CONSTITUTION & RULES
The IOW Amutees Group
Charity No. 1081950
1. TITLE
The title of the Group shall be the IOW Amputees Group/ herein after called The Group and whose old name was the Prosthetic User Group.
2. MEMBERSHIP
Membership shall be open to all amputees and their carers together with all other limbless people on the Isle of Wight plus those professionally and administratively involved in providing a prosthetic service and its ancillary services and such other individuals who as supporters of the aims and objects of The Group may from time to time be granted membership status.
3. OBJECTS OF THE GROUP
3.1 To improve the quality of life for limbless people on the Isle of Wight, and in furtherance of this object to provide a forum for discussion reflecting the NHS desire to have patient led User Groups to help with discussions appropriate to the operation and development of the prosthetic service and its facilities.
3.2 To communicate with users and their carers, and ensure that they are kept informed of the services available.
3.3 To gain feedback from users in order to help shape policy procedures and plans, and to provide a fast-track to deal with any complaint which may arise the use of a sub-committee may be used for this end.
3.4 To promote close co-operation between Service Provider, Authority and User, to assist in the development of the highest quality Prosthetic Service within the resources available.
3.5 To make available to members as required sources of information on Benefits, Pensions, Grants, Assistive Devices and Agencies providing assistance appropriate to the needs of users.
3.6 To raise funds for its activities through sponsorship and other approved means.
4 MANAGEMENT
The work in furtherance of the aims of The Group, shall be undertaken by the IOW Amputees Group/ consultative committee which shall have the power to act as or on behalf of The Group.
5 IOW AMPUTEES GROUP USER CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
5.1 The committee shall consist of the Chair, Vice Chair, Hon Secretary, Hon Treasurer and six members plus the manager of the Centre and the Prosthetist as ex-officio members.
5.2 In addition the Committee shall have the power to co-opt further members to the above as may be deemed necessary for specific tasks in furtherance of the aims of The Group.
5.3 The Quorum for any such meeting of the committee shall not be less than five members, official business cannot be started until there is a Quorum present.
5.4 There shall be a minimum of four appropriately convened meetings in each Group year.
5.5 Any Member of the Committee who fails to attend three consecutive meetings, shall cease to be a member of the Committee, unless he or she gives a reason for absence, which in the opinion of the committee is satisfactory.
5.6 At any duly convened and attended meeting of the Committee the officers, each elected member shall have one vote.
6. ELECTIONS
6.1 IOW Amputees Group/ Consultative Committee IAGCC shall be elected at the AGM for a period of two years, one half of the membership other than the officers and ex-officio members of the committee retiring each year.
6.2 The order of retirement after the first year of setting up the Group to be arranged by drawing lots and thereafter by rotation. Retiring members to be eligible for re-election.
6.3 Nominations for election with a brief profile, where available, of the Nominee of not more than fifty words, together with the Nominees signature of willingness to serve on the IAGCC should be sent to the Secretary at least 28 days before the AGM, which will normally take place on the first Friday in December. Any variation of this standing arrangement to be notified to members at least 14 days, prior to the rearranged date.
6.4 Contested IAGCC elections, where there are more nominations than vacancies, shall be dealt with by postal ballot, or such other means that the committee shall prescribe. The election so arranged to be conducted by an appointed Returning Officer. The results being declared at the AGM or Special General Meeting.
6.5 Completed voting papers to be returned to the designated Returning Officer at least 7 days prior to the AGM.
6.6 IAGCC may make, vary, and rescind regulations governing the conduct of elections always subject to the provisions of the Constitution.
6.7 The Officers of The Group shall be elected by Members of IAGCC and shall hold office for a period of two years. The Chair and Vice Chair shall not hold the same office for more than two years in succession but, may stand for election after a gap of two years.
6.8 If casual vacancies should occur during elected members terms of office IAGCC shall have the power to fill such vacancies from among members of The Group. Co-opted members filling these vacancies remaining in office only for the un-expired period which outgoing members have left to serve.
6.9 IAGCC shall have the power to appoint sub-committees, decisions taken in sub-committees shall be subject to ratification by IAGCC.
6.10 Sub-Committees shall consist of not less than three members, two of whom shall form a quorum. The convenor of each sub-committee shall be free to co-opt additional members who are able to contribute to the workings of the sub-committee. Minuted proceedings of each sub-committee to be passed to the Secretary as soon as possible after each Meeting.
7. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
7.1 An appropriately convened meeting shall be held annually to receive business reports, conduct elections to the Committee, and transact routine business for the year.
7.2 The Quorum for any such meeting shall not be less than ten members. Official business cannot be started until there is a quorum present.
7.3 The AGM to he held each year at the closest possible date to the first Friday in December or such other date as shall be determined by IAGCC.
8. ACCOUNTS
8.1 The Hon Treasurer shall keep an account of all financial transactions and prepare a balance sheet for the AGM. Copies to be available for scrutiny by any members so desiring at the AGM.
8.2 Three officers of IAGCC one of whom shall be the Hon Treasurer shall be empowered to sign for withdrawals from the The Groups bank account(s).
8.3 Arrangements with the bank shall be made requiring two authorised signatures for any such withdrawal.
9. MINUTES
9.1 IAGCC shall cause proper minutes to be made of the proceedings of all business meetings of The Group.
9.2 All such minutes duly agreed shall be signed at the next succeeding meetings by the Chair of The Group, or Chair of the relevant sub-committee
9.3 All such minutes duly agreed and signed shall be sufficient evidence without further proof of the facts stated therein.
10. AMENDEMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
10.1 Proposals to add, delete sections of, or amend the Constitution must be in writing and delivered to The Secretary at least 28 days before either a Special General Meeting or AGM.. Notice of the meeting and any such proposal to be be notified to the membership 21 days before any such meeting is held.
11. DISSOLUTION
11.1 The Group may be dissolved by a resolution passed by a two thirds majority of those members present at a Special General Meeting or AGM of which meeting at least 21 days clear notice has been given in the approved manner, stating the terms of the winding up resolution to be proposed.
11.2 After the settlement of all debts and liabilities any funds held by The Group at dissolution shall be given over to the Manager of the Centre to be applied in as far as is practical in furtherance of the objects of the Group.
