From what some of the posters have been posting it looks like quite a few already have. :) Not all of them local.
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Perhaps a couple of fresh people on the committee? But that would need a few fresh members of the WADF overall.
No point in me applying, I suspect I have too much 'mischief-making' potential I suppose. But anyone else fancy helping steer the fund, at a crucial point where either rebranding and relaunching it, or looking at options for partnerships is on the agenda. For your community?
"The Fund shall hold each year an annual general meeting which shall be held within 15 months of the previous annual general meeting to:
- Approve the minutes of the previous meeting;
- Receive the annual report from the chairman;
- Adopt the annual accounts;
- Elect the honorary officers and ordinary committee members;
- Appoint an independent examiner or auditor, as appropriate for the accounts;
- Deal with any other competent business."
So we have to establish when the next AGM is (or when the last AGM was).
"An extraordinary general meeting shall be called by an application in writing to the secretary either supported by at least six members of the fund or received from the management committee, stating the business to be transacted at the meeting."
And we need to establish how many members there are, how many applications to join there have been, and (so we can make the appropriate representations for ourselves) the reasons any rejections were based on.
And then those of us who are really interested in the well-being of the Wick community will apply to join, by applying in writing to the Secretary.:)
'Working On Behalf Of The Community'
I dont need a crystal ball to tell you your chances of getting onto the committee. [lol] Even if your application was written on £100 notes. ;)
They would keep your application and send you your refusal on ordinary paper recorded delivery of course. [lol]
Now for the small print................................
edit :this reply was written without prejudice just in case !!
"9. Voting and Quorum
With the exception of changes to the constitution and dissolution of the fund, decisions put to a vote shall be resolved by a simple majority; the chair of the meeting shall hold a casting vote to be used where there has been an equality of votes cast.
The quorum at annual general meetings shall be five; the quorum at management committee meetings shall be three or such number as the committee may from time to time determine"
And from the Financial Statement:
Committee Members: Vacancies
So let me get this straight:
- There are currently only 5 Fund members, and they are all having to act as office bearers due to the lack of any other members
- The 5 members of the Committee have the power to select or reject any application for membership of the Fund
- The Fund's membership (ie the 5 members comprising the committee) elect the office bearers from within the membership (ie the 5 members comprising the committee)
- The minutes of the meetings are circulated to all members of the Fund (ie the 5 members comprising the committee)
- No announcement is needed for the AGM, as the 5 members who are entitled to attend and vote are all on the committee (with the power to select or reject additional membership applications, and who exclusively see the the minutes of meetings where such applications were considered)
- 6 members are required to call an EGM
- And 6 members are required to change the constitution!
It's a pity there are not more interested people getting involved. All charities have the same problem, not enough people to help shoulder the burden. Come on folks. lets all join and help them out! :confused
"12. Changes to the Constitution
Any change to the constitution shall require a two thirds majority of those members present and voting at a general meeting called to consider such a motion. No change shall be made which would have the effect of causing the fund to cease to be recognised by the Inland Revenue as a charity. Proposed changes to the constitution must be proposed by the management committee or six members of the Fund in writing to the Secretary"
13. Dissolution
Dissolution of the fund shall require a two thirds majority of those members present and voting at a general meeting called to consider such a motion.
In the event of the dissolution of the fund any assets remaining shall not be distributed among the members of the fund but shall be given to such other Caithness charity or charities, with similar aims and objects as the members of the Fund by a simple majority shall determine."
That is eminently sensible road in my view. It's (apparently) what the fund was originally set up to do.
Getting to a position where old arguments are put to bed is one of the reasons for having lots of new members, and a bigger 'pool' to select office bearers from. Tired people can hand over the reins and take a rest, and all the old animosity can be forgotten about.
And to clarify another of the somewhat spluttering assertions made by the WADF Secretary in his post #2 on ownership of 'their money', the membership of the Fund decide the fate of the funds it has collected and stored on the public's behalf. And some kind of restriction on membership could be viewed as slightly strange; almost as strange as something like, let's say, inappropriate behaviour by a trustee being tolerated by a charity committee or the Regulator. :)
That's what I thought as well.
The fund bears the name of the football team and if they were originally set up to help the football team then maybe its time to forgive, forget and move forward for the benefit of the public,many of whom are still buying the football teams tickets. :)
Let me see .............................if you have got this right then a blind man can see this set up looks very bad and very heavily weighted to keeping this funds committee a closed group. I would hazard a guess that this constitution was drawn up after the big fall out !:roll:
What would happen if any/some of them became incapacitated and were no longer able to take part in " the committee" meetings?
There appears as if there is no mention of having to have a quorum attending before they hold a meeting - extremely strange form for any committee.
Appears as if they make up the rules as they see fit at the moment - sure that will not be acceptable as far as OSCR are concerned, will have to wait for the answers to my questions to them about the validity of this committee.
Pat- re voting & quorum (post #326)
"9. Voting and Quorum
With the exception of changes to the constitution and dissolution of the fund, decisions put to a vote shall be resolved by a simple majority; the chair of the meeting shall hold a casting vote to be used where there has been an equality of votes cast.
The quorum at annual general meetings shall be five; the quorum at management committee meetings shall be three or such number as the committee may from time to time determine"
Tubthumper - thanks for pointing the 5 at AGM - that was what I meant about any of "the committee" being incapacitated in any way and unable to attend - holiday, jail, hospital, jury service, family needs, etc -things which are extremely difficult to evade/avoid to attend an AGM of a "charity".
If they are unable to have a quorum at the AGM do they continue with meeting which makes the meeting noncompliant with their constitution and therefore any discussions and decisions nul and void and another AGM/EGM should be called at a later date to enable all 5 members to attend.
A-i-B - yes that was also what I was meaning.
If some of them wanted a decision to go one way all they appear to have to do is call a meeting when they knew the objectors or people against the idea, were unable to attend, that way they get their majority.
Simple or is it me being extremely suspicious of a committee which does not appear to stand up to much scrutiny?
How much notice of a meeting has to be given, can one be called without notice and then the decision given to the members who were not there!
This appears one committee I would like to be involved with - it may solve some of my questions.
Bearing in mind the furore that was created by Wickers over the Gala funds affair, I would guess that a fair few will be wishing to join the WADF, now they've come out and stated their case. And as it seems that they're awful short of members and (like so many other groups) struggling to muster a committee.
Seems a simple enough process (and I can't see any reference to a membership fee), just write to:
The Secretary
WADF
16 Thurso Street
Wick
Caithness KW1 5LF
"4. Membership
Membership is open to any individual aged 18 or over who actively supports the aims & objects of the Fund and to any group or body which actively supports the aims and objects of the Fund.
The management committee shall have the right to refuse membership or to terminate the membership at its discretion; but the member whose termination is under consideration shall have the right to be heard by the management committee before its decision is made. The management committee shall from time to time determine the level of any annual membership subscription and its period of implementation.”
But of course, they would have to have a good reason for refusing, and note that membership is not restricted to people in Wick & environs.
Come on, orgers, a charity needs members and a committee, let's all stand up and be counted!
"Working On Behalf Of The Community!"
The management committee shall have the right to refuse membership or to terminate the membership at its discretion; but the member whose termination is under consideration shall have the right to be heard by the management committee before its decision is made. The management committee shall from time to time determine the level of any annual membership subscription and its period of implementation.”
There is a reference to membership fees (see above) and I suspect that if a significant number of new membership applications arrive, we will see the above rule rapidly implemented. I wonder at what level?
I would expect any membership fee to be minimal, just to cover the costs of printing membership cards, extra minutes & agendas, plus posting. However the membership might decide on a regular newsletter, or at the very least a website as Phill has suggested which might add a wee cost.
And at some point it might be more economical to announce the AGM in the Groat rather than sending out individual invites, although I suppose we'll all have to get the minutes & agenda anyway.
We can discuss all these things at the AGM. :D
At the AGM and other meetings we, as WADF members, will be able to decide how to raise more cash for the sports stadium project, seeing as the A-T Tickets are unviable.
But I'm telling you now, there is no way I'm doing a sponsored bike ride in a mankini!
My saddlebags couldn't stand the chafing! :eek: