MBKA Constitution

Constitution of the Medway and County Kent Beekeepers Association

Name: Medway and Kent County Beekeepers’ Association to be known informally as Medway Beekeepers’ Association.
Federated to: British Beekeepers’ Association

Aims:

  1. To promote the improvement and advancement of beekeeping and to enhance the knowledge and skills for beekeepers.
  2. To inform and educate the public in the craft of beekeeping including the role of bees in maintaining biodiversity.

Administration

  1. The Association will be funded by voluntary and mandatory contributions.
  2. Annual subscriptions will be set by members at the Annual General Meeting.
  3. The Association will hold and maintain in good order property and equipment for the use of the Association and its members.
  4. The Association will liaise with its members and other associations and institutions to share knowledge and information via regular meetings and newsletters.
  5. The Association will abide by any legal requirements and regulations as necessary.

Officers

The officers of the Association are:

Hon President       Elected for three years and eligible for re-election
Chairman               Elected at the Annual General Meeting
Treasurer               Elected at the Annual General Meeting
Secretary               Elected at the Annual General Meeting

Committee

  1. The Committee will be drawn from the membership.
  2. The Committee will comprise of the elected officers and up to six elected members.
  3. The Committee shall have the power to co-opt up to three additional members in order to assist the discharge of its duties.
  4. The Committee will meet regularly, at least three times per year.
  5. Minutes will be taken at each meeting and made available to members.
  6. Meetings will chaired by the Chairman or Vice-chairman. In the absence of both a chair will be elected for that meeting from those present.
  7. A quorum will be deemed to be 50% of the elected and co-opted members of the Committee.
  8. Matters requiring a vote shall be determined by a majority, and in the case of a tie the Chairman will have a casting vote.
  9. The Committee may alter the rules for the conduct of business but it may not alter, in any way, matters relating to the constitution.

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

  1. The Annual General Meeting will be held in February in each year or as soon as practical thereafter.
  2. The AGM will be called by the Committee.
  3. The Secretary will give all members 21 days’ notice of the meeting.
  4. Members who have paid their annual subscription before the day of the AGM will be entitled to vote at that meeting.

Special General Meeting (SGM)

A Special General Meeting may be called by the Committee of the Association at any time, or by at least 10 members of the Association as defined in AGM point 4 above. All requests for SGM should be sent to the Secretary. in writing, stating the business. The Secretary will give 21 days of the notice of the meeting. The business of the meeting will be confined to the topic raised with the Secretary.

Membership

Membership is open to any person interested in beekeeping, who has paid the appropriate annual subscription as laid down at the AGM.

Classes of membership:

  1. Full Membership
  2. Associate Membership
  3. Junior Membership
  4. Honorary Membership

Honorary Membership may be awarded to members of the Association who, in the view of the Committee, have contributed positively to advance the work of the Association.

Members in all classes shall have one vote.

The Committee may, for good reason, terminate the membership of any member by two thirds majority vote. The individual concerned shall have the right to be accompanied by a friend when heard by the Committee, before a decision is made. Junior membership will be open to members under 18 years at the date of the AGM.

Alterations to the Constitution

The constitution of the Association may be altered by a resolution passed by not less than two thirds of the members present and voting at an AGM. The notice of the AGM must include notice of the resolution setting out the terms of the alteration(s) proposed.

Finances

  1. The funds of the Association, including all donations, shall be paid into an account(s) authorised by the Committee and operated by the Treasurer at a bank/building society. All cheques drawn on the account must be signed by the Treasurer and a member of the Committee who has signing rights.
  2. The funds belonging to the Association shall be applied only in furthering the aims of the Association.
  3. Any property held by the Association shall be held in trust for the use of the Association and be administered by either custodians, nominated by the Association, or directly by the Committee.
  4. The Treasurer shall keep proper accounting records for the Association.
  5. The Treasurer shall produce annual accounts, at least 21 days before theAGM, together with the register of assets.
  6. The auditor or independent examiner appointed by the Committee shall examine the accounts prior to the AGM.

The auditor/independent examiner will be appointed for the following year at the AGM.

Equal Opportunities and Inclusion

  1. Membership of the Association is open to all those with an interest in beekeeping, regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, social status, religious or political affiliations.
  2. Membership of the Association is open to all regardless of special needs or physical disability. Whilst every effort will be made to include members with special needs, due consideration will be given to their safety and that of other members.

We will endeavour to meet the needs of all members regardless of physical disability with due care to health and safety.

Dissolution

If the Committee decides that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Association, the proposal will be brought to an SGM. If the proposal is confirmed by the required two thirds majority of those present and voting, the Committee shall have the power to realise the assets held on behalf of the Association.
After all debts have been paid any remaining assets shall be donated or transferred to another association or institution having similar aims to the beekeeping association.

Revised January 2017