FOAOTMAD aims & constitution

Constitution of the Friends Of American Old Time Music And Dance
 Accepted at the Annual General Meeting, February 2003

  1. The name of the society shall be “The Friends of American Old Time Music And Dance”.

  2. FOAOTMAD’s aims are to …

•     promote American old-time music and dance within the British Isles and elsewhere;

•     encourage and assist persons or parties to play, dance and listen to American old-time music;

•     assist and encourage in the organizing of old-time music and dance festivals by promoters and/or members;

•     collect and maintain a membership database of players, dancers and bands;

•     communicate regularly to members, promoters and the media;

•     encourage American and other nationality old-time players and dancers to tour the British Isles;

•     assist and encourage our own players and dancers to attend American festivals;

•     act as a resource centre for members for advice, tab, tuition, accommodation, workshops, festival dates and times;

•     liaise with other associations and Societies to achieve our aims and to further participation in old-time music and dance.

  1. Membership of the society shall be extended to all people interested in furthering the aims of the society who apply to the Membership Secretary. There shall be an annual fee for membership, which shall be decided by the Committee at each annual general meeting. The Committee shall have the right to offer honorary membership. It shall not refuse an application for membership on the grounds of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or political views. However, the Committee has the right to decline an application for membership or to expel a member in appropriate circumstances, subject to formal ratification by vote or at an Extraordinary or Annual General Meeting.

  2. An Annual General Meeting of the society shall be held. The time and place for this meeting will be determined and publicised by the Committee at least one month beforehand. All members shall have full voting rights at the AGM.

  3. Other Meetings. The Committee is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Society. Committee Meetings shall be held as appropriate. All decisions shall be made by a majority vote of those Committee members present. Extraordinary General Meetings may be called at the discretion of the Committee or by letter to the secretary signed by twenty-five other members of FOAOTMAD. All members present shall have full voting rights at these meetings and decisions will be by majority vote. It is expected that Extraordinary General Meetings of the society will be held only in emergency.

  4. The Committee shall comprise:

6.1  President: This is an honorary position and will be granted by the Committee to a notable figure in the field of FOAOTMAD interest. This position will be held for life or until the holder wishes to relinquish the office.

6.2  Chairman: The chairman shall ensure the aims of the society are being met and shall preside over all meetings unless absent, in which case a temporary chairman nominated from the Committee shall preside. The Chairman shall be responsible for determining when and where meetings are held, in consultation with other Committee members. The Chairman shall be the official representative of the group to any other organisation and may delegate this representation to other members of the Committee as appropriate.

6.3 Secretary: the Secretary shall publicise meetings to members and send appropriate agendas, minutes and papers to the group. The Secretary shall take minutes of all meetings.

6.4 Treasurer: the Treasurer shall keep financial records for the Society and each year arrange for an audited financial report of the Society’s accounts to be presented at the AGM. The Treasurer shall provide regular reports to the Committee. The Treasurer is required to sign all cheques/vouchers of the society that shall be countersigned by another authorised Committee member.

6.5 Membership Secretary: the Membership Secretary shall process all membership applications and renewals, collect fees and ensure they are banked, liaising with the Treasurer; forward new membership details to the Newsletter Editor; maintain members’ address and contact databases; provide membership cards and appropriate information to members.

6.6   Publicity Officer: the Publicity Officer shall further the aims of FOAOTMAD by ensuring that its activities are publicised by appropriate means.

6.7   Dance Representatives: there may be two Dance Representatives so they can get to more events. They will promote old-time music and dance, and FOAOTMAD at various festivals and dance events. They will organise and promote dance workshops and events.

6.8   Newsletter Editor: the Newsletter Editor shall ensure regular publication of the Society’s newsletter by preparing the content available for each issue. The editor shall submit proofs for approval to another Committee member and forward advertising revenue to the Treasurer.

6.9   A Festival Organiser may be co-opted to seek an appropriate venue for the FOAOTMAD annual festival and ensure it’s organisation, including arrangements for security and safety, and that facilities are adequate and appropriate; arrange for artists attendance and requisite work permits or tax exemptions; plan workshops and other festival activities; liaise with attending traders; regularly report to and liaise with the committee.

7    Elections to the Committee shall be held at the AGM. Any member of the society is eligible for office. Nominations for the Committee should preferably be submitted in writing two weeks before the AGM and no later than 4.00 pm on the day before. Nominees for any Committee post must be proposed and   seconded by two other members of the Society. Votes shall be counted by two persons who are not candidates, chosen at the AGM. Committee members will be elected by a majority of the voting members. The term of office shall be twelve months or until the next AGM. The Committee may at its discretion co-opt additional members where it perceives the need, or fill vacancies that may arise. Officers may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the Committee members, subject to ratification by a majority at an Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting.

8     Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by any six members of FOAOTMAD acting in concert and must be submitted to the Secretary in writing four weeks before the AGM. This Constitution may only be amended at an AGM.

9    On dissolution, all assets of the Society shall be paid at the discretion of the Committee to a British society that promotes music and dance.

       

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