1.Nature1.1The European Movement of the United Kingdom (“the Movement”) is an unincorporated association consisting of such persons as may declare their support for its objects, have been admitted to membership according to the procedures set out in this Constitution and subscribe to the funds of the Movement.1.2The Movement may cooperate in the attainment of its objects with that Company limited by guarantee known as European Movement of the United Kingdom Ltd. (company number 551817), or with any other company falling within the provisions of paragraph 22 of this constitution (and the expression “the Company” is used in this constitution to describe any company referred to in this paragraph).
2.Objects
The objects of the Movement shall be:
2.1To further the aims of European unity with the United Kingdom playing a full part.2.2To advocate reforms which would make the European Union more effective and democratic, and more committed to exercising its weight and influence to benefit the wider world.
3.Activities
The Movement may do all such things as may reasonably advance the objects, including:
3.1Informing public opinion about Europe and the European Union and developing, publicising and carrying out policies and proposals for the promotion, advancement and maintenance of understanding, cohesion, co-operation and unity amongst the countries and peoples of Europe and between them and the rest of the world;3.2Supporting and maintaining a network of affiliated branches throughout the United Kingdom, all as more specifically hereinafter provided for;3.3Maintaining links with appropriate organisations with particular reference to the international European Movement;3.4Undertaking such educational and social activities as may advance the objects;3.5Campaigning and lobbying for the promotion of European union.
4.Powers4.1In furtherance of its objects and its activities, the Movement shall have power to acquire, deal with in any manner and dispose of property whether real or personal, heritable or moveable and to incur liabilities, all as it thinks fit, and that by any of the following means:a)it may do so on its own account and through agents on its behalf, to the extent permitted by law;b)it may do so through the medium of the Company or other person as Trustee or Trustees;c)it may do so by entering into contractual or other arrangements with the Company whereby the Movement is given the use of property belonging to the Company and that on such terms as may be agreed between the Company and the Movement;d)it may enter into contractual or other arrangements with the Company whereby the Movement engages the Company as principal to carry out any objects or activities of the Movement and to enter into contacts and incur liabilities in connection therewith;e)and the Movement shall have power to transfer or cause to be transferred to the Company as principal any property of which the Movement may be owner or beneficial owner or in respect of which the Movement is entitled to a conveyance, and that by way of gift or at such consideration as may be agreed between the Movement and the Company.
4.2
In exercising these powers, the Movement maya)raise money by subscriptions, donations, and in any other lawful manner;b)enter into any contracts insofar as it may consider it necessary or convenient to do so for the promotion of its objects;c)do all such other things as in the opinion of the Movement are necessary or desirable for, or conducive to, the achievement of any of its objects.
5.Structure5.1For the attainment of the foregoing objects, the functions of the Movement shall be carried out by and through the following bodies and committees:a)
b)
c)
d) General Meeting
National Council
National Executive
Branches Forum
6.General Meetings6.1The members of the European Movement acting in General Meeting shall determine the policies of the Movement and, so far as not otherwise provided for in this constitution or delegated by them to the National Council, shall take charge of the conduct of the Movement’s affairs.6.2All individual members shall be entitled to participate in General Meetings.6.3The National Executive shall convene an Annual General Meeting at least once in each calendar year, such Annual General Meeting to be held no more than 18 calendar months after the previous General Meeting.6.4The business to be discussed at the Annual General Meeting shall include:a)
b)Presentation of the National Council’s Annual Report on Activities;
Consideration and approval, if thought fit, of the Annual Accounts of the Movement.6.5The National Executive may, and upon such a request as is referred to in 6.6 shall, convene a Special General Meeting for the purpose of considering such matters as may be specified in the calling notice, and any other matters as may competently be discussed.6.6No fewer than one hundred individual members may by written request addressed to the Chairman, failing whom the Secretary, of the Movement require the National Executive to convene a Special General Meeting. The request shall contain notice of the business sought to be discussed. The National Executive shall be bound to convene the Special General Meeting so as to be held within 70 days of the date of receipt of the request.6.7Save as otherwise provided in 6.10, members shall be sent Notice of General Meetings (“calling notice”) at least 56 days before the scheduled meeting. The calling notice shall specify:
a)
b)
c)details of the time and location of the meeting;
draft agenda (which, in the case of Special General Meetings requested in terms of 6.6, shall include the business specified in the request);
an explanation of how to submit motions for consideration by the meeting.6.8Subject to the provisions of 25.1, a Motion for consideration by the meeting may be submitted to the Secretary at least 35 days before the meeting by an individual member as proposer together with at least one seconder; or by a branch, the Branches Forum, the National or Regional Councils, or an affiliated group or sections, which motions so submitted shall not require a seconder.6.9Members shall be sent Notice of the full agenda (“final Agenda Notice”) including all submitted motions at least 28 days prior to the meeting.6.10In relation to any Special General Meeting convened under 6.5 or 6.6 where the National Executive judges there to be special urgency, such meeting shall be convened by calling notice sent not less than 14 days prior to the meeting, which notice shall specify:a)
b)
c)details of the time and location of the meeting;
the agenda (which, in the case of Special General Meetings requested in terms of 6.6, shall include the business specified in the request);
an explanation that motions for consideration by the meeting may be submitted and be dealt with as emergency motions specified under 6.15.6.11Both the calling notice and the final agenda notice shall be sent to members at their respective last known postal or e-mail address. That any person entitled to attend the General Meeting, through mistake, inadvertence or any other accidental cause or any cause outwith the control of the Movement or its officers, committees or bodies, may not have received the calling notice and final agenda notice or either of them shall not invalidate the meeting nor any business conducted thereat.6.12A General Meeting shall be chaired by the President, failing whom by a member nominated by the National Executive failing whom a member elected by the meeting. The person chairing the meeting shall have a deliberative and a casting vote.6.13The quorum of the meeting shall be thirty individual members.6.14Save as otherwise specified herein, voting shall be by a simple majority of those present and voting.6.15Emergency motions may be accepted at any time in the sole discretion of the chairman of the meeting provided that the same shall have been submitted in writing and he judges that there exist special circumstances which precluded their prior submission under 6.8.6.16Amendments to motions may be accepted by the chairman of the meeting at any time prior to a vote on the motion if they are, in the view of the chairman, relevant to the subject matter of the original motion and are not contradictory to its original intent.6.17 There may from time to time be adopted such standing orders for the conduct of General Meetings as may be approved by the members in General Meeting, provided only that no provision of the standing orders shall conflict with any provision of this constitution.
7.National Council7.1Between General Meetings, the policy and decision-making body of the European Movement shall be the National Council.7.2The functions of the National Council shall include the following:a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)to ensure the implementation of the decisions and policies of the membership as adopted by General Meetings;
to formulate and adopt policy between General Meetings and to be responsible for such policy decisions to the members in General Meeting;
to adopt the Annual Budget and Forward Plan;
to elect the President, Vice-Presidents, the Chairman, two Vice-Chairmen, Secretary, Treasurer, and up to four additional members of the National Executive;
to appoint prominent supporters as patrons of the European Movement;
to adopt the Annual Report on Activities for submission to the Annual General Meeting;
to adopt the Annual Accounts of the Movement for submission to the Annual General Meeting;
to discipline, suspend and expel members;
to oversee the Movement’s administration including policies relating to its office, personnel, staffing levels and recruitment procedures;
to maintain links with the International European Movement.7.3The following shall be the voting members of the National Council:a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)the Chairman of the Movement;
the two Vice-Chairmen of the Movement ;
the Treasurer;
the Secretary;
the Chairman of the Branches Forum;
the President of the Young European Movement or his surrogate;
two further representatives of the Young European Movement;
one representative of each of the Councils of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland respectively;
nine members elected regionally by the English branches according to the procedures hereinafter set out;
twelve members elected directly by the membership according to the procedures hereinafter set out.7.4The National Council may co-opt additional members as follows:a)
b)
c)
d)
e)one person nominated by such pro-European group within the Conservative Party as the National Council may designate;
one person nominated by such pro-European group within the Labour Party as the National Council may designate;
one person nominated by such pro-European group within the Liberal Democrat Party as the National Council may designate;
a representative from each of such parliamentary groups and affiliated organisations as the National Council may consider appropriate;
such other persons with such specific skills as the National Council may judge desirable;
provided that any person so co-opted shall be a member of the movement.
7.5If a person is co-opted to the position of Treasurer or of Secretary, he shall become a voting member of the National Council for so long as he retains that office by virtue of his co-option.7.6Save as provided for in 7.5, no co-opted member of the National Council shall be eligible to vote in the deliberations of the Council.7.7The National Council may from time to time invite other persons to participate in such meetings or parts of meetings of the National Council as it may in its discretion determine, under declaration that no such invited person shall be entitled to vote at said meeting.7.8Additionally, the President and Vice-Presidents of the Movement may attend and participate in the meetings of the National Council, but they shall not be eligible to vote at said meetings.7.9The National Council shall meet on at least two occasions in each calendar year. Meetings of the National Council may be called:a)
b)
c)by resolution of the National Council, upon such date as the National Council may determine;
by the Chairman of the European Movement upon such date as he may determine;
upon a written request by at least eight voting members of the National Council addressed to the Chairman, failing whom the Secretary. The Secretary shall call the meeting to take place within at least 21 days of the receipt of the request.7.10There shall be sent a Notice calling a meeting of the National Council (“calling notice”) at least 7 days before the date of the meeting. The calling notice shall include:a)
b)details of the time and location of the meeting;
an agenda together with (so far as reasonably practicable) the draft minutes of the previous meeting and any papers, reports and other documents to be discussed at the meeting.7.11The calling notice shall be sent to each member at his nominated e-mail address, failing which, his postal address. That any person entitled to attend the meeting, through mistake, inadvertence or any other accidental cause or any cause outwith the control of the Movement or its officers, committees or bodies may not have received the calling notice shall not invalidate the meeting nor any business conducted thereat.7.12Meetings of the National Council will be chaired by the Chairman of the Movement, failing whom a Vice-Chairman of the Movement, failing whom a member elected by the meeting. The Chairman of the meeting shall have a deliberative and a casting vote.7.13The quorum shall be twelve voting members.7.14Voting shall be by a simple majority of those members who are present and voting.7.15The National Council may establish such subcommittees or working groups as it feels necessary to fulfil its responsibilities, (provided however that at least one of the members of such subcommittees or working groups shall be a member of the National Council), and shall appoint the chairmen of such subcommittees or working groups.7.16The National Council may from time to time adopt such standing orders for the conduct of its meetings and those of its subcommittees and working groups as it may consider expedient, provided only that no provision of such standing orders shall conflict with any provision of this constitution.
8.National Executive8.1Under the supervision of the Council to which it is accountable, the National Executive shall:a)
b)
c)
d)
e)implement the policies of the Movement as the same shall have been determined by the members in General Meetings and by the National Council;
oversee the organisation, co-ordination and administration of the Movement, including its office and any staff;
prepare a draft Annual Report on Activities for the consideration of the National Council under paragraph 7.2 (e);
through the Treasurer, be responsible for the financial administration of the Movement and prepare the draft Annual Accounts for consideration by the National Council under paragraph 7.2 (f);
perform such other functions as may from time to time be delegated to it by the National Council.8.2The following shall be voting members of the National Executive:a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)the Chairman of the Movement;
the two Vice-Chairmen;
the Treasurer;
the Secretary;
up to four members elected by the National Council;
the Chairman of the Branches Forum;
the President of the Young European Movement or his substitute.8.3The National Executive shall have no power of co-option.8.4The National Executive may from time to time invite other persons to participate in such meetings or parts of its meetings as it may in its discretion determine, under declaration that no such invited person shall be entitled to vote at said meeting.8.5For the purposes of this Constitution, and of the Articles of Association of the Company, the voting members of the National Executive listed under 8.2.(a) to (g) above shall be deemed to be the Officers of the Movement and hence, pursuant to paragraph 3 of the Articles of Association of the Company, the members of the Company.8.6The National Executive shall meet on at least eight occasions in each calendar year. Meetings of the National Executive may be called:a)
b)
c)by resolution of the National Executive, upon such date as the National Executive may determine;
by the Chairman of the European Movement upon such date as he may determine;
upon a written request by at least four members of the national executive addressed to the Chairman, failing whom to the Secretary. The Secretary shall call the meeting to take place within at least 21 days of the receipt of the request.8.7There shall be sent to all members of the National Executive a Notice calling a meeting of the National Executive (“calling notice”) at least 7 days before the date of the meeting. The calling notice shall include:a)
b)details of the time and location of the meeting;
an agenda together with (so far as reasonably practicable) the draft Minutes of the previous meeting and any papers, reports and other documents to be discussed at the meeting.8.8Additionally, there shall be sent at least 7 days before the date of the meeting to all members of the National Council a copy of the calling notice including the agenda for the meeting, and, as soon as reasonably practicable after the meeting, a copy of any Minutes which may have been approved at the meeting.8.9The calling notice shall be sent to each person entitled to receive it at his nominated e-mail address, failing which, his postal address. That any person entitled to attend the meeting, through mistake, inadvertence or any other accidental cause or any cause outwith the control of the Movement or its officers, committees or bodies may not have received the calling notice shall not invalidate the meeting nor any business conducted thereat.8.10The National Executive will be chaired by the Chairman of the European Movement, failing whom a Vice-Chairman, failing whom by a member elected by the meeting. The Chairman of the meeting shall have a deliberative and a casting vote.8.11The quorum shall be four voting members.8.12Voting shall be by a simple majority of those members who are present and voting.8.13The National Executive may from time to time adopt such standing orders for the conduct of its meetings as it may consider expedient, provided only that no provision of such standing orders shall conflict with any provision of this constitution.
9.Branches Forum9.1The Branches Forum shall:a)
b)
c)provide a place for all branches to share their views about the work of the European Movement;
have the function of advising the National Council on membership recruitment and retention, branch development and support, and membership services;
review recent and proposed national campaigns involving grass roots activities.9.2The Branches Forum shall consist of the chairmen of each affiliated branch of the Movement (with full power to each of such chairmen to appoint a replacement in the event of his absence) together with one representative appointed by each of the three Councils of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, according to the rules of each of those Councils as they apply from time to time. The officers of the European Movement shall have the right to attend and participate as non-voting members. The Forum may at is discretion allow others to attend and speak.9.3The Branches Forum shall elect a Chairman from amongst its number. Such person shall, for so long as he holds that office, be a member of the National Executive.9.4There shall be at least one meeting of the Branches Forum each year, the Annual Meeting, which shall be convened by direction of the National Executive to be held at a date and time shortly prior (as the National Executive shall judge) to the Annual General Meeting of the European Movement.9.5Additionally, meetings of the Branches Forum may be called:a)
b)
c)
by resolution of the National Executive, upon such date as the National Executive may determine;
by written request of the Chairman of the Branches Forum upon such date as he may require, which request shall be addressed to the Chairman, failing whom to the Secretary, and the Secretary shall call the meeting on the nominated date;
upon a written request by at least six branches addressed to the Chairman, failing whom Secretary. The Secretary shall call the meeting to take place within at least 70 days of the receipt of the request.9.6There shall be sent to all members of the Branches Forum a Notice calling a meeting of the Branches Forum (“calling notice”) at least 21 days before the date of the meeting. The calling notice shall include:a)
b)details of the time and location of the meeting;
an agenda together with (so far as reasonably practicable) the draft Minutes of the previous meeting and any papers, reports and other documents to be discussed at the meeting.9.7The calling notice shall be sent to each person entitled to receive it at his nominated e-mail address, failing which, to his postal address. That any person entitled to attend the meeting, through mistake, inadvertence or any other accidental cause or any cause outwith the control of the Movement or its officers, committees or bodies may not have received the calling notice shall not invalidate the meeting nor any business conducted thereat.9.8The Branches Forum will be chaired by the Chairman of the Branches Forum, failing whom by a member elected by the meeting. The first item of business at the Annual Meeting will be the election of the new Branches Forum Chairman, who shall assume office upon his election. The remainder of the meeting shall be chaired by him, failing whom by a member elected by the meeting. The Chairman shall have a deliberative and a casting vote.9.9The quorum shall be four voting members.9.10Voting shall be by a simple majority of those members who are present and voting.9.11The Branches Forum may from time to time adopt such standing orders for the conduct of its meetings as it may consider expedient, provided only that no provision of such standing orders shall conflict with any provision of this constitution.
10.Membership10.1Membership of the Movement shall be open to all persons who declare their support for its objects.10.2Applications from persons to join the Movement may be referred by any officer or member of the Movement to the National Executive, who may reject such application without any explanation being given.10.3The National Council may from time to time make such rules for such classes of membership, including life, family, corporate, affiliate and associate membership, the mode of approval of such members and all other things touching thereon as the National Council may judge expedient, providing, however that nothing in such rules shall derogate from or be in conflict with this Constitution.10.4There shall be maintained a central list of all members (of whatever class) of the Movement.10.5The National Council shall determine annually subscription rates for all classes of members.10.6All members of whatever class shall have the right to receive calling notices for general meetings, to submit motions, and to participate in its deliberations. Only individual members in good standing shall be eligible to stand for election, to vote at general meetings and to participate in postal ballots for the officers and National Council.10.7Membership of the European Movement shall be deemed to have lapsed 90 days after a written reminder that a membership subscription is overdue for payment has been sent to the member in question. Upon the expiry of said period of 90 days, if the subscription remains unpaid, the member shall cease to be a member and to enjoy the rights of membership attaching to the class of which he is a member (declaring that, for the avoidance of doubt, until the expiry of the said period without payment of arrears, the member shall continue to enjoy the full rights attaching to membership of that class).10.8The National Council may make such Rules as it may consider appropriate to discipline, or suspend or expel members who, in the judgement of the National Council have acted or are acting inconsistently with the constitution and any standing orders of the European Movement, who break its rules, or who publish any statement or who are guilty of any conduct which is detrimental to its standing or reputation.
11.Branches, regional representatives and regional councils11.1There may be branches of the Movement, which shall be such bodies (whether or not incorporated) as shall have been recognised as affiliated branches by the Movement according to the following procedure:11.2To be and to remain eligible for recognition, branches shall:a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)have a constitution having objects similar to and compatible with the objects of the Movement;
have a democratic constitution with annual elections to a committee with at least a Chair, and a Secretary and Treasurer with all members of the branch being eligible to vote;
have reached agreement with the Executive Committee as to the name of the branch and the geographical area to be covered by it;
have a bank account in the name of the branch and have agreed to submit (and have submitted) to the Treasurer of the Movement an annual account of the branch’s financial transactions;
demonstrate and continue to demonstrate a commitment to an annual level of activity;
maintain a minimum membership of ten members, and to submit to the Secretary of the Movement a list of current members when required to do so.11.3The recognition and withdrawal of recognition of a branch shall be by decision of the National Council.11.4Those bodies wishing to affiliate as branches shall inform the Chairman of the Branches Forum of their wish to affiliate, and shall furnish such information as may be required to demonstrate the matters referred to in paragraph 11.2. The Chairman of the Branches Forum, in consultation with the elected representative for the region concerned, shall make a recommendation to the next meeting of the National Council concerning the application.11.5The branch shall notify to the Secretary of the Movement any change in its constitution, and shall, when required to do so, furnish to the Secretary such information as the Secretary may reasonably require to demonstrate the continued eligibility for affiliation of the branch.11.6The elected regional branch representative shall be responsible for supporting existing branches, developing new branches, and co-ordinating grassroots activity within the region.11.7The National Council may make rules for the formation and running of Regional Councils by branches or members of the Movement. Such rules shall conform to the following minimum requirements:
a)
b)
c)the geographical boundary of each regional council shall follow the regional boundaries set for the election of branch representatives to the National Council;
each regional council shall include all branches of the European Movement within the geographical area;
the constitution of each regional council shall be subject to approval by the National Council.
12.Young European Movement12.1There may be an affiliated youth movement to be known as the Young European Movement (“YEM”) which shall be such unincorporated association as shall have been recognised as the YEM by the National Council according to the following procedure.12.2To be and to remain eligible for recognition, the YEM shall:a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)have a constitution having objects similar to and compatible with the objects of the Movement;
have a democratic constitution with annual elections to a committee with at least a Chair, and a Secretary and Treasurer with all members being eligible to vote;
have reached agreement with the Executive Committee as to those who are eligible to be members including eligibility according to age;
have a bank account in the name of the YEM and have agreed to submit (and have submitted) to the Treasurer of the Movement an annual account of its financial transactions;
to demonstrate and continue to demonstrate a commitment to an annual level of activity;
to maintain such minimum membership as the National Council may require, and to submit to the Secretary of the Movement a list of current members when required to do so.12.3The recognition and any withdrawal of recognition of YEM shall be by decision of the National Council.12.4YEM shall furnish to the Secretary from time to time such information as may be required to demonstrate the matters referred to in paragraph 12.2.12.5YEM shall notify to the Secretary any change in its Constitution, and shall, when required to do so, furnish to the Secretary such information as the Secretary may reasonably require to demonstrate its continued eligibility for affiliation.12.6All members of YEM shall be deemed also to be members of the Movement for so long as YEM is affiliated to the Movement.13.Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland13.1The Movement shall recognise Councils for each of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland provided that, in the reasonable view of the National Council of the Movement, they each conform to the following minimum requirements:a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)they each have a constitution having objects similar to and compatible with the objects of the Movement;
they each have a democratic constitution with regular elections to a committee with at least a Chairman, and a Secretary and Treasurer with all members of the relevant Council being eligible to vote;
they each cover that nation (but only that nation) of the United Kingdom whose name they bear;
they each have a bank account in their respective names and meet such reasonable requirements of financial reporting as the National Council of the Movement may require;
they each demonstrate and continue to demonstrate a commitment to an annual level of activity;
they each maintain such minimum membership as might be agreed from time to time (and, failing agreement, as may reasonably be required by the National Council) and submit to the Secretary of the Movement a list of current members when reasonably required to do so.13.2Each such Council shall notify to the Secretary any change in its Constitution, and shall, when required to do so, furnish to the Secretary such information as the Secretary may reasonably require to demonstrate the matters referred to in 13.1.13.3All members of each such Council shall be deemed also to be members of the Movement for so long as that National Council is recognised by the Movement
14.President, Vice-Presidents, Chairman and Officers14.1The National Council shall elect a President and may elect up to five Vice-Presidents of the Movement.14.2The Chairman shall be elected by the National Council.14.3In the event of a casual vacancy occurring in the office of Chairman, the Senior Vice-Chairman shall become the Acting Chairman until such time as the National Council shall elect a successor as chairman, which successor shall hold office for the remainder the term of office of the Chairman who has resigned.14.4Each of the two Vice-Chairmen shall be elected by the National Council, from amongst its membership, using the single transferable vote system, and according to such rules as may be approved from time to time by the National Council.14.5The Vice-Chairman with the highest number of votes shall be the senior Vice-Chairman. In the event of an equality of votes, or where there are only two candidates, a ballot shall take place to determine who is to be the Senior Vice-Chairman.14.6The Treasurer and Secretary shall each be elected by the National Council using the alternative vote system and according to such rules as may be approved from time to time by the National Council. For the avoidance of doubt, it is expressly declared that a Candidate for neither office need be a member of the National Council at the time of his nomination.14.7The term of office of each of the Chairman, Vice-Chairmen, Secretary and Treasurer shall commence immediately on his election and shall extend to the declaration of the result of the relevant election held at the meeting of the National Council first occurring after the second Annual General Meeting following the date of his election; in the event of a casual vacancy occurring, the National Council shall elect a replacement to serve out the remainder the relevant term of office14.8Each of the members of the National Executive elected by the National Council from amongst its members shall be so elected by means of the single transferable vote system and according to such rules as may be approved from time to time by the National Council.14.9Such elections shall be held at the first meeting of the National Council following the Annual General Meeting in an election year. Should such an officer as is referred to in 14.8 resign, the National Council shall elect by secret ballot a replacement to serve out the remainder of his term of office by means of the alternative vote system (or the single transferable vote system if more than one vacancy is to be filled at the same meeting).14.10The term of office of each such officer shall commence immediately on his election and shall extend to the declaration of the result of the relevant election held at the meeting of the National Council first occurring after the second Annual General Meeting following the date of his election.14.11In the event of a casual vacancy occurring amongst such officers, the National Council shall elect a replacement to serve out the remainder the relevant term of office.14.12The Branches Forum shall elect the Branches Forum Chairman by means of the alternative vote system at the Annual Meeting held upon the expiry of the previous term of office of Branches Forum Chairman.14.13Nominations for the office of Branches Forum Chairman may be made at the meeting at which the election is to be held.14.14The term of office of the Branches Forum Chairman shall commence immediately on his election and shall extend to the second Annual Meeting of the Branches Forum occurring thereafter (said term expiring upon the declaration of the said result).14.15In the event of a casual vacancy occurring in the office of Branches Forum Chairman, the nine branch representatives on the National Council Branches Forum shall elect a replacement to serve until the next meeting of the Branches Forum.14.16The President of YEM shall be elected and hold office according to rules laid down in its Constitution;
provided however that if the President is unable or unwilling regularly to attend meetings of the National Council he may nominate a substitute to take his place on the National Council.
15.Representation on the National Council15.1The three representatives of the Councils of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland shall be elected and hold office according to rules laid down in their respective Constitutions.15.2The nine branch representatives shall be elected regionally (and according to such rules as may be approved from time to time by the National Council) by means of a postal ballot using the alternative vote system with the Chairman of each branch having one vote.15.3The Chairman of each branch shall consult within the branch for which he is the nominated elector and in whatever manner may be required by the branch concerning how his vote is to be cast, provided, however that no failure to observe this requirement shall be held to have invalidated his vote, unless there shall have been received by the Secretary of the Movement written intimation from the branch that the authority of the person purporting to cast the vote has been determined by the branch, and that such notification shall have been received prior to the casting of the vote.15.4The term of office of each of the branch representatives shall commence immediately on his election and shall extend until the declaration of the result of the next election for that office, which declaration shall be made at or shortly prior to the meeting of the National Council first occurring after the second Annual General Meeting following the date of the election.15.5In the event of a casual vacancy, there shall be held a postal ballot in manner stipulated in 15.2 to fill the casual vacancy, under declaration that the representative so elected shall serve until the expiry of the original term of office.15.6Each of the twelve directly-elected members of the National Council shall be elected by postal ballot of the membership using the single transferable vote system.15.7The term of office of each of the directly-elected members shall extend until the end of the second Annual General Meeting following the date of his election.15.8In the event of a casual vacancy, there shall be elected that candidate who, upon a recount of the votes originally cast (under exclusion of the votes cast for the person who shall have left office) shall be elected, under declaration that where there is no such person the vacancy shall remain unfilled. The person so elected shall be elected only until the expiry of the original term.
16.Elections Timetable For The Postal Ballot16.1The postal ballot to elect the twelve elected members of the National Council shall be conducted according to the following timetable and in accordance with such rules as may be laid down by the National Council from time to time, which rules shall comply with the following principles:a)
b)
c)
d)Members shall be sent a written call for nominations at least 56 days before the Annual General Meeting at which the result is to be declared, said written call to be sent with the calling notice for the meeting;
Nominations shall be sent so as to be received by the Returning Officer by 12 noon on the day 35 days before the meeting;
Members shall be sent candidate details and ballot papers at least 28 days before the meeting, said papers to be sent with the agenda for the meeting;
The ballot shall close 7 days before the AGM.16.2The foregoing provision shall apply mutatis mutandis to the postal ballot for the nine branch representatives, which ballot shall be held at the same time as the ballots specified in said provision, save only that the candidate details and ballot papers will be sent only to the nominated elector (as defined in 15.2) for each of the branches.
17.Conduct Of Elections17.1The National Council shall appoint a Returning Officer to oversee the elections process for officers, the National Council and the National Executive, who shall be empowered to rule on the validity of nominations, to exclude any candidate whose conduct in the elections is inconsistent with any standing orders adopted, and to officiate at the count.17.2All elections shall be by secret ballot.17.3Candidates shall have the right to be present, or nominate a representative to be present, at the count.17.4The National Council may lay down detailed rules for the conduct of elections.
18.Term limits18.1No officer or elected member of the Council shall serve for more than three consecutive terms in the same office nor in the same capacity as a member of the Council, nor shall he be eligible to stand for re-election to that office or as an elected member of the council in that same capacity until the expiry of one further term of office.
19.Votes Of No Confidence, Removal of Officers and Deemed Resignations19.1A General Meeting may pass a resolution of no confidence in any officer or ordinary member of the National Executive or in the National Executive as a whole by means of a three-quarters majority of those present and entitled to vote at the meeting at which the relevant motion is voted upon. Written notice of such a motion (which shall require a proposer and a seconder who shall be persons entitled to vote at the meeting at which the motion is to be voted upon) shall be given to the Secretary no later than 35 days before the date of the Meeting.19.2The National Council, by a majority of three-quarters of those present and entitled to vote at the meeting who are entitled to vote, may remove from office, for good cause, any officer who has been elected by the National Council. Notice of any such motion shall be given to the Secretary at least 14 days before the meeting and notice of the motion shall be sent to all members of the National Council at least 7 days before the meeting.19.3In the event that such a motion as is referred to in 19.1 and 19.2 is carried, the officer concerned shall be deemed to have left office immediately; and in relation to the office concerned there shall be treated as having arisen a casual vacancy, which shall be filled as soon as reasonably practicable in manner provided for in this constitution as applicable to the office concerned.19.4Any voting member of the National Council who fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the National Council without having given a reason which, in the opinion of the third such meeting, is sufficient and acceptable shall be deemed to have resigned, and a casual vacancy shall be taken to have arisen.
20.Finance20.1The Treasurer shall cause there to be kept and maintained full books of account and shall cause there to be presented to the National Executive and to the National Council such periodic management accounts as those bodies may require. Additionally he shall cause there to be presented to the Annual General Meeting annual accounts of the transactions of the Movement with its funds, all as more particularly provided for elsewhere in this constitution.20.2The Annual Accounts shall be duly examined and approved by an independent auditor or an independent examiner, who shall be appointed by the members in General Meeting.20.3The National Council shall make such rules for the financial management of the Movement as shall ensure compliance with 20.1 and 20.2 and as shall also facilitate good and efficient financial administration of the Movement.
21.Sections21.1The National Council may make rules providing for the forming and running of sections comprised of members having shared interests or backgrounds.
22.Company – requirements22.1The Movement may utilise a Company incorporated under the Companies Acts (including company number 551817) for the purpose of pursuing the objectives of the Movement and that by the carrying out of whatever actions in pursuance of those objectives as the Movement may consider desirable.22.2No such company may be so utilised unless its Articles of Association make the following minimum provisions:a)
b)
c)The members of the company shall be the persons who are for the time being the officers of the Movement (as defined in 8.5), save that if the Movement or the company at any time employs a “Director ” that person may also be a member of the company;
No one shall be eligible to be a director of the company unless he is an officer of the Movement or employed by the company or the Movement as “Director”;
The Articles of Association make provision to ensure full financial transparency and ensure financial accountability of the company to its members.22.3The National Council shall make such additional rules as may be necessary in order to ensure the accountability of the company through the members of the National Council to the members of the Movement.
23.Notices in Writing23.1Where this constitution makes provision for any notice or other communication to be given in writing, the same shall be as effectual if communicated by fax, e-mail or similar electronic means.
24.Amendment of Constitution24.1This Constitution may be amended by a motion (or any amendment thereof) carried by a three-fourths majority of the members present and voting at a General Meeting, provided however that a minimum of 28 days’ notice of such motion shall have been given in writing to members.24.2That any person entitled to attend the meeting, through mistake, inadvertence or any other accidental cause or any cause outwith the control of the Movement or its officers, committees or bodies may not have received notice of the motion shall not invalidate the proceedings following upon the notice of the Motion.
25.Dissolution25.1The Movement may be dissolved by means of a motion to that effect carried by a three-fourths majority of the members present and voting at a General Meeting, provided however that a minimum of 56 days’ notice of such motion shall have been given to members in writing advising them of the proposal of dissolution.25.2In the event that such a resolution for the winding-up of the Movement is passed, the Treasurer or such other person or persons as the General Meeting may appoint shall proceed to wind up its affairs and, for that purpose, shall be deemed to be granted all powers as may be necessary and shall pay over any remaining balance to such other body as may be specified in the Resolution; provided, however, that in no circumstances shall any of the surplus assets be returned to the members as individuals.