The Constitution

Name:

1. 1. The Association is called the EAST RENFREWSHIRE CHAMBER OF TRADE & COMMERCE (hereinafter called 'The Chamber').

Membership:

1. 2. Membership of the Chamber shall be open to all individual persons, companies and firms interested or actively engaged in business in EAST RENFREWSHIRE.

Objects:

1. 3.

   1. a) To encourage private enterprise and advance the interests of trade and commerce in EAST RENFREWSHIRE.

   2. b) To afford guidance in all aspects of business affairs in the community.

   3. c) To promote co-operation with Civic Authorities insofar as it affects the interests of members.

   4. d) To provide a forum for the exchange of information of mutual interest.

Annual Subscription:

1. 4. The Annual Subscription to the Chamber to be an amount fixed annually by the Executive Committee. Subscriptions are due in advance on 1 January which is the commencement of the Financial Year.

Arrears:

1. 5. If subscriptions are nor paid by 20 March in the due year the member shall be considered to be in arrears. Members in arrears shall lose their voting rights and at the discretion of the Executive Committee may be removed from the Roll of Members.

Resignations:

1. 6. Resignations must be intimated on or before 30 November and all members on the Roll at that time shall be liable for the subscription for the ensuing year.

Ruling Body:

1. 7. The Ruling Body of the Chamber shall be the Executive Committee. This shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary and where the role is separate from that of the Secretary, Treasurer and a minimum of two other members. The Maximum number of Committee members shall be a total of ten, to include all office bearers noted above. The committee may, between Annual General Meetings, fill any casual vacancy on the Committee on a temporary basis. Members of the Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. One third of the Members of Committee shall retire annually and shall be eligible for re-election.

President/Office Bearers:

1. 8. The members of Committee shall appoint a President and Vice President from among their number at the first meeting following the Annual General Meeting. The President shall not hold the office for more that three consecutive years. The President shall chair all meetings of the Chamber and the Executive Committee and shall have a casting as well as a deliberative vote. In the absence of the President and Vice President a Chairman may be appointed by the Committee. The Committee may appoint any office bearer or decline membership as they think fit.

Meetings:

1. 9. The Committee shall meet as often as may be necessary for the transaction of business. They shall determine the policy of the Chamber and manage its affairs. Three members shall be a quorum.

Annual General Meeting:

1. 10. The Annual General Meeting shall be held in March. The meeting shall be called by the secretary not later than fourteen days before the day of the meeting. Four members shall be a quorum. Accounts for the year to 31 December shall be available at the meeting.

Business at the Annual General Meeting:

1. 11. Members who wish to submit motions for consideration at the Annual General Meeting shall notify the Secretary of the wording of such motions not less than twenty-one days before the date of the Annual General Meeting. The Secretary shall submit such motions to the members of Committee at a meeting preceding the Annual General Meeting. Less formal matters shall be raised under any other business.

Extraordinary General Meeting:

1. 12. The President may, on requisition signed by any ten voting members or four members of Committee stating the object of the meeting, instruct the Secretary to call an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Chamber. The Secretary shall give not less than seven days notice of such a meeting.

Vacancies:

1. 13. The Committee shall have the power to fill vacancies including Presidential Office.

Committees:

1. 14. The Committee shall be empowered to form Committees either of their members or in conjunction with others, and to determine the procedure thereof.

Alternate:

1. 15. When members are serving in a representational capacity it will be competent for an alternate to be appointed.

Changes to Constitution:

1. 16. No alteration to the Constitution shall be valid unless it has been passed by a two thirds majority of those voting at an Extraordinary General Meeting or at an Annual General Meeting.

March 2007