The charity’s name is: British and Caribbean Veterans Association
2 THE PURPOSES OF THE CHARITY ARE:-
(1) To promote and maintain comradeship and "esprit de corps" amongst all who have served in Her majesty’s Navy, Army, Air Force, Auxiliary Forces and Forces of the Commonwealth, and to foster among them the spirit of mutual help.
(2) To highlight the contribution made to British Armed Forces by men and women from the Caribbean and the commonwealth in two world wars.
(3) To participate in the social and cultural activities of the community in which the association is based without compromising our own indigenous cultural heritage.
(4) To render any assistance needed (provided the means of such assistance are within the scope of the association) to any ex-service person or his/her immediate family (i.e. wife/husband or children). The extent of which must be decided by majority vote.
(6) To collate and research information relating to the The West Indian Contribution to the British Armed Forces starting from the 1700’s (West India Regiment) to the present day.
3 TRUSTEES
The charity shall be managed by a committee of trustees who are appointed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the charity.
4 CARRYING OUT THE PURPOSES
In order to carry out the charitable purposes, the trustees have the power to:
(1) raise funds, receive grants and donations.
(2) apply funds to carry out the work of the charity.
(3) co-operate with and support other charities with similar purposes.
(4) do anything which is lawful and necessary to achieve the purposes.
5MEMBERSHIP
The charity shall have a membership. People who support the work of the charity and are aged 18 or over, can apply to the trustees to become a member. Once accepted by the trustees, membership lasts for 1 year and may be renewed on payment of the appropriate subscription. The trustees will keep an up-to-date membership list.
The trustees may remove a person’s membership if they believe it is in the best interests of the charity. The member has the right to be heard by the trustees before the decision is made and can be accompanied by a friend.
6 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - AGM
(1) The AGM must be held every year, with 14 days notice given to all members telling them what is on the agenda. Minutes must be kept of the AGM.
(2) There must be at least 6 members present at the AGM.
(3) Every member has one vote.
(4) The trustees shall present the annual report and accounts.
(5) Any member may stand for election as a trustee.
(6) Members shall elect between 3 and 10 trustees to serve for the next year. They will retire at the next AGM but may stand for re-election.
7 TRUSTEE MEETINGS
(1) Trustees must hold at least 3 meetings each year. At their first meeting after the AGM they will elect a chair, treasurer and secretary. Trustees may act by majority decision.
(2) At least 3 trustees must be present at the meeting to be able to take decisions. Minutes shall be kept for every meeting.
(3) If trustees have a conflict of interest they must declare it and leave the meeting while this matter is being discussed or decided.
(4) During the year, the trustees may appoint up to 2 additional trustees. They will stand down at the next AGM.
(5) The trustees may make reasonable additional rules to help run the charity. These rules must not conflict with this constitution or the law.
8 MONEY AND PROPERTY
(1) Money and property must only be used for the charity’s purposes.
(2) Trustees must keep accounts. The most recent annual accounts can be seen by anybody on request.
(3) Trustees cannot receive any money or property from the charity, except to refund reasonable out of pocket expenses, for which a receipt must be produced.
(4) Money must be held in the charity’s bank account. All cheques must be signed by
2 trustees.
9 GENERAL MEETINGS
If the Trustees consider it is necessary to change the constitution, or wind up the charity, they must call a General Meeting so that the membership can make the decision. Trustees must also call a General Meeting if they receive a written request from the majority of members. All members must be given 14 days notice and told the reason for the meeting. All decisions require a two thirds majority. Minutes must be kept.
(1) Winding up - any money or property remaining after payment of debts must be given to a charity with similar purposes to this one.
(2) Changes to the Constitution - can be made at AGMs or General Meetings. No change can be made that would make the organisation no longer a charity.
(3) General Meeting - called on written request from a majority of members.
(4) Trustees may also call a General Meeting to consult the membership.
10 Alterations to constitution.
In order to change this constitution a General meeting must be specifically for the purpose, the subject can be dealt with at an AGM. In both cases at least a two thirds majority of the
membership votes must be in favour for any change to go ahead.
This constitution was adopted on _19th January___________2012___ by the people whose signatures appear below. They are members of the charity. This constitution will remain valid except a change is made at a General meeting or AGM. The next AGM must be held within one year of this date.