Constitution

Name

1. The Society shall be called "Voxmania".

 

Objectives

2. The Society is a cultural, educational and non-profit making body and is formed to promote the practice, performance and appreciation of vocal music, especially choral music.

 

Membership

3. Any person, who is interested in furthering the objectives of the Society is eligible to apply for membership. The power of election of members shall be vested in the Committee.

 

4. Members shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of the Society and, in particular, they shall be entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting and be eligible for election to the Committee or any Sub-Committee.

 

5. A member desiring to withdraw from the Society must give notice in writing to the Secretary before June otherwise the subscription for the coming year shall be payable. The Committee shall have power to request any member to resign or otherwise to determine membership of the Society.

 

Subscription

6. The Annual subscription for members is such sum as shall from time to time be fixed by the Committee. In the case of new members, subscriptions are payable on election. Future subscriptions fall due in June  in every year. Any member who neglects to pay his subscription within 3 months after it falls due shall cease to be a member of the Society. No member may vote at any general meeting of members unless his current subscription has been paid.

 

The Chorus

7. In furtherance of the objective of the Society, there shall be established a vocal ensemble called "Voxmania". This ensemble shall consist of members of the Society and the conductor or conductors of the ensemble shall be a member of the ensemble appointed by the Committee. The retiring conductor or conductors shall be eligible for re-appointment. The Society shall give a series of concerts annually.

 

Other Activities

8. The Society may present visiting and guest artists, chamber concerts, opera and other musical and theatrical performances, and participate in other cultural, educational and artistic activities, from time to time.

 

Committee

9. The Society shall be managed by a Committee of elected members and shall consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, General Secretary, Treasurer and 4 other members, namely External Affairs Secretary, Publicity, Ticketing and Librarian. These 4 office bearers and 4 other members shall be elected bi-annually at the Annual General Meeting of the Society. In addition the conductor or conductors shall be a member of member ex officio. The Committee shall have power to co-opt not more than 5 other members of the Society as members of the Committee. The Committee may fill any vacancy which may occur during the year. The retiring committee members shall be eligible for re-election, and the conductor or conductors re-appointment by the Committee.

 

10. The Committee shall meet from time to time as required and not less than 2 times per year. 3 shall be a quorum. The Chairman shall have an original vote and, in the event of an equality of votes, he shall have a second or casting vote.

 

11. The property of Society including all records, monies, music and instruments shall be vested in the Committee and the Committee shall be indemnified against risk and expense out of Society property. The Committee shall cause a list of all Society property to be kept and shall give instructions in regard to the safe custody of music and instruments.

 

12. The Committee may appoint Sub-committee consisting of members of the Society and may delegate to such part of their powers and duties as the Committee thinks fit.

 

Patrons

13. The Committee may invite persons interested in supporting the objectives and aims of the Society to be Patrons of the Society.

 

Chairman

14. The Chairman shall preside at all committee meetings and Annual General Meetings at which he is present. In his absence the committee members, or the members present, shall elect a chairman from amongst their number. In addition to the powers provided, chairman's powers of duty shall be as specified by the Committee.

 

Treasurer

15. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the funds of the Society. He shall lodge all monies in a bank approved by the Committee to an account opened in the name of the Society. He shall pay all monies on behalf of the Society upon instructions furnished to him by the Committee. All cheques drawn upon the Society's bank account shall be signed jointly by 2 of the following 4 office-bearers: the Chairman, the Vice-chairman the Treasurer and the General Secretary.

 

16. The Treasurer shall at each meeting of the Committee submit a statement setting out the financial position in regard to any performance given under the auspices of the Society since the date of the last meeting of the Society. He shall close his accounts for the year on the 31st May in each year and shall submit them with a financial statement to the Committee after audit.

 

General Secretary

17. The General Secretary shall conduct the Society's correspondence as directed the Committee, keep in a minute book a record of proceedings at all general and Committee meetings and perform such other duties as specified by the Committee. He shall also notify the Treasurer of all authorities furnished by the Committee for the disbursement of funds and any resolution affecting the finances of the Society.

 

General Meetings

18. The Annual General Meeting of the Society shall be held not later than 31st July in each year to transact the following business:

 

(i) To receive and, if approved, to adopt a statement of the Society's accounts to the end of the preceding year, i.e. up to the 31st May.

 

(ii) To accept the resignation of the Committee and appoint a new Committee for the coming year.

 

19. The quorum at all general meetings shall be 5 members.

 

Notices

20. Notice of every general meeting setting forth the business to be transacted thereat shall be sent not less than 7 days prior to the meeting to every member addressed to him at his last known address.

 

Voting

21. The Chairman shall have a second or casting vote at all general meetings. All members shall be entitled to vote at a general meeting. Voting for election of Committee members shall be by secret ballot.

 

Dissolution

22.

(a) If at any General Meeting a resolution for the dissolution of the Society shall be passed by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting, the Committee shall thereupon proceed to realize the property of the Society, and after the discharge of all liabilities, the balance of any assets of the Society shall be dealt with for such charitable purpose as the members may decide at such general meeting; and, upon completion of such, the Society shall be dissolved.

 

(b) No member shall be entitled to any share in any property of the Society.

 

Notices

23. Upon the dispatch of any notice to a member's last known email address and contact number, such notice shall deemed to have been received by such member for any purpose required by these rules. Every member should keep the General Secretary informed of his contact details and any change of contact details.

 

Power to vary rules

24. These rules may be added to, repealed or amended by a two-thirds majority resolution passed at any general meeting.

 

25. These rules and all future variations of these rules, shall be binding on all members. Every member shall be entitled to a copy of these rules and any future alterations thereof.

Constitution and rules June 2014