Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Drama Association

Constitution

1. Name and Membership
   • The name of the organization shall be 'Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Drama Association' and the membership shall be open to Societies, Groups, Organizations (hereafter referred to as 'groups') and individuals whose objects and interests are in accord with those of the Association. Each new member-group and individual member shall be supplied with a copy of the Constitution of the Association.
2. Objectives
   • The aims and objects of the Association shall be to provide an organized body within the Amateur Drama movement in this area for :
   1. the promotion of all aspects of theatre arts
   2. the provision of a basis for mutual assistance between members
   3. the fostering of progressive standards by means of conferences, festivals and other such media as may be deemed desirable
3. Representation
   • The Association shall represent the interests of its members to any national, regional or other organization which the Executive Council shall deem appropriate
4. Finance - Subscriptions
   • Each member group or individual member shall pay to the Association in each financial year such subscription shall be authorized for that year. Amounts of subscriptions shall only be varied by a majority vote at an Annual General Meeting of the Association
5. Finance - Year
   • The financial year of the Association shall be from the 1st of September to the 31st of August
6. Finance - Control
   • For the control of expenditure and commitment
   1. The Association shall have the power to incur such expenditure and enter into such commitments as it deems necessary or desirable for the furtherance of its aims and objects
   2. The Executive Council shall have power to incur all such expenditure and enter into all such commitments as it deems necessary or desirable for and in respect of the powers it derives from or under the Constitution
7. Finance - Banking
   • All banking arrangements for and in respect of the affairs of the Association shall be within the control of the Executive Council
8. Finance - Accounts
   • The Chairman shall present to the Annual General Meeting a report of the proceedings of the Association for the preceding year and the Honorary Treasurer an audited statement of accounts. A copy of these shall be available for each member.
9. Executive Council - Election
   • An Executive Council shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting and shall consist of not more than 15 persons. The method of election shall be
     1. The Secretary, on giving notice of the Annual General Meeting, shall enclose nomination forms which shall be completed and returned to the secretary not later than the start of the Annual General Meeting
     2. On receipt, the Secretary shall compile a list of candidates for election and if candidates number more than 15 the appointments shall be determined by ballot at the Annual General Meeting. If the original nominations number 15 or less, the candidates shall be deemed to be elected automatically and no ballot shall be required. The Executive Council shall have the power to co-opt sufficient member representatives to bring its number up to 15, such co-opted members having power to vote
10. Executive Council - Co-options
    • The Executive Council shall have power to co-opt not more than 5 persons (over and above the 15 elected members) to serve as members of the Executive Council. Such co-opted members shall have the power to vote and the duration of their term of office shall be to the next AGM or less as determined by the Executive Council
11. Executive Council - Quorum
    • At any meeting of the Executive Council, one third of its current membership shall constitute a quorum
12. Officers
    • The Officers of the Association shall include a President and Vice Presidents, a Chairman, Secretary and a Treasurer, The Secretary and Treasurer shall be subject to election at the Annual General Meeting. The Executive Council shall invite suitable persons to the offices of President and Vice President. The Council at its first meeting after the AGM shall elect a Chairman from among its members, If at any meeting the Chairman is absent, the Council will elect a Chairman, for that meeting only, from the members present
13. Voting
    • Every question at meetings of the Association and of the Executive Council shall be determined by a show of hands except in any case in which a majority of the persons present demand a ballot. In the event of a tie the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote
14. Meetings - Executive Council
    • The Secretary shall give to every person entitled to receive same, not less than 7 days notice in writing of the date, time and place of meetings of the Executive Council, specifying in such notice the principal business to be transacted
15. Meetings - Annual General Meeting
    • The Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held within six calendar months of the end of the Association's financial year. The Secretary shall give to each member group or individual member not less than 28 days notice of the date, time and place of such meeting
16. Meetings - Voting
    • Any number of individuals belonging to member groups may attend the Annual General Meeting, but only one official representative of each group shall be entitled to vote. Individual members shall also be entitled to vote
17. Meetings - Extraordinary Meetings
    • An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called at any time at the request of not less than 5 members (whether group or individual). A request for such a meeting shall be sent in writing to the Secretary of the Association specifying the business to be transacted. The Secretary shall then make arrangements for a meeting as the Executive Council shall direct, such meeting to be held within 28 days of the receipt of the request, and to deal only with the subject specified in the request
18. Amendments to the Constitution
    • Any amendment to the Constitution may be made at an Annual General meeting if approved by a majority of the members present and entitled to vote. Notice of such an amendment must be given in writing to the Secretary of the Association before the end of the Association's Financial year and a copy of such notice shall be sent to each member at least 14 days before the meeting at which it is to be considered