The Constitution has changed over the years as shown below.

CHANGE TO THE CONSTITUTION PASSED AT THE AGM ON 25TH MAY, 2023

In clause 6, after “AGM.” , Insert :

“Should an individual member be elected to two of the above offices, then the number of ordinary Committee members shall be increased by one.”  Note: this change has not yet been incorporated into the Constitution as printed above.

CONSTITUTION

OF THE CARDIGAN AND DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB

PURPOSE

To provide a meeting point for retired or semi-retired business and professional men and women at which they can contact and maintain fellowship with others in like circumstances.

 1) The Club shall be called “he Cardigan and District Probus Club” hereinafter referred to as “he Club” It shall be autonomous, non-sectarian and non-political. Proceedings of the Club shall normally be conducted in English.

 2) The Club shall be conducted on a non-profit making basis and its funds shall be used only as directed by its members at a General Meeting.

 3) Membership of the Club shall be by invitation and at the discretion of the Committee.  Existing Probus members may be transferred from another Club with Committee approval. New applicants must be sponsored by a current member and attend a General Meeting as a guest prior to consideration by the Committee. Membership may be withdrawn at the Committee’ discretion subject to endorsement by a General Meeting.

 4) An Annual General Meeting shall be held in May. At least three weeks notice of the Meeting shall be given, specifying the date, time, place and business of the Meeting. On each issue which is voted upon each current member of the Club present shall have one vote, except for the Chairman who shall also be entitled to a casting vote. Unless the Chairman rules otherwise, voting shall be by show of hands.

 5) At the AGM the previous year’s Vice-chairman shall be automatically elected as Chairman. The following Officers shall be elected at the AGM.

a) A Vice-chairman who shall deputise in the absence of the Chairman and who will be responsible for arranging the programme for the following year.

b) A Secretary who shall maintain a record of the Club’ business and membership and deal with correspondence not dealt with by another Officer.

c) A Treasurer who shall be responsible for handling the Club’ financial affairs, keeping proper accounts, advising the Club on its financial situation and preparing a statement of the accounts for presentation to each member at the beginning of the AGM.

d) A Press Officer who shall prepare and deliver reports of the Club’ activities to appropriate press and other media.

6) The day-to -day business of the Club shall be dealt with by a Committee consisting of the above five Officers, the immediate Past Chairman (see 7 below) and three Ordinary Members of the Club elected at the AGM. Should an individual member be elected to two of the above offices, then the number of ordinary Committee members shall be increased by one. Casual vacancies may be filled by co-option, but the co-option of an Officer must be ratified at the next General Meeting. The Committee may co-opt additional members. The quorum for a Committee meeting shall be three, of whom at least one must be the Chairman or Vice-chairman.

7) All Officers and Committee Members shall retire annually but, with the exception of the Chairman, shall be eligible for re-election. The Immediate Past Chairman shall become an ex-officio member of the Committee for one year and shall thereafter become eligible for election to any position.

8) Otherwise than is provided for in this Constitution the Committee shall have powers to act as determined from time to time by General Meetings of the Club. Meetings of the Committee shall be at a time, place and frequency as determined by the Committee subject to a minimum of two meetings a year. The Secretary shall prepare notices and agendas for each meeting and keep minutes. Any two members of the Committee shall be able to requisition a meeting, which should be held within two weeks of the request being made.

9) There shall be an annual subscription which shall be determined by the AGM and which becomes due immediately thereafter. Couples may apply for Joint Membership at a discounted rate to be determined at the time of setting the normal memmbership subscription. Joint Members shall be individually entitled to all rights enjoyed by single members. A new member joining before the 10th November shall pay the full subscription but anyone joining on or after that date shall pay half the amount until the next subscription is due.

10) The financial year shall begin on the 1st April. The Club shall open a bank account with withdrawals being authorised by any two of the Secretary, Treasurer or Chairman or otherwise as determined by the AGM. Electronic banking may be used by the Treasurer but only with the prior written or emailed sanction of one of the other authorised signatories for each transaction and the provision of adequate protection of the accounts. Two members shall be appointed by the AGM to act as auditors.

11) The normal programme of Club meetings shall be paid for from Club funds but events which require a fee for those attending should be self-supporting. Any profit shall be paid into Club finds and the Committee may agree to any loss being made up from the funds. Members indicating their intention to attend but failing to do so without giving adequate notice will be held responsible for their share of the cost as though they had attended. The Committee shall have the discretion to waive this rule in exceptional circumstances.

12) An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called by the Secretary on receipt of a written request from ten members giving details of the matters for discussion. No other business shall be considered at such a meeting. All members must be notified at least twenty one days before the date fixed.

13) In the event of the dissolution of the Club any remaining moneys shall be paid to a charity which has previously been supported by the Club.

14) This Constitution may be changed only by two thirds of the members present at an AGM voting in favour of the change, twenty one days prior notice of the change having been given to each member on the Club roll. A copy of the Constitution shall be provided to any member on request.

The version above is as amended by the AGM held on the 23rd May, 2024.

CHANGE TO THE CONSTITUTION PASSED AT THE AGM ON 23RD MAY, 2024

 1) Amend the Constitution as follows: Insert after the first sentence of Section 9 – “Couples may apply for Joint Membership at a discounted rate to be determined at the time of settling the normal membership subscription. Joint Members shall be individually entitled to all rights enjoyed by single Members.”