GUILDFORD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
Registered as a Charity No.
1026337
CONSTITUTION
7. TITLE
The Guildford Philharmonic Choir forms part of the music scheme of the Guildford
Borough Council. The name of the Choir shall be the Guildford Philharmonic Choir.
. OBJECTS
To advance public education and appreciation of choral music in all its aspects in
particular by the presentation of public concerts and by other such means as the
Committee shall determine in consultation with Guildford Borough Council.
In
furtherance of the said objects but not further or otherwise the Committee may exercise
the following power: To provide a chorus for the Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra.
. MEMBERSHIP
The membership of the Choir shall be those aged 18 years or over who pay the annual
subscription at the appropriate rate or rates as shall be determined by the Committee,
all subscriptions being payable in advance, and (in the case of performing members) who
shall provide such evidence of musical ability as the Chorus Master shall require.
. PRESIDENT and VICE-PRESIDENT
The Choir may appoint a President and a Vice-President for a period of five years
subject to reappointment for similar or lesser periods thereafter.
- COMMITTEE
The management of the Choir shall be in the hands of a Committee consisting of four
officers (a Chairman, an Honorary Secretary, an Honorary Treasurer and an Honorary
Membership Secretary) and four additional members. The Committee shall be elected by
and
out
of
the
members
of
the
Choir
at
the Annual
General Meeting.
Officers shall be elected to a specific office, shall hold that office for one year and
shall be eligible for re-election provided that a member shall not hold the office of
Chairman for more than five consecutive years. In the event of a casual vacancy
occurring in any office during the year the Committee shall appoint one of their number
to act in that capacity until the next Annual General Meeting.
Additional members shall hold office for one year and be eligible for re-election
provided that the additional member who has served for the longest continuous period
shall not be eligible for re-election as an additional member for the following year if
that period is at least three complete years. Should there be more than one member
ineligible for re-election under this rule, the retiring member shall be decided by
agreement amongst those concerned or in default of agreement as the outgoing Chairman
in his/her absolute discretion shall decide.
. The Committee may co-opt members of the Choir to the Committee to fill vacancies or to
assist the Committee when required.
In addition the members of each voice part shall from time to time elect a Part
Representative who will report to the Membership Secretary. A Committee member shall
not also serve as a Part Representative.
. CHORUS MASTER and ACCOMPANIST
The appointment of Chorus Master is made on an annual basis by the Guildford Borough
Council on the recommendation of the Choir. The Accompanist is appointed on an annual
basis by the Choir on the recommendation of the Chorus Master.
Neither the Chorus
Master nor the Accompanist shall be a member of the Choir.
. MANAGEMENT
The management of the Choir and the control of finance shall be in the hands of the
Committee, whilst Guildford Borough Council shall be kept fully informed.
Guildford
Borough Council may send a representative to Committee meetings. Minutes shall be kept
of all Committee meetings and a copy lodged with the Guildford Borough Council.
FINANCE
The financial year shall end on April 30th.
A banking account shall be held in the name of the Guildford Philharmonic Choir and
cheques shall be signed by any two Committee members who have been nominated to the
Bank.
The Choir may receive donations, grants in aid and financial guarantees. Tickets for
any or all of its concerts and other events shall be offered for sale to the public.
The income and property of the Choir shall be applied solely towards promoting the
objects of the Choir as set forth above and no portion thereof shall be paid or
transferred either directly or indirectly to any member or members of the Choir except
in payment of legitimate expenses incurred on behalf of the Choir.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Within six weeks of the end of each financial year the members of the Choir shall be
summoned to an Annual General Meeting of which at least fourteen days notice in
writing shall have been given.
70. ACCOUNTS
The financial accounts shall be prepared by the Honorary Treasurer, independently
examined and presented to the members at the Annual General Meeting at which time an
Independent Examiner shall be appointed for the forthcoming year.
77. DISSOLUTION
In the event of the Choir being wound up any assets remaining upon dissolution after
payment of proper debts
and TIiabilities shall be
transferred to
a_ charitable
institution or institutions having similar objects to those of the Choir.
72. AMENDMENTS
Subject to (b) below, the Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of
members present at an Annual or Special General Meeting, provided that fourteen days
notice of the meeting and the proposed amendments have been sent to all members and
provided that nothing therein contained shall authorise any amendment which shall have
the effect of the Choir ceasing to be a charity.
The OBJECTS of the Choir shall not be amended without the prior approval of Guildford
Borough Council.
Constitution adopted April 26th 1993. Clauses 5 & 10 amended June 3rd 1996.
Guildford Philharmonic Choir
c/o Guildford Philharmonic Office
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Guildford
Surrey GU2 5BB
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