GALHA Constitution

(as amended at the SGM on 14/05/1993)

1. THE ORGANISATION shall be called the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA).

2. THE AIMS shall be:

a) to promote an awareness and understanding of Humanism among lesbians and gays;

b) to further an awareness and understanding of the rights of lesbians and gay men among Humanists;

c) to protect and promote the rights of lesbians, gays and Humanists.

3. MEMBERSHIP shall be open to:

a) all persons who support the aims of GALHA and who pay the subscription, and

b) all persons who support the aims of GALHA and who sign a statement applying for membership of GALHA and who each year pay to the Pink Triangle Trust a net amount equivalent to the GALHA subscription.

4. THE SUBSCRIPTION shall be paid annually, and the amount shall be decided by the Committee.

5. COMMITTEE: the organisation shall be managed by a committee which shall consist of:-

a) three officers, namely a chairperson, a secretary and a treasurer;

b) not more than six other members.

The Committee shall meet at least quarterly, and the Chairperson shall normally take the chair.  Four members, of whom at least two shall be officers, shall be a quorum.

6. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE: each Annual General Meeting shall elect all committee members.  Nominations for elections shall be given to the Secretary in writing before the AGM, and shall be signed by a proposer and seconder, and countersigned by the nominee, all of whom must have been members of the organisation for at least one month.

In the event of insufficient nominations being received, nominations may be accepted from the floor of the meeting at the discretion of the Chairperson.

7.  COMMITTEE VACANCIES: the Committee shall have the power to co-opt members to fill vacancies.
8. FINANCE: the organisation shall have an account at a bank or similar institution.  Withdrawal from the account shall require two signatures from a list of three members which shall be decided by the Committee.

9. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: these shall take place within four months of the financial year.

At the AGM, the business shall be:

a) the annual report;

b) the treasurer’s report, with presentation of the accounts and appointment of auditor;

c) election of a new committee;

d) deciding on any motions for resolution which shall be submitted.

Any member may submit a motion for discussion, but those submitted in writing prior to the day of the AGM shall have preference, except that, if a majority of the Committee are in favour, emergency motions may take a priority.

If a vote is taken on a motion, this shall be by a show of hands (unless otherwise agreed).  The member in the chair will have the casting vote in the event of a tie.  Non-Members will be allowed to attend the meeting and, if the member in the chair agrees, will be allowed to speak.

The meeting shall be chaired by the chairperson or such other officer or committee member as the meeting shall agree.

Twelve members shall form a quorum.

All members must be informed of the time and place of the AGM at least one month before the day.

10.  SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS: the Committee may call an SGM at any time, provided seven days notice is given to all members, which should include the agenda.  If 12 members sign a request to the Committee to call an SGM, the Committee must do so.  Procedure and quorum to be generally as for an AGM.

11. WINDING UP: The Organisation can be wound up only by an AGM or SGM, and only if the notice of the meeting states that winding up will be discussed.  Any assets of the Organisation, after winding up, shall be donated to such Humanist and homosexual organisations as the meeting shall decide.

12. CONSTITUTION: Amendments to the constitution may be made by a two-thirds majority at an AGM or SGM.  Details of proposed amendments must be sent out with the notice of the meeting.  A majority of the officers shall have the final word on the interpretation of the rules.