1. Tideswell and District Environment Group

2. Aims

The aim of the Environment Group shall be:

To develop and support projects that improve local or global environmental issues such as; loss of biodiversity and habitat, waste and recycling, energy efficiency, water pollution, food production, transport, ethical and other environmental issues.

The objectives are:

1. to encourage people to join and support environmental projects;
2. to meet regularly to discuss progress on environmental projects;
3. to develop partnerships to further the aims of the group;
4. to develop a Steering Group to provide strategic and administrative support for environmental projects.

3. Steering Group

1. Up to 8 members shall be elected at the AGM and at their first meeting they shall appoint 3 officers (Chair, Treasurer and Secretary) from amongst their number. Our first meeting was in the Star 3rd July where members were elected.
2. The Officers and Steering Group members shall serve until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting after their election and are eligible for re-election.
3. The Steering Group may fill any casual vacancy on the group including vacancies among the Officers and any person appointed shall serve until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting.
4. The Steering Group may co-opt up to 3 persons on to the committee and they shall have full voting rights. They shall serve until the end of the next AGM.
5. The Steering Group shall meet a minimum of 3 times per year (includes the AGM).
6. The quorum for the Steering Group is one-third of its current number Decisions shall be by a simple majority and the Chair shall have a casting vote.
7. he Committee may establish such sub-committees as it feels necessary but such sub-committees shall not enter into legal or financial agreements without the prior authority of the Committee.

4. Environment Group Membership

1. Membership of the Environment group shall be open to organisations and individuals who want to join and further the work of the group
2. All members may attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting and shall be eligible for election to the steering group. Organisational members shall only have one vote per organisation.
3. The Steering Group may terminate the membership of any member who brings the group into disrepute. The member concerned shall have the right to be heard by the steering group before a final decision is made.

5. Environment Group powers

Members of the Environment Group will be empowered to carry out any of the following activities subject to clearance with the Steering Group:

1. Raise funds and apply for, invite, obtain, collect and receive contributions, grants, subscriptions, fees & loans.
2. Employ any paid worker or pay any agent to assist in the achievement of the aims of the group.
3. Hire, rent, lease and own property and equipment necessary to achieve the aims.
4. Affiliate to any local or national group or association.
5. Do all such other lawful things as are necessary to achieve the above aims or any of them

6. Meetings

The Annual General Meeting

1. The Annual General Meeting of the Environment group shall be held once a year. This shall be held not more than fifteen months after the holding of the preceding AGM.
2. At least 21 days notice shall be given to all members.
3. The business to be transacted at the Annual General Meeting:
   1. receive the Annual Accounts;
   2. receive the Annual Report from the committee;
   3. election of Steering Group members;
   4. appointment of independent examiner/auditor (if necessary;)
   5. consider any motions (if wished, or the AGM can be followed by a Special General Meeting, see below).

Special General Meetings

Special General Meetings may be called by the Steering Group and all members shall be given 21 days notice of the meeting together with details of the business to be discussed.

Ordinary General Meetings

Ordinary General Meetings shall be held once a quarter to discuss activities and plans. Environment Group members shall receive 14 days notice of the meeting from the Steering Group.

Conduct of all General Meetings (including AGM)

The meeting shall be chaired by the current Chair or substitute member from the Steering Group. The quorum for General Meetings is one-fifth of the membership. Decisions shall be by simple majority or three-quarters of members present and eligible to vote. The Chair has a casting second vote in the event of a tie.

7. Funds and Finance

1. All funds shall be spent solely on the aims of the group.
2. A bank account shall be opened in the name of the group
3. All cheques shall be signed by 2 signatories and authorised by the committee.
4. The financial year shall run from 1st April to 31st March
5. Regular financial reports on income and expenditure shall be made to the committee during the year.

8. Amendments to the Constitution

Amendments to the constitution may be made only by a resolution passed by a majority of the members at an AGM or Special/Extraordinary General Meeting, of which due notice has been given together with the wording of the proposed amendment.

9. Dissolution

A resolution to dissolve the group must be passed at a Special General Meeting or by special resolution at an Annual General Meeting and must be carried by a simple majority. The Chair shall have a casting second vote in the event of a tie. Any assets of the group after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities (including seeking the agreement of relevant funders) shall be given or transferred to an organisation with similar aims.

Adoption of the Constitution

This constitution was adopted on 28-8-2019
Name: Lynn Crowe (Chair)