Constitution

LANCS AND LAKES GUILD OF WEAVERS SPINNERS AND DYERS

Constitution as amended 2019 AGM

(1) NAME:

The name of the Guild shall be The Lancs and Lakes Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers.

(2) THE AIMS OF THE GUILD:

The objectives of the Guild shall be:

  • to promote interest in the three crafts
  • to maintain and encourage a high standard of craftsmanship
  • to provide opportunities for the interchange of information and for enlarging knowledge by holding workshops and having demonstrations, lectures and library facilities
  • to co-operate with other Guilds having like aims.

These objectives shall be pursued by:

  • holding demonstrations and exhibitions of work done by Members and invited craftsmen
  • arranging meetings for the discussion of subjects of interest to Members
  • organising workshops
  • using any other means of encouragement proper to carrying out the aims of the Guild.

(3) BUSINESS:

Every meeting will include a Business Meeting to keep Members informed (with the exception of the July, August and the December AGM meetings).

(4) COMMITTEE:

  • The affairs of the Guild shall be managed by a Committee, not exceeding five in number exclusive of officers.
  • The total of 8 (Members and 3 Officers) includes any co-opted Members.
  • Committee Members and Officers appointed at the AGM may serve for a maximum period of three consecutive years in their elected post. This is a maximum of 6 years if a Committee Member becomes an Officer.
  • A member shall be eligible for re-election to the Committee after one year following retirement from the Committee.

(5) GUILD MANAGEMENT:

  • The officers of the Guild shall consist of a Chair, Hon Secretary and Hon Treasurer. These officers shall be ex-officio Members of the Committee and of such Committees as shall be duly appointed.
  • The Chair, Secretary and Treasurer shall be appointed at an Annual General Meeting, serve for a maximum period of three consecutive years in post, and retire in rotation – responsibility to commence on the 1st Jan of the year immediately following the AGM.
  • If an officer or Member of the Committee dies or resigns before the expiry of his/her term of office, the Committee may fill the vacancy by cooption until the next AGM.
  • Should an ordinary Committee Member become an officer of the Guild, the vacancy so caused shall be filled as if a resignation had taken place.
  • The Committee may co-opt Members, in the case of a vacancy(ies) arising, to serve until the next Annual General Meeting.
  • The Committee shall meet at least three times a year and requires a quorum of five including one officer.
  • In the absence of the Chair, the role at a meeting will normally be undertaken by one of the other Committee Members, or an ex-officer.
  • A number of additional Posts-of-Responsibility undertaken by Guild Members are necessary to ensure the smooth running of the Guild, all of which are responsible to the Committee (see appended list of Guild Duties & Responsibilities)

(6) MEMBERSHIP:

Membership of the Guild shall be open to all those who have an active interest in the crafts of the Guild. Children of ten years and over shall be welcomed as guests provided they are accompanied by a Member – that Member being their parent, guardian, or adult in loco parentis. After the Guild has reached a Membership of one hundred and fifty (150) proposed new Members will be put on a waiting list until vacancies occur. Any Member who has not paid his or her subscription three months after the A.G.M. shall be deemed no longer a Member.

(7) SUBSCRIPTION:

The amount of the annual subscription shall be fixed at the Annual General Meeting and shall be due at the January meeting each year. Members joining at the June meeting (or later) shall pay half the annual subscription for that year.

(8) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. The A.G.M. shall:

  • receive the Chair’s report
  • receive the Treasurer’s report and accounts for the year, duly examined
  • elect Member/s as necessary to fill both officer and Committee vacancies. Nominees will be proposed and seconded in writing by existing Members using the correct procedure*. The nominee will indicate consent. Nomination will normally be received by the secretary at least 21 days in advance of the AGM and will then be circulated to all Members. In extraordinary circumstances, if no nominations have been correctly instigated*, then nominations may be accepted on the day of the AGM.
  • confirm all other posts of responsibility as deemed necessary by the Committee
  • consider and vote on any resolutions submitted in writing to the Secretary, minimum 21 days notice. These will be circulated to all Members. Emergency proposals can be made with up to 24 hours notice if agreed by two Committee officers. Should any proposals be put forward, following discussions at the AGM, these will be resolved by Members’ vote.
  • transact any other business as necessary

(9) ACCOUNTS:

A bank account shall be kept in the name of the Guild into which all monies received shall be paid and from which all payments shall be made.          

Cheques require signatures from any two of the Treasurer, the Chair and the Secretary.

Expenditure: At the discretion of the Committee the Guild may:

  • reimburse officers and Members of the Committee and Guild for reasonable expenses incurred by them in the discharge of their duties on behalf of the Guild
  • rent, hire or purchase accommodation and materials for the use of the Guild
  • make ex-gratia payments
  • make affiliations with other organisations.

(10) No Member may undertake any contract or business, on behalf of (or in the name of) The Guild, without express permission for that action from the Committee.

(11) ALTERATION OF THE CONSTITUTION:

The constitution shall not be altered except at an Annual General Meeting of the Guild and only by a two thirds majority of those present and voting. Alterations will be proposed and seconded in writing by existing Members using the correct procedure. Proposals will be received by the secretary at least 21 days in advance of the AGM and will then be circulated to all Members. Emergency proposals can be made with up to 24 hours notice if agreed by two Committee officers.

(12) DISSOLUTION:

In the event of the Guild being dissolved, such dissolution occurring when and if decided by not less than a two thirds majority of the votes taken at an Extraordinary General Meeting specifically summoned to consider the question, any surplus funds shall be paid over by the Committee to any organisation concerned with crafts, as it thinks fit, after a period of five years.

(2019 AGM approved addition)

In the event of the Guild ceasing to exist the Farfield Mill Share (which is held in the name of a nominated person) will revert to Farfield Mill. * – procedure as in use at that time