KILMARNOCK AEOLIAN MALE VOICE CHOIR

CONSTITUTION AND RULES

1.    The name of the choir shall be THE KILMARNOCK AEOLIAN MALE VOICE CHOIR, hereafter referred to as “THE CHOIR”

2.    OBJECTS
The objects of the Choir shall be to advance the education of the public in male harmony singing through rehearsal and public concert performances.

3.    MEMBERSHIP
a)    The Conductor shall have control of all who apply for membership of The Choir, and shall conduct auditions as necessary, and shall have the power to recommend to the committee the exclusion of any member from The Choir whose performance or conduct in his/her opinion is not up to his/her required standard.
b)    All members, with the exception of full-time students, shall pay an annual subscription, which shall require to be paid by the end of October each year. The level of such subscription shall be determined at the Annual General Meeting.
c)    No person shall be excluded on the grounds of race, colour or creed, or any circumstances covered in the Equal Opportunities legislation.

4.    MANAGEMENT
a)    The management of The Choir shall be invested in a committee elected by the members at the Annual General Meeting. The Committee shall comprise the following Office Bearers: President, Vice President, General Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Librarian and Assistant Librarian who during their term of office shall act as such at all meetings of The Choir committee, and a record of all business transacted shall be minuted by the General Secretary. At such committee meetings six shall be considered a quorum. In addition to the Office Bearers, six serving members of the Choir shall be elected to the Committee. Two members shall retire annually in rotation but shall be eligible for re-election. The Conductor and Assistant Conductor may attend meetings ex-officio.
b)    The Date of the Annual General Meeting will be fixed by the Committee, for a date not later than 30th April at which meeting the General Secretary and Treasurer shall submit their reports for approval of members.
The AGM shall elect the Office Bearers, Committee, Conductor, Assistant Conductor, two auditors, and to discuss the affairs of The Choir and to make suggestions for the guidance of the Committee,
15 members shall constitute a quorum
c)    All arrangements and management of rehearsals, concerts and other events and the control of all expenditure and finances shall be the responsibility of the Committee. The choice of music, recruitment of musicians and the like shall be at the discretion of the Committee appropriately advised by the Conductor.
d)    The President shall preside over all meetings at which he is present. Otherwise, at the Committee and General meetings, members of Committee shall elect one of their number to preside. The President, including a person elected to the chair as above, shall have casting vote at all meetings.
e)    An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called by the Committee or by not less than six members of The Choir, giving full details of the motions to the General Secretary in writing. In either case the Committee shall give not less the fourteen days notice to members of such a meeting.
f)    Alterations to the Constitution and Rules may be made at the AGM or at an EGM called in accordance with the terms contained in Paragraph “e” above, provided written intimation of the proposed change has been made to the General Secretary not less than fourteen days prior to the meeting. A two-thirds majority of members present shall be necessary for the adoption of the amendment.
g)    Members of The Choir shall not receive payment either direct or indirect for their services or for other legitimate expenses incurred.


5.    POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE

In furtherance of objectives of the Choir, the Committee shall have :
a)    The power to raise funds and to invite contributions provided that in so doing the Committee shall not undertake any permanent trading activities.
b)    The power to co-operate with other charities, voluntary bodies and statutory authorities operating in furtherance of the objectives or of similar charitable purposes and to exchange information and advice with them.




6.    FINANCE

a)    The financial year shall end on the last day of the calendar year.
b)    The Treasurer shall keep a record of all financial transactions and shall report to the Committee of The Choir as and when required.
c)    A bank account shall be opened in the name of The Choir and all monies shall be paid into it. All cheques drawn on the Choir shall be signed by any two of four Office Bearers, (Treasurer,
d)     Assistant Treasurer, General Secretary, or Honorary Secretary)

7.    DISSOLUTION

In the event of the dissolution of the Choir, any assets remaining after satisfaction of all debts and liabilities shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Choir, but shall be given or transferred to a recognised charitable organisation(s) having objects similar to those of the Choir.

8.    PATRONS

a)    The Choir shall encourage members and non-members to become patrons and contribute such minimum sum as shall be decided at the AGM. Each patron shall receive two complimentary tickets for the Choir’s Annual Concert.

9.    MUSIC

a)    Music to be sung by the Choir and the choice of soloists to be used at concerts, shall be decided by the Committee in consultation with the Conductor.
b)    All music shall be under the supervision of the Librarians, who shall ensure that every member is supplied with a copy of all relevant pieces. All copies must be returned to the Librarian on resignation or when requested by the Librarian.

10.    REHEARSALS
a)    The Choir shall meet every Tuesday at 7:30pm prompt from a date in September to be notified by the General Secretary. Members are expected to give loyal support to the Choir and Conductor by attending rehearsals regularly.
b)    Additional rehearsals will be required at the discretion of the Conductor.
c)    New members, on admission to the Choir, shall be introduced to the President and Conductor, and publicly introduced to the Choir members.

11.    CONCERTS

a)    An Annual Concert shall be presented on a date and at a venue to be decided by the Committee. Tickets shall be offered for sale to members and non-members. The proceeds of the Annual Concert shall be used to cover expenses of staging the concert and other costs throughout the season.
b)    Concerts shall be staged for the benefit of, and at the request of charitable organisations throughout the season at intervals approved by the Committee and the Conductor.
c)    Donation programmes shall be made available at the Annual Concert. The proceeds of which shall be divided and offered as Music Awards to the various senior schools in the District at the discretion of the Committee.
d)    The dress for all concerts is black evening suits or dark lounge suits, a white shirt and a black bow tie.

12.    GENERAL

a)    Every member shall receive a copy of the Constitution and Rules, which can only be altered as described in “4f” above.
b)    All matters not herein provided shall be dealt with at the discretion of the Committee.






                                        6th September 2004