Constitution of the Brum Bi Group
1. Name
The group's name is Birmingham Bi Group.
2. Aims of the Group
- To provide an all-Birmingham network to bring together bi people from across Birmingham and surrounding areas, tackling social isolation and providing peer support;
- To challenge biphobia and promote bisexual inclusion, provide a consultation network between stakeholders and decision-makers in Birmingham and bisexual people;
- To promote, foster and support local bi activities across Birmingham and the surrounding areas.
To achieve this aim Birmingham Bi Group may:
- Raise funds by way of contributions, donations, subscriptions, legacies and any other lawful method.
- Do all such other lawful things as are deemed necessary.
3. Membership
Birmingham Bi Group shall have 2 categories of membership to be known as:
- Full membership
- Full membership of Birmingham Bi Group/Birmingham is open to an individual who considers themselves to be bisexual or who thinks they may be bisexual and live in Birmingham.
- Full members shall have speaking and voting rights, the right to stand for and hold an elected position on the committee of Birmingham Bi Group and all other such rights as are passed by a full meeting of Birmingham Bi Group.
- Associate membership
- Associate membership of Birmingham Bi Group is open to any individual or organisation with an interest in Bisexual issues in Birmingham and supports the aims of the group.
- Associate members shall enjoy all the benefits of membership of Birmingham Bi Group open to full members, save that they shall not have the right to vote or stand for or hold any elected position on the committee of Birmingham Bi Group.
4. Management
- Birmingham Bi Group will be managed by a Committee elected from the full members of Birmingham Bi Group each year at an Annual General Meeting (AGM) or by any other method deemed appropriate by the full members of Birmingham Bi Group, including but not limited to postal voting and/or email voting.
- The Committee will be made up of a minimum of three members and a maximum of seven members. Included will be Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer, plus other positions as decided by the AGM or other appropriate voting system.
- Where possible a gender balance will be achieved with appropriate representation on Committee.
- All elected Committee members will retire annually but can be re-appointed if willing to stand.
- In the event of the resignation, retirement or death of an elected officer the vacancy will be filled by election at a general meeting or by another voting system deemed appropriate by the full members of Birmingham Bi Group.
- Proper minutes will be kept of decisions made by the Committee and such decisions shall be communicated to the membership.
5. Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held annually. Seven days notice will be given of agenda, date, and time of the meeting.
At each AGM the Committee will:
All decisions will be made by a simple majority. In the case of equality of votes the Chair shall have a casting vote.
The quorum for an AGM shall be 20% of current full members or minimum of three members which ever is greater. At least two general members must be present to achieve quorum.
In the event of a decision by a simple majority of the full members of Birmingham Bi Group to that effect the AGM may be held by postal or electronic communication with the membership.
6. General Meeting
The Committee or at least 10% of the full members may call a general meeting at any time. Seven days notice will be given to members of date, time and venue of the meeting and business to be discussed. This meeting may take place by electronic, postal or face-to-face communication.
7. Emergency General Meeting
The committee or at least 10% of the full members may call an emergency general meeting at any time to discuss the emergency matter only. Three days notice will be given to members of date, time and venue of the meeting and emergency matter to be discussed. This meeting may take place by electronic, postal or face-to-face methods.
8. Finance
- All funds raised by or on behalf of Birmingham Bi Group will be used to further the aims of the group and for no other purpose.
- The treasurer will keep a proper record of the finances of the group and allow independent checking of these records if requested by appropriate representatives.
- Birmingham Bi Group will hold its funds in an account with Halifax or with such other bank/building society as the Committee shall from time to time decide. This account will be in the group's name and two signatures from Chair, Secretary and Treasurer will be required to authorise expenditure.
- A report of the year's income and expenses will be prepared up to the end of one month before the AGM each year for presentation to members at the Annual General Meeting.
- No individual member will make any personal financial or material gain from Birmingham Bi Group funds. Legitimate expenses only will be met.
9. Alterations To The Constitution
This constitution may be altered by a resolution passed by not less than two thirds of the full members present and voting at a properly notified and quorate General Meeting. The notice must include details of the proposed changes.
10. Dissolution
If the Committee consider that, on the grounds of finance or otherwise, it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the group it will call a meeting of all members giving not less than seven days notice of the resolution to be considered. If such a decision is approved by a two thirds majority of those members present and voting Birmingham Bi Group will be dissolved. In this event any assets remaining after the payment of proper debts will be transferred to a charity of the members’ choice or a voluntary organisation with similar aims.
Signed By
- Secretary: B. Griffiths
- Treasurer: S. Hopkins
- Chair: J. Whitehouse
On behalf of Birmingham Bi Group. Passed at initial committee meeting of Birmingham Bi Group on 17th April 2008
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Page last modified: Monday, 04-May-2009 19:45:11 EDT
Page last modified: Monday, 04-May-2009 19:45:11 EDT
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