Constitution

Devon Association of Community Buildings -  Constitution 
 
Name
 
The name of the organisation will be the Devon Association of Community Buildings (DACB) known hereon in as the Association. 
 
A community building is defined as a building which is leased or owned by the community and is managed to be inclusive of the whole community.
 
The area of benefit
 
The Association is established for the following purposes in the area comprising of the County of Devon excluding Unitary Authorities hereinafter defined as the area of benefit.
 
Objective
 
To represent, support and promote the interests of Devon communities through village halls and community buildings.
 
Principal Responsibilities
 

1. To encourage and share best practice of managing a community resource through networking, peer support and advice service.
    
2. To offer both formal and informal advice and information.
    
3. To support and/or provide training, an annual conference and other events for community buildings.
    
4. To develop partnerships, lobby and influence for the promotion of community buildings.
    
5. To collect and receive money, own and use assets of any description to further the objective of the DACB.
    
6. Exercise appropriate management controls over its finances and assets.
    
7. Do all such other things as are necessary to the attainment and furtherance of the objective of the DACB.

The benefits of these responsibilities will be made available solely to members of the Association 

 
Membership
 

1. Membership of the DACB will be available to the community buildings and village halls and within the area of benefit.
    
2. Membership of the DACB will be confirmed at a meeting of the Executive Committee and on payment of a subscription.
    
3. The amount of the subscription will be determined annually by the Executive Committee and confirmed by a majority vote at the Annual General Meeting.

Executive Committee
 

1. The activities of the DACB will be governed by an Executive Committee which will be elected annually by the members of the DACB at an AGM.   
    
2. The Executive Committee will be formed from elected representatives nominated by the management committees of community buildings which are paid up members of the DACB and representatives from County organisations.

District Representation
 

1. There will be fifteen elected representatives; two from each of the seven District Council areas in the County of Devon and one from the Dartmoor National Park Authority.
    
2. Each member community building will be invited to nominate two representatives from their District to sit on the Executive Committee.
    
3. Each member community building will be entitled to cast votes for up to two nominees in the election of their own district representatives.
    
4. If any District fails to nominate any representatives then the members present at the Annual General Meeting shall be empowered to co-opt representatives to the Executive Committee to bring the total up to fifteen, irrespective of the geographical location of the member so co-opted.

County Representation
 

1. There will be one representative from the Devon Association of Parish Councils, the Association of District Councils, Devon County Council and a trustee from the Community Council of Devon.
    
2. One representative of the County Grants Panel will serve on the Executive Committee ex officio.
    
3. The Executive Committee will resign en bloc at the Annual General Meeting of the DACB.
    
4. Providing his / her community building is still a member of the DACB the outgoing member of the Executive Committee will be eligible for re-nomination as members of the Executive Committee. The chair would be expected to sit for 3 years.
    
5. The Executive Committee will be empowered to co-opt an additional four members to the Executive Committee but not to exceed a maximum membership of 25.
    
6. The Executive Committee may establish such sub-committees and working parties as may be considered necessary to discharge the objective of the DACB. Only one half of the members of the standing committees or the working parties may be co-opted.

Meetings of the Executive Committee
 

1. All members of the DACB shall be advised of the date and time of the Annual General Meeting of the DACB which will be held annually in the month of May or as soon as possible thereafter.
    
2. Immediately after the Annual General Meeting the new members of the Executive Committee will meet to elect its officers who will be the Chairman, Vice Chair, and Treasurer.
    
3. The Executive Committee will meet quarterly or as required.
    
4. A Special General Meeting or a Special Meeting can be called by the written demand of six members of the DACB to the Chairman of the DACB giving their reasons for such a meeting or by the Chairman.
    
5. All meetings of the Executive Committee, the Annual General Meeting, Special General Meeting and Special Meeting will be called by giving at least fourteen clear days notice in writing to their membership.
    
6. Six members of the Executive Committee will form a quorum of these bodies respectively.

Alterations to the Constitution
 
Any alterations to this Constitution will require the assent of not less than two thirds of the full membership of the DACB present and voting at the Annual general Meeting. Similarly at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose provided that notice of such alteration will have been in writing not less than twenty one clear days before the meeting at which the alteration is to be proposed.
 
At least fourteen clear days notice in writing of such a meeting setting forth the terms of the alteration will be sent by the secretary to each member of the DACB.
 
Dissolution
 
If the Executive Committee by a simple majority decide at any time that on the grounds of expense or otherwise it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the DACB it will call a Special General Meeting of the DACB giving twenty one clear days notice of such a meeting and stating the resolutions to be proposed.
 
If the proposals are approved by two thirds of those present the Executive shall have the power to dispose of the assets of the DACB. Any assets remaining after the payment of all debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to an organisation whose objects are similar to or compatible with that of the DACB.

14^th December 2007