Hitchin Historical Society Constitution

1. NAME
   The name of the Society shall be The Hitchin Historical Society (hereinafter called “the Society”).
2. OBJECTS
   The objects of the Society are to inform the public of the history of Hitchin and district, and to undertake research into the origins and development of buildings, organisations, crafts, trades, and other aspects of historical interest and to publish the results of such research.
3. POWERS
   In furtherance of the foregoing objects but not further or otherwise the Society shall have the following powers:
   
   1. to arrange exhibitions of historical interest, e.g. household goods, farming implements, craftsmanship, artefacts, documents, pictures, photographs, maps, etc.;
   2. to arrange lectures and short courses, and to organise visits to places of historical or architectural interest;
   3. to publish monographs, booklets and information leaflets etc.;
   4. to co-operate with appropriate authorities in the furtherance of a local history centre where records and other items of local historical interest collected by the Society may be preserved, made available to students and displayed;
   5. to co-operate with other local history societies in matters of mutual interest;
   6. to do all other lawful things necessary to advance the objects.
4. MEMBERSHIP AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
   Membership of the Society shall be available to any person completing the appropriate application form (which should be sent to the Membership Secretary) and paying such annual subscriptions as shall from time to time be determined by the Committee. Subscriptions shall become due on 1st January in every year.
5. OFFICERS
   The Officers shall consist of a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, who shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting. Nominations shall be submitted to the Secretary not later than seven days before the Annual General Meeting, the consent of the nominee having previously been obtained in writing.
6. COMMITTEE
   The Committee shall consist of not more than six members of the Society in addition to the Officers, and shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. Committee Members should present themselves for re-election after two years. Nominations shall be submitted to the Secretary not later than seven days before the Annual General Meeting, the consent of the nominee having previously been obtained in writing. The Committee shall have powers to co-opt ex-officio members as required. A quorum shall consist of four officers or members of the Committee.
7. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
   The Annual General Meeting shall be held during March of each year. Notice of this meeting shall be given not less than 21 days previously and shall be accompanied by the Annual Report and by the Statement of Accounts. In addition to the appointment of officers and the election of the Committee, the business to be transacted at the Annual General Meeting shall include:
   
   1. the reception of the Annual Report which shall be prepared and submitted by the Committee;
   2. the reception of the audited Statement of Accounts;
   3. the appointment of an Auditor not being a member of the Committee.
8. EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETINGS
   An Extraordinary General Meeting may be convened by resolution of the Committee or by demand of one third of the members. Notice of this meeting shall be given not less than 21 days previously.
9. FINANCIAL YEAR
   The Society’s financial year shall run from 1st January to 31st December.
10. FUNDS
    All sums collected or donated to the Society shall be handed over to the Treasurer who shall pay the same into a bank account in the name of the Society. Cheques shall be signed by at least two persons so authorised by the Committee.
11. INVESTMENT AND PROPERTY
    The Committee shall invest, in the name of the Society, all monies not required for the immediate purpose of the Society, in any of the securities which may by law be invested, with power from time to time to transpose such investments.
12. DISSOLUTION
    The Society may be dissolved by a resolution passed by two-thirds majority of those present and voting at an Extraordinary General Meeting convened for the purpose, of which 21 days notice shall be given to the Members. Such resolution may give instructions for the disposal of any assets held by or in the name of, the Society, provided that if any assets remain after satisfaction of all debts and liabilities such assets shall not be paid or distributed among the members of the Society but shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institution or institutions having objects similar to some or all of the objects of the Society, as the Society may with the approval of the Charity Commissioners determine.
13. AMENDMENTS TO THIS CONSTITUTION
    Amendments to the Constitution shall be made only at the Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting called for that purpose, 21 days notice being given to members. No amendment to the objects clause, dissolution clause or this clause shall be made and no alterations shall be made which would cause the Society to cease to be a charity at law.

---

This page was last updated on 23 March 2007