Association, including copies of all letters received and copies of all letters sent and perform such duties as are usual by an Honorary Secretary.
ASSISTANT HONORARY SECRETARY
The Assistant Honorary Secretary shall carry out the duties of the Honorary Secretary in his/her absence.
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
The Membership Secretary shall keep an official register of all members and shall enter therein all membership fees received and will hand to the Treasurer all subscriptions received.
HONORARY TREASURER
The Honorary Treasurer shall keep a record of all income and expenditure of the Association. He/She shall issue cheques and receive receipts. He/She must be one of a minimum of two (2) signatories to draw from the Association accounts and shall be responsible for the funds of the Association and shall report regularly to the Central Council and present Accounts at the Annual General Meeting.
ASSISTANT HONORARY TREASURER
The Assistant Honorary Treasurer shall carry out the duties of the Honorary Treasurer in his/her absence.
CENTRAL COUNCIL CONVENER
The Central Council Conveyer shall be responsible for calling Meetings of the Central Council, Chairing such Meetings and reporting their decisions to the General Meeting; for approval.
LIAISON OFFICERS
The Liaison Officers shall liase with the High Commissions of the Caribbean States and other Organisations and shall report back to the Central Council.
11 FINANCE
.a. The Financial year of the Association shall begin on the first day of April and close on the thirty-first day of March of the following year.
.b. The fund of the Association shall be lodged in a Bank approved by the Central Council and shall be in the name of British Caribbean Association.
.c. The Authority for cheques shall be the signatures of any 'two' (2) of the 'four' (4) officers empowered to do so - Honorary Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Honorary Secretary and one of the Vice Chairpersons.
12 SUB COMMITTEES
The following Sub-Committees may be established :-Special Events Welfare and Education Youth
13 JOINT PRESIDENTS
Joint Presidents shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting
14 LIFE VICE-PRESIDENTS
The Association may offer Life Membership to any person who has given excellent services to the Association.
15 DEFAULT
The Central Council shall have full power and discretion to suspend or expel any member in serious breach of this Constitution and the objects of the Association. Any person suspended or expelled shall have the right of appeal at the next Central Council Meeting.
16 DISSOLUTION
The Association may at any time be voluntarily dissolved by consent of 'seventy-five' per cent (75%) of fully paid up members, affixing their signatures to an instrument of dissolution.
The Association may be dissolved following a resolution adopted by 'two-thirds' (2/3rds) of the members of the Association at a meeting specially convened for that purpose only. A notice of which has been given in writing to each member body at least 'twenty-one' (21) days beforehand.
On Dissolution funds will be distributed equally to members or be donated to a registered Charity decided by members at a Special General Meeting.
17 AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION
The Constitution may be amended by resolution passed at any General Meeting provided all members should have received at least Twenty-one (21) days written notice of the proposed amendments and provided at least two-thirds of the members attending such meeting shall have approved such amendment.