British Trombone Society Constitution

  1. Title
    1. The name of the Society shall be The British Trombone Society, hereinafter referred to as the Society.
  2. Aims
    1. The aims of the Society are to further the advancement of the trombone, its teaching, performance and literature, and to provide a forum for an interchange of ideas and social contact.
  3. Membership
    1. The members of the Society shall be performers, teachers or students of the trombone or other interested parties at the discretion of the Executive Board.
      1. Affiliated Groups: Affiliated Groups may be formed only at the discretion of the Executive Board.
      2. Patrons: Patron membership shall be open to any person or company. In the case of a company, one person would be designated as the Society member representing the company. Patron members will receive all Society communications free, special representation in each issue of the Society's journal and other such benefits as may be specified by the Executive Committee. Patron members are entitled to voting privileges but may not hold office.
  4. Government
    1. The management of the Society shall be by the Executive Board.
      1. Executive Board: The Executive Board shall have ultimate responsibility for all the activities of the Society and consist of five (5) Officers, the Chair, the Vice Chair, the Secretary, the Development Officer and the Treasurer. Two thirds of the Executive Board in attendance at meetings, or responding by mail, fax or e-mail, shall constitute a quorum in which to transact business. Decisions are made by a simple majority of those voting. The Executive Board may co-opt additional members without voting rights.
      2. Board of Advisors: The Board of Advisors, chaired by the President, shall consist of not more than ten (10) members who shall be appointed by the Executive. Two thirds of the Board of Advisors in attendance at meetings, or responding by mail, fax or e-mail shall constitute a quorum in which to transact business. Decisions are made by a simple majority of those voting. The Board of Advisors will meet at least once a year and may submit to the Executive Board any matters that it feels should be dealt with and have been duly voted on.
      3. President and Vice President: The Executive Board shall appoint the President and Vice President for the Society. The President and Vice President shall have no responsibility for the management or governance of the Society. The President shall be appointed for a two (2) year term but may be re-appointed. The Vice President is also the President Elect and will serve as such when the President retires.
      4. Staff: The staff of the Society, appointed by the Executive Board shall include, but is not limited to, a Magazine Editor, an Advertising Manager, a Membership Secretary, a Webmaster, and Regional and Sectional Representatives.
      5. Terms of Office, Conditions of Election or Appointment: The terms of office for the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Development Officer and Treasurer shall be two (2) years and any Officer may be re-elected.
      6. Election of Officers: Elections for the Officers shall be held every two years at the Annual General Meeting.
      7. Vacancies: The Vice Chair shall assume the position of Chair should the Chair be unable to continue his/her service, and this service shall not be counted as his/her regular term of office as Chair. The Chair shall appoint a Vice Chair, a Secretary, a development officer or Treasurer should any of these positions become vacant. Should both the Chair and the Vice Chair be unable to fulfil the duties of their offices, the Executive Board will appoint an interim Chair and Vice Chair.
      8. Removal from Office: The Executive Board by a two-thirds vote, may remove from office any officer, administrator, or Chairperson who is unable to fulfil his/her duties, when in the opinion of the Trustees, the effectiveness of the Society is impaired.
      9. Removal from Office by the membership. No less than 30 members of the Society may call an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) in order to debate and vote on a motion to remove one or more members of the Executive Board when the performance of their duties is thought to be detrimental to the Aims of the Society. Fourteen days notice of such a meeting must be given to members of the Society and the President will make the necessary arrangements for the EGM.
  5. Finance
    1. All the arrangements for promotions carried out in the name of the Society and control of finance shall be in the hands of the Executive Board.
      1. The financial year shall end on 30th November.
      2. A banking account shall be opened in the name of the Society, and cheques shall be signed by the Treasurer or the Administrator.
      3. The Society may receive donations, grants in aid, and financial guarantees. Tickets for any or all of its promotions and other events may be offered for sale to the public at the discretion of the Executive Board.
      4. The income and property of the Society whencesoever derived shall be applied solely towards the promoting the objects of the Society as set forth above, and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred either directly or indirectly to any member or members of the Society, except in the payment of legitimate fees or expenses incurred on behalf of the Society and approved by the Executive Board.
  6. Dissolution
    1. In the event of the Society being wound up, any assets remaining upon dissolution after payment of proper debts and liabilities shall be transferred to a charitable institution or institutions having similar objects to those of the Society. The private property of individual members of this Society shall not be liable for Society debts.
  7. General Meeting
    1. The members and patrons shall be summoned to an Annual General Meeting of which at least fourteen days' notice in writing shall have been given.
  8. Audited Accounts
    1. The financial accounts shall be audited and submitted to the members and patrons at the Annual General Meeting.
  9. Amendments
    1. The constitution may be amended by a two thirds majority of the members and patrons present at the Annual General Meeting, provided that fourteen days' notice of the proposed amendment has been sent to all members and patrons.