Constitution 13/01/2016 to 13/09/2016

Below is the original constitution for the Friends of Bradgers Hill. Held here for historical reference.

The Constitution for “Friends of Bradgers Hill”

1. Name

The full title of the group will be: the “Friends of Bradgers Hill” and referred to in this document as the ‘Friends.’

2. Aims and Objectives

2.1 The aims of the Friends is to: 

1) bring the community together to celebrate all that Bradgers Hill brings to our neighbourhood

2) inform, educate and raise awareness of the rich source of wildlife on the Hill and surrounding area

3) generate a pool of Bushmead volunteers who can sustain this work of education, celebration and conservation. 

4) preserve and secure these natural resources for future generations 

2.2 The objectives of the Friends are to :

1) set out a programme of monthly meetings and occasional special events open to the public on relevant topics of interest

2) conduct surveys on the Hill to research the number of species and their prevalence

3) involve local schools through the provision of specialist advice and activities

4) publicise our findings through our website and social media. 

5) link up with local and other county-wide organisations with similar aims.

3. Funding 

3.1 There will be no formal membership as we are keen to promote the widest possible participation. Events will be funded by a combination of small entry fees and voluntary donations.

3.2 We will ensure that clear advance notice is provided of these modest charges.

3.3 Donations and fees are payable to the treasurer. The Friends bank account shall be held with the treasurer and a brief monthly update in finances will be provided along with an annual formal statement of accounts. 

4. Fundraising

4.1 The Fundraising Secretary shall be responsible for all fundraising activities.

4.2 The purpose of the fundraising event/activity and how funds that are generated will be used will be advertised and made clear to all contributors and participants.

4.3 The committee will decide how funds raised through organised events shall be used, although all suggestions from the Friends shall be considered.

5. Committee

5.1 The committee shall consist of:

• Organiser – to convene meetings and co-ordinate committee activities

• Secretary – to carry out administrative tasks that sustain activities of the Friends

• Treasurer – to maintain accounts, banking arrangements and membership details 

• Fundraising Officer – to seek opportunities for funding, prepare bids and evaluation returns 

• Survey Officer – to organise volunteers for surveys, collate data and liaise with relevant outside bodies 

• Access Officer – to begin the task of mapping the major and minor routes on the Hill; organising volunteers to keep these in good repair and seek opportunities to improve signposting

• Education Officer – to liaise with local nurseries, primary schools, secondary schools and the Sixth Form College with view to the provision of educational activities 

• Liaison Officer – establishing and maintaining relationships with Luton and county-wide groups with similar aims

• Events Officers (meetings) and (walks) – to organise and publicise speakers for monthly meetings and the quarterly walk programme

• Website Officer – to maintain and develop our online presence – website, Facebook and Twitter

• Environment Officer – to organise quarterly litter picks 

5.2 The committee as a whole are responsible for:

a) Promotion of the Friends throughout the year to attract membership.

b) Ensuring that activities and the use of funds reflect the aims and objectives of the Friends and are for the benefit of all members.

c) Preparing agendas and recording minutes for all Friends meetings including the annual AGM.

d) Preparing an annual report at the end of the year.

6. AGM’s and Meetings

6.1 The committee shall meet on a monthly basis on the second Wednesday at Bushmead Community Centre between the hours of 7.00 and 8.30pm.) The purpose of these meetings is to:

• Hear from a speaker of relevant interest to the aims of the Friends

• Co-ordinate the forthcoming activities of the Friends

• Receive updates from officers. 

• Ensure the general smooth running of the Friends.

6.2 Annual General Meeting

This meeting will take place on the second Wednesday of every September. The purpose of the meeting is to:

• Elect the new committee for the following year

• To receive the annual report from the Chair which has been compiled by the out going committee 

• Present a financial report 

• Prepare plans for the following year

7. Dissolution

The Friends may be dissolved if deemed necessary by the members in a majority vote at an official Friends meeting . Any assets or remaining funds after debts have been paid shall be retained by the Friends and held in a separate account for two years. If the Friends (or one similar) does not start up again within this period the funds will be reallocated to other Luton or County-wide groups with similar aims as agreed by the committee.

8. Declaration

This constitution was adopted at a meeting held at Bushmead Community Centre on Wednesday 13th January 2016 by:

Judith Batson

James Hetherington

Margaret Hetherington

David Coupe

Abigail Coup

Trevor Tween

Kathryn Knights

Scott Ashdown

Paul Hammond