1. NAME
The Orchestra shall be called the Somerset County Orchestra.
2. OBJECTS
The objects of the Orchestra shall be to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of music by the presentation of public concerts and recitals.
3. MEMBERSHIP
Membership of the Orchestra shall be open to all persons interested in furthering the objects of the Orchestra whether as playing or non-playing members. Applications for membership shall be subject to approval by the Committee.
4. THE ORCHESTRA
(a) Any orchestra shall be formed from those members of the Orchestra who may from time to time be invited to play by the Committee, in consultation with the conductor.
(b) Members of the Orchestra who wish to play in any orchestra shall, if required by the Committee, submit themselves for audition.
(c) Auditions shall be held in accordance with arrangements made by the Committee.
(d) The Committee may engage additional players or principals.
5. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
(a) The general business of the Orchestra shall be managed by a Committee consisting of the officers and seven other members.
(b) The officers shall be the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.
(c) After four consecutive years in office the Chairman shall retire and will not be eligible for re-election until two further years have elapsed.
(d) The Committee shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.
(e) The quorum of the Committee shall be five.
(f) The Chairman or individual acting as Chairman of the Annual General Meeting or Committee Meeting shall have a second, casting vote.
(g) The Committee shall have the power to appoint a President who will normally remain in office for a period of three years. The President shall become an ex-officio member of the Orchestra.
(h) Such President shall preside at the Annual General Meeting. The President may attend Committee Meetings and speak but, unless acting as Chairman at the invitation of the Committee, shall not be entitled to vote on any matter.
(i) The Committee shall have the power to co-opt additional members.
(j) The Committee in their discretion may invite any individual to attend a meeting, who may speak but not vote on any matter.
(k) The Treasurer shall be responsible for the custody of all funds of the Orchestra, the maintenance of proper accounts and the production of a financial statement at the Annual General Meeting. He shall on request prepare statements for the Committee necessary for their meetings.
(l) The Secretary, in consultation with the Chairman, shall be responsible for notifying members of meetings and sending them the agenda and accompanying papers beforehand. Minutes of General Meetings and of Committee Meetings shall be taken by the Secretary and circulated to members of the Orchestra and of the Committee respectively prior to the holding of the next following General or Committee Meeting as the case may be.
6. SUBSCRIPTIONS
(a) Members shall pay an annual subscription, the amount of which shall be decided by the Orchestra at a General Meeting after considering the recommendations of the Committee. The annual subscription shall be payable on the first day of September in respect of the orchestral year which shall be deemed to commence on that date.
(b) Members playing in any orchestra shall be required to pay such dues as the Committee shall decide as appropriate to meet the expenses of the Orchestra.
7. AUDITING OF ACCOUNTS
The accounts of the Orchestra shall be audited annually by an auditor who shall be appointed at each Annual General Meeting, or, upon his ceasing to be auditor at any date between General Meetings, by the Committee pending the holding of a General Meeting.
8. GENERAL MEETING
(a) Notice of the holding of the Annual General Meeting shall be given to all members in writing not less than fourteen days before the date of such meeting and such notice shall specify the business to be transacted at the meeting.
(b) Additional General Meetings may be called by the Chairman at any time on giving not less than fourteen days notice and shall be called on similar notice at the written request of six or more members.
9. ALTERATION OF THE RULES
No alteration may be made to this constitution except at a General Meeting. The notice convening the meeting shall specify the nature of the proposed alteration which shall take effect only if not less than two-thirds of the members of the Orchestra present and voting agree. No alteration to clauses two or eleven or this clause shall be made without the prior approval of the Charity Commissioners and no amendment or addition or deletion shall be made the effect of which would cause the Orchestra at any time to cease to be a charity at law.
10. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
(a) Any person may resign from the Orchestra on giving notice to that effect to the Secretary or Chairman.
(b) Any person who does not within a reasonable time pay the subscription or dues properly demanded of him shall be liable to have his membership terminated by the Committee.
(c) The Committee may, after due enquiry, terminate the membership of any member whose conduct is contrary to the interests of the Orchestra and the attainments of their objects PROVIDED THAT no decision to terminate membership shall be taken unless the member has received notice of the complaint against him and been accorded a reasonable opportunity of being heard by the Committee.
11. DISSOLUTION
The Orchestra may be dissolved by a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at a Special General Meeting convened for the purpose of which 21 days notice shall have been given to members. Such resolution may give instructions for the disposal of any assets held by the Orchestra provided that if any property remains after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities such property shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Orchestra but shall be given or transferred to such other institutions having objects similar to some or all of the objects of the Orchestra as the Orchestra may with the approval of the Charity Commissioners or other authority having charitable jurisdiction determine.
