1 Name The name of the Group shall be Friends of Tuckmill
2 Aims The aims of the Group shall be
to work to the agreed management plan to maintain and enhance the ecology and habitats of Tuckmill Nature Reserve (TNR)
Encourage the goodwill and involvement of the local community and appreciation of TNR.
3. Powers To fulfil these aims the group, which defines ‘conservation’ as ‘enhancing’, not strictly as ‘keeping entire’ or ‘unchanging’
will adopt a long-term conservation management plan and coordinate a programme of practical conservation tasks and activities, including grazing stock on TNR with authorisation from Vale of White Horse District Council (VoWHDC) Property Services
will fundraise to further the aims and objectives of the group.
will open bank account
will take out insurance
may be able to contract staff and services
will acquire and manage tools and storage
will highlight, and raise public awareness of the reserve and to work with other bodies to secure its retention, and enhancement where appropriate;
will raise local awareness of the ecology of TNR through events, displays and other educational materials, social media
may comment upon those planning applications which are likely to have a significant impact upon the reserve
will liaise with VoWHDC
will carry out practical projects, and exchange information, working with all sections of the local community, Shrivenham and Watchfield Parish Councils, VoWHDC, the local schools, local businesses and other bodies as appropriate
may organise courses, events and activities as are in accordance with our Purpose and Objectives.
will monitor and record the flora and fauna of TNR, ensuring records are shared with local, regional and national charities and groups as appropriate.
will liaise and maintain regular contact with other relevant groups, particularly Berkshire Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust and national organisations;
may organise other events that are in keeping with our aims
will do anything that is lawful and in line with ‘best practice’ of risk management controls - which will help it to fulfil its aims.
4 Membership (a)Membership of the Group shall be open to any person or any organisation living or located in the area who is interested in helping the Group to achieve its aims, willing to abide by the rules of the Group and willing to pay any subscription agreed by the Management Committee. (b) Membership shall be available to anyone without regard to gender, race, nationality, disability, sexual preference, religion or belief. (c) Every individual member and each organisation shall have one vote at General Meetings. (d) The membership of any member may be terminated for good reason by the Management Committee but the member has a right to be heard by the Management Committee before a final decision is made. (e) Each member organisation shall appoint a representative to attend meetings of the Group and notify the Group’s Secretary of that person’s name. 5 Management (a) The Group shall be administered by a Management Committee of the Officers and as many additional members as Committee deems necessary elected at the Group's Annual General Meeting (AGM) or coopted mid-year for a short time. (b) The Officers of the Management Committee shall be: the Chairperson, the Treasurer, the Secretary and a Working Party Leader elected at the AGM. (c) The Management Committee shall meet at least 4 times a year. (d) The Chairperson shall Chair all meetings of the Group. In his/her unavoidable absence another committee member may be appointed by the committee. (e) The Chair shall occupy that position for a maximum of three consecutive years and shall not be eligible to stand for re-election to that position until a period of two years has passed. (f) The quorum for Management Committee meetings shall be 3 members which must include one of the officers. (g) Voting at Management Committee meetings shall be by show of hands. If there is a tied vote then the Chairperson shall have a second vote. (h) The Management Committee may, by a two-thirds majority, vote and for a good and proper reason remove any Committee member, provided that person has the right to be heard before a final decision is made. (i) other members who hold specific roles in support of TNR may be invited to attend a meeting A working party sub-committee may be appointed to plan and facilitate tool ordering and management, training and activities on the Reserve. Minutes shall be taken of all the Committee proceedings and these minutes shall be open for inspection by any member of The Group who applies to the Secretary.
6 Duties of the Officers. (a) The duties of the Chairperson are to: • chair meetings of the Committee and the Group • represent the Group at functions/meetings that the to which the Group has been invited. • act as spokesperson for the Group when necessary (b) The duties of the Secretary is to: • take and keep minutes of meetings • prepare the agenda for meetings of the Committee and the Group in consultation with the Chairperson • maintain the membership list
deal with correspondence
collect and circulate any relevant information within the Group
(c) The duties of the Treasurer are to: • supervise the financial affairs of the Group
keep proper accounts that show all monies collected and paid out by the Group
(d) The duties of the Working Party Coordinator
Plan Working parties to fulfil aims of the group
7 Finance (a) Any money obtained by the Group shall be used only for the Group. (b) Any bank accounts opened for the Group shall be in the name of the Friends of Tuckmill (c) Any cheques issued or withdrawals shall be signed by the Treasurer and one other nominated official.
8 Meetings - General At the AGM and any EGM each member, as specified in section 4, including the Chair, shall have one vote, and all resolutions shall be decided by a show of hands. In the case of an equality of votes the Chair shall have a casting vote.
9 Annual General Meeting (a) The Group shall hold an Annual General Meeting (A.G.M.) in March or April. (b) All members shall be given at least fourteen days’ notice of the A.G.M. and shall be entitled to attend and vote. The quorum for an AGM shall be 20% of the membership. (c) The business of the A.G.M. shall include: (i) receiving a report from the Chairperson on the Group's activities over the year (ii) receiving a report from the Treasurer on the finances of the Group (iii) electing a new Management Committee (iv) to agree subscription rates for the following year (v) to consider any proposal which has been distributed with the notice of the meeting.
10 Extraordinary General Meeting An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called by the Management Committee or by any 2 members to discuss an urgent matter. The Secretary shall give all members fourteen days’ notice of any Special General Meeting together with notice of the business to be discussed. All members shall be entitled to attend and vote. In the case of an equality of votes the Chair shall have a casting vote. The quorum at an EGM shall be 20% of the paid up membership.
11 Alterations to the Constitution Any changes to this Constitution must be agreed by at least two-thirds of those members present and voting at any General Meeting.
12 Dissolution The Group may be wound up at any time if agreed by two-thirds of those members present and voting at any General Meeting. In the event of winding up, any assets remaining after all debts have been paid shall be given to the Vale of the White Horse DC to continue similar aims.