CONSTITUTION OF THE SOCIETY

1. NAME
The name of the Society shall be The Friends of DalesRail.

2. AIMS OF THE SOCIETY:
(i) The principle aim of the Society shall be to provide, or support, a DalesRail service. This shall take the form of rail based excursions which encourage the public, and especially walkers, to enjoy the Pennine Dales and other areas of natural beauty. Excursions shall normally include the opportunity to participate in guided walks and may include the provision of local bus services to extend the walking area.
(ii) To encourage the use, retention and future prosperity of the Settle-Carlisle railway and connecting lines by means which, from time to time, are deemed relevant.
(iii) To organise other walking excursions and appropriate social events for members of the Society.

3. MEMBERSHIP:
Membership is open to all who share the aims of the Society.

4. MANAGEMENT:
(i) The management of the Society shall be vested in a Committee of paid up members elected at the AGM.
(ii) The Committee shall consist of four officers:- Chairman, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and Honorary Events Secretary and not less than four and not more than ten ordinary members.
(iii) Officers and members shall serve for two years and be eligible for re-election. Two officers and half the ordinary members shall retire in alternate years.
(iv) In the event of an officer's resignation during the year, the Committee shall elect one of its members to serve until the next AGM.
(v) The Committee shall carry out the whole business of the Society, administer its funds, organise its activities and resolve any questions of the interpretation of the constitution.
(vi) The Committee shall have power to terminate membership of the Society, subject to any appeal being heard at the next AGM-
(vii) The Committee may co-opt not more than four members end appoint sub-committees, of which all officers shall be ex-officio members. The Committee shall determine the number of members of every sub-committee which will form a quorum. Co-opted members and sub-committees shall serve until the next AGM.
(viii) The Committee shall hold not less than two meeting per year. A record of meetings shall be kept.
(ix) The quorum shall be eight members and voting shall be by a simple majority of those present. The person chairing the Committee meeting, or a sub-committee meeting, shall have a casting vote.

5. FINANCES:
(i) The financial year shall end on October 31st.
(ii) The Committee shall instruct the Treasurer to hold the Society's funds in accounts opened at a bank and/or building Society.
(iii) Withdrawals shall be authorised by the Hon. Treasurer and one other officer.
(iv) The funds and all monies accruing shall be used only to meet the expenses of running the Society and to further the aims and objectives of Friends of DalesRail.

6. SUBSCRIPTIONS:
Subscriptions shall be paid yearly, one per household, or per corporate member, and shall be due on November 30th. The level of subscription shall be agreed at the AGM. Each household shall be informed of details of events organised by the Society and, on request, given a copy of the constitution.

7. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:
(i) The Annual General Meeting shall be held in November.
(ii) The business of the AGM shall include the election of officers and Committee the presentation of accounts and other relevant reports; the confirmation of honorary membership on persons who have rendered special service to the Society; and shall consider any other business raised by a paid up or honorary member.
(iii) Nominations shall be given to the Hon. Secretary not later than 2 weeks prior to the AGM.
(iv) The quorum shall be 36 adult paid up members.
(v) voting - Each adult member, and the named representative member of a corporate member shall have one vote. Motions shall be carried by a simple majority of those present and eligible to vote. In the event of a tie, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.

8. EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING:
An extraordinary General Meeting shall be called on instruction from the Committee or at the written request of at least ten paid up members of the Society.
(ii) Notice of an EGM shall be sent to paid up members not less than 21 days prior to the meeting, and shall specify the business of the meeting; no other business shall be undertaken.
(iii) Alterations and additions to the constitution, and the dissolution of Friends of DalesRail shall be decided only at an EGM.
(iv) The quorum shall be 36 paid up members; should the total membership be less than 36, the quorum shall be 60% of the membership.
(v) Voting - Each paid up member or representative of a corporate member shall have one vote. The motion will be carried by a 5/6 majority of those present for the dissolution; a simple majority for all other matters.

9. DISSOLUTION:
In the event of dissolution, any assets remaining after liabilities have been discharged shall be transferred to (an) organisation(s) having aims similar to those of Friends of DalesRail and shall not be distributed amongst remaining members.

EGM October 1991 as amended at the EGM's November 1995, 1997, 1999, 2006

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