Peterborough Probus’02

Peterborough Probus’02 Constitution (from 2009-10)

1. The Club shall be called Peterborough Probus ‘02

2. The Club shall be non-profit making. Its aims are to promote friendship and fellowship amongst Members and to arrange activities that give mutual benefit and enjoyment.

 

3. Membership shall be open to men who are retired or are about to retire from professional or business occupations.

 

4. Any member wishing to sponsor a candidate will need to follow the procedure set out in the Probus ‘02 Memorandum dated 15th August 2002

 

5. Membership will be limited when there is a requirement to do so.

 

6.  Membership

 

(a)  A Member will be admitted to honorary membership when through sustained acceptable reasons he is unable to attend coffee and lunch meetings and the non-attendance appears likely to be permanent. Ordinary Membership will lapse on the date of admission to honorary membership. The decision will be made in open meeting. Honorary Membership shall not count towards the number of members mentioned in 5 above.

 

(b)  If a Member fails to attend at least 12 Meetings in any Club year, his membership shall be deemed to have lapsed, unless advanced notice of such circumstances shall have been formally advised and leave of absence agreed by the Committee.

 

(c)    Leave of absence. Under this arrangement, only the Annual Subscription shall be paid to retain          Mmbership, no other fees shall be payable until resuming participation in regular activities.

7. Fees

The annual subscription shall be recommended by the Executive Committee for approval by members at an appropriate Club meeting and shall be payable within 30 days after the AGM. Any Member whose subscription remains unpaid 60 days after the AGM shall cease to be a Member of the Club.

In their year of joining, new Members shall pay a joining fee equal to the full annual subscription.  Their annual subscription and coffee contribution for that year only shall be calculated pro rata according to the date they join.

 

(a)  The Annual Subscription is to pay for speakers and the general running of the Club.

 

(b)  Six-monthly contributions toward Coffee Meeting costs shall be recommended by the Executive Committee for approval by members at an appropriate meeting and are due in October and April annually. Contributions are used to meet the cost of room hire, coffee and biscuits, and for coffee at meetings of the Committee.

 

(c)  All new Members shall receive a Probus Tie and Lapel badge the cost of which will be covered by the joining fee.

 

8. The Club shall be managed by an Executive Committee, which shall consist of
President, Vice President, Past President, Treasurer, Secretary and Speaker Finder, Steward and Welfare Officer.

 

9.  Executive Committee

(a)    Any four Members of the Committee shall form a quorum and the Committee shall
have the power to co-opt and appoint officers. The decisions of the Committee shall be final and the President shall have a casting vote.

 

(b)    Save in exceptional circumstances, the President shall serve for one year only and be succeeded by the Vice President elected for the previous year; he shall then serve for a further year as Past President. All other members of the Executive Committee shall serve in their respective offices for two years only, unless a shorter period is specifically requested.  No Officer should serve on the committee for more than 5 years

 

(c)    The Vice President shall be elected annually and other Committee members every
two years, or more frequently should circumstance require

 

10. The Welfare Officer’s role is to keep in touch with members who are unable to maintain their attendance

 

11. The Steward’s role is to oversee all Catering arrangements within a year

 

12. The club year shall be from 1st October to the 30th September. An Annual General Meeting shall be held in October each year for the election of Committee Members; approval of accounts, changes to the Constitution, and other proposals notified to the Secretary no later than seven days prior to the meeting.

 

13. Special meetings may be called at a written request of:-

 

(a) Ten Members or 25% of the Membership if there are fewer than 40 Members in total or

(b) A majority of Executive Committee members

 

Not less than fourteen days Notice shall be given to all members.  At Special meetings, 51% of the Membership shall be considered a quorum

 

14. In the event of the Club ceasing to continue, the net assets shall be realised and the proceeds distributed to all existing paid-up Members.

 

15. Meetings will normally be held as follows:

 

(a)   1st Thursday in the month consisting of a lunch (11.30 for 12.15).

Members unable to attend the Lunch must notify the Steward, Secretary or Committee Member.  Any failure to do so will lead to a bill for the meal.

(b)   3rd Thursday in the month consisting of a coffee morning with speaker [10.00 for 10.30am]. Members’ guests are welcome at coffee mornings.  Members are requested to give apologies if unable to attend to avoid needless costs.

 

16. Member Dress

 

(a)  Lunch Meetings shall be Jacket and Tie (Probus Tie preferred) with removal of Jackets at President’s discretion.

 

(b) Coffee Meetings –ditto- for months October to May and Shirtsleeve with Tie (Probus Tie preferred) during months June to September

 

17. Indemnity Insurance protection to be renewed 8 each year

18. Website (www.pboroprobus02.org.uk to be continued each year.

19.  The ‘Probus Magazine’ will be purchased for each member and this will be continued each year.  

 

20.  Although raising funds for charities is not an aim or object of Club activities, it may do so from time to time at the discretion of the president to a charity nominated by him.

10th November 2009