Village Society

1. The Group shall be known as "Rufford Village Society", hereafter referred to as "the Village Society".

2. The aims and objectives of the Group will be to:
" Encourage residents to get involved in village life and welcome the involvement of newcomers to the area
" Enhance good feeling and a positive atmosphere within the village
" Access funding opportunities and put on fund raising events for village activities and amenities
" Enhance the Street Scene
" To foster good relations across the Parishes of Rufford and Holmeswood through joint activities.

3. The Group will be benevolent and charitable in nature and non-profit making. Members of the Group will work on a voluntary basis for the well being of the Group and shall not gain nor profit financially in anyway as a result of their work for the Group.

4. Membership shall be open to any residents of Rufford

5. The Group shall be controlled by a Committee, comprising of officers elected by the members of the Group annually at an Annual General Meeting. The Committee will meet at agreed intervals and not less than 6 times per year.

6. The role of the Committee will be to control the affairs of the Group, to keep accurate accounts of the Group's finances and to make decisions on the basis of a majority vote (the Chair will be entitled to an additional casting vote in the event of tied voting).

7. The Committee shall have the power to refuse membership providing reasons are given for such refusal and persons refused membership have the right of appeal to the full Group membership.

8. The Committee will make best use of funds available with regard to pursuing the aims and objectives of the Group.

9. The Committee shall maintain a bank account in the name of 'Rufford Village Society' with two signatories being required for each cheque or transaction involving the Group's funds held within the account. The signatories shall be nominated by the Committee from the elected officers of the Group and shall not be related.

10. If expenses or the repayment of other costs incurred by members are refunded to members or officers of the Committee, these will be recorded and be made known to the membership. Only "reasonable" reimbursements will be made and only for expenses incurred whilst working for the well being of the Group and its members.

11. An Annual General meeting (AGM) of members will be held during April to coincide with the end of the financial year of the Group. Members at the Annual General Meeting will elect on a democratic basis a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and any other officers that they consider necessary for the administration of the Group, to serve on the Committee for the coming year. Members elected to the Committee will only serve for a period of one year but shall be able to submit themselves for re-election if they so wish.

12. The financial year of the Group shall run from the 1st April to the 31st March each year. The Treasurer will present an account of the past year's financial performance at each AGM. Copies of the account will be available to members prior the meeting.

13. An Extraordinary General meeting (EGM) may be called at any time at the request of a minimum of five current members.

14. In the event of the Group going into dissolution, any assets remaining after settlement of any outstanding debts of the Group shall be donated to a local charity or charities with similar aims and objectives decided on by the then current members.

15. This constitution may only be amended via a vote of members at an AGM or EGM. However no change to this Constitution will be allowed which will alter the benevolent and charitable aims of the Group as outlined in clauses (2) and (3) above, nor to this clause or clause (15) dealing with the procedure to be followed with respect to the dissolution of the Group.

This constitution was adopted by Group Members at a special meeting

called for this purpose held at Rufford Church Hall on Friday 26th August 2011

Signed by the Chairperson __________________________________

And witnessed by

(SIGNED) _____________________ (POSITION) _______________

& (SIGNED) _____________________ (POSITION) ________________

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