SDFS Constitution

1.  Name

The Group shall be called the “ South Downs Folk Singers ”  

2.  Aims

The aims of the Group shall be: 

• to reach out to people of all ages and backgrounds to promote the history and heritage of the Downs through traditional folk songs
• to encourage and provide opportunities to sing folk songs from and about the South Downs area
• to perform at key venues across the South Downs area each year to promote the SDFS

3. Objectives

The objectives and activities of the Group shall be:

• to meet regularly for singing sessions at locations across the South Downs area
• to encourage new members to join the South Downs Folk Singers 
• to agree and implement a programme of singing opportunities of interest to all members; 
• to invite external artists and other creative people to develop the skills of members.
• to gain access to materials that are needed to enrich the repertoire of the group and
• to have a fun time and social activities alongside singing together.

4. The Committee 

Committee Meetings will only go ahead if one-third of the Committee attend the meeting. 
Anyone may become a member of the Committee, subject to approval by a simple majority of those attending the meeting at which the application is made.

5. Annual Meeting

(a) There shall be an Annual General Meeting  open to all the South Downs Folk Singers members each calendar year. 

A minimum of one month's notice shall be given for the annual meeting. 

 (b) The annual meeting shall:

• approve the annual verified accounts, or statement of income and expenditure;
• appoint an accounts auditor or verifier;
• approve the signatories for the bank account;
• elect a Chair, Treasurer and Secretary for the year; the Treasurer and Secretary may be established as a single office;
• elect a committee to manage the affairs of the Group between annual meetings; 
• receive a report on the year's activities;  and
• decide any other business.

(c)  Decisions shall be made by a simple majority of those attending.  In the event of a tie the Chair shall have the casting vote.

6. Finance

(a) The Group may raise funds as necessary to fulfil its aims.

(b) The Group shall open a bank account in the name of the South Downs Folk Singers.

(c) The Group shall decide at the annual meeting who shall be the approved signatories and two approved signatures shall be required for any withdrawal.

7. Dissolution

The Group shall be dissolved if a simple majority of the members agree to do so. Any surplus of funds at the time of dissolution shall be distributed to other properly constituted groups or organisations in the South Downs area with similar aims.