Association Rules

Rules of the Association

When the Association was first formed after World War II, the membership cards carried the following text:

“The aims of the Association are to co-ordinate the views of residents and friends in respect of the re-building of Old Portsmouth”

Over the last half-century there have been many changes and redevelopment of bombsites is no longer an issue. The aims of the Association have been changed accordingly and are incorporated in the Rules, which were last amended in 1994. The Rules seem to be a well-kept secret so, for the benefit of members, old and new alike, they are reproduced here:-

Name	*1. The name of the Association shall be `Friends of Old Portsmouth Association’.*
Objects	*2. (a) to maintain and develop the amenities, character and historical association of Old Portsmouth.*
	*(b) to consider, advise and promote the future development and planning of Old Portsmouth.*
	*(c) to promote a spirit of neighbourliness amongst the residents and friends of Old Portsmouth.*
Membership	*3. All those in sympathy with these aims shall be eligible for membership.*
Subscription	4. The subscription to the Association shall be as set time to time at the Annual General Meeting and shall become due and payable on 1^st January each year. The subscription will cover all members of a househould.
Members in Arrears	*5. Any member 12 months in arrears with its subscription, or owing any other sum to the Association, shall cease to be a member.*
Management	6. The Association shall be managed upon non-sectarian and non-political principles by an Executive Committee consisting of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and up to ten other members. Officers, who hold a specific brief on the Committee, will not be allowed to vote in any discussion in which they have a political, personal or professional interest. Also, that Officer can be asked to withdraw by the Committee while the item is being discussed. Any members of the Committee who hold political office will not be allowed to vote on Committee issues. The Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and other members of the Committee shall retire annually but shall be eligible for re-election. The quorum for a meeting of the Executive Committee shall be not less than six, including the Chairman. At least seven days clear notice in writing of all meetings shall be given. The election of the Executive Committee shall take place at the Annual General Meeting and the voting shall be by ballot if necessary.
	7. The Executive Committee shall act notwithstanding any vacancy, and may temporarily fill any vacancy occurring between two elections. The outgoing Executive Committee shall prepare a report of its work and a balance sheet (made up to the last day of December in each year) duly audited, and present same to the Annual General Meeting.
	8. The Banking Accounts of the Association shall be in the name of the Association and all withdrawals and cheques shall be made and signed by any two from the Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer. The Executive Committee shall have the power to spend up £500 additional to normal working expenses on any one occasion.
	9. Two members shall be appointed, as Auditors for the purpose of auditing the balance sheet and such Auditors shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. The Treasurer shall report on the Association’s financial position at each meeting of the Executive Committee.
Annual General Meetings	*10. The Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held in the month of March, of which at least fourteen days notice in writing shall have been given.*
Special General Meetings	11. The Executive Committee may whenever it shall deem it advisable or expedient, and the Chairman shall upon a requisition signed by not less than ten members, call a Special General Meeting. The quorum at such a meeting shall be not less than twenty-five members. The notice convening any such Special General Meeting shall state the nature of the business to be transacted and seven days notice in writing shall be given of this Meeting.
Expulsion of Members	*12. The full Executive Committee shall have the power to withdraw or refuse membership.*
Byelaws and Sub Committees	13. The Executive Committee may make byelaws not inconsistent with these rules. It may also delegate any portion of its powers and duties to Sub-Committees. The Sub-Committee need not be composed entirely of Members of the Executive Committee and the Executive Committee has the power to co-opt any non¬voting member of the Association or any other person. Not more than 3 people can be co¬opted at any one time. If delegation is made the Executive Committee may require notification of decisions or recommendations of any Sub-Committee.
Alteration of the Rules	14. Alteration of these Rules may be made at an Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting convened for the purposes under Rule 11. Notice of any proposed alteration must be given in writing to the Secretary fourteen days prior to the holding of the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting, and intimation of the proposed alteration must be included in the Notice convening the Meeting.
Voting	*15. On all matters requiring a vote a simple majority of those present will decide the question.*
	*16. At all meetings the Chairman is entitled to vote and, in the case of equality of votes, he shall have a casting vote.*
Office of President and Life Membership	17. The office of President of the Association will be established and a long serving member of the Association may be invited by the Committee to take this office from time to time as required. The appointment is to be endorsed by the members at the Annual General Meeting. The Executive Committee shall have the power to offer such members who are deemed worthy an Honorary Life Membership.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 01 March 2007 )