NAME/TITLE The Society shall be known as Hull and East Yorkshire "Ability" and be non sectarian, non denominational and non party political. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- OBJECTS The main purpose of the group will be:- To relieve children and young people in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire with a learning or physical disability by raising public awareness of issues that effect them and by promoting and/or organising local events which assist such persons to realise their full potential and lead fulfilling lives. To enable children and young people to fulfil their potential through offering opportunities for them to take a lead in the local events. To promote awareness of equality of opportunity and raise the profile of children and young people with disabilities through their participation in the planning and presentation of a range of activities. To promote opportunities for children and young people with disabilities to interact with service providers through their involvement in local conferences, workshops and planning activities. To promote best practice and facilitate discussion with multi-agency professionals through the opportunity to debate key issues based on the views of children and young people, their parents, carers and enablers. To create a climate of sharing and partnership between children and young people, parents, carers and enablers voluntary and statutory agencies. To inform children and young people with disabilities, their parents, carers and enablers about local/national services. To give assistance/advice and where appropriate to give to give financial support to those members/organisations contributing to the above objectives as agreed by the Trustees. Providing that: In raising funds the group shall not undertake any substantial trading activities and shall conform to the requirements of the law. The funds raised will be used solely for the activities organised by Hull and East Yorkshire "Ability". ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MEMBERS Membership shall be open to those voluntary, statutory, health, not- for-profit organisations, and individual groups supporting the objects (above) in the Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire areas. A Membership Form will be completed and the Committee in consultation with members reserves the right to ask for a registration fee if appropriate. Members will be entitled to one vote. In the event of equal votes the Chair will have the casting vote. Eligibility for Membership will be at the discretion of the Committee in consultation with the Members. Termination of Membership will be at the discretion of the Committee in consultation with the Members if there is good and sufficient reason. The individual concerned will have the right to be heard and accompanied by an advocate if necessary before a final decision is made. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE All members shall be ex-officio members of the Committee during their term of office. The Committee will be elected at the AGM. The Committee will consist of no fewer than three (3) officers - chair, secretary, treasurer, to be elected at a meeting after the Annual Meeting. There will be a maximum of eighteen (18) members (including officers) on the Committee. A quorum of any meeting shall consist of one third of the committee including at least two officers. The Committee shall have the powers to co-opt up to three additional members as they deem necessary, as long as this does not exceed the maximum number of Committee Members. Co-opted members will have voting rights, but so that no-one may be appointed as a co-opted member if, as a result, more than one third of the members of the Committee would be co-opted members. All Committee Members will be elected for two (2) years. Half of the Committee will retire annually and be available for re-election if they wish. Nobody shall be appointed as a member of the Committee who is aged under 18 or who would, if appointed, be disqualified under the provision of the following clause. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DETERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEE "A member of the Committee shall cease to hold office if he or she: Is diqualified from acting as a membr of the Committee by virtue of section 45 of the Charities Act 1992 (or any statutory re-enactment or modification of that provision); Becomes incapable by reason of mental disorder, illness of injury of managing and administering his or her own affairs; Is absent without the permission of the Committe from all their meetings held within a period of six months and the Committee resolve that his or her office be vacated; or Notifies to the Committee a wish to resign (but only if at least three members of the committee will remain in office when the notice or resignation is to take effect." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SUB COMMITTEES The Committee may appoint one or more sub-committees consisting of three or more members of the Committee for the purpose of making any inquiry or supervising or performing any function or duty which in the opinion of the Committee would be more conveniently undertaken or carried out by a sub committee: provided that all acts and proceedings of any such sub-committees shall be fully and promptly reported to the Committee. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL NOT BENEFIT PERSONALLY FROM "ABILITY" No member of the Committee shall acquire any interest in property belonging to the Charity (otherwise than as a trustee for the Charity) or receieve remuneration or be interested (otherwise than as a member of the Committee)in any contact entered into by Committee. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MEETINGS i) There will be a General Meeting held each year. ii) There shall be a quorum when at least one tenth of the number of members of the Charity for the time being or ten members of the Charity, whichever is the greater, are present at any general meeting. iii) There will be no fewer than three (3) Committee Meetings each year. Matters to be dealt with at the AGM will include:- The Report of the previous year's work. Statement of accounts. The Appointment of Officers and Members to the Committee. Notification of the AGM and the agenda will be circulated to members giving at least 21 days notice. iv) An extraordinary General Meeting may be convened at any time by no fewer than ten (10)members or by the Officers of the Committe. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ACCOUNTS The Treasurer shall keep proper records of all financial transactions and present a Report at each Committee Meeting and at the Annual General Meeting. The accounts will be examined prior to each Annual General Meeting and in accordance with the current legal requirements of the Charity Commission. A bank account in the name of Hull and East Yorkshire "Ability" will be opened and cheques shall be signed by any (2) officers of the Committee. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ALTERATIONS The Constitution shall only be amended at the Annual General Meeting or at the Extraordinary Meeting called for that purpose. Any alteration to the Constitution must receive the assent of not less two thirds of the Membership. The Membership shall be given prior notice of alterations to EACH clause 21 days before the AGM. The Charity Commission must give written consent to any alterations to the Constitution. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DISSOLUTION If two thirds of the membership, voting at an Extraordinary Meeting called for the purpose of dissolution, decide that "Hull and East Yorkshire "Ability" is no longer effective, then any surplus funds will be allocated to a charitable group with similar objects, in the same geographical area as approved by the Charity Commission.