Rules of the Society Revised in accordance with the Annual General Meeting of the society on April 2003 Title 1. That the Society shall be called the 'Felixstowe Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society'.2. That this
style and title shall be reserved solely for the Society as a whole, and shall not be used by any other member, or group of members, without the authority of the Management Committee. Object 3. That the objects of the Society shall be to foster and encourage musical and dramatic appreciation,
education and culture, by rehearsal and amateur dramatic performance of such suitable dramatic and operatic works as may be selected by the Committee at such times and places as the Committee may consider
desirable. Management 4. That the funds of the Society shall be devoted to its stated objects.
5. That no payment other than out-of-pocket expenses shall be made to any member of the Society. 6. That in the event of the Society ceasing its activities, all funds remaining after the discharge of all
debts, shall be devoted to such charities as may be decided by a majority of the members at a General Meeting. The members of the Society are jointly responsible for the debts of the Society. 7. That the
Management of the Society shall be vested in the Management Committee, consisting of the Officers of the Society, i.e., the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Hon.Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Business Manager and
six other members of the Society. 8. That not fewer than five members of the Committee shall form a quorum, provided that this number includes at least two of the Officers of the Society as defined in Rule
7. 9. That the Chairman of the Society shall be the Chairman of the Management Committee, and in the event of equality of votes, shall have the casting vote. Election of Officers 10. The Officers as defined in Rule 7 shall be elected annually by the members of the Society at the Annual
General Meeting and upon retiring shall be eligible for re-election. Members of the Management Committee other than the Officers shall be elected by the members of the Society at the Annual General
Meeting. All the positions on the Committee, both officers and committee members, become vacant at the AGM. Any member of the Society shall be either proposed or seconded by two separate
members of the society, or formally proposed and seconded by the Management Committee Any candidate who wishes to stand for election must be nominated and proposed and the secretary informed at
least 24 hours before the AGM.11. At the first committee meeting of the newly elected Management Committee, four Sub-Committees shall be appointed, one each for Dramatic, Operatic, Juniors and Social
activities and each Sub-Committee shall have a minimum of three members. A Chairman for each of these Committees shall be appointed from the Management Committee. 12. At the first committee meeting of the
newly elected Management Committee, the Membership Secretary, Publicity Manager, Wardrobe Supervisor, FADOS House Supervisors or any position that the Management Committee consider to be desirable for the
efficient running of the Society shall be appointed. These positions may be filled by Officers, Committee members or ordinary members as decided by the Management Committee. 13. If a Committee member
resigns, then the post may be left vacant until the next Annual General Meeting, or temporarily filled by an election by the Committee. Powers of the Committee 14. The Management Committee shall have power to co-opt such person or persons as are qualified to assist in
their administration.15. That the Management Committee shall have power to refuse membership of the Society to any applicant, or to suspend or expel any member of the Society if they
deem such action desirable in the interests of the society. 16. That the Management Committee shall meet not less than once a calendar month, unless, in the opinion and upon the responsibility of the
Chairman and Hon. Secretary, there is no business calling for discussion. 17. By prior arrangement with the Secretary, a member may attend a Committee Meeting to discuss a particular matter.
Sub-Committees 18. Each Sub-Committee shall have the power to co-opt as many ordinary members of the Society as may be
considered necessary from time to time to organise their activities. The Officers of the Society shall be ex-officio members of the Sub-Committees and shall be informed of the meeting dates.19. Each
Sub-Committee shall appoint a Secretary who shall keep minutes of all meeting, and prepare reports for submission to the Management Committee. No Sub-Committee shall have the authority to enter into any
commitment without agreement from Management Committee. Subscriptions
20. That the members shall pay an annual subscription as agreed at the previous Annual General
Meeting to the Society not later than the 31st January. Those members under 18 years of age shall pay an annual subscription of half that of members. New members (not lapsed members) joining during the year
shall pay a subscription for a period pro-rata to the annual subscription. Each member of the cast of a play or musical may be liable to pay a fee at a rate determined by the Management Committee, should
such action be necessary to keep the finances of the Society in a state of balance. Such fee to be announced before auditions. Membership 21. Intending members should obtain a form of application which should be completed and returned with the
appropriate subscription. Members and Patrons have voting rights but Junior members do not. Junior members shall be aged between 7 and 18 with the option to remain Junior members to age 21 if in full-time
education. Productions 22. All productions staged by the Society shall be agreed by the main Committee. The appointed Producer
shall be responsible for the production and shall in conjunction with the Chairman of the Sub-Committee and the Treasurer, prepare a budget which shall be approved by the main Committee. Financial 23. That the financial year be to 31st December.24. That a Statement of Income and Expenditure in
connection with the finances of each production shall be submitted to the Management Committee as soon as possible after each production. 25. That the Income and Expenditure Account for
the financial year be prepared and audited, and, together with an Income and Expenditure Account for each major production, be presented to the members at the Annual General Meeting. Annual General Meeting 26. That an Annual General Meeting be held within eight weeks following the close of the Financial Year, not
less than seven days' notice being given in writing to all members of the Society, to consider the reports of the Officers and the Annual Accounts, and to elect Officers and Committees for the ensuing year.
Extraordinary General Meeting 27. That an Extraordinary Meeting may be called by the Management Committee giving not less than seven days'
notice in writing to members of the Society or by notice in writing to the Hon. Secretary, signed by at least 25 members of the Society at least 14 days prior to the date desired, together with a copy of the
Agenda.28. That the Chairman shall have the power to adjourn any meeting of the Society. Presidents and Vice-Presidents 29. A Chairman, on relinquishing that office, shall become President of the Society until such time as there
is a further change of Chairman, when he shall become Vice-President for life. The position of Hon. Life Vice-President may be bestowed on past members on the recommendation of the Management Committee for
services to the Society. This honour to be confirmed at the next Annual General Meeting. Auditors 30. That the Auditors be elected annually by the members and the persons selected shall not hold any other
office in the Society, or be a member of any Committee. Patrons 31. Members of the public may be invited to become Patrons of the Society on the payment of a prescribed
donation, payable on 1st January. Patrons shall receive one free highest priced seat for one performance of each of any 2 productions presented by FADOS. The name of every patron shall be printed in all
suitable programmes. Patrons shall be entitled to the same early booking facilities as members. Trustees 32. There shall not be more than four and not fewer than two Trustees of the Society. The Trustees shall be
appointed by the Management Committee and they shall hold office until death or resignation unless removed from office by a resolution of the Management Committee. The property of the Society (other than
cash which shall be under the control of the Hon. Treasurer) shall be vested in the Trustees of the Society to be sold, leased, mortgaged or otherwise dealt with by them as the Management Committee shall
from time to time direct by resolution of which an entry in the minutes shall be sufficient evidence. The Trustees shall be indemnified against any risk and expense out of property of the Society.
Amendments and Alterations to Rules 33. That any resolution amending, altering or adding to these rules, be submitted in writing to the Hon.
Secretary at least 14 days before the end of the calendar year.34. That any matter not covered in these rules be dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee. |
