Constitution - LGS

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Leicestershire Guild of Storytelling Constitution
1. Name
The name of the organisation is Leicestershire Guild of Storytelling which, for promotions and publicity uses the brand The Story Tree
2. Aims and objectives
The promotion and enjoyment of traditional and contemporary Oral Storytelling in Leicester and Leicestershire, and to make opportunities available at affordable rates to those with low disposable incomes to enjoy participation in storytelling as tellers, audience members and workshops and training events.
In particular, we will:
·        Run a free, monthly, ‘open mic’ style storytelling club night in Leicester City
·        Book and promote professional performance storytellers at various venues around Leicester and Leicestershire
·        Provide workshop and training opportunities to anyone in Leicester and Leicestershire wishing to develop their story telling practice
Leicestershire Guild of Storytelling is a non-profit making organisation.
3. Management
The management of the organisation is through a committee which includes as a minimum a Chair, a Secretary, and a Treasurer with other members elected/appointed as appropriate. All committee members shall hold office until the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) but shall then be eligible for re-election. During the year, the committee shall have the power to appoint additional members as necessary until the next AGM or call an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).
To be eligible for election to the committee, a person must be a club member themselves and nominated for election by at least one other club member. In the event a committee position is contested, election shall be by anonymous majority vote at the AGM.
4. Powers of the Committee
  1. to raise funds and receive contributions
  2. to hold a bank account on behalf of the organisation
  3. to organise public liability insurance for activities where such is required
  4. Book and pay for invited performers and/or trainers
N.B. club members and committee officers are not excluded from working as freelance performers/trainers in this capacity but such commissions will be made clear in the club accounts and discussed at each AGM
  1. all other lawful things as appropriate for furthering the aims and objectives.
5. Membership
  1. Formal membership of Leicestershire Guild of Storytelling will be by free annual registration
N.B. when registering, members may make a voluntary contribution to organisation funds – suggested donation amounts will be detailed on the registration form
  1. Non-members are referred to as ‘guests’ and are welcome to participate in most of the activities of Leicestershire Guild of Storytelling
  2. Only members will be entitled to hold office on the committee
  3. Members will be invited to attend our AGM and any EGM and to vote for changes to the committee or to the rules of this constitution. Guests may also attend AGM and EGMs as observers but will not be actively invited and do not have the right to vote.
  4. Members and guests may attend our club night for free
  5. Tickets for additional performances scheduled outside of ‘club night’ will be offered for booking or on sale (whichever shall apply) to members one week in advance of general release but no financial discount will be offered – the aim will always be to keep events as low cost as possible for all potential attendees
  6. Spaces on training and workshop events will be offered for booking or on sale (whichever shall apply) to members one week in advance of general release but no financial discount will be offered – the aim will always be to keep training as low cost as possible for all potential attendees
6. General Meetings
An AGM shall normally be held between 15 September and 15 November each year. At the AGM, three members of the committee must be present to achieve quorum. Notice shall be given of the AGM to attendees of The Story Tree club night and by email to the members mailing list.
An EGM may be called at other times of the year at the discretion of one or more members of the committee, providing a months’ notice is also given to all members
7. Decision making
Decisions shall be taken via consensus if possible, and through a majority vote if not.
8. Accounts
The accounts for The Story Tree/Leicestershire Guild of Storytelling shall be kept by the Treasurer and shall be presented at the AGM. A bank account in the name of Leicestershire Guild of Storytelling and with three authorised signatories from the committee shall be used to hold money for the organisation, and withdrawals must be authorised through at least two authorised signatories.
9. Dissolution
Leicestershire Guild of Storytelling may be dissolved only by those present at an AGM or EGM. On dissolution of the group, any money held by the organisation shall be disposed of by the Committee, to an organisation which has similar aims to that of Leicestershire Guild of Storytelling.
10. Alterations to the rules
These rules may be amended by an AGM or EGM as deemed necessary.
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