Constitution

CHESHIRE COUNTY RAYNET COMMITTEE

CONSTITUTION

1. TITLE.

The Committee shall be called the "Cheshire County RAYNET Committee".

2. OBJECTS.

The object of the Committee shall be to further the activities of the Radio Amateurs' Emergency Network (RAYNET) and to respond to calls for assistance, where possible and appropriate, Nationally and Internationally.

3. MEMBERSHIP.

County Controller

Deputy County Controller

Group Controllers

Deputy Group Controllers

Co-opted non-voting member(s)

The appointment of Co-opted members shall be made by the Committee.

4. OFFICERS.

Chairman - County Controller

Vice Chairman - Deputy County Controller

Secretary

Treasurer

All the above Officers to be appointed by and from within the County Committee annually. It is preferable that a Group Controller should not additionally hold the position of County Controller or Deputy County Controller.

5. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE.

The Committee shall administer the funds and effects of the Committee.

It will determine, annually, the level of funding from Groups forming Cheshire County RAYNET. In addition, it will determine the maximum level of funds to be held by the Committee for each succeeding year following its AGM, and ensure that funds held in excess of such maximum

be immediately returned in equal shares to the Groups concerned. It also will encourage actively the joint co-operation of Groups and assist the Groups' Officers in the performance of their responsibilities.

The Committee shall be responsible for ensuring common standards across Groups in Operating Procedures, Technical Matters and Training.

The Committee will endeavour to acquire specialist equipment, for use by any constituent Group, enhancing County capabilities.

6. FINANCE.

The Treasurer shall keep, or cause to be kept, a proper account of the receipts and payments of the Committee, and matters in respect of which such receipts and payments take place, and the properties, assets and liabilities of the Committee. All cheques to be countersigned by two

Group Controllers. A statement of account shall be submitted annually to the Committee. The Treasurer shall assist in such a way as directed by the Committee.

The Financial year shall be November 1st to October 31st.

7. AUDITORS.

Once in every year, the Treasurer's accounts, made up to the end of the financial year, shall be duly audited by the auditor/auditors appointed for that purpose by the Committee, and presented to the AGM

8. COUNTY CONTROLLER

It is the responsibility of the County Controller to ensure the efficient operation of Cheshire County RAYNET and maintain adequate consultation with the Group Controllers.

In particular, he will be responsible for the maintenance of appropriate training programmes for members of all Groups; the establishment and maintenance of common operating procedures; the dissemination of relevant information to Groups; liaison with User Services at County level and the general administration of the work of the Committee.

The County Controller will be required to attend the AGM of each Group and report on the working of the Committee. In the event that the County Controller is unable to attend a Group AGM, he may nominate a deputy from the County Committee to attend in his place.

9. GROUP CONTROLLERS

Group Controllers will at all times keep members of their respective Groups fully informed of County Committee activities and are authorised to nominate a deputy from their Group where this is deemed necessary to attend County Committee meetings. The nominated deputy will inherit the voting rights of the Group Controller

10. MEETINGS.

All meetings to be convened by the County Controller as and when he deems it necessary or by decision of the committee. Additional meetings to be convened on requisition to the County Controller stating the nature of the business for which the meeting is required and signed by not less than three Committee members. If the meeting so requisitioned be not convened within one month, the said members may convene such a meeting. At least four days notice shall be given of such requisitioned meeting.

The Chairman shall preside, in his absence the Vice-Chairman, and in his absence the meeting to elect one of the Committee.

Voting – each Group shall have one vote. Voting shall be by simple majority – in the event of a tied vote, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.

A quorum shall comprise three voting Committee members. Note: a nominated deputy will count

towards the quorum

The ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING shall be held in the month of January.

11. ALTERATION OF THE CONSTITUTION.

The constitution may be altered by a motion at an Annual General Meeting of the Committee convened by circular with notice of the proposed alteration together with the names of the proposer and seconder. Such motion to be approved by a majority of members present and entitled to vote.

This version accepted at an EGM 11th July, 2011.