Worth Gardeners' Society
Constitution

1.	TITLE:
The name of the organisation shall be Worth Gardeners' Society.

2.	THE OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY SHALL BE:
(a) to foster and promote the pursuit of gardening;
(b) to organise shows, competitions, lectures, demonstrations and visits; 
(c) to encourage an interest in gardening in young people.

3.	MEMBERSHIP:
Membership of the Society shall be open to any person who resides within the Civil Parish of Worth or who owns land or works land in the Civil Parish of Worth. Other persons may be considered for membership of the Society at the discretion of the Committee. The Committee reserves the right to refuse or to determine membership.

4.	OFFICERS:
The officers of the Society shall consist of a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, an Honorary Secretary, an Honorary Treasurer and a Show Secretary, all of whom shall retire annually but shall be eligible for re-election.

5.	COMMITTEE:
The affairs of the Society shall be directed by a Committee consisting of the officers of the Society and three elected members, all of whom shall retire annually but shall be eligible for re-election. The Committee shall have the power to co-opt other members and to fill casual vacancies as necessary. Meetings of the Committee shall be held not less than once in four months. Four members of the Committee shall form a quorum.

6.	HONORARY PRESIDENT AND LIFE VICE-PRESIDENTS:
The Committee may appoint an Honorary President and Honorary Life Vice-Presidents on such terms as they decide.

7.	SUBSCRIPTIONS:
The annual subscription for membership shall be fixed at the Annual General Meeting and shall come into force at the start of the next financial year. All subscriptions shall fall due on the 1st January in each year and membership shall be deemed to have ceased if the subscription shall not have been paid on the 30th June.


8.	MEETINGS:
At least six general meetings of the Society shall be held each year, normally on the third Monday in the month.

An Annual general meeting of the Society shall be held in February each year
for the purpose of conducting the following business:
(a) to receive the report of the Committee;
(b) to receive a statement of accounts;
(c) to elect the Chairman and Committee of the Society;
(d) to appoint an auditor.

Resolutions for inclusion on the agenda for an Annual or Special general meeting and nominations for Committee must be sent to the Honorary Secretary at least 28 days prior to the date of the meeting.

A Special general meeting of the Society may be convened by the Committee at any time it may determine or by a written request of not less than twelve paid-up members, accompanied by the resolution to be included on the agenda.

At all Special general meetings only the items appearing on the agenda shall be discussed.

Note of the date and venue of Annual or Special general meetings shall be sent to all members at least fourteen days prior to the meeting.

At all Annual or Special general meetings a quorum shall consist of two officers and fourteen members.

At each Annual or Special general meeting each paid-up member present shall have one vote only.

9.	SHOWS:
The Society shall under normal circumstances hold three shows each year: an
Annual Horticultural Show in August, a Spring Show and a Rose Show. The
Committee is empowered to alter or amend the Show Rules as necessary.


10.	FINANCE:
The financial year of the Society shall begin on the 1st January and end on the 31st December of each year. The Honorary Treasurer shall receive all payments to the funds, shall make payments from the funds on behalf of the Society and shall maintain appropriate records of all financial transactions. All funds shall be held in a bank, building society or Post Office account and any cheques shall be signed by the Treasurer and one of two nominated officers of the Society. The accounts shall be subject to annual audit by the Honorary Auditor who shall not be an officer of the Society and who shall be appointed annually at the Annual general meeting of the Society.

11.	ALTERATION TO THE RULES:
These rules shall not be altered or amended in any way except at an Annual or Special general meeting.

12.	GENERAL:
Any matter for which provision is not made in these rules shall be dealt with by the Committee at its discretion and shall be reported to the next general meeting of the Society for endorsement.

13.	DISSOLUTION OF THE SOCIETY:
In the event of the Society deciding to wind up its affairs no member shall benefit financially or materially. After discharge of liabilities any remaining funds shall be held by Worth Parish Council until transferred to a new Society whose aims and objectives are similar to those of Worth Gardeners' Society. If within ten years no new Society is formed the funds shall be used for the benefit of Worth village. With the exception of the Parish Council cup which shall be returned to Worth Parish Council, all cups and trophies shall be deposited with Sandwich Town Council for safe keeping.

Adopted February 1995
Amended February 2000, 2003 and 2006
Adopted February 1995Amended February 2000. 2003 and 2006