Ilex Conservation Group
Constitution

1. Name. The name of the organisation shall be "The Ilex Conservation Group".

2. Objects. The objects of the Group shall be to secure the conservation and preservation of the beauty and present character of the Ilex Avenue together with its environs, and in particular the area known as the Goring Gap, and to protect the essential character of Sea Lane, Goring and its environs.

3. Membership. All people who are interested in achieving the Objects in paragraph 2 above are eligible to join the group on payment of the annual membership fee as determined at each Annual General Meeting. The Group shall be non-political.

4. Officers. The officers of the group shall include: Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. These officers shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. A Vice Chairman shall be elected by the Executive Committee.

5. Executive Committee. The management of the Group shall be vested in a Committee which shall consist of:
a) the Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer,
b) four other members elected at the Annual General Meeting,
c) not more than four additional members co-opted by the Committee if deemed necessary.

6. General Meetings. An Annual General Meeting of members shall be held at the earliest convenient date after the end of the financial year which shall be 31st December. At least ten clear calendar days notice shall be given of a Meeting. Nominations for the election of officers and committee members must reach the secretary at least four calendar days before the Meeting. Should insufficient nominations be received, vacancies may be filled at the Meeting.

The Agenda shall include a report of the past year's activities, a Statement of Accounts, Election of Officers and Committee Members, and the Election of an Auditor.

7. Special General Meetings. A Special General Meeting may be called at any time by the Executive Committee, or by written representation of not less than 20 members. In each case, seven calendar days notice of the purpose of the Meeting shall be given. Unless the Committee otherwise agrees, a Special General Meeting called by members other than the Executive Committee shall be financed by the members calling the meeting.

8. Finance. No expense shall be incurred in the name of the Group without the approval of the Executive Committee. Cheques shall be signed by any two of the officers and/or nominated committee members. Proper accounts shall be kept by the Treasurer, and an audited Statement of Accounts shall be presented at the Annual General Meeting.

9. Alteration of Rules. Alterations and additions to the Rules may be made only at an Annual General Meeting, or Special General Meeting called for that purpose. The support of not less than two thirds of members present and voting shall be required to approve such alteration.

10. Dissolution: If the Group is wound up or dissolved, and after all its debts and liabilities have been satisfied there remains any property, it shall not be paid to or distributed among members of the Group, but shall be given or transferred to some other group or groups having objects similar to the objects of this Group. Furthermore the Constitution of such group or groups must have similar restrictions on distribution of property in the event of their own dissolution. If that cannot be done, then distribution may be made to some other charitable object

11. Interpretation of the Rules. In the event of any doubt,the Executive Committee shall have power to decide upon interpretation of these rules.

May 2002