Upper Lea Valley Group Constitution

Name

The name of the group shall be the 'Upper Lea Valley Group' (ULVG).

Aims

To enhance the natural quality of the area within our remit (centred around the Batford Springs Local Nature Reserve) through active conservation work, to the benefit of both the public and the natural environment
To publicise the area and its amenities to Harpenden residents, including schools and young people's associations
To promote and use to best effect the individual and combined skills that exist within the Group
To support the Batford Springs Local Nature Reserve's long-term conservation plans.

Membership

Membership shall be open to any person who shares the aims of the group and has paid any registration fee or any agreed annual membership fee. Any fees that are to be levied in future will be agreed by a majority of members at the Annual General Meeting.

Equal Opportunities

The activities of the group shall be conducted in such a manner that no person shall be discriminated against on grounds of age, sexual orientation, disability, race, nor political or religious affiliation.

Management

The activities of the group shall be administered by a Management Committee comprising not less than three and not more than 12 members elected at an Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Any person wishing to stand for election to the Management Committee must have been a member for a minimum of three months prior to the AGM.
The Officers of the Committee shall be the Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary.
One third of the Management Committee (rounded down to the nearest number divisible by three) shall retire at each AGM - but may offer themselves for re-election.
The maximum time that any Officer of the Committee can hold their post is nine years. For the current Officers, the start of the nine year period will be from 1st April 2007.
The Committee shall meet at agreed intervals - and not less than once a year.
A minimum of three members shall be present for a Management Committee meeting to be valid.
The Committee may co-opt up to three persons to serve on the Committee.
Voting at Committee meetings shall be by show of hands. If a vote is tied - the Chairperson shall have a second (casting) vote.

Accounts

Any funds held by the group shall be in the name of 'Upper Lea Valley Group' and accounted for by the elected Treasurer.
Accounts shall be submitted to independent inspection annually - and approved at the AGM.
Members' liability shall be, and is hereby limited to the amount of their subscriptions
Should the group cease to function - any funds held shall be transferred to an appropriate registered charity.

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The Annual General Meeting shall be held within 28 days of the 1st April each year.
The current Chairperson of the Management Committee shall act as Chairperson for the AGM unless, by agreement, another person is invited to take the chair.
Attendance at the AGM shall be open to all - but voting rights shall be restricted to registered Upper Lea Valley Group members.
Voting at the AGM shall be by show of hands and simple majority. Should a vote be tied � the Chairperson shall have a second (casting) vote.
A minimum of 14 days notice of an AGM shall be given - and the meeting shall be advertised to the local communities.

Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)

An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be called by the Management Committee - or at the request of a member to the Management Committee - to discuss an urgent matter. A minimum of 14 days notice shall be given of such a meeting - together with details of the business to be discussed.

Changes to the Constitution

The Constitution shall not be altered except at a General Meeting (AGM or EGM) by a simple majority of registered Upper Lea Valley Group members present and voting.