Constitution. (Draft)

SMALL CHARITY CONSTITUTION

Suitable for small charities with an annual income under £5,000 that don’t own a building or employ people and do not intend to register with the Charity Commission.

1 NAME

The charity’s name is The Bristol Grandparents Support Group, henceforth known as the BGSG for the purposes of this document.

2 THE PURPOSES OF THE CHARITY ARE:-

To give support and advice to grandparents who are denied contact with their grandchildren.

To raise public awareness by talking to the media, writing to Members of Parliament, and talking to groups/schools etc.

To promote the phrase Grandchildren’s Rights.

3 TRUSTEES:

Jane Jackson

Marc Jackson

Sue Allen

Ann Green.

4 CARRYING OUT THE PURPOSES

( The group will consist of a chairperson, a treasurer, trustees and members of the

group.)

In order to carry out the charitable aims of the BGSG, the trustees have the power to:

(1) raise funds, receive grants and donations

(2) apply funds to carry out the work of the charity

(3) co-operate with and support other charities with similar purposes

(4) do anything which is lawful and necessary to achieve the purposes

5 MEMBERSHIP

There will be no membership fee, trustees have the right to refuse or remove membership.

6 MEETINGS

Meetings of the group will take place every 2 months.

A minimum of six members should be present.

A list of meeting dates will be available to members on application by post or by attendance at one of the meetings.

All members are entitled to vote where a vote is required at an AGM or at one of the 2 monthly meetings, members will be required to be present for that vote to count, unless specifically agreed otherwise.

7 MONEY AND PROPERTY

(1) Money and property must only be used for the charity’s purposes.

(2) Trustees must keep accounts. The most recent annual accounts can be seen by anybody on request.

(3) Trustees cannot receive any money or property from the charity, except to refund reasonable out of pocket expenses.

(4) Money must be held in the charity’s bank account. All cheques must be signed by

2 trustees.

8 GENERAL MEETINGS

If the Trustees consider it is necessary to change the constitution, or wind up the charity, they must call a General Meeting so that the membership can make the decision. Trustees must also call a General Meeting if they receive a written request from the majority of members. All members must be given 14 days notice and told the reason for the meeting. All decisions require a two thirds majority. Minutes must be kept.

(1) Winding up - any money or property remaining after payment of debts must be given to a charity with similar purposes to this one.

(2) Changes to the Constitution - can be made at AGMs or General Meetings. No change can be made that would make the organisation no longer a charity.

(3) General Meeting - called on written request from a majority of members.

(4) Trustees may also call a General Meeting to consult the membership

9 AGM

An Annual General Meeting will take place.

10 SETTING UP THE CHARITY

This constitution was adopted on April 4^th 2011 by the people whose signatures appear below. They are the first members of the charity and will be the trustees until the AGM, which must be held within one year of this date.

Signed Print name and address

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