The Constitution
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The Constitution
The Society shall be called the Basingstoke Astronomical Society (B.A.S.)
The Society shall consist of a committee, ordinary and honorary members.
The object of the Society shall be to
- Promote and encourage all aspects of astronomy for all levels from beginners to the more advanced astronomer.
- Provide opportunities for learning and the exchange of information.
- Provide opportunities for observation of the night sky, when conditions allow.
- Meet and co-operate with similar Societies.
- Be a number of like-minded people with a common interest coming together to share knowledge and experiences.
- Arrange meetings in an interesting environment with a wide variety of activities related to astronomy.
Standing Orders
- The committee shall consist of up to 25% of the total membership.
- The committee shall be elected at AGM by open nomination. If there are no other nominations made, the Committee can be re-elected en-bloc from the previous committee and can be re-elected indefinitely, otherwise posts can remain unfulfilled. As a model of good practice the Chairman shall step down after two years unless no other nomination is received.
- The election of chairman, secretary, treasurer, the reserves for those offices and any other office shall be by members at the AGM.
- The committee shall form an executive committee consisting of the chairman, secretary and treasurer.
- The committee shall form a majority quorum of committee members, two of whom must be from the executive committee and meet at its discretion during its year of office.
- Where a vacancy occurs on the executive committee that post shall be filled by the nominated reserve (vice-chairman, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer) for that post. If the deputy is unable to take up the position then a General Meeting shall be called to elect a member for that position unless an ordinary meeting is imminent within one calendar month.
- The committee may co-opt any member to the committee to fill any other vacant position or to act as an advisor.
- Motions and nominations to be considered at the AGM may be submitted, in writing, to the committee prior to the AGM.
- Changes to the Constitution or Standing Orders must be carried by 75% of the paid up membership attending a General Meeting (attendance is not compulsory).
- The committee may carry out changes to the rules by a majority vote.
- The Committee may agree the use of funds, by a majority vote, for the acquisition of resources for the mutual benefit or improvement of the Society and its members up to £250 or 25% of the total available funds, whichever is the lesser. If the amount is 10% or more the Treasurer must have participated in the vote. As a model of good practise the Society shall endeavour to retain sufficient funds to reimburse all current members with one year’s pro rata subscription at the current rate in the event of the dissolution of the Society.
- The expenditure of larger sums shall be submitted to the membership and agreed by majority vote at an Extraordinary General Meeting called for the purpose. Such an Extraordinary General Meeting being called giving the required 3 weeks notice.
- The committee can call an Extraordinary General Meeting at any time.
- An Extraordinary General Meeting will be called by the committee following a petition from at least one third of the paid up membership being submitted to the committee. In such an instance the secretary must call a General Meeting as per standing order 15.
- Any proposals to be considered at an Extraordinary General Meeting must be circulated to all members at least 3 weeks prior to that meeting.
- In the event of the Society closing or otherwise ceasing to operate then all properties, books, telescopes etc rightly belonging to the Society shall be sold and, after payment of just debts, the residue shall be paid as a donation to the charitable fund of Cliddesden Primary School.
Rules
- The chairman will not normally vote but holds the casting vote at any meeting.
- Membership shall be by subscription or to persons awarded honorary or life membership at an AGM.
- Visitors will be required to contribute a charge, to be set by the treasurer annually. Such payments may be made up to the value of the annual subscription.
- The amount of subscription shall be recommended by the treasurer annually and agreed at the AGM.
- Subscriptions become due at the end of August and shall be paid by October 31st annually.
- The Treasurer shall have the due authority to spend funds from the account up to £25 for any single essential transaction in furtherance of the normal and proper proceedings of the Society.
- The Treasurer shall also have the authority to disburse funds above the amount stated in Rule 6 to meet the normal, annual overheads of the Society; namely room hire, speaker’s expenses and FAS membership fee and Public Liability Insurance cover at the amounts current at the time.
- The Society may loan to its members such books and equipment as may be available in accordance with the terms and conditions current at the time.
- An annual loan fee may be set to recoup the cost of insuring such equipment available for loan as may require cover.
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