IVFDF: Inter Varsity Folk Dance Festival

Constitution

From IVFDF

(Difference between revisions)
m (corrected spelling in 10.3)
 
(9 intermediate revisions not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
-
This document presents the  constitution as adopted at  IVFDF 2004 in Exeter it and was proiduced following discussions and amendments in the Sheffield constitution meeting of October 2003. It has its roots in the recommendations made by IVFDF 2003 in Sheffield and in the Braceborough meeting of 2001. Andrew Swaine, of Cambridge, must be thanked for his efforts in pulling together this project and bringing IVFDF into a new era. Explanatory notes in the form of a [[Consitution Aliendum]] are available to provide clarity and further information on the points below.
+
This document presents the  constitution as adopted at  IVFDF 2004 in Exeter it and was produced following discussions and amendments in the Sheffield constitution meeting of October 2003. It has its roots in the recommendations made by IVFDF 2003 in Sheffield and in the Braceborough meeting of 2001. Andrew Swaine, of Cambridge, must be thanked for his efforts in pulling together this project and bringing IVFDF into a new era. Explanatory notes in the form of a [[Consitution Addendum]] are available to provide clarity and further information on the points below.
-
<h2>Current Constitution</h2>
+
==Current Constitution==
-
<h3>1. NAME</h3>
+
===1. NAME===
* 1.1. The name of the association shall be &quot;The Inter Varsity Folk Dance Festival&quot;, also known as IVFDF.  
* 1.1. The name of the association shall be &quot;The Inter Varsity Folk Dance Festival&quot;, also known as IVFDF.  
-
<h3> 2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES</h3>
+
===2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES===
* 2.1. IVFDF exists to promote knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of the traditions of the folk dance and music of the British Isles and beyond, especially to students and young people.  
* 2.1. IVFDF exists to promote knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of the traditions of the folk dance and music of the British Isles and beyond, especially to students and young people.  
* 2.2. This shall be achieved by supporting Festivals running events such as dances, workshops and displays, targeted at but not limited to university students.  
* 2.2. This shall be achieved by supporting Festivals running events such as dances, workshops and displays, targeted at but not limited to university students.  
* 2.3. The association shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or political views.   
* 2.3. The association shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or political views.   
-
<h3>3. MEMBER SOCIETIES</h3>
+
===3. MEMBER SOCIETIES===
* 3.1. A group shall become Member Society of the association if:  
* 3.1. A group shall become Member Society of the association if:  
** 3.1.1. It is a folk group which is recognised and supported by a British University.   
** 3.1.1. It is a folk group which is recognised and supported by a British University.   
Line 24: Line 24:
** 3.4.4. It cannot be contacted due to failing to adhere to section 3.3.   
** 3.4.4. It cannot be contacted due to failing to adhere to section 3.3.   
-
<h3>4. AUTHORITY</h3>
+
===4. AUTHORITY===
* 4.1. Decisions for the association shall be made by a vote in a Representatives Meeting (RM) as specified in section 5, or an Electronic Vote (EV) as specified in section 8. Such decisions are hereafter referred to as decisions of the Representatives.   
* 4.1. Decisions for the association shall be made by a vote in a Representatives Meeting (RM) as specified in section 5, or an Electronic Vote (EV) as specified in section 8. Such decisions are hereafter referred to as decisions of the Representatives.   
* 4.2. Where specified, a quorum shall require:  
* 4.2. Where specified, a quorum shall require:  
Line 31: Line 31:
* 4.3. The Representatives may make or modify the Standing Orders of the association by an ordinary vote, where they are not in conflict with the constitution.  
* 4.3. The Representatives may make or modify the Standing Orders of the association by an ordinary vote, where they are not in conflict with the constitution.  
-
<h3>5. REPRESENTATIVES MEETINGS </h3>
+
===5. REPRESENTATIVES MEETINGS===
* 5.1. An RM is defined as either an Annual Representatives Meeting (ARM) or an Extraordinary Representatives Meeting (ERM), run in accordance with the Standing Orders.   
* 5.1. An RM is defined as either an Annual Representatives Meeting (ARM) or an Extraordinary Representatives Meeting (ERM), run in accordance with the Standing Orders.   
* 5.2. Each Member Society may choose up to two of its members present at the RM to have voting rights at the RM, hereafter referred to as Voting Members. The RM Chair may not be a Voting Member.   
* 5.2. Each Member Society may choose up to two of its members present at the RM to have voting rights at the RM, hereafter referred to as Voting Members. The RM Chair may not be a Voting Member.   
Line 39: Line 39:
* 5.6. The RM Secretary shall record minutes of the meeting and compile a list of Member Societies present, and make them available to all members of the electronic mail list specified in section 10.2.6 within one calendar month of the meeting. The Archivist shall store these records on behalf of IVFDF.   
* 5.6. The RM Secretary shall record minutes of the meeting and compile a list of Member Societies present, and make them available to all members of the electronic mail list specified in section 10.2.6 within one calendar month of the meeting. The Archivist shall store these records on behalf of IVFDF.   
-
<h3>6. ANNUAL REPRESENTATIVES MEETING </h3>
+
===6. ANNUAL REPRESENTATIVES MEETING===
* 6.1. An Annual Representatives Meeting (ARM) shall be held at each Festival.   
* 6.1. An Annual Representatives Meeting (ARM) shall be held at each Festival.   
* 6.2. The current Festival Committee shall take all reasonable steps to make all Member Societies present at the Festival, and all societies eligible to be Member Societies, aware of the ARM and their right of attendance.   
* 6.2. The current Festival Committee shall take all reasonable steps to make all Member Societies present at the Festival, and all societies eligible to be Member Societies, aware of the ARM and their right of attendance.   
Line 51: Line 51:
** 6.5.2. The Treasurer may use IVFDF funds to cover reasonable costs for holding the meeting, subject to section 11.1.   
** 6.5.2. The Treasurer may use IVFDF funds to cover reasonable costs for holding the meeting, subject to section 11.1.   
-
<h3>7. EXTRAORDINARY REPRESENTATIVES MEETING </h3>
+
===7. EXTRAORDINARY REPRESENTATIVES MEETING===
* 7.1. An Extraordinary Representatives Meeting (ERM) may be called by either:
* 7.1. An Extraordinary Representatives Meeting (ERM) may be called by either:
** 7.1.1. Five Member Societies from at least three different universities.   
** 7.1.1. Five Member Societies from at least three different universities.   
Line 59: Line 59:
* 7.4. The host of the ERM shall appoint a chair and secretary for the meeting, who need not otherwise have right of attendance as defined in section 5.4.   
* 7.4. The host of the ERM shall appoint a chair and secretary for the meeting, who need not otherwise have right of attendance as defined in section 5.4.   
-
<h3>8. ELECTRONIC VOTING </h3>
+
===8. ELECTRONIC VOTING===
* 8.1. Any Member Society may call an EV with the support required for calling an ERM as specified in section 7.1 by notifying the electronic mailing list specified in section 10.2.6.   
* 8.1. Any Member Society may call an EV with the support required for calling an ERM as specified in section 7.1 by notifying the electronic mailing list specified in section 10.2.6.   
* 8.2. Each Member Society may choose up to two of its members to have voting rights in an EV, hereafter referred to as Voting Members.   
* 8.2. Each Member Society may choose up to two of its members to have voting rights in an EV, hereafter referred to as Voting Members.   
Line 81: Line 81:
* 8.10. The Archivist shall record the proposal(s), summary of votes and result.   
* 8.10. The Archivist shall record the proposal(s), summary of votes and result.   
-
<h3>9. FESTIVAL </h3>
+
===9. FESTIVAL===
* 9.1. Each Festival Committee is subject to the obligations stated in the Standing Orders.   
* 9.1. Each Festival Committee is subject to the obligations stated in the Standing Orders.   
* 9.2. Each Festival Committee must provide the Archivist with up to date contact details for at least two of its members, including electronic mail contact details for the list specified in section 10.2.6.   
* 9.2. Each Festival Committee must provide the Archivist with up to date contact details for at least two of its members, including electronic mail contact details for the list specified in section 10.2.6.   
Line 88: Line 88:
* 9.5. A Festival Committee shall be deemed to be active from being first appointed to run a Festival, and cease to be active following the closure of all accounts and fulfillment of all obligations to the association, or immediately if support is withdrawn under section 9.4.   
* 9.5. A Festival Committee shall be deemed to be active from being first appointed to run a Festival, and cease to be active following the closure of all accounts and fulfillment of all obligations to the association, or immediately if support is withdrawn under section 9.4.   
-
<h3>10. OFFICERS </h3>
+
===10. OFFICERS===
* 10.1. The Treasurer:
* 10.1. The Treasurer:
** 10.1.1. Shall be elected for a three-year term at the ARM, renewable every three years.   
** 10.1.1. Shall be elected for a three-year term at the ARM, renewable every three years.   
Line 106: Line 106:
** 10.2.6. Shall maintain an electronic mailing list for distributing information, to include contacts for each Member Society, active Festival Committee, and Officers. Other interested parties may be included at the discretion of the Archivist.   
** 10.2.6. Shall maintain an electronic mailing list for distributing information, to include contacts for each Member Society, active Festival Committee, and Officers. Other interested parties may be included at the discretion of the Archivist.   
** 10.2.7. Shall not hold the post for a total of more than 9 consecutive years.   
** 10.2.7. Shall not hold the post for a total of more than 9 consecutive years.   
-
* 10.3. The Standing Orders of the association may specify aliitional Officers and aliitional responsibilities for the Officers named in this section.   
+
* 10.3. The Standing Orders of the association may specify additional Officers and additional responsibilities for the Officers named in this section.   
* 10.4. Officers may delegate duties at their discretion unless otherwise directed by the Representatives, but maintain responsibility for ensuring that they are adequately performed.   
* 10.4. Officers may delegate duties at their discretion unless otherwise directed by the Representatives, but maintain responsibility for ensuring that they are adequately performed.   
* 10.5. In the event that an Officer's post becomes vacant, the remaining Officers shall nominate a replacement to serve until the next ARM. The replacement must be promptly announced on the electronic mailing list specified in section 10.2.6.   
* 10.5. In the event that an Officer's post becomes vacant, the remaining Officers shall nominate a replacement to serve until the next ARM. The replacement must be promptly announced on the electronic mailing list specified in section 10.2.6.   
Line 112: Line 112:
* 10.7. Officers must provide the Archivist with up to date contact details, including electronic mail contact details for the list specified in section 10.2.6.   
* 10.7. Officers must provide the Archivist with up to date contact details, including electronic mail contact details for the list specified in section 10.2.6.   
-
<h3>11. FINANCES </h3>
+
===11. FINANCES===
* 11.1. The Representatives shall not make such obligations that could cause it to come into debt, for example by offering a greater sum in underwriting than its total assets.   
* 11.1. The Representatives shall not make such obligations that could cause it to come into debt, for example by offering a greater sum in underwriting than its total assets.   
* 11.2. Withdrawals from central funds shall require two signatures. Signatories shall include: the Treasurer and two persons nominated by the Representatives for this purpose. Except in exceptional circumstances, the Treasurer will be expected to provide one of the signatures.   
* 11.2. Withdrawals from central funds shall require two signatures. Signatories shall include: the Treasurer and two persons nominated by the Representatives for this purpose. Except in exceptional circumstances, the Treasurer will be expected to provide one of the signatures.   
-
<h3>12. DISSOLUTION </h3>
+
===12. DISSOLUTION===
* 12.1. If a Festival does not take place in any period of twenty-eight consecutive calendar months, then IVFDF shall be said to be dissolved, when the following shall be enacted:   
* 12.1. If a Festival does not take place in any period of twenty-eight consecutive calendar months, then IVFDF shall be said to be dissolved, when the following shall be enacted:   
** 12.1.1. All property and assets of IVFDF, including debts owed by Festival Committees, shall be converted into money and collected together.   
** 12.1.1. All property and assets of IVFDF, including debts owed by Festival Committees, shall be converted into money and collected together.   
Line 122: Line 122:
** 12.1.3. The remaining sum, being credit or debit, shall be shared equally between all groups that were Member Societies at the end of the last Festival.   
** 12.1.3. The remaining sum, being credit or debit, shall be shared equally between all groups that were Member Societies at the end of the last Festival.   
-
<h3>13. CONSTITUTION </h3>
+
===13. CONSTITUTION===
* 13.1. This constitution may be altered in whole or in part by the assenting vote of at least two-thirds of the Voting Members present at a properly constituted RM.   
* 13.1. This constitution may be altered in whole or in part by the assenting vote of at least two-thirds of the Voting Members present at a properly constituted RM.   
* 13.2. Proposals for alterations to the constitution must be raised for discussion to the electronic mailing list specified in 10.2.6, giving at least three calendar months notice. Final changes must be made available in the same way at least one calendar month before the RM.  
* 13.2. Proposals for alterations to the constitution must be raised for discussion to the electronic mailing list specified in 10.2.6, giving at least three calendar months notice. Final changes must be made available in the same way at least one calendar month before the RM.  
Line 129: Line 129:
* 13.5. Proposals may be altered in whole or part as a result of discussion at an RM, but only matters raised with due notice may be discussed. The RM shall also have the power to make any other changes to the constitution which may be required as a knock-on effect of proposals for alterations.   
* 13.5. Proposals may be altered in whole or part as a result of discussion at an RM, but only matters raised with due notice may be discussed. The RM shall also have the power to make any other changes to the constitution which may be required as a knock-on effect of proposals for alterations.   
   
   
-
<h2>STANDING ORDERS</h2>
+
==Standing Orders==
-
<h3>1. ANNUAL REPRESENTATIVES MEETING </h3>
+
===1. ANNUAL REPRESENTATIVES MEETING===
* 1.1. The agenda for the ARM shall include:   
* 1.1. The agenda for the ARM shall include:   
** 1.1.1. Reports from any Festival Committees still active at the last ARM not covered elsewhere.   
** 1.1.1. Reports from any Festival Committees still active at the last ARM not covered elsewhere.   
Line 160: Line 160:
* 1.5. It is requested but not required that Member Societies nominate students to represent them as Voting Members where possible.   
* 1.5. It is requested but not required that Member Societies nominate students to represent them as Voting Members where possible.   
-
<h3>2. EXTRAORDINARY REPRESENTATIVES MEETING </h3>
+
===2. EXTRAORDINARY REPRESENTATIVES MEETING===
* 2.1. The costs of an ERM shall be borne equally by the Member Societies attending.   
* 2.1. The costs of an ERM shall be borne equally by the Member Societies attending.   
-
<h3>3. FESTIVAL COMMITTEE OBLIGATIONS </h3>
+
===3. FESTIVAL COMMITTEE OBLIGATIONS===
* 3.1. The Festival shall be run in a weekend during February and the first two weeks of March.   
* 3.1. The Festival shall be run in a weekend during February and the first two weeks of March.   
-
* 3.2. The constitution of the Festival Committee shall state that IVFDF is not liabile for any debt or other obligations arising from the Festival except where agreed by the Representatives.   
+
* 3.2. The constitution of the Festival Committee shall state that IVFDF is not liable for any debt or other obligations arising from the Festival except where agreed by the Representatives.   
* 3.3. All property and assets of each Festival shall be vested in the Festival Committee, in whose names all transactions of the Festival shall be carried out. They shall hold themselves liable, on behalf of the Festival, for all proceedings undertaken for or against the Festival in any Court of Law, and shall indemnify themselves against the assets of the Festival for any liabilities incurred therein.   
* 3.3. All property and assets of each Festival shall be vested in the Festival Committee, in whose names all transactions of the Festival shall be carried out. They shall hold themselves liable, on behalf of the Festival, for all proceedings undertaken for or against the Festival in any Court of Law, and shall indemnify themselves against the assets of the Festival for any liabilities incurred therein.   
* 3.4. The Festival Committee shall take out public liability insurance of at least 1 million pounds liability appropriate to cover the Festival.   
* 3.4. The Festival Committee shall take out public liability insurance of at least 1 million pounds liability appropriate to cover the Festival.   
Line 179: Line 179:
* 3.7. The Festival Committee shall return at least half of any profits they make to central funds.   
* 3.7. The Festival Committee shall return at least half of any profits they make to central funds.   
-
<h3>4. EXTERNAL ADVISERS </h3>
+
===4. EXTERNAL ADVISERS===
* 4.1. A Lead External Adviser and at least one Assistant External Adviser shall be appointed to oversee each Festival Committee, as described in section 1.1.8.2.&nbsp; The External Advisers are appointed for their experience in running a Festival and the Lead External Adviser must have sat on an IVFDF Festival Committee within the last 10 years on appointment.   
* 4.1. A Lead External Adviser and at least one Assistant External Adviser shall be appointed to oversee each Festival Committee, as described in section 1.1.8.2.&nbsp; The External Advisers are appointed for their experience in running a Festival and the Lead External Adviser must have sat on an IVFDF Festival Committee within the last 10 years on appointment.   
* 4.2. External Advisers shall have right of attendance at RMs.   
* 4.2. External Advisers shall have right of attendance at RMs.   
Line 190: Line 190:
* 4.9. External Advisers must respect the confidentiality wishes of the Festival Committee where this does not conflict with alerting Member Societies of the risk of failure of the Festival as specified in section 4.4.   
* 4.9. External Advisers must respect the confidentiality wishes of the Festival Committee where this does not conflict with alerting Member Societies of the risk of failure of the Festival as specified in section 4.4.   
-
<h3>5. OFFICERS </h3>
+
===5. OFFICERS===
-
* 5.1. The Archivist in aliition to his duties specified in section 10.2 of the constitution:
+
* 5.1. The Archivist in addition to his duties specified in section 10.2 of the constitution:
** 5.1.1. Shall maintain a web site at www.ivfdf.org, which shall as a minimum:
** 5.1.1. Shall maintain a web site at www.ivfdf.org, which shall as a minimum:
** 5.1.1.1. Link to the web pages of forthcoming Festivals where available.   
** 5.1.1.1. Link to the web pages of forthcoming Festivals where available.   

Current revision as of 01:46, 15 January 2010

This document presents the constitution as adopted at IVFDF 2004 in Exeter it and was produced following discussions and amendments in the Sheffield constitution meeting of October 2003. It has its roots in the recommendations made by IVFDF 2003 in Sheffield and in the Braceborough meeting of 2001. Andrew Swaine, of Cambridge, must be thanked for his efforts in pulling together this project and bringing IVFDF into a new era. Explanatory notes in the form of a Consitution Addendum are available to provide clarity and further information on the points below.

Contents

Current Constitution

1. NAME

2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

3. MEMBER SOCIETIES

4. AUTHORITY

5. REPRESENTATIVES MEETINGS

6. ANNUAL REPRESENTATIVES MEETING

7. EXTRAORDINARY REPRESENTATIVES MEETING

8. ELECTRONIC VOTING

9. FESTIVAL

10. OFFICERS

11. FINANCES

12. DISSOLUTION

13. CONSTITUTION

Standing Orders

1. ANNUAL REPRESENTATIVES MEETING

2. EXTRAORDINARY REPRESENTATIVES MEETING

3. FESTIVAL COMMITTEE OBLIGATIONS

4. EXTERNAL ADVISERS

5. OFFICERS