Galway Baroque Singers Constitution

The folliowing constitution was agreed and adopted by an Extraordinary General Meeting of its Members on November 22nd, 1993.

The Constitution of The Galway Baroque Singers.

1.  General.

The name of the Association shall be:

The Galway Baroque Singers.

The Aim of the Association shall be:

2.  Membership.

Membership of the Association shall be open to:

2.1.  Singers who have successfully auditioned in accordance with the standard set by the musical director.

2.2.  Acceptance by such singers of the following conditions:

(a) Payment of the appropriate membership fees.

(b) Regular attendance at rehearsals.

(c) Any member can be re-auditioned by the musical director at any time.

3.  Management.

3.1.  The management of the Association shall be conducted by a committee consisting of a chairperson, a secretary, a treasurer and a maximum of seven other members, all of whom shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Association.

3.2.

(a)  The committee shall appoint a musical director and enter into contract with this person on a yearly basis.

(b)  The musical director shall be responsible for the choice of music for the choir, in consultation with the committee.

3.3.  The quorum for any ordinary committee meeting shall be five including two officers.

3.4.  The committee may co-opt a member to fill any vacancy on the general committee should the need arise.

3.5.  The chairperson shall, prior to election, have served at least one year on the general committee and two years as a choir member.

3.6.  A member can only remain as chairperson for three consecutive years.

3.7.  All officers and committee members must resign at the AGM but may stand for re-election unless Rule 3.6 applies whereby the outgoing chairperson may stand for election to committee.

3.8.  Decision making at committee meetings will be by simple majority. However any disciplinary action in relation to the conduct of a member will require a two-thirds majority decision.

3.9. 

(a)  An Extraordinary General Meeting of the Association may be called either by the chairperson and two of the committee or by two thirds of the membership of the association.

(b)  Ordinary meetings of the committee should be presided over by the chairperson. In his/her absence the members of the committee will appoint a chairperson for that meeting by simple majority. The chairperson or acting chairperson in the case of a tied vote shall have a casting vote.

4.  Annual General Meeting / Extraordinary General Meeting,

4.1.  The Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be convened each year.

4.2.  Written notice of the AGM including the agenda should be distributed to all members at least 14 days prior to the meeting.

4.3.  Notices of motion including any proposed changes to the Constitution should be sent to the Hon-Secretary to arrive at the latest 5 days prior to the AGM. Each such motion shall be submitted in writing and be duly signed by the proposer and seconder. (See also section 4.6).

4.4.  Nominations for officer positions must be submitted in writing duly proposed and seconded, (see as in 4.3), and must be received prior to the start of the AGM.

4.5.  The format of the AGM shall be as follows:

1.  Apologies for non-attendance.

2.  Condolences.

3.  Minutes of the previous AGM .

4.  Chairperson’s address.

5.  Hon-Secretary’s Report.

6.  Hon-Treasurer’s Report.

7.  Musical Director’s Address and plans for the coming season.

8.  Election of Chairperson. § (See note below).

9.  Election of Hon-Secretary. §

10.  Election of Hon-Treasurer. §

11.  Election of Committee. †

12.  Motions. (See also 4.3).

13.  Any other business.

§  In the event of a tie in voting for any of the Officers of the Association the Chairperson or Presiding Chairperson shall decide by open draw whereby the first name drawn will be deemed to have been elected.

†  In the event that more than the required number of persons are nominated for the Committee election shall be by secret ballot.

4.6.  All Motions may be adopted by simple majority vote at an AGM or EGM held.

4.7.  Only paid up members may attend and vote at an AGM or EGM.

5.  Finance.

5.1.  Treasurer's Duties:

The Treasurer shall maintain books of accounts and bank accounts and shall prepare annual accounts for presentation to the AGM.

5.2.  Expenditure:

All expenditure must be approved by the Committee and cheques drawn on the Associations accounts shall be signed by the Treasurer and one other nominated officer.

5.3.  Winding Up:

In the event of the Association being wound up any assets remaining after payment of outstanding liabilities shall be disposed of as determined at an EGM of the Association.

6.  Exceptional Circumstances.

Should any situation arise which is not covered by this Constitution, the Committee shall have the power to deal with same.