Constitution

 

As approved by the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, Easter 1988 (2.4.88) and amended 1999 (24.10.99), 2006 (14.10.06), 2015 (15.11.15) and 2021 (12.12.21)

  1. Title

The title of the Society shall be the British Horn Society (hereafter known as the Society).

  1. Objects

The object of the Society is to promote and advance the education of the public in its appreciation and knowledge of music with particular reference to the horn as a solo instrument and in orchestral and chamber music.  In furtherance of these objects it may promote concerts, lectures, festivals, meetings, books, magazines, pamphlets and other literature.  It may also provide, and seek to encourage others to provide scholarships and commissions for new works, and undertake other projects as appropriate.

  1. Membership
  1. The members of the Society shall be those who pay the annual subscription at the annual rate or rates as shall be determined by the Executive Committee, all subscriptions being payable in advance.
  2. The Executive Committee may, as mark of distinction, offer Honorary membership of the Society to anyone, whether already a member of the Society or not, who has made a distinctive contribution to the areas in which the Society is interested.  Honorary members shall not pay any subscription. 
  3. Only persons holding current membership shall be eligible to attend a general meeting of the Society, nominate or be nominated for election to the Executive Committee, or vote in such elections.
  1. Officers & Committee
  1. The management of the Society shall be in the hands of the Executive Committee which shall consist of:
  1. 10 elected members, elected annually
  2. The Secretary
  3. The Treasurer
  4. No more than 5 members co-opted by resolution of the Executive.  Members who are co-opted to the Executive Committee shall have equal status with elected members and officers.
  1. A chairperson is elected annually by the Executive from amongst their number.
  2. All members of the Executive shall be paid up members of the Society.
  3. A quorum shall be half the number of the people on the Executive, plus one.
  4. The Executive shall appoint such sub-committees as it feels are necessary provided that such sub-committees report to the Executive committee and the AGM.  Minutes shall be taken at all meetings of the Executive Committee and sub-committees, shall be preserved as a record of the proceedings.
  5. The Executive Committee shall meet at least four times per annum.
  1. Election of the Executive Committee
  1. The 10 members to be elected annually shall be elected as follows:-
  1. Any two members of the Society may nominate any other member of the Society for election to the EC provided that such nomination is sent in writing to the Secretary not less than 8 weeks before the AGM, and that the proposer, seconder and nominee all sign the nomination/application.
  2. In the event of more than 10 persons being nominated, election shall take place by postal ballot, and ballot papers shall be sent to members not less than 28 days before the AGM.  The votes shall be received by the Secretary not later than 7 days before the AGM, and shall be counted by the Secretary and another member of the EC.  The 10 members receiving the highest number of votes shall be deemed to be elected and this shall be made known at the AGM.
  3. In the event of a tie, a further secret ballot shall be made at the AGM to choose between the candidates involved in the tie.
  4. All 10 members are eligible for re-election.
  1. The Secretary and Treasurer shall be appointed by the elected members of the Executive Committee.  Officers’ term of reference and tenure shall be reviewed annually by the Executive Committee, no later than the Executive meeting prior to the AGM.
  1. The Secretary and the Treasurer shall not hold the same office for more than five years unless there is no suitable response when the vacancy is advertised amongst the membership.  In these circumstances the incumbent may stay in post for a further three years.
  1. The committee may hold meetings at its discretion either at a mutually convenient location or by electronic means – i.e., Zoom, Teams, telephone conference or similar.
  1. Management

a) The financial year shall end on 31st December.  Subscriptions are collected by the Charities Aid Foundation on a regular basis as and when they become due.

b) A banking account may be opened in the name of the Society, with the permission of the Trust, and cheques shall be signed by the Treasurer and one other member of the EC.

c) The Society may receive donations, grants in aid and financial guarantees, and tickets for any or all of its concerts and other events may be offered for sale to the public.

  1. The income and property of the Society, no matter how derived, shall be applied solely for promoting the objects of the Society as set forth above.  The Society may pay legitimate expenses incurred on its behalf.
  1. General Meeting
  1. The Society shall hold an AGM at any time between January 1st and December 31st each year.  The Secretary shall invite motions for the agenda in writing no less than 8 weeks before the AGM, and the proposer and seconder, who must be paid-up members of the Society, shall sign and return the motions within 14 days of the original invitation date.
  2. At least 28 days prior notice of the AGM must be sent, with an agenda, to all members.  The accounts, independently examined, shall be circulated to members at least 14 days before the date of the AGM.
  3. A Special General Meeting may be called by either a resolution of the Executive Committee or on a requisition of at least 20 members in writing to the Secretary.  In either case the motion(s) must be stated and no further motion will be accepted.  The Secretary must give at least 28 days notice of an SGM to all members in writing, and the agenda paper shall be circulated no later than 14 days before the date of the SGM.
  1. Dissolution
  1. A Special General Meeting called for the purpose, may only dissolve the Society if the votes cast for dissolution exceed half the voting strength of the Society.
  2. If the vote for dissolution at such an SGM exceeds 1/8th of the voting strength of the Society and those against do not exceed half the voting strength, a postal ballot shall be held and a simple majority of votes shall decide the issue.
  3. Any assets remaining upon dissolution after the payment of proper debts and liabilities shall be transferred to a charitable institution or institutions having similar objects to the Society.
  1. Amendments

The constitution may be amended by a General Meeting of the Society if there is a majority of 2/3 of the members present in favour of the amendment.  Proposed amendments, properly seconded, must be sent to the Secretary no less than 6 weeks before the general meeting, and the Secretary shall circulate them to the members at least 28 days before the general meeting.  No proposals to alter the Constitution will be accepted from the floor at a general meeting.  Any amendment to the Constitution, which has been properly passed, will take effect from the end of the general meeting at which it is passed.

  1. Interpretation

Subject to the overriding authority of a general meeting of the Society, the interpretation of the Constitution shall be a matter for the Executive Committee.