Constitution

Street & Walton Men's Shed Constitution

1. Constitution

Name: Street & Walton Men’s Shed.

a). Our group is named Street & Walton Men’s Shed will be a workshop and social environment based upon the ‘UK Men’s Shed Association’ model which is primarily aimed at Men over the age of 55.

b) Street & Walton Men’s Shed, will be an “all-inclusive shed” and not be gender or age specific, although prospective members must be over 18 to apply.

2. Aims and purposes of the Association:

a) To provide a base for members to meet and connect with others while participating in group, community or individual projects and provide opportunities for socialising in a safe, friendly and inclusive environment while at the same time endeavouring to provide the space, expertise and facilities for its members to pursue hobbies, and creative activities.

b) To undertake projects that are acceptable to the group and which are of benefit to the individuals involved and/or the wider community.

c) To endeavour to assist its members to maintain and improve their health and wellbeing as a result of participation in the group, while making new friends and enjoying working on a range of projects.
3. Carrying out the purposes of the Association: The Management Committee will have powers to:
a) Raise funds, receive grants and donations.
b) Apply funds to carry out the work of the group.
c) Co-operate with and support other groups and charities with similar purposes.
d) Do anything lawful and necessary to achieve the purposes of Street & Walton Men’s Shed.
4. Management Committee:
Street & Walton Men’s Shed will be managed by a committee appointed at the group’s ‘Annual General Meeting’ (AGM) of the association. The nominated prospective members must have been a fully paid member for at least one (1) year.
a) The Management Committee will be made up of not less than three (3) people. Members of the Management Committee will be elected from the general membership from time to time as required. Committee cannot sit with less than three (3) Committee members.
b) The Management Committee will be responsible for the financial and social well-being of the group. Invitees may attend Management’s Committee meetings from time to time as required. Invitees are not allowed to vote. From time to time the Management Committee may ask non committee members to form sub-committees to perform tasks as required.
c) The Management Committee will keep all other members of the group informed of the decisions they make and the work they do.
d) Any changes or additions to this Constitution will be discussed and decided upon with a ‘majority decision’ by the Management Committee and ratified at the next AGM. If needed the Chair will have the casting vote in the event of there being no majority.
e) Accounts must be kept and made available upon request.
5. Membership:
a) All members will be required to fill in an application form and sign confirming that they have read this constitution and agree to be bound by the rules therein. People who apply to become members and once accepted; their membership will last for one year and is renewable.
b) Annual registration fee and session contribution is to be set each year by a proposal and vote at the AGM on the recommendation of the treasurer.
c) The Management Committee will keep an up-to-date membership list.
d) Only full members may vote at the AGM or EGM.
e) Management Committee may remove a person’s membership if they believe it is in the best interests of the group. The member has the right to be heard by the Management Committee and to be accompanied by another person if required. The decision of the Management Committee is final in all matters after an appeal from the member.
6. Annual general meeting (AGM)
a) The AGM must be held every year, with at least 14 days’ notice given to all members telling them what is on the agenda. Minutes will be kept of the AGM.
b) There must be at least one quarter (25%) of the members present at the AGM.
c) Every full member has one vote.
d) The Management Committee shall present the annual report and accounts
e) Any full member may stand for election as an Officer or a Committee Member
f) Members shall elect a Chairman, a Treasurer, and a Secretary and up to seven (7) Committee Members to serve the next year. They will stand down at the next AGM but may stand for re-election. All Officers: Treasurer, Secretary and Chairman will only serve for a maximum of three consecutive years. If there are no nominations for a vacant post, the officer in post may serve for another year if required with agreement of the members at the AGM. All attempts should be made to find a new officer for the post at the next AGM.
g) The Management Committee must hold at least 3 meetings each year, one of which is the AGM.
h) At least 60% of the committee members must be present at the meeting to be able to make decisions. Minutes to be kept of every meeting”
i) If a Committee member has a conflict of interest, they must declare it and leave the meeting while the matter is being discussed and decided.
j) During the year, the Management Committee may appoint up to 2 additional Committee Members, who will stand down at the next AGM, but may stand for re-election.
k) The Management Committee may make reasonable additional rules to help run the association. These rules must not conflict with this constitution or the law.
7. Extraordinary General Meetings (EGM):
If the Management Committee considers it necessary to change the constitution, or wind up the association, they must call an Extraordinary General Meeting so that the membership can make the decision. All members must be given 14 days’ notice and told the reason for the meeting. All decisions require a two thirds majority.
a) Extraordinary General Meetings may be called on written request from a majority of members.
b) Management Committee may also call an Extraordinary General Meeting to consult membership.
c) Winding up – any money or property remaining after payment of debts must be given to an association with similar objectives to the shed or a nominated Charity.
d) Minutes must be kept of the meeting.

8. Money and Property
a) Money and property must only be used for the Association’s purposes.
b) Management Committee must keep accounts. The most recent annual accounts can be seen by any member on request and be part of the annual report at the AGM.
c) Management Committee or members cannot receive any money or property from the association, except to refund reasonable out of pocket expenses.
d) Money must be held in the Association’s bank account.
e) Three signatories will be nominated, two of whom are required to sign all cheques. (So that there will always be someone available to sign cheques if anyone is away or unavailable).

9. Data protection:
All members need to agree to their personal data being held by the Street & Walton Men’s Shed on a computer or hard copy, I.A.W. General Data Protection Regulations 2018. The Street & Walton Men’s Shed’s Data protection policy is held by the Duty Supervisor and Chairman and is available to read on request.

10. Health and Safety:
a) Each member is responsible for their own safety and the safety of their fellow members.
b) All members will be responsible for maintaining the groups’ property in a tidy, usable, and safe condition.
c) Any damage to equipment, property or any losses are to be reported to the Duty Supervisor or Management Committee member as soon as possible, also a record of any damage etc. will be kept in the form of a report or book for the Management Committee,
d) All damaged equipment is to be removed from the workshop or isolated until it has been repaired or replaced.
e) A Workshop Safe Operating Procedures Manual will be held by the Duty Supervisor and made available to all members using the workshops. The Manual will be reviewed yearly or as required.
f) Health & Safety Risk Assessments will be carried out on all shed activities and the Risk Policy and Assessments will be held by the Duty Supervisor and displayed on the notice boards. The Policy and Risk Assessments will be reviewed at yearly intervals or as required. A log of all accidents, injuries and use of first aid kits is to be kept by the Duty Supervisor.
g) At no time will alcohol be consumed on the premises, anyone who it is believed to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be banned from the shed until the Management Committee deems otherwise.
h) The shed is a No Smoking area. No naked lights etc. are to be used in the shed unless they are part of a process such as brazing and then only when there are no flammable liquids present.
11) Equality, Diversity and Adults at risk Policies.
a) In carrying out its functions The Street & Walton Men’s Shed is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all, and to ensuring that no individual is discriminated against in the planning and delivery of any of our activities.
b) We therefore aim to ensure that the values of equality, diversity, and respect for all are embedded into everything that we do.
c) The full Equality & Diversity Policy will be held by the Duty Supervisor and available to all members to read. It will be reassessed as required.
d) The Shed will operate Adults at Risk Safeguarding Policy; a copy of The Policy will be kept by the Duty Supervisor and a summary displayed on the Shed notice board. The Policy will be renewed at yearly intervals.
e) Every effort will be made to accommodate less able applicants, but the Management Committee reserve the right to refuse membership to anyone disabled or able bodied if they believe that they would be unable to work safely in the shed.
Signed on behalf of the Association:
Chairman:
Brian Bastable Witness: Mike Smith
Dated: 12th September 2020