Norfolk Organists’ Association

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Constitution of the Norfolk Organists’ Association

Based on the model constitution of the I.A.O.

1) The name of the Association shall be the Norfolk Organists Association.

2) The objects of the Association shall be to advance the education of the members and general public in the study of the art of music with special reference to liturgical and organ music. To facilitate the achievement of such objects, the Association may arrange and present: -

Public lectures, recitals, discussions and debates upon these subjects.
Public demonstrations of instruments.
Public demonstrations of music for organ and voices.
Open competitions for playing, singing and composition of liturgical and organ music.
Public meetings to facilitate the exchange of information and views with other organisations and persons concerned with the composition, interpretation, presentation, teaching or publication of liturgical or organ music.

The Association may also do such other lawful things as are necessary or desirable for the attainment of the objects.

3) Membership of the Association shall be open to anyone who is interested in organ, choral or similar music. Membership shall become effective on payment of the first years subscription.

4) The proceedings of the Association shall be open to anyone (not being members of the Association) on payment of such fee as the Association shall from time to time determine.

5) a) Each member shall pay a minimum subscription as shall from time to time be determined by the committee of the Association. This subscription shall fall due on 1st January each year: provided that any persons joining after the first day of January in each year may pay a reduced subscription of such amount as the committee of the Association may determine for the period up to the 31st December following.

b) The Association's year is defined as 1st January to 31st December.

6) Any member whose subscription has not been paid within three months of the date upon which it fell due, shall cease to be a member of the Association. Upon payment of all arrears, any such member may be reinstated at the discretion of the committee.

7) Persons who are full-time students or who are under the age of 18 may be admitted to membership of the Association on payment of such a rate as may be determined by the Association. Any members so accepted shall pay the full annual subscription at the next renewal after they cease to be a full time student or reach the age of 18.

8) The business of the Association shall be managed by a committee, which shall consist of:

The Association's President, President Elect, General Secretary, Membership Secretary, Events Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Magazine Editor, Publicity Officer, and four (4) other members with the Immediate Past President who shall be ex-officio and for one year only.
At any meeting of the committee, five (5) shall form a quorum.
Any vacancy on the committee occurring during the year may be filled by the committee co-opting another member of the Association to act until the original member would have been due to retire.
All officers of the committee shall be elected annually, except the President and the President Elect who shall normally be elected biennially to serve for a period of two (2) years, but shall not then be eligible for immediate re-election.
Honorary Life Members may be elected at an AGM only, and only on the recommendation of the committee. Proposals may be submitted by any member or members to the committee for consideration.
An honorary auditor shall also be elected annually.
The committee has the power to co-opt.

9) a) The election of officers shall take place at the Annual General Meeting, to be held in the first quarter of each year, and convened after not less than 21 days notice. The quorum shall be fifteen (15).

b) An Extra-ordinary General Meeting to discuss important and urgent business may be convened after not less than 21 days notice.

10) There shall be not less than one (1) ordinary meeting of the Association during each quarter of the year.

11) The committee is empowered to elect honorary members, and life members at a membership fee to be determined by the committee of the Association.

12) The income or property of the Association shall be applied solely to the promotion of the objects in paragraph 2 and no payment or transfer of any part of such income shall be made to or for the benefit of any member of the Association, provided that nothing shall prohibit any payment in good faith by the Association of reasonable and proper remuneration to any member of the Association for any services rendered to the Association, or to any of its officers out-of pocket expenses.

13) If, on the winding-up of, or the dissolution of the Association, there remains after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid to nor distributed among the members of the Association, but shall be given or transferred to some other charitable institution having objects similar to those of the Association.

14) These rules shall not be altered nor added to except by resolution at an Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting of the Association of which twenty-one (21) days notice shall be given to members, and no alteration shall be made which would cause the Association to cease to be a Charity at Law.

15) All members of the Association are entitled to request and receive a copy of these rules.

16) Any matter on which the constitution is silent shall be determined by the committee.

This constitution supersedes any before and was adopted on 22nd March 2003 by the Annual General Meeting.

Top. Page updated: 28th October, 2005.