Constitution
1. Title
The Society shall be called “The Watlington Players”
2. Objects
The objects and aims of the Society are:-
i) To provide means whereby members may participate in the many aspects of live theatre e.g. Drama, Choral, Variety etc.
ii) To raise and maintain funds for the above
iii) To provide social activities for its members
iv) To keep all members informed of events by newsletter
3. Membership
The Society shall have three sections of membership:-
i) Students (full-time education), Senior Citizens, UB40. Annual subscriptions for this section will be at a lower rate than section ii
ii) All persons not falling into section (i) and (iii)
iii) Child membership for those aged eleven and under.
4. Subscriptions
Subscriptions shall be fixed yearly at the AGM, the
rates shall be for the period commencing on the date of the AGM and ending on
the date of the following AGM.
5. Administrative and Financial Year
i) The Administrative Year of the Society shall be the period commencing on the date of the AGM and ending on the date of the following AGM.
ii) The Financial Year of the Society shall be the period commencing 1st February and ending on 30th June the following year.
6. Election of Officers and Committees
a) A General Committee shall be elected by paper ballot at the AGM consisting of the following:-
i) Chairman
ii) Vice Chairman
iii) Honorary Secretary
iv) Honorary Treasurer
v) Honorary Public Relations Officer
vi) Honorary Membership Secretary
vii) Child Protection Officer
viii) Three other members
b) A Social Committee shall be elected at the AGM consisting of six members one of which shall be a member of the General Committee
c) The General Committee shall appoint an Honorary Auditor who shall be independent of the Society
d) The General Committee may appoint other Honorary Officers for other minor duties within the Society
7. Meetings
a) The Annual General Meeting shall be held as far as practicable in August, when the minutes of the previous AGM shall be signed.
b) The General Committee shall meet as necessary
c) The Social Committee shall meet as necessary
d) A Special General Meeting may be called at any time by the Officers and General Committee or on receipt by the Hon Secretary of a written request signed by ten members of the Society.
e) A quorum for an AGM and an SGM shall be fifteen members (including five members of the General Committee)
f) A quorum for meetings of the General Committee shall be five
g) A quorum for meetings of the Social Committee shall be three
h) At any meeting, the votes being equal, the Chairman shall have the casting vote in addition to his/her vote as a member
i) The minimum age for voting shall be eleven years
j) Only paid up members present at the meeting may vote.
8. Honorary Secretary’s Duties
The Hon Secretary shall take minutes of General Meetings and General Committee Meetings and act under the discretion of the
General Committee. The Hon Secretary shall give notice of not less than 14 days to members to whom it applies of AGMs and SGMs.
9. Honorary Treasurer’s Duties
The Hon Treasurer shall be authorised to use Society funds to pay all debts on account of the Society. All cheques to be signed by
any two of the following Officers:- Chairman, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer. Five members of the General Committee should be in agreement before the Society’s money is committed subject to the Treasurer’s confirmation that sufficient funds are available.
10. Honorary Auditor’s Duties
The Hon Auditor shall examine and certify the financial records of the Society each year.
11. Income, Property and Management of the Society
i) The Officers and General Committee shall have the power over Finance and Property and generally control the management of the Society. They shall also have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur. The General Committee shall have the power to deal with any matter not covered by the Constitution.
ii) The Income and Property of the Society shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objects and aims of the Society and
no portion shall be paid or transferred directly by way of profit to the members. Provided that, nothing shall prevent the payment in good faith of remuneration to any member in return for any services actually rendered to the Society.
iii) Insurance to be carried to cover third party risks, property, effects and personal accident.
12. Dissolution
The Society may be dissolved by resolution at an AGM or SGM and any net assets disposed of to charity at the discretion and choice of the Officers and General Committee
13. Alterations of Constitution
This Constitution shall not be altered or rescinded except by Resolution at an AGM or SGM of the Society. Such alterations to be
effective forthwith.
The Society shall be called “The Watlington Players”
2. Objects
The objects and aims of the Society are:-
i) To provide means whereby members may participate in the many aspects of live theatre e.g. Drama, Choral, Variety etc.
ii) To raise and maintain funds for the above
iii) To provide social activities for its members
iv) To keep all members informed of events by newsletter
3. Membership
The Society shall have three sections of membership:-
i) Students (full-time education), Senior Citizens, UB40. Annual subscriptions for this section will be at a lower rate than section ii
ii) All persons not falling into section (i) and (iii)
iii) Child membership for those aged eleven and under.
4. Subscriptions
Subscriptions shall be fixed yearly at the AGM, the
rates shall be for the period commencing on the date of the AGM and ending on
the date of the following AGM.
5. Administrative and Financial Year
i) The Administrative Year of the Society shall be the period commencing on the date of the AGM and ending on the date of the following AGM.
ii) The Financial Year of the Society shall be the period commencing 1st February and ending on 30th June the following year.
6. Election of Officers and Committees
a) A General Committee shall be elected by paper ballot at the AGM consisting of the following:-
i) Chairman
ii) Vice Chairman
iii) Honorary Secretary
iv) Honorary Treasurer
v) Honorary Public Relations Officer
vi) Honorary Membership Secretary
vii) Child Protection Officer
viii) Three other members
b) A Social Committee shall be elected at the AGM consisting of six members one of which shall be a member of the General Committee
c) The General Committee shall appoint an Honorary Auditor who shall be independent of the Society
d) The General Committee may appoint other Honorary Officers for other minor duties within the Society
7. Meetings
a) The Annual General Meeting shall be held as far as practicable in August, when the minutes of the previous AGM shall be signed.
b) The General Committee shall meet as necessary
c) The Social Committee shall meet as necessary
d) A Special General Meeting may be called at any time by the Officers and General Committee or on receipt by the Hon Secretary of a written request signed by ten members of the Society.
e) A quorum for an AGM and an SGM shall be fifteen members (including five members of the General Committee)
f) A quorum for meetings of the General Committee shall be five
g) A quorum for meetings of the Social Committee shall be three
h) At any meeting, the votes being equal, the Chairman shall have the casting vote in addition to his/her vote as a member
i) The minimum age for voting shall be eleven years
j) Only paid up members present at the meeting may vote.
8. Honorary Secretary’s Duties
The Hon Secretary shall take minutes of General Meetings and General Committee Meetings and act under the discretion of the
General Committee. The Hon Secretary shall give notice of not less than 14 days to members to whom it applies of AGMs and SGMs.
9. Honorary Treasurer’s Duties
The Hon Treasurer shall be authorised to use Society funds to pay all debts on account of the Society. All cheques to be signed by
any two of the following Officers:- Chairman, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer. Five members of the General Committee should be in agreement before the Society’s money is committed subject to the Treasurer’s confirmation that sufficient funds are available.
10. Honorary Auditor’s Duties
The Hon Auditor shall examine and certify the financial records of the Society each year.
11. Income, Property and Management of the Society
i) The Officers and General Committee shall have the power over Finance and Property and generally control the management of the Society. They shall also have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur. The General Committee shall have the power to deal with any matter not covered by the Constitution.
ii) The Income and Property of the Society shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objects and aims of the Society and
no portion shall be paid or transferred directly by way of profit to the members. Provided that, nothing shall prevent the payment in good faith of remuneration to any member in return for any services actually rendered to the Society.
iii) Insurance to be carried to cover third party risks, property, effects and personal accident.
12. Dissolution
The Society may be dissolved by resolution at an AGM or SGM and any net assets disposed of to charity at the discretion and choice of the Officers and General Committee
13. Alterations of Constitution
This Constitution shall not be altered or rescinded except by Resolution at an AGM or SGM of the Society. Such alterations to be
effective forthwith.
The Watlington Players Rules
1. Appointment of Producers
The General Committee shall choose the type of production and appoint a producer as necessary, whose attention will be drawn to
the production check-list. The producer, if he so desires, shall be co-opted onto the General Committee as a non-voting member for the period of that production. The producer’s suggestions will be considered by the General Committee. The producer shall have the right to enlist the services of performers from outside the Society, but only with the permission of the General Committee. The General Committee to exercise discretion subject to Constitution 11(I)
2. Appointment of Stage Managers
The stage manager appointed for any production shall have entire control of all stage arrangements, subject to the authority of the
producer.
3. Planning
The General Committee shall plan the productions for twelve months ahead.
4. Casting
Following the casting of a production all unsuccessful applicants be thanked for attending and invited to help in other ways. Also cast list to be given. Where productions have auditions then all applicants must be informed in writing with provisional cast list.
5. Purchasing Scripts
For all productions the cast may be required to purchase their own scripts and vocal scores at the discretions of the Society.
When purchased by cast members scripts and vocal scores become their property. When purchased by the Society they remain the
Society’s property and must be kept in good order and returned after the production. Where cast members wish to retain scripts or vocal scores they may be purchased from the Society. Scripts or vocal scores not returned or returned in an unusable condition will be charged to cast members. Where scripts and vocal scores are hired to the Society they remain the property of the publishers (sic) and must be kept in good order. They must be returned after productions and any scripts or vocal scores not returned or returned in a damaged or defaced condition will be charged to cast members.
6. Insurance
Member for the purposes of insurance cover will be “Fully paid up members and all persons authorised by this Society to participate
or assist in any production, to whom temporary membership has been granted.”
7. Age
The Society will not normally consider persons under the minimum age of eleven years for parts in productions. Persons appointed
under this age to be at the discretion of the Society.
8. Bookings
Priority bookings by members must be paid for at the time of booking.
Child Protection Policy
The introduction of this Child Protection Policy should highlight the fact that Watlington Players are determined to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to protect from harm, those children and young people, who participate in Performances/Rehearsals within the organization.
This policy establishes our position, role and responsibilities and clarifies what is expected from everybody involved within the Watlington Players and very clearly highlights the importance of protecting children and young people.
Every child and young person who participates in the performances should be able to participate in an enjoyable and safe
environment. This is the responsibility of every adult involved within this organisation.
Watlington Players recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect and bullying. It is determined to meet its obligation to ensure that we provide opportunities for children and young people to do so, with the highest possible standard of care.
Watlington Players believes that:-
Watlington Players will ensure that:-
The society has child protection procedures which accompany this policy.
The society has a dedicated Child Protection Officer, who is in charge of ensuring that the child protection policy and procedures are adhered to.
That persons name is:
Penny Cooke Tel: 01553 810732
The policy will be regularly monitored by the Committee of the society and will be subject to annual review.
Date: 9th November 2012
This policy establishes our position, role and responsibilities and clarifies what is expected from everybody involved within the Watlington Players and very clearly highlights the importance of protecting children and young people.
Every child and young person who participates in the performances should be able to participate in an enjoyable and safe
environment. This is the responsibility of every adult involved within this organisation.
Watlington Players recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect and bullying. It is determined to meet its obligation to ensure that we provide opportunities for children and young people to do so, with the highest possible standard of care.
Watlington Players believes that:-
- The welfare of the child is paramount.
- All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity, have the right to protection.
- Suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
- All members (voluntary) within this organisation have a responsibility to report concerns to the Child Protection Officer.
Watlington Players will ensure that:-
- All children will be treated equally with the respect and the rights, wishes and feelings of children and young people being put first.
- All volunteers and members will adopt the best practice to safeguard and protect children and young people from harm.
- Bullying will not be accepted or condoned
- All adult members of the society provide a positive role model for dealing with other people.
- Action will be taken to stop any inappropriate verbal or physical behaviour.
- It will keep up-to-date with health & safety legislation
- It will keep informed of changes in legislation and policies for the protection of children.
- It will hold a register of every child involved with the society and will retain a contact name and number close at hand in case of emergencies.
- All volunteers will adopt and abide by the appropriate codes of conduct and the Child Protection Policies and Procedures outlined within this document.
- All volunteers and members will respond to any allegations appropriately.
- The committee will regularly review the policy.
- A child is defined as a person under the age of 18 (The Children Act 1989).
- All suspicious cases of poor practice should be reported to the Child Protection Officer and the guidelines in this policy should be followed.
The society has child protection procedures which accompany this policy.
The society has a dedicated Child Protection Officer, who is in charge of ensuring that the child protection policy and procedures are adhered to.
That persons name is:
Penny Cooke Tel: 01553 810732
The policy will be regularly monitored by the Committee of the society and will be subject to annual review.
Date: 9th November 2012