1. NAME OF THE ORGANISATION
The name of the organisation shall be Marple Bridge Association, (hereinafter called the Association).

2. AIMS OF THE ORGANISATION
To promote the interests of the people who live and/or work in Marple Bridge.
To promote Marple Bridge as an attractive environment for residents, workers and visitors alike.
To promote social activities for all members of the Association.

3. POWERS
To further the aims, the Association may exercise the following powers: -
a. To raise funds and receive contributions, donations and otherwise, provided that the Association shall not undertake any permanent trading activity.
b. To bring together representatives of voluntary and statutory organizations, national and local government departments and individuals.
c. To maintain a register of members.
d. To levy subscriptions/membership fees.
e. To produce leaflets/posters and other media to publicise the groups activities.
f. To hold meetings.
g. To pay necessary expenses involved in the running of the Association.

4. MEMBERSHIP
Membership shall be open to all residents and people who work in Marple Bridge regardless of nationality, political opinion, ethnic and cultural background, religious opinion, sex, sexuality or disability. The Committee may also admit as members people who do not qualify by nature of residence or work but wish to join the Association for the benefit of the Association. People who qualify may become members by registering their personal contact details with the Secretary, either in advance of, or at the start of, a general meeting, an AGM or SGM. Each member will have one vote and be eligible to stand for election onto the Committee. The Committee may terminate membership of any member if:
- there is any money owed to the Association in respect of membership or other fees after a time lapse of 3 months.
- any member acts in a way, which is prejudicial to the Association or brings it into disrepute provided that the individual concerned shall have the right to be heard by the Committee before a decision is made.

5. MEMBERSHIP FEE/SUBSCRIPTION
Membership is not dependent on subscription.

6. THE COMMITTEE
The management of the Association shall be vested in a Committee consisting of the members whose duty it shall be to carry out its general policy and to provide for the administration, management and control of the affairs and property of the Association.  The Committee shall consist of at least four and not more than nine members.
The Committee shall be elected at the AGM for one year after which time they must stand for re-election. Retiring officers may stand for re-election provided that no one may hold the office of Chairman or Vice-Chairman for more than three consecutive years without an intervening period of at least one year, except that a retiring Vice-Chairman may stand immediately for the post of Chairman.
Nominations to the Committee duly agreed by the nominee shall be proposed and seconded and delivered in writing to the Secretary at a date specified by the Committee or in person at the AGM.
At Committee meetings, matters shall be decided by a simple majority of votes of Committee members present. In the case of an equality of votes the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
Members of the Committee, other than the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer may be appointed to undertake particular responsibilities within the Association.
Not more than two ordinary members may be co-opted to the Committee as required to undertake particular responsibilities within the Association but they will have no voting rights and their term of office shall expire at the discretion of the Committee.
The Committee may appoint, by a majority vote, a President who will not be subject to annual re-election and will have full voting rights on the Committee.
Committee members may resign office by giving not less than twenty-one days notice in writing to the Secretary or the Chairman.  The Committee has power to fill casual vacancies from the membership.  Such an appointment shall complete the term of service of the member he or she is replacing and shall be eligible for re-election.

7. MEETINGS
There shall be no less than four Committee meetings per year.
General meetings will be open to all members of the Association and will be held as often as necessary and at least 6 times a year. The Secretary will publicise all general meetings at least fourteen days in advance and an agenda will be published at least 3 days in advance.
An AGM (Annual General Meeting) of the Association will be held every year in February. All members shall be notified of the meeting not less than fourteen days before the meeting, at which time an agenda will be published.
At the AGM the outgoing Committee will report on its work, present a statement of accounts and stand down to seek re-election.
The AGM shall elect a new Chairman who will then take up his/her position and continue to conduct the election of a new Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and up to five other Committee Members, excluding a President, if appointed. The AGM will also vote on recommendations and any amendments to the constitution.
A SGM (Special General Meeting) open to all members will be held if six or more members submit in writing a request for such a meeting to the Secretary. The Secretary shall arrange for the meeting to take place within twenty one days.
All required notifications of meetings will be considered to have been undertaken by the display of a notice in the Marple Bridge Post Office window or other designated place agreed by the Committee.
The Secretary shall ensure that minutes are kept of all Committee, General, AGM and SGM meetings.

8. QUORUM
No general meeting or AGM shall take place if less than six members are present.
No Committee meeting shall take place if less than four members of the Committee are present. 

9. FINANCES
Any money raised shall be used to further the aims of the Association and for no other purpose.
A bank account in the name of the Association will be opened and maintained.
The Committee shall decide the signatories to any account in the name of the Association.
A statement of accounts verified by a competent person who is not a member of the Committee shall be tabled at the AGM.
No member of the Association shall derive any financial benefit from the Association, except for the reimbursement of reasonable expenses for purchases made on behalf of the Association.
A receipt should always be obtained for expenditure unless there is good reason why one cannot be issued. This must be recorded in the accounts.
No Committee member shall be chargeable or responsible for loss caused by any thing or act done or omitted to be done by him/her or any agent employed by, him/her or by any other Committee member, provided reasonable supervision be exercised over any such agent, or by reason of any, mistake or omission made in good faith by any Committee member or by reason of any other matter or thing other than willful and individual fraud or wrong doing, or wrongful omission on the part of the Committee member who is sought to be made liable. 

10. CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION

The constitution can only be altered at an AGM, or SGM convened solely for that purpose.
Any suggested changes must be handed to the Secretary twenty one days before the AGM or SGM.
Changes must be agreed by at least two thirds of the members present at the meeting. 

11. DISSOLUTION

The Association may only be dissolved at a SGM called for that purpose and must be advertised 14 days before the meeting.
A proposal to dissolve the Association shall take effect only if agreed by two thirds of the members present at the meeting.
Funds and possessions will be disposed of according to the wishes of the meeting. 

12. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY 

The Association will actively seek to represent the needs and aspirations of all residents and/or those who work in the area represented. It will up-hold equal opportunities and work for good relations among all members of the community.
The Association will not discriminate on the grounds of nationality, political opinion, ethnic and cultural background, religious opinion, sex, sexuality or disability.