Constitution

54th Belfast Boys' Brigade Company Constitution

1. The name of the organisation is "54th Belfast Boys' Brigade Company".

2. The organisation is established for exclusively charitable purposes, with the main aim of developing and responding to the social, educational and welfare needs of its young people, community area and local people.

3. The primary objective of the organisation is to establish a community based Youth Organisation which will provide the following: -

a) Contribute to the recreational and leisure activities of the community area, especially as they relate to children and young people;

b) provide opportunities for children and young people to meet together in their community and engage in a range of fun, recreational, social, Christian faith and developmental activities;

c) empower children and young people by involving them in decision making at all levels of the 54th BB Company and giving responsibility appropriate to their age and aptitude;

d) enable children and young people to engage with the needs of others (especially other young people) and encouraging them to participate in activities and projects in which they can make a difference;

e) be responsive to the needs and aspirations of all children and young people regardless of differing abilities, identities, backgrounds, gender or culture and providing appropriate support, advice and guidance;

f) ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people through the implementation of robust procedures in the selection, development and supervision of leaders;

g) provide high quality training and resources for leaders, and providing a network of professional staff to support and equip voluntary leaders for the task;

h) encourage contact between all sections of the community and finding partnerships within communities to meet the needs of children and young people;

i) contribute to the alleviation of social problems in the area through increased communication and understanding and create oppourtunities to develop partnerships with other appropriate organisations and agencies;

j) promote community education and sharing of information on subjects of importance to young people in the community areas;

k) any other charitable service which might benefit the neighbouting community areas.

4. No political activities will be permitted within 54th Belfast Boyus' Brigade Company or its surrounds, which at all times will remain open to all sections of the community.

5. The membership of the organisation shall comprise of members who shall have equal rights and responsibilities. Members shall be interested people within the community areas which are bordered by Shankill Road, Peter's Hill, Crumlin Road and other neighbouring areas. New members may be admitted upon request to the Management Committee, provided their admittance is approved by two thirds of those present and voting.

6. The business and affairs of the organisation shall be managed by a Management Committee of not more than twelve persons, consisting of the Chairperson, the Honorary Treasurer, the Honorary Secretary as office bearers and nine other persons, or as the situation in the community dictates.

7. The organisation shall at its first meeting and at every Annual General Meeting, elect the office bearers and other members of the Committee, who shall hold office until the end of the next succeeding A.G.M. The Chairperson for the time being shall take the chair at general meetings and at Committee meetings.

8. The Honorary Treasurer shall keep accounts of all monies received and expended on behalf of the organisation and shall present such accounts at the A.G.M. of the organisation. A banking account shall be opened on behalf of the organisation and all cheques drawn upon said account shall require the signature of at least two members of the Committee.

9. The financial year of the organisation shall end 31st March of each year and the A.G.M. of members shall be concened by the Honorary Secretary as soon thereafter as possible, for the purpose of receiving the annual report and balance sheet, of electing the officers and committee of members for the ensuing year and of considering any other business as may be necessary.

10. The Chairperson shall ensure that suitable arrangements are made for the management of the financial affairs of the 54th Boys' Brigade Company and that independently examined accounts are prepared annually.

11. Four shall consititute a quorum at Committee and general meetings.

12. An extraordinary General Meeting may be convened at any time by a resolution of the committee or on the requisition of at least four of the members. A meeting held on such requisition shall be convence within twenty one days of the receipt of such requisition by the Honorary Secretary and the Honorary Secretary shall give twenty one days notice of such meeting, the notice referring to the requisition.

13. All matters not herein before provided for and not involving an amendment to this constitution may be dealt with by the Committee.

14.The Constituion may be simple majority pass a resolution to dissolve the organisation, and if such resolution be passed by not less than two-thirds majority of the members present and voting at an extraordinary General Meeting called to consider such resolution, the assets of the organisation (after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities) shall be transferred to such charitable institution or institutions having objectives similar or related to those of the organisation as the said extraordinary General Meeting shall decide.

15. Twenty one days notice shall be given for all general meetings whether annual or extraordinary.