Constitution of Fusion Theatre

1. 2. Name The name of the association will be Fusion Theatre (hereinafter called the group) Administration Subject to the matters set out below the Group and its property shall be administered and managed in accordance with the constitution by the members of the Management Committee, constituted by clause 6 of the constitution (the Committee) 3. The Objects 1 The Group is established to advance education and to promote the arts for the benefit of all of the people of the Lagan Valley area (hereinafter called the area of benefit) regardless of religion, nationality, ethnic identity or disability by means of a. Planning, creating, and designing a cross community amateur drama project culminating in a performance for the general public in the area of the benefit.

Powers In furtherance of the above aims, but not further or otherwise, the group may a. b. c. d. e. f. encourage participation in the amateur drama project from as many people as practicable, in the area of the benefit; establish, maintain and equip premises and facilities in the area of the benefit. provide or assist in providing classes, workshops, training, seminars, performances, lectures, discussions, exhibitions, outings and events: procure to be written, printed and distributed reports, periodicals, books, pamphlets, leaflets, other documents or information recruit, train and employ volunteers with relevant skills, for the furtherance of the above aims co-operate to such extent as may be necessary with statutory authorities, churches, and other voluntary organisations in the furtherance of the objects or any of them. raise and accept money by ways of grants, donations, bequests, legacies or other lawful method, provided that in the exercise thereof the group shall not engage in any form of permanent trading. purchase, take on lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire a property and any rights and privileges necessary for the attainment of the said objects and construct, maintain and alter any buildings or edifices so necessary, as aforesaid. subject to such consents as may be required by law to sell, let, mortgage, dispose or turn to account all or any of the property or assets of the Group which shall be deemed necessary for the furtherance of the Group; employ and pay any person, not being a member of the Management Committee referred to below (the Committee) to supervise, organise and carry on the work of the Group and make all reasonable and necessary provision for the payment of remuneration to employees. 9 May 2010

g.

h.

i.

j.

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k. 4. Membership 1

do all other lawful things as are necessary for the attainment of the said objects.

Membership of the Group shall be open to any child/young person in the area of the benefit, irrespective of age, gender, ethnic identity, disability, nationality, sexual orientation, race or political opinion. (age range 8 24yrs) Members parents / guardians and supporters shall be entitled to vote at General Meetings of the Group, those aged 16 or over may be nominated for election to the Committee of the Group;

The Committee shall make rules governing the conditions for membership, rights and privileges of members and shall make regulations for the admission to and termination of membership. The Committee shall keep up-to-date records of paid-up members, provided that any member affected by a proposal to terminate her or his membership shall have the right to state a case against such proposals. Rules of Procedure at all meetings The Committee may make Standing Orders and rules for the conduct of business at all meetings of the Group, its Committee or Sub-committee, provided that such Standing Orders or rules shall not be inconsistent with this constitution and shall be subject to the approval of the members at the Annual General Meeting.

5.

Meetings 1

Annual Meeting The Annual General Meetings shall be held at such place and time, not being more than 15 months since the previous Annual General Meeting, as the committee shall decide. The business of the Annual Meeting shall include: a. b. receiving and approving reports on the activities of the past year from members of the committee receiving and approving the annual accounts of the Group and to appoint an auditor or any independent person to examine the annual accounts at the Annual General Meeting shall decide. the election of Officers and Committee according to such nomination and voting procedure as the Group may from time to time decide. dealing with resolutions and such other matters, notice of which shall have been given 14 days in advance of the AGM to the Secretary of the Group by the member proposing such resolutions or other matters.

c. d.

General Meetings Other meetings shall be called General Meetings (or in the case of alteration of the constitution or dissolution of the Group Extraordinary General Meetings)subject to reasonable notice. The quorum for anygeneral meeting shall be 8 , two of which shall be Executive Officers. .

Extraordinary General Meeting The Committee shall have the power to call an Extraordinary General Meeting and shall be bound to do so within 14 days of receiving notice in writing signed by not less than 10% of the members. The business to be transacted must appear on the agenda, and no other business shall be discussed.

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6.

Management 1 Except as provided otherwise in this constitution, the Group shall be managed by a Committee, consisting of a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and not less than 2 members of the members, elected by and amongst the members. The Committee, so constituted, shall have the power to co-opt further members who shall be members of the Group, or persons anywhere who have skills or experience to offer the Group. The number of co-options shall not exceed onethird of the total membership of the Committee. The Committee shall meet for the conduct of business, as they see fit, but in any event shall meet not less than 4 times a year. Items for the agenda shall be provided to the Secretary within reasonable notice, but no fewer than 7 days in advance. Members of the committee shall be required to attend no fewer than 70% of meetings unless a satisfactory explanation for the non-attendance is provided in advance.

7.

Function of the Committee 1 make such policies or regulations, as they consider appropriate, for the efficient conduct of the business of the Committee and the Group, provided that such policies and regulations shall not be inconsistent with this constitution and shall be subject to the approval of the Members at the Annual General Meeting. appoint all such staff as they may consider necessary, and on such terms as to duties and remuneration, as they may determine. Employees of the Group shall not be eligible to serve as members of the Committee. establish sub-committees consisting of members of the Group or other persons; determine their terms of reference, membership and duration. All such subcommittees shall make regular reports on their work to the Committee. Fusion Theatre has a child - centred ethos and operates within the guidelines of the Child Protection policy and procedures. Parents, Support Workers and members accept and work within the agreed procedure of the Groups Handbook. Completing and signing a membership form indicates an understanding of and acceptance of the procedures. All income of the Group, wheresoever derived, shall be applied to the purposes of the Group as set out at sub-clause 3.1 above and to no other purpose, provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent the payment of legitimate out-of pocket expenses to members of the Group engaged on the approved business of the Group. The financial year of the Group shall run from 1 April to 31 March. The Committee shall open a bank account or accounts in the name of the Group and shall specify those members of the Committee (being not less than two members of the Committee) who are authorised to sign cheques on behalf of the Group. The Committee shall authorise the keeping of proper books of account, and shall designate responsibility for the preparation of an annual Statement of Accounts for submission to an Annual General Meeting. 9 May 2010

The Committee may among other things;

8.

Child Protection 1 2

9.

Finance 1

2 3

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5 10.

The Committee shall authorise auditing of the accounts by a suitably qualified person.

Trust Property The Committee may appoint and terminate the appointment of not less than 3 people to act as Trustees for the purpose of holding any monies or property belonging to the Group. The title of any such real and /or personal property, which may be required by or for the purposes of the Group, shall be vested in the Trustees who shall hold such property in trust for the Group. The Trustees shall act under the instructions of the Committee who shall, subject to the approval and consent of the Group as determined by an Annual General Meeting, have power to fill vacancies among the Trustees.

11.

Alterations to the Constitution Any alteration to this constitution shall receive the assent of not less than two-thirds of the members of the Group present and voting at an Extraordinary General Meeting, called at not less than 14 days notice to members for that purpose, provided that no alteration shall be approved which would cause the Group to cease to be a charity at law.

12.

Dissolution If on the grounds of expense or otherwise the Committee shall decide upon the dissolution of the Group, a resolution to dissolve shall be considered by an Extraordinary General Meeting, called at not less than 14 days notice to members for that purpose. The Group shall be dissolved only by a majority of two-thirds of members present and voting at such meeting. Following a decision to dissolve, the assets of the Group shall following satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, be transferred to one or more associations having charitable objects similar or related to those of the Group, as determined by a simple majority at such Meetings.

13.

Indemnity The Group shall indemnify and keep indemnified every officer, member, volunteer and employee of the Group from and against all claims, demands and actions, made or brought against the Group in connection with its activities, the actions of its officers, members, volunteers or employees, or in connection with its property and equipment. Exception, this indemnity shall not extend to liabilities arising from wilful and individual fraud, wrongdoing or wrongful omission on the part of the member sought to be made liable. The Treasurer shall effect a policy of insurance in respect of this indemnity.

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9 May 2010