EGM FOR CHANGE OF CONSTITUTION 21ST JUNE and AGM

EGM2

We will be having an EGM on Zoom in order to change the Constitution of Mental Health North Dorset Help and Peer Support.  Click above.

This will be held on Tuesday, 21st June at 7.30 pm.

Members invited are those who have subscribed to our Newsletter and those who have completed a registration form for one of the Peer Support Groups.

The Constitution can be read below by downloading a pdf file or as printed (copied & pasted and formatting is different but words are the same!).  Once we have a constitution acceptable to HMRC we will be able to register for Gift Aid.

The Zoom link will be on the Newsletter and sent by email to registered Group members.

This is ahead of the AGM to be held on Wednesday 13th July at 5.15 pm in the Royal British Legion Hall in Shaftesbury.

AGM

We will be welcoming nominations for the Committee to be elected at the AGM:

Click above for details

Amanda Sadler  – re-election as Chairperson

Jude Lask – re-election as Treasurer

Jane Mongini – re-election as Secretary

Melanie Costas – re-election as Information Officer

And new member for election:

Jon Bartlett – Liaison and Representation Officer

We are seeking more Committee Members, in particular:

Fundraising and Grants Officer

Advertising and Directories Officer

Policies and Legal Structure Officer

We welcome suggestions for any others or just general Committee Members.

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MENTAL HEALTH NORTH DORSET

HELP AND PEER SUPPORT

CONSTITUTION

1. Name

The name of the Association shall be ‘Mental Health North Dorset Help and Peer Support’ hereafter referred to as the ‘Association’.

2. General Purposes

The Advancement of Health and the Saving of Life (Suicide Prevention) including the relief of mental health suffering as well as the promotion of mental wellbeing.

To promote such purposes as are charitable according to the law of England and Wales for the benefit of the public in North Dorset and beyond by: promotion of any general charitable purposes for the benefit of residents having mental health difficulties without distinction of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability, diagnosis or political view.

3. Objects

•  The relief of isolation and loneliness.
• The relief of ignorance of the support and help available to those having mental health difficulties
• The breakdown of the stigma attached to mental illness
• The relief of hardship by the provision of free advice and assistance.
• The relief of mental health suffering of persons resident in North Dorset and over the border in surrounding counties by the provision of peer support for such persons.
• To assist the recovery of people who are unwell due to mental illness.

4. Powers

In furtherance of the objects but not otherwise, the Management Committee may exercise the power to:

1.  Organise Peer Support Groups and other social and informative events within the area of North Dorset and the adjacent counties of Wiltshire and Somerset.
2. Keep a list of Membership of the Association comprising of those who subscribe to the newsletter and those who complete a Registration Form.
3. Maintain a website providing signposting, news, information, help and a showcase for art in its broadest sense from those organisations and individuals affected by mental health difficulties.
4. Promote the needs of those who have, or care for someone who has mental health problems by working in partnership with other organisations.
5. Invite and receive donations and raise funds where appropriate, to finance the work of the Association and to hold bank accounts to manage such funds.
6. Publicise and promote the work of the Association and organise meetings, events and training where appropriate.
7. Work with other organisations and groups and exchange information, advice and knowledge with them, including cooperation with other voluntary bodies, charities, statutory and non-statutory organisations.
8. Employ staff and volunteers (who are not members of the Management Committee) as are necessary to conduct activities to meet the purposes of the Association.
9. Take any form of action that is lawful, which is necessary to achieve the purposes and objects of the Association.

5. Membership

1. Membership shall be open to anyone who has an interest in the Association to achieve the purpose and is willing to adhere to the rules. Those who attend any Peer Support Groups and have filled in a registration form will automatically be members of the Association.  Those who subscribe to the monthly newsletter will be considered as members of the Association.
2. Where it is considered membership would be detrimental to the aims and activities of the Organisation the Management Committee shall have the power to refuse membership, or may terminate or suspend the membership of any member by resolution passed at a Management Committee Meeting, which may be held in addition to already scheduled meetings. Members shall have the right to appeal via an independent adjudicator determined by mutual agreement of the Management Committee.
3. Any member may resign their membership by providing the Management Committee with written (including email) notice or unsubscribing to the newsletter via the website.

6. Management Committee

1. The Management Committee should be no less than three (3) people and no more than ten (10). Members will be elected for a period of up to three (3) years, but can stand for re-election at the Association’s AGM.  The Management Committee should appoint from its members the officers consisting of:
   • The Chairperson
   • The Treasurer
   • The Secretary

And any additional officers the Organisation deems necessary at the meeting to carry out the required activities.

1. The Committee can co-opt members up to the number of 10 during the year if it is deemed appropriate. These Committee members must stand for re-election at the next AGM.

7. Meetings

1. The Committee shall meet at least four (4) times a year. Meetings shall enable the Association to discuss actions and monitor progress to date, and to consider future developments.
2. All members shall be given at least 14 days’ notice of when a meeting is due to take place, unless it is deemed an emergency.
3. Half of the Committee members must be present in order for a meeting to take place.
4. It shall be the responsibility of the Chairperson to chair all meetings or a designated deputy in their absence. All meetings must be minuted and accessible to interested parties.
5. The AGM shall take place no later than four months after the end of the financial year. At least fourteen (14) days’ notice must be given before the meeting takes place.
6. All members are entitled to vote at the AGM. Voting shall be made by a show of hands on a majority basis.  If the numbers are equal, the Chairperson or appointed deputy will have a casting vote.

8. Finance

1. Any money acquired by the Association including donations, contributions and bequests, shall be paid into an account operated by the Management Committee in the name of the Association. All funds must be applied to the Objects of the Association and for no other purpose.
2. Bank accounts shall be opened in the name of the Association. Any deeds, cheques etc. relating to the Association’s bank account shall be signed by at least two (2) of the following Committee members:  Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary.
3. Any income/expenditure shall be the responsibility of the Treasurer who will ensure that the Association stays within budget. Official records of income and expenditure shall be maintained, and will be examined annually by an independent person who is not a member of the Association.  An annual financial report shall be presented at the AGM.  The Association’s accounting year shall run from 1^st April to 31^st March.

9. Alteration of the Constitution

1. Any changes to this Constitution must be agreed by a majority vote at the annual or an extraordinary general meeting.
2. No amendment shall be made which would have the effect of making the charity cease to be a charity at law.
3. Amendments to this constitution or dissolution of the Association must be conveyed to the Secretary formally in writing (includes email). The Secretary and other officers shall then decide on the date of an extraordinary general meeting to discuss such proposals giving members at least two weeks (14 days) notice.

10. Dissolution

1. The Organisation may be dissolved if deemed necessary by the members in a majority vote at a special meeting. Any assets or remaining funds after debts have been paid shall be returned to their providers or transferred to a local charity or charity at law within the field of mental health and wellbeing at the discretion of the Management Committee.

This Constitution was adopted at a meeting held on

Signed             Chair

Treasurer

Secretary