Constitution

Effective from 16 March 1994

NAME: This Constitution shall apply to the organisation known as "THE VENTURERS DRAMA GROUP OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED", hereinafter referenced as "The Group".
OBJECT: The object of The Group is to improve the conditions of life for visually impaired persons in the interests of their social welfare by involving them in the production of plays. In furtherance of the foregoing object but not further or otherwise, the Group through its committee shall have the following powers:

To raise funds and invite and receive contributions, subscriptions, covenants, donations and otherwise from any person or persons whatsoever; provided that the Group shall not undertake any permanent trading activities concerned solely with the raising of funds as its primary object.
To do all such other things as shall further the said object.

Membership of the Group: Membership of the Group shall be open to all persons interested in furthering the object of the Group. Continued membership of the Group may be refused by a majority decision of the members present and voting at an Annual General Meeting.
Subscriptions: Annual subscription is payable on 1st February. Any member who fails to pay the annual subscription by 1st April will be deemed to have resigned from the Group. Alternatively, Life Membership will be available at ten times the current annual subscription. The Annual General Meeting shall agree the rate of annual subscription for the following year.
Annual General Meeting. The Group shall hold its Annual General Meeting on or before the 31st May. Written notice of this meeting shall be issued, to all members of the Group, so that, in the normal course of First Class Postage, the notice will reach them at least 14 days prior to the meeting. This meeting will report on the previous year's events, elect a committee to serve for the forthcoming year and discuss any business raised by the membership. Members who have served on the previous committee shall be eligible for re-election. A quorum is constituted as 25% or 15 members of the Group whichever is the lower. If the number of members in attendance at the Annual General Meeting falls below 25% or 15 members then the meeting shall be declared null and void.
The Committee. The committee shall be elected by the membership present at the Annual General Meeting. Visually impaired members of the Group shall constitute a voting majority of the Committee which shall comprise a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer and three other Committee members. Only the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer may act as signatories. A Production Committee, comprising the Committee itself plus any persons chosen by the Committee shall deal with matters concerning the production of plays. The Committee shall be empowered to co-opt additional members as necessary.
Extraordinary General Meetings. The Chairman may call an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Group to discuss any urgent business which he or she deems shall be considered by the full membership of the Group. Written notice of this meeting shall be issued, to all members of the Group, so that, in the normal course of First Class Postage, the notice will reach them at least 21 days prior to the meeting.
Alterations to the Constitution. Alterations to this constitution shall receive the assent of two thirds of the members present and voting at the Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting. All resolutions proposing alteration of the constitution must be received by the Secretary of the Group at least 28 days before this meeting. The notification of the meeting shall state all the alterations proposed. This constitution shall not be altered in any way which affects the Group's stated objects, legal status as a registered charity, or manner of dissolution prescribed by this constitution.
DISSOLUTION. The Group may be dissolved by a resolution passed by a majority of members present and voting at an Extraordinary Meeting convened for this purpose. Written notice of this meeting shall be issued, to all members of the Group, so that, in the normal course of First Class Postage, the notice will reach them at least 28 days prior to the meeting. Such a dissolution shall give instructions for the disposal of all assets held by, or in the name of the Group, provided that any property remains after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities. Such property shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Group but shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institution or institutions having objects similar to one or all the objects of the Group.