Risborough Area Business Group : Rules of the Association

• The name of the Association is the Risborough Area Business Group [RABG].
• The RABG is a non-profit making Association that seeks to meet the Aims and Objects of the RABG.

b) To circulate such business information as may be considered useful to the members of the RABG.

c) To create and foster a spirit of goodwill among all members by meetings, lectures, etc. and social functions to assist the promotion of the members business interests.

d) To support such local causes and projects as the RABG deem appropriate.

e) The RABG may affiliate, associate, or join with other local or national business associations to promote the business of the members.

2. Membership
a) The membership of the RABG will be open to all business persons or firms with present or former interests in the Town and surrounding area whether currently employed or retired.

Members shall advise the RABG of the name of their contact to whom all correspondence will be addressed, and who will be their representative in any motion requiring a vote.

b) Under no circumstances will any party political or religious organisations be supported, permitted to join the RABG, or their interests be discussed at RABG meetings.

c) Any member who shall do any act or conduct calculated to injure or discredit the RABG may have their membership suspended, or be expelled from the RABG by a majority decision of the RABG Committee. Such member shall be allowed to appeal against suspension or expulsion at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the RABG convened for the purpose of hearing the appeal, which will then be determined by a majority secret vote of those members present.

3. Subscriptions
a) The membership year will run from 1st June till 31st May of the year following. Any member not renewing their subscription by 1st August will be deemed to have resigned from the RABG.

b) No member will be entitled to vote on any motion, or be a member of any RABG committee or sub-committee unless they have a fully paid current subscription.

c) The membership subscription will be voted annually at the Annual General Meeting.

d) Any new member joining after 1st December will pay half the annual subscription rate for the remaining part of the RABG year to 31st May.

e) In the event of the RABG’s dissolution, any funds remaining after settlement of all debts will be distributed to local good causes, and no individual member shall benefit from them, nor will subscriptions be returned.

4. Organisation
a) The Annual General Meeting of the RABG will be held in November each year.

b) At the Annual General Meeting, one third of the RABG Committee members will retire by rotation, and elections will be held for the 5 Committee places. Retiring members may seek re-election for a further 3 year term.

c) The AGM shall elect as their officers a President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer from the elected Committee, for the following year. Present post-holders may seek a further one year term, subject to serving a maximum of 3 years in a row as President, Chairman or Vice-Chairman. There will be no automatic succession for any officers of the RABG.

d) Whenever possible, candidates for President, Chairman or Vice-Chairman will be sought from different areas of the local business spectrum.

e) The AGM will empower the elected RABG Committee to act in all matters in the members interests.

f) The Committee will have the power to co-opt non-committee members with special knowledge or interests to sub-committees. All sub-committees will be chaired by a RABG Committee member, who will be responsible for reporting to the RABG Committee.

g) Nomination forms shall be sent out with the AGM notices, not less than 3 weeks prior to the meeting, and shall show the names of the retiring Committee Members and Officers, and whether they are willing to stand again. Proposed and seconded nominations for the 5 Committee posts and the Officers positions to be on the Nomination Forms and should be signed by all parties, and returned to the Secretary by first post on the Tuesday before the AGM, together with any special items or motions to be added to the AGM Agenda.

h) Votes for positions will only be taken from those members present and voting at the AGM, and no proxy or postal votes will be counted.

i) The Honorary Treasurer shall present his accounts to the AGM for approval.

j) In the event that a vacancy occurs for an Officers position during the course of the year, it will be filled by Committee election of a Committee Member, who shall hold the post till the next AGM.

k) If the RABG Committee judges that matters require the views of all members, or if required so to do by a resolution signed by at least 15 members, the Secretary will arrange an Extraordinary General Meeting within two weeks, giving the fullest available details of the reason for the meeting.

l) Any change to these Rules must be approved by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting at an AGM or EGM, and must be sent out with the Nomination Forms, to give members proper time to consider the proposed changes.

L Adlam
Hon. President

15 August 2007