CONSTITUTION OF THE RiNG – RHEUMATOID in NORFOLK GROUP

2  AIMS
• Shall be the social inclusion and education of all those, primarily in Norfolk, affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis, their carers and friends and those professionally involved in their care and treatment.
• Arrange meetings and social events for delivery of support, education and entertainment to members
• Promote the employment and healthcare needs of members to employers, statutory and voluntary organisations in Norfolk and beyond.
• Signpost interested parties to reliable and appropriate sources of information about Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Raise the profile and public awareness of Rheumatoid Arthritis locally and create a better understanding of the varied difficulties experienced by those with the disease.
• Raise money through subscriptions and other means to make the group self-sufficient, with the option of fundraising at members’ discretion to support causes related to Rheumatoid Arthritis both locally and nationally.
• Work in partnership where appropriate with organisations and individuals who share some or all of our objectives.

3  MEMBERSHIP
a) Membership of the group shall be open to anyone in Norfolk or North Suffolk who feels they can benefit from it, is interested in helping the group meet its aims, is willing to abide by the rules of the group and pay the subscription fee agreed annually by the management committee and members attending the Annual General Meeting.
b) Associate membership of the group shall be available free of charge by invitation to anyone the committee considers to be appropriate.

4  MANAGEMENT
a) The group shall be independent and administered by a management committee of no fewer than four and no more than nine members elected at the group’s annual General Meeting.
b) The officers of the committee shall be: the chair, the treasurer and the secretary.
c) In the event of an officer standing down during the year, a replacement will be elected by the management committee who would hold office until the next AGM.
d) The management committee shall meet at least once a month.
e) The chair or a nominated deputy shall chair all meetings of the group.
f)  The committee shall be quorate when at least three of the management committee are present but any decision taken by fewer than four members will be subject to reconsideration if at least two other management committee members object to it.
g) Voting at management committee meetings shall be by a show of hands.
If there is a tied vote, the chair shall have a second vote.

5  OFFICERS
There will be a chair who will be responsible for chairing the Management Meetings and AGM, a secretary, supported by other members of the Management Committee, who will keep minutes of both and undertake correspondence and a treasurer who will be responsible for keeping the accounts and making and receiving any payments on behalf of the group.

6  FINANCE
a) Any money obtained by the group will be used first to ensure and safeguard its self-sufficiency and any surplus can be donated at the Management Committee’s discretion to causes or bodies who support Rheumatoid Arthritis.
b) The profits from any event held by the group in support of a specific cause will be donated in full to that cause.
c) Any bank accounts opened for the group shall be in the name of the group.
d) Any cheques issued shall be signed by the Treasurer and one of three other nominated officials.

7  ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
a) The group shall hold an AGM in the month of September
b) All members shall be given at least 14 days notice of the AGM and shall be entitled to attend and vote.
c) The business of the AGM shall include:
1) Receiving a report from the chair on the group’s activities during the year.
2) Receiving a report from the treasurer on the finances of the group.
3) Considering any other matters on the agenda.

8  DISSOLUTION
If the Committee decides to DISSOLVE the group, this will be by majority vote at a special general meeting held with at least 21 days written notice.  Any assets remaining after meeting all liabilities shall be disbursed to other charitable causes benefiting similarly affected groups (as approved by The Charity Commissioners, if applicable).

9  AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
This CONSTITUTION may be AMENDED by an AGM or EGM resolution supported by a majority of those attending.

10 ADOPTION
This CONSTITUTION was adopted at a meeting held on 17th September 2008 at The Village Inn, Little Melton, Norfolk.