Constitution of Beckenham Theatre Company
as an Unincorporated Association

1. Name

The name of the group shall be Beckenham Theatre Company

2. Aims

The aims of Beckenham Theatre Company will be:

• To present, promote, organise and produce dramatic works for the local community and encourage education in the art of theatre including dramas, comedies, musicals, variety shows, workshops, masterclasses and lectures or any other entertainment deemed suitable by the Committee, on any premises as are conducive to the promotion of participation in the arts or education and encouragement of the Arts.
• To encourage local people to become actively involved as audience members, players and volunteers.
• To purchase, acquire and obtain interests in the copyright of or the right to perform any dramatic work.
• To maintain links with Beckenham children’s and Youth theatre group to enable participation in future productions for both adults and children where appropriate.

3. Participation

Participation is open to anyone who:

• Who supports the aims of the group and participates in the production of dramatic works.

4. Equal Opportunities

Beckenham Theatre Company is committed to treating all people equally and with respect irrespective of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion, belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

5. Officers and committee

The business of the group will be carried out by a committee elected at the first committee meeting. The Committee will meet as necessary and not less than three times a year.
The committee will consist of a minimum of 3 officers. The officers’ roles are as follows:

• Chair, who shall chair both general and committee meetings
• Secretary, who shall be responsible for the taking of minutes and the distribution of all papers
• Treasurer who shall be responsible for maintaining accounts.

In the event of an officer standing down during the year a replacement will be elected by the next General Meeting of members.
Any committee member not attending a meeting without apology for three months will be contacted by the committee and asked if they wish to resign.
The number of committee members may be increased at any time at the discretion of the current officers

6. Meetings

6.1. Annual General Meetings

An Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held within fifteen months of the previous AGM. All committee members will be notified in writing at least 3 weeks before the date of the meeting, giving the venue, date and time. Nominations for the committee may be made to the Secretary before the meeting. The quorum for the AGM will be two committee members
At the AGM:

• The Committee will present a report of the work of Beckenham Theatre Company over the year.
• The Committee will present the accounts of Beckenham Theatre Company for the previous year.
• The officers for the next year will be elected.
• Any proposals given to the Secretary at least 7 days in advance of the meeting will be discussed.

6.2 Special General Meetings

The Secretary will call a Special General Meeting at the request of the majority of the committee giving a written request to the Chair or Secretary stating the reason for their request.
The meeting will take place within twenty-one days of the request.
All committee members will be given two weeks’ notice of such a meeting, giving the venue, date, time and agenda, and notice may be by telephone, email or post.
The quorum for the Special General Meeting will be 2 Committee members

6.3 Committee Meetings

Committee meetings may be called by the Chair or Secretary. Committee members must receive notice of meetings at least 7 days before the meeting.
The quorum for Committee meetings is three Committee members.

7. Rules of Procedure for meetings

All questions that arise at any meeting will be discussed openly and the meeting will seek to find general agreement that everyone present can agree to.
If a consensus cannot be reached a vote will be taken and a decision will be made by a simple majority of members present. If the number of votes cast on each side is equal, the chair of the meeting shall have an additional casting vote.

8. Finances

An account will be maintained on behalf of the Association at a bank agreed by the committee. Two cheque signatories will be nominated by the Committee (one to be the Treasurer).  The signatories must not be related nor members of the same household.
All payments will be signed by two of the signatories.

• For cheque payments, the signatories will sign the cheque.
• For other payments (such as BACS payments, cash withdrawals, debit card payments or cash payments), a requisition note will be signed by two signatories, and held by the treasurer.

Records of income and expenditure will be maintained by the Treasurer and a financial statement given at each meeting.
All money raised by or on behalf of Beckenham Theatre Company is only to be used to further the aims of the group, as specified in item 2 of this constitution.

9. Amendments to the Constitution

Amendments to the constitution may only be made at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting.
Any proposal to amend the constitution must be given to the Secretary in writing. The proposal must then be circulated with the notice of meeting.
Any proposal to amend the constitution will require a two thirds majority of those present and entitled to vote.
10. Dissolution
If a meeting, by simple majority, decides that it is necessary to close down the group it may call a Special General Meeting to do so. The sole business of this meeting will be to dissolve the group.
If it is agreed to dissolve the group, all remaining money and other assets, once outstanding debts have been paid, will be donated to a local charitable organisation. The organisation will be agreed at the meeting which agrees the dissolution.

This constitution was agreed at the Inaugural General Meeting of the Beckenham Theatre Company on:

Date ………/…………/…………….

Name and position in group ………………………………………….

Signed ………………………………………….

Name and position in group ………………………………………….

Signed ……………………………………………