Brecon Fairtrade Town Steering Group constitution
Name:

Brecon Fairtrade Town Steering Group (referred to below as the Group)


Objectives:

• To promote the concept of Fairtrade
• To raise awareness of the Fairtrade Mark among businesses, retailers, employers and the general public of Brecon
• To increase sales of Fairtrade produce in Brecon
• To maintain and build on Brecon's status as a Fairtrade Town in accordance with guidelines issued by the Fairtrade Foundation

Powers:
In pursuit of the objectives in Clause 2 the Group shall have the power to:

• Raise funds
• Organise events
• Publicise events, activities and issues by all appropriate means
• Subscribe to or co-operate with other related groups and organisations
• Appoint subcommittees to carry out particular tasks
• Meet whatever health and safety and other requirements may relate to group activities

Membership:

Membership of the Group shall be open to individuals and representatives of other groups and organisations, active within the town of Brecon, who are interested in and committed to the objectives in Clause 2.

The Group must include one representative of Brecon Town Council. A wide range of other groups should be represented including churches, Fairtrade retailers, voluntary organisations, businesses, and schools.

• No organisation shall have more than one representative on the Group.
• New members shall be accepted by majority agreement of the existing Group members.
• The maximum number of Group members shall be 15.
• Individuals and organisations who support the objectives in Clause 2 but do not wish to serve on the Steering Group may become Affiliate Members. Affiliate Members will be kept informed of Group activities and be invited to take part in events and the AGM.

Officers:

Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, Publicity Officer.

Officers to be elected by the Group and to hold office for one year or until the next AGM, when they may be re-elected. No officer shall hold the same position for more than 3 consecutive years.

Meetings:

• Not less than 4 per year (including the AGM.)
• At least 7 days' notice to be given of ordinary meetings.
• Items for the agenda may be put forward by any Group member.
• At least 3 members of the Group must be present for decisions to be taken

Decisions to be made by consensus wherever possible. If a vote is necessary, each Group member shall have one vote. The Chair shall have anadditional casting vote where necessary.

Any Group member who fails to attend more than 4 consecutive meetings without giving notice may be asked to confirm their interest in remaining a member.

Annual General Meeting:

To be held in November of each year. Three weeks' notice to be given of the date and the meeting to be publicly advertised. Business to include:

• Review of the Group's activities as compared with the criteria for Fairtrade Towns set down by the Fairtrade Foundation
• Presentation of the Group's accounts
• Election of officers

Finance

Any money raised shall be used for the objectives set out in Clause 2.

The Group shall open a bank account in the name of the Brecon Fairtrade Town Steering Group. Withdrawals shall be made on the signature of two of the Group officers.

Accounts of the Group's income and expenditure shall be kept by the Treasurer. A short report should be made to each Group meeting with full accounts presented to the AGM.

Changes to the Constitution

Changes to this Constitution may only be made by a Special General Meeting which should be called and advertised in the same way as an AGM. At least two thirds of those present must agree any such changes.

Dissolution

The Group may be dissolved by a two thirds majority of those present at a SGM called for this purpose.

Any assets remaining after settlement of any debts and liabilities shall be transferred to another organisation seeking to promote Fairtrade and Trade Justice in Brecon or a wider geographical area.

Constitution adopted 28/9/2005

Signatures