Constitution
RULES OF THE CRANBOURNE AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY
Section 1: Description
The Organisation shall be known as "Cranbourne Amateur Dramatic Society" (the Society)
Section 2: Objects
a) The primary objective of the Society is to give to the local community and surrounding areas the opportunity to learn the technique and art of theatre or to benefit from the provision of entertainment. The Organisation shall have as its main object the production of plays and play readings. It may also undertake or join in other entertainments with any other organisations to the furtherance of its objectives.
b) The Society shall endeavour to give annually a season of performances of dramatic or similar works.
c) The funds of the Society and all monies accruing thereto shall be devoted to the purposes above mentioned. However an aim of the Society shall be to devote a part of the net proceeds of public performances in the first place to St Peter's Church Cranbourne and in the second place to charities or a suitable public benefice and in every case at the discretion of the Committee.
d) In the event of the dissolution of the Society the remaining funds shall be devoted to objects similar to those of the Society or to other purposes approved by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.
Section 3: Annual Membership
a) The Annual Membership shall consist of Acting Members and Non-Acting Members and such Honorary Life Members as the Committee shall decide. Each Member shall pay the appropriate Annual Subscription and upon being accepted into membership by the committee shall have the right to attend all public and private meetings of the Society and vote thereat and to enjoy all the privileges of Membership of the Society.
b) Each Non-Acting Member shall pay an annual subscription and shall have the right to attend play readings and rehearsals of the Society. They shall also be notified personally of forthcoming productions and social events and be invited to attend the Annual General Meeting. As well as having the right to vote, Non-Acting Members may also serve on the Committee in any capacity.
c) Honorary Life Members shall have the same rights and privileges as Ordinary Members except that an Honorary Life Member shall not hold office nor serve on the Committee.
Section 4: Subscriptions
a) Subscriptions shall be due and become payable at the time of the Annual General Meeting each year and membership shall be conditional upon paying those fees. Members joining the Society in the first six months following the AGM shall be required to pay full fees. Members joining after the lapse of six months following the AGM shall be required to pay a reduced subscription, at the discretion of the Committee. Only such Members as have paid the annual subscription shall be eligible to act on our stage, vote or otherwise share in the activities of the Society.
b) Subscriptions will be determined and reviewed annually by the Committee of the Society.
Section 5: Administration and Officers
a) The Society shall assemble in General Meeting at least once per annum to discuss the past achievements and the future policy of the Society.
b) The President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Society shall be elected and Committee vacancies filled at the Annual General Meeting of The Cranbourne Amateur Dramatic Society not less than twenty-one days' notice whereof shall be given to the Membership. At such Annual General Meeting an audited statement of the year's income and expenditure of the Society shall be duly presented by the Committee for the consideration of the Society. The President and Vice President shall be accorded all the privileges of Members.
Section 6: The Committee
a) The Committee shall consist of four Ordinary Members, the Treasurer and the Secretary, and such Members as the Committee shall co-opt. The Committee shall elect from its number a Chairman and a Vice Chairman. It shall be empowered during its year of office to carry on the whole business of the Society and administer its funds except that it shall not expend a sum in the excess of £500 (Five Hundred Pounds) on any single capital project without the approval of the Members given at the Annual General Meeting and to deal with all essential matters in such a way as shall be determined by a majority vote at any Committee Meeting.
b) Committee Meetings shall be called by at least fourteen clear days' notice. A quorum shall consist of four members of the Committee.
c) The Committee shall have power to co-opt Members to fill Committee vacancies occasioned by resignation or other loss of membership or such special officers or persons whom they may deem essential or desirable.
d) Committee Members shall serve for a maximum term of three years after which term they shall be eligible for re-election. Co-opted Members of the Committee shall serve for three years from the date of the Annual General Meeting following their co-option, after which term they shall be eligible for re-election in the normal way. A Co-opted Member of the Committee shall have the same rights and responsibilities as an elected Member of the Committee. At the Annual General Meeting, the full membership of the Committee shall be made known to those present, with re-election being sought for those eligible. The Annual General Meeting is not required to endorse or ratify the co-option of Members of the Committee during the preceding twelve months. Such co-options being at the discretion of the elected Committee.
e) The Committee shall have the power to refuse membership to or take away membership from any person's who is/are being obstructive or causing harm to the successful running of the Society or who is/are seen or perceived as posing a threat to the well-being or safety of members, their families or the community.
f) The Committee shall have power to employ in salaried or honorary capacity on behalf of the objects of the Society any person or persons whom they may deem essential or desirable. The Members of the Society will not receive payment either direct or indirect for their services for other than legitimate expenses incurred in its work.
Section 7: Director
To facilitate the presentation of plays and other operations of the Society the Committee shall elect a Director of its Productions. The duties of the Director shall be specified by the Committee to whom he/she shall be directly responsible.
Section 8: Alteration of Rules
These rules can only be altered by a General Meeting of the Society of which fourteen days' notice in writing shall be given and any proposed alterations shall be mailed at least one week prior to the meeting.
Section 9: Extraordinary General Meeting
An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called at any time by the Committee or on application by any ten Members of the Society. Fourteen days' notice in writing of such a meeting stating the purpose of the meeting shall be given to the membership. Only such business as has been notified shall be conducted at an Extraordinary General Meeting.
Formed 31 May 1991. Revised September 2009