Reading Interfaith Group Constitution
1. NAME
The Reading Interfaith Group
2. THE PURPOSES OF THE CHARITY ARE:-
The promotion of religious harmony for the benefit of the public by:
- educating the public in different religious beliefs including an awareness of their distinctive features and their common ground to promote good relations between persons of different faiths;
- promoting knowledge and mutual understanding and respect of the beliefs and practices of different religious faiths;
- To respect our different faith backgrounds and promote friendship through interfaith dialogue and hospitality.
3. TRUSTEES
The charity shall be managed by a committee of trustees who are appointed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the charity.
4. CARRYING OUT THE PURPOSES
In order to carry out the charitable purposes, the trustees have the power to:
- raise funds, receive grants and donations
- apply funds to carry out the work of the charity
- co-operate with and support other charities with similar purposes
- do anything which is lawful and necessary to achieve the purposes
5. MEMBERSHIP
The charity shall have a membership. People who support the work of the charity and are aged 18 or over, can apply to the trustees to become a member. Once accepted by the trustees, membership lasts for 3 years and may be renewed. The trustees will keep an up-to-date membership list.
The trustees may remove a person’s membership if they do not act according to the charity’s purposes as described in the constitution and they believe it is in the best interests of the group. The member has the right to be heard by the trustees before the decision is made and can be accompanied by a friend.
6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – AGM
The AGM must be held every year, with 14 days notice given to all members telling them what is on the agenda. Minutes must be kept of the AGM. There must be at least 5 members or 10% of the membership, whichever is the greater, present at the AGM. Every member has one vote.
The trustees shall present the annual report and accounts.
Any member may stand for election as a trustee.
Members shall elect between 3 and 5 trustees to serve for the next year. They will retire at the next AGM but may stand for re-election.
7. TRUSTEE MEETINGS
Trustees must hold at least 3 meetings each year. At their first meeting after the AGM they will elect a chair, treasurer and secretary. Trustees must act by majority decision.
At least 2 trustees or one third of the trustee board, whichever is the greater, must be present at the meeting to be able to take decisions. Minutes shall be kept for every meeting.
If trustees have a conflict of interest they must declare it and leave the meeting while this matter is being discussed or decided.
During the year, the trustees may appoint up to 2 additional trustees. They will stand down at the next AGM.
The trustees may make reasonable additional rules to help run the charity. These rules must not conflict with this constitution or the law.
8. MONEY AND PROPERTY
Money and property must only be used for the charity’s purposes.
Trustees must keep accounts. The most recent annual accounts can be seen by anybody on request.
Trustees cannot receive any money or property from the charity, except to refund reasonable out of pocket expenses.
Money must be held in the charity’s bank account. All cheques or online banking must be signed or approved by 2 trustees.
9. GENERAL MEETINGS
If the Trustees consider it is necessary to change the constitution or wind up the charity, they must call a General Meeting so that the membership can make the decision. Trustees must also call a General Meeting if they receive a written request from the majority of members. All members must be given 14 days notice and told the reason for the meeting. All decisions require a two-thirds majority. Minutes must be kept.
Winding up – any money or property remaining after payment of debts must be given to a charity with similar purposes to this one.
Changes to the Constitution – can be made at AGMs or General Meetings. No change can be made that would make the organisation no longer a charity.
General Meeting – called on written request from a majority of members.
Trustees may also call a General Meeting to consult the membership
10. SETTING UP THE CHARITY
This constitution was adopted on 28th February 2021 at a Reading Interfaith Group AGM.