All Ours - Constitution

Aims

The overall purpose of All Ours is to foster social inclusion through the delivery of services focusing on attracting excluded groups from disadvantaged and/or minority groups and those experiencing discrimination and/or isolation within the local community. We aim

1. To encourage healthy eating and healthy living

2. To enhance physical and emotional well-being and to promote good mental health.

3. To provide opportunities for therapeutic and physical activities, creative and intellectual stimulation as well as relaxation.

4. To support peoples needs and welcome their individuality and differences

5. To foster understanding and education promoting good communication to help people develop early intervention methods to mental health issues.

6. To provide opportunities for connecting with others, improving self-esteem and experiencing new ideas.

7. To be accessible and inclusive but to primarily exist to attract normally excluded people

8. To create volunteering and training opportunities for local people with the project to build up knowledge skills and experience.

9. To promote opportunities for local partnership and networking.

Objectives

1. To organise and run regular events providing a variety of activities in consultation with members.

2. Provide nutritious wholesome food as well as information about healthy eating and living.

3. Provide a safe, welcoming, open and accessible environment that is a smoke, alcohol and drug free space.

4. Creating an environment that fulfils the aims of the organisation.

Powers

1. We can set up an office.

2. We can employ and pay staff. (The Management Committee cannot be paid).

3. We can make leaflets, booklets and other materials to inform people about our group and what we do, we can distribute or sell these.

4. We can carry out activities to help improve support services and raise public awareness for people with mental health needs and other socially excluded groups experiencing disadvantage, discrimination or isolation within the local community.

5. We can open a bank account to hold All Ours money

6. We can keep extra money in the bank until we need it and earn interest on our account

7. We can join other organisations or charities that have similar or related aims and objectives

8. We can work with other groups and organisations on topics of joint interest.

9. We can buy insurance to cover the Management Committee, volunteers and staff and other things such as events etc.

10. We can pay the expenses and the costs for setting up and running All Ours

Membership

1. Different types of members All Ours can have and what those members can & cannot do:

Full members

Anyone who is over 18 and supports the aims of All Ours can join the group as a full member. A membership fee will be paid. Full members can vote.

Affiliated members

Any group or organisation that supports the aims and objectives of All Ours can be an affiliated member

2. The rights of a member cannot be given to another person.

3. Membership fees will be set and reviewed by the Management Committee annually at the AGM.

4. How membership to All Ours can end:

a) a person can end their membership by writing to the Secretary of All Ours

b) If a member has not paid their subscription fee for 6 months, the Management Committee can decide to end this persons membership. The Committee does not have to end this membership.

5. How the Management Committee can end someone’s membership: The committee can end somebody’s membership by writing to them. The member can appeal against decision this in writing to the Secretary. In this case an Appeal Panel of two Committee members will meet with the member in question and a friend or supporter of their choice within two weeks to try and resolve the matter. The decision of this appeal panel will be final.

Annual General Meetings

Members and supporters of All Ours will be invited to the Annual General Meetings: All Ours must hold an Annual General Meetings (AGM) each year. Members must be told at least 21 days in advance that there will be an Annual General Meeting and the time, date and venue for the meeting. Financial accounts for the previous year will be presented at the AGM. All members serving on the Management Committee will stand down on the AGM and tell the Secretary whether they wish to stand for re-election.

Management Committee

The management committee can co-opt up to 4 people to the committee at any time. Co-opted members will not be able to vote. People can only be co-opted for the period up to the next AGM.

A quorum of the managing committee shall be at least 3.

The management committee will meet when needed, but no less than 4 times per year.

Changes to the Constitution

Any changes to this constitution will need to be approved by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting at the AGM.

Any proposed change of this Constitution must be received by the Secretary in writing at least seven days before the AGM.

Finance

All the money raised by All Ours will be used for the aims written in the constitution.

All cheques must be signed by two committee members. Cheque signatories must not be related or live in the same household.

Dissolution

If the Management Committee by a simple majority recommends that it is necessary to dissolve All Ours it will call a meeting of all members giving them at least 21 days notice.

If this decision is approved by a simple majority of the members present and voting at the meeting the Committee has the power to dispose of any assets held by or in the name of All Ours. The assets will be donated to a charitable or community organisation with similar aims within the Nottingham area.