Constitution of Sevenoaks, Swanley and Tonbridge in Europe

Adopted on 4 March 2017
*Amended on 30 June 2018 at the AGM
**Amended on 1 June 2019 at the AGM
*** Amended on 22 February 2020 at the SGM

1 Name:

The name of the Group shall be Sevenoaks Swanley & Tonbridge in Europe** (SSTIE)

2 Aims: ***

2. 1 The central objective of SSTIE is, as it always has been, the promotion of close collaborative relationships amongst European countries. SSTIE will exercise its democratic right to campaign, at both national and local levels, for the UK to maintain the closest possible relationship with the EU and its member states.
2.2 The political objectives of SSTIE are:
2.2.a to identify, expose, and publicise adverse consequences of Brexit as they arise;
2.2.b to champion British European identity and demand the maximum possible freedom of movement and activity for British citizens throughout Europe, and to welcome and support citizens from other European countries living in the UK;
2.2.c to champion the closest possible alignment between the UK and European economies and demand that the rights, living standards and prospects enjoyed by British citizens shall always at least equal those enjoyed by their EU counterparts;
2.2.d to encourage and facilitate greater understanding of the UK’s historic, present and future interdependence with the other countries of Europe, especially amongst young people;
2.2.e at a future date, to be determined in the light of progress in achieving the preceding objectives, to campaign for the UK to re-join the European mainstream.
2.3 The organisational objectives of SSTIE are:
2.3.a to attract a growing membership of people who share our objectives, particularly among young people;
2.3.b to encourage, organise, and promote such activities as are appropriate in achieving its political objectives

3 Membership:

(a) Membership of SSTIE shall be open to any person aged 16 or over living in the Sevenoaks & Swanley Parliamentary Constituency and surrounding areas who is willing to support SSTIE to achieve its aims, is willing to abide by the rules of SSTIE and is willing to pay any subscription that may from time to time be agreed by the Executive Committee.

(b) Membership shall be available to anyone without regard to gender, race, nationality, disability, sexual preference or religious belief.

(d) The membership of any member may be terminated for good reason by the Executive Committee but the member has a right to be heard by the Executive Committee before a final decision is made. The decision of the Executive Committee shall be final and binding.

4 Management:

* amended on 1 June 2019 at the AGM

(a) SSTIE shall be administered by an Executive Committee.

(b) The members of the Executive Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM will elect the Officers together with not more than 10 further members.

(d) One third of the members of the Executive Committee shall stand down at each AGM. Those individuals may stand for re-election.

(e) The Executive Committee shall meet at least 6 times a year.

(f) The Executive Committee shall be responsible for proposing the subscription payable by members.

(g) The Coordinator shall Chair all meetings of SSTIE.

(h) The quorum for Executive Committee meetings shall be the majority of its members.

(i) Voting at Executive Committee meetings shall be by show of hands. If there is a tied vote then the Coordinator shall have a second vote.

(j) The Executive Committee may, by a two-thirds majority vote and for a good and proper reason, remove any Committee member, provided that person has the right to be heard before a final decision is made. The decision of the Executive Committee shall be final and binding.

(k) The Executive Committee may appoint another member of SSTIE as a Committee member to fill a vacancy provided the maximum number is not exceeded.

(l) The Executive Committee may establish and appoint members to sub-committees and working parties and set the terms of reference for such sub-committees and working parties.

5 Powers:

In order to achieve its aims SSTIE may:

Raise money
Open bank accounts
Take out insurance
Organise events
Work with other groups and exchange information
Do anything that is lawful which will help it to fulfil its aims
Collect and process personal details according to the law

6 Duties of the Officers: *

The members of the Executive committee have a shared responsibility for all SSTIE activities.

Coordinator

chair meetings of the Executive Committee and SSTIE
represent SSTIE at functions/meetings to which SSTIE has been invited
act as spokesperson for SSTIE when necessary

Secretary

prepare the agenda for meetings of the Executive Committee and General Meetings of SSTIE in consultation with the Coordinator.
take and keep minutes of meetings

Treasurer

supervise the financial affairs of SSTIE
keep proper accounts that show all monies collected and paid out by SSTIE
prepare annual accounts of SSTE and arrange for them to be reviewed by a suitably qualified individual or organisation.

Website Editor

To supervise and manage all aspects of the website www.sstie.uk and its contents, including:

All technical aspects of hosting, updating of scripts, operation of the email system and related IT issues
To ensure a continual flow of new material on the site
To ensure compliance with the SSTIE Editorial policy

Social Media Coordinator **

Liaise with the members of the Social Media Group and with the Executive Committee in relation to the activities of that group.

7 Finance:

(a) Any money obtained by SSTIE shall be used only in furthering the aims of SSTIE.

(b) Any bank accounts opened for SSTIE shall be in the name of Sevenoaks & Swanley Together in Europe.

(d) Accounts shall be prepared for the period to 31 March following the date of the adoption of this Constitution and annually thereafter to that date, or such other date as may from time to time be agreed by the Executive Committee.

8 Annual General Meeting:

(a) SSTIE shall hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) within nine months of the end of each accounting period.

(b) All members shall be given at least fourteen days’ notice of the AGM and shall be entitled to attend and vote. The quorum for an AGM shall be the greater of 12 or 10% of the members.

(i) receiving a report from the Coordinator on SSTIE`s activities over the year

(ii) receiving the annual accounts and a report from the Treasurer on the finances of SSTIE

(iii) receiving a report from the Website Editor on SSTIE`s website activities over the year

(iv) electing members of the Executive Committee

(v) approving the subscription payable by members and

(vi) considering any other matter as may be on the agenda or accepted for discussion.

(vii) Proxies may be submitted by email.

9 Special General Meeting:

A Special General Meeting (SGM) may be called by the Executive Committee. Alternatively, the Executive Committee must call a Special General Meeting if requested in writing by not less than 5 individual members or 10% of the members.

The Secretary shall give all members fourteen days’ notice of any Special General Meeting together with notice of the business to be discussed. All members shall be entitled to attend and vote.

10 Alterations to the Constitution:

Any changes to this Constitution must be agreed by at least two-thirds of those members present and voting at any General Meeting.

11 Dissolution:

SSTIE may be wound up at any time if agreed by two-thirds of those members present and voting at any General Meeting. In the event of winding up, any assets remaining after all debts have been paid shall be given to another Group with similar aims.

This constitution was adopted at a general meeting of SSTIE on 4 March 2017

Peter Kinsler, Coordinator
Heather Styles, Secretary
Patrick Reynolds, Treasurer
Patrick Lohlein, Website Editor
Elwyn Jones, Data Officer
Nick Kennard
Richard Morris