Conservative Humanist Association
Constitution
1. Name
The name of the group will be ‘Conservative Humanist Association’ (hereafter called ‘the group’).
2. Aims
The aims of the group shall be:
i) to promote awareness of Humanism, humanists and secularism within the Conservative Party;
ii) to promote understanding of Conservatism within the Humanist movement;
iii) to promote Humanism and Conservatism within the whole community.
3. Humanism
As a statement of Humanism, the group adopts the International Humanist and Ethical Union’s ‘Amsterdam Declaration’ of 2002.
4. Membership
i) Full membership will be open to any person who is a paid up member of the Conservative Party and who shares the aims of the group.
ii) Associate membership will be open to any person who shares the aims of the group but is not a party member, providing that person is not a member of any other political party.
iii) The management committee may refuse to admit as a member, or terminate the membership of, any person whose conduct is, in its opinion, inconsistent with the aims of the group.
5. Management Committee
i) The management committee shall consist of a Chair, a Secretary, a Treasurer and up to six further members.
ii) The general business of the group will be administered by the management committee or their appointed agents.
iii) Any vacancy arising may be filled by co-option by the committee for a period until the next AGM.
iv) Only full members of the group may be members of the management committee.
6. Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’)
i) An AGM shall be held by the end of May each year and at least 28 days notice of the AGM will be given to all members.
ii) The AGM will:
a) receive the financial accounts and reports of the committee for the year ending 31st of March that year;
b) elect a management committee for the coming year;
c) debate and vote on any resolutions proposed by the committee or proposed and seconded by two full members of the group and received by the Secretary at least 14 days before the AGM.
iii) Only full members of the group may vote at an AGM.
iv) In any dispute concerning the affairs of the group, an AGM shall be the final authority.
7. Elections
i) Nominations for membership of the management committee (each duly proposed and seconded by a paid up full or associate member) must be received by the Secretary at least 14 days before the AGM.
ii) If no nominations are received by the date of the meeting then nominations may be taken from the floor or committee members may continue in their post for a further twelve months.
iii) Voting at the meeting shall be by show of hands or by any method deemed appropriate by the chair.
8. Special General Meeting (‘SGM’)
i) A Special General Meeting may be called by the committee or, on receipt of a request signed by at least 20% of members of the group, and shall be convened by the Secretary within six weeks of such a request.
ii) At least 28 days notice of the meeting shall be given to members.
iii) Only the business stated on the notice convening the meeting shall be considered at such a Special General Meeting.
iv) Only full members of the group may vote at an SGM
v) The management committee may request the Board of the Conservative Party and/or of the British Humanist Association to mediate in the event of a dispute with or between members or other interested parties.
9. Finance
i) The income and property of the group shall be devoted to the aims of the group.
ii) Members of the management committee or its officers shall not receive any payment
unless approved by the Annual General Meeting.
iii) Annual membership fees shall be set or approved by the Annual General Meeting.
iv) In the event of the group being wound up all funds and assets after payment of liabilities shall be paid jointly to the Conservative Party and the British Humanist Association.
v) The group will submit annually by the 30th of June copies of its accounts, reports and any affiliation fees to the Board of the Conservative Party and the Board of the British Humanist Association.
10. Affiliations
i) The group shall be affiliated to the Conservative Party and the British Humanist Association.
ii) Subject to the approval of the Annual General Meeting, the group may affiliate itself to any other organisation in furtherance of the aims of the group.
11. Amendments to the Constitution
i) This constitution may be amended by resolution passed by at least two thirds of the members present and voting at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting of the group.
ii) All organisations to which the group is affiliated are to be informed of any changes to the constitution within 28 days of such a change.
