To promote a pleasant and sociable atmosphere which all members can enjoy and to act in a responsible, sensitive and respectful manner towards others.
To welcome and introduce yourself to all New and Prospective Members.
To ensure that no-one is neglected at parties or other events.
To protect and enhance the reputation of the club as much as possible, both at club events and in contact with outside bodies.
To participate actively and regularly in CSS events and to be responsible for the reasonable behaviour of guests brought to club events, for any guest charges for the evening and for their introduction to other members.
To pay any money due on time
To refrain from promoting business interests at club events, or otherwise attempting to exploit fellow members.
To respect the confidentiality of other members’ personal information such as telephone numbers that might be disclosed to them at any time.
To respect the sensibilities of other members as regards smoking, language etc and to be supportive and helpful to other CSS Members who are distressed, ill or in need.
Not to harass, intimidate or cause any kind of physical or mental distress to other members.
To abide by such conditions of membership which the committee may deem necessary to put into effect from time to time, whilst being free to challenge any of the conditions and where there is any conflict with this constitution or in any case of six or more paid up voting members calling for an Extraordinary General Meeting to put the matter to a vote.
To be committed to the principle that all club activities are equally available to all members and to actively support a policy of equal opportunities within the club, opposing all forms of discrimination.
Significant breaches of the code of conduct will be dealt with by the committee fairly and discreetly, but at its sole discretion. Expulsion from membership of the club shall be the last resort, requiring a two-thirds majority vote by the committee.
The club is open to all single people who are not co-habiting with a partner.
Chippenham Social Singles
Constitution
Adopted by the membership at the Extraordinary General Meeting of the club on 23th April 2009.
The Chippenham Social Singles club is a non-profit making organisation whose purpose is to provide a social facility for the unattached members of Chippenham and the surrounding communities. The club is run by a committee elected by the club membership.
Membership
New guests to the club are invited to attend 3 weekly meetings free of charge before applying and paying for membership.
Initial and continuing membership of the club is at the discretion of the committee.
Voting Members are those who have been accepted by the committee and paid their joining fee. Fees will be collected once a year on the 1st of May , any new members joining between fee collection dates will be required to pay the monthly amount up to the first period of their membership.
Activities
The club meets once a week at a fixed venue, at which information about regular and future activities is available. Weekly meetings are normally attended by at least three members of the committee.
Activities for general member participation are arranged on a regular basis. Constructive suggestions and offers of assistance from members are always welcome. All events shall be open to all members on a first come first served basis but only paid up members shall be eligible for subsidies.
Guests may be admitted to club meetings and events at the discretion of the committee subject to payment of any charges specified by the committee.
Composition of the Committee
The committee shall normally comprise a minimum of five paid up club members.
Committee members may be elected at either an Annual General Meeting or an election meeting. In either case, each committee member shall be appointed for a term of one year in the first instance. There shall be no limit to the number of times an individual may serve on the committee, but those wishing to continue for another term must submit themselves for re-election at the appropriate meeting.
Holders of all offices shall be determined by the committee. The committee may also co-opt willing club members for specific purposes at any time. All committee members shall act in accordance with decisions of the committee in all matters.
A committee quorum shall be set by each new committee but shall not be less than one half of the number of the incumbent committee members.
General meetings
An Annual General Meeting of the club conducted by the committee shall be held for the following purposes:
a) Presenting financial and activity reports for the preceding year
b) Agreeing any amendments to the constitution
c) Electing committee members
d) Any other business which may be deemed desirable by the committee or requested by the membership.
e) The date of the Annual General Meeting shall be published at least two months in advance and shall not be less than one month and not more than three months after the end of the financial year.
f) The Annual General Meeting shall be open to all club members but a quorum for voting purposes shall be at least one third of the paid up voting membership.
Requests from members for topics to be discussed at the Annual General Meeting must be presented to the committee at least one month in advance in order to allow time for any necessary research and publication. Discussion of any items raised without such prior notice shall be at the discretion of the committee. Any proposals for amendments to the constitution must be made in writing and signed by at least two paid up voting members. After discussion the committee will be obliged to put any proposed motion to a majority vote by the paid up voting membership.
A half yearly Election Meeting shall be held if required between five and seven months after the last Annual General Meeting to appoint additional and/or replacement committee members.
Extraordinary General Meetings may be called by the committee, or sufficient club members to form a quorum, at not less than four weeks’ notice to discuss any specific items deemed expedient to settle in advance of the next Annual General Meeting. This shall not include amendments to the constitution or any items not specified on the agenda for the meeting. The quorum for an extraordinary general meeting shall be one quarter of the paid up voting membership.
An Election Meeting may be combined with an extraordinary general meeting at the discretion of the committee.
Elections
Detailed arrangements for forthcoming elections shall be published at least four weeks in advance. Nominations, supported by a proposer and a seconder, will be accepted up to one week prior to the election at which time the final list will be displayed. Nominees, proposers and seconders must all be paid up voting members.
Individual club members may raise an objection to any nomination with the committee, in confidence, stating full reasons. The committee’s decision to uphold or reject the objection shall be final.
Where there are more nominee than places to fill on the committee, elections shall be by paper ballot, with each voting member having as many votes as there are places to fill. Voting papers will be distributed to all paid up voting members attending the meeting. Those unable to attend shall be able to notify their vote in advance to the committee in writing, but not to appoint a proxy to decide and cast their vote for them.
Finance
The use of funds for administrative and publicity purposes to subsidise major events and all other purposes shall be at the discretion of the committee provided that fund shall not be used for speculative business ventures.
The club’s financial year shall run from May 1st to 30th April. The treasurer shall keep such proper books of accounts as will enable him/her to present at each Annual General Meeting, or at any other time (upon reasonable notice) as required by the committee, an accurate statement concerning the finances of the club. All members are entitled to inspect the books at any time upon reasonable notice.
An account in the name of Chippenham Social Singles shall be maintained at a local bank or building society branch and three committee members shall be empowered to act as signatories for this and all other financial dealings. All outgoing cheques must be endorsed by at least two of the three signatories.
No financial commitments shall be entered into which funds are not currently available to meet.
Dissolution of the club
In the event of the committee wishing to dissolve the club, such a motion must be put the Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting and be endorsed by not less than two thirds of the total paid up membership. The disposal of any club assets shall be to an agreed charitable organization determined at that meeting.
Executive power
Any affairs of the club not specifically determined otherwise in this constitution shall be in the executive domain of the committee provided that any change in membership conditions or club format, which would fundamentally change the nature of the club, shall be put to a general meeting of the club for approval by majority vote of membership.
The extra responsibilities of the committee
1. Programme: To provide an interesting and balanced programme of activities for the club and to make this information available for members to collect from club meetings.
2. Finance: To safeguard the financial interests of the club with a mind to economy and fairness in expenditure of club funds, budgeting wisely and keeping accurate and up to date accounts.
3. Membership: To maintain and enhance the viability and appeal of the club and its activities by attracting new members and encouraging their integration.
4. Conduct: To ensure that members are aware of the code of conduct and to take effective action in the event of any unsuitable behaviour.
5. Records; to maintain accurate and up to date membership records.