Constitution of Forest Residents Association
THE CONSTITUTION
Name
The name of the Association will be Forest Residents Association, also referred to as FORA
Area of Membership
Full details and a map of the area of membership, incorporating The Leytonstone Conservation Area and surrounding roads, are included in the attached schedule [ Map on website] The area of membership -- designed to fall within appropriate, recognisable and manageable boundaries -- may be changed by the Executive Committee if thought necessary, following consultation with members.
Aims and Objectives
a) To encourage a community spirit and promote co-operation among members on matters of common interest.
b) To protect and improve the natural and built environment in and around the area of membership.
c) To protect and improve the general amenities, welfare and environmental and communal rights of all members.
d) The Association shall be fully inclusive and shall have no political or religious affiliation, but may affiliate to organisations which could help in pursuing its aims and objectives.
Membership
a) Full membership shall be open to all residents of the FORA area who support the aims and objectives of the Association and who pay the annual subscription.
b) Associate membership shall be made available, on payment of the relevant subscription, to:
· All previous members of the Association who no longer live in the area.
· All persons who trade from business premises in the Area
Associate members shall not be eligible to vote at the Annual General meeting of the Association, nor may they serve on its managing Executive Committee.
Management
a) The Association shall be managed by an Executive Committee which shall be
elected at an Annual General Meeting.
b) The Executive Committee will consist of the Chair, Secretary, Treasurer,
other officers and members but not exceeding twelve in total.
c) Members will be co-opted by the Executive Committee to represent each
road. They can, but do not have to be members of the Executive Committee.
d) Meetings of the Executive Committee will be conducted in accordance with rules agreed and revised by itself when necessary. Voting at Committee meetings will be by a show of hands and resolutions will be passed by a simple majority.
e) A quorum of the Executive Committee will consist of no less than five members.
f) The Executive Committee may co-opt members by a simple majority of those present at a quorate meeting provided that the maximum number of Committee members is not exceeded.
g) The Committee may authorise or appoint sub-committees for specific purposes
and may delegate to such sub-committees such of its functions as it sees fit.
h) The Committee shall have the power to refuse membership or suspend or
exclude from membership or office any person whose conduct it considers has
or may bring the Association into disrepute, subject to giving that person the
right to be heard by the Committee.
i) Any Committee member who is absent from three consecutive Committee meetings and who on each occasion has not communicated to send apologies for absence shall be deemed to have resigned from the Committee.
j) Only the Chair or a Committee member appointed by the Chair will be
empowered to speak or write on behalf of the Association to the press or other
media.
k) The Committee shall have the authority to rule on the interpretation of the
Constitution should any issue arise as to its meaning.
Subscriptions
a) The subscription year will be from one Annual General Meeting to the next.
b) The rates of annual subscription shall be £10 for a household, with a reduced fee of £5 for the usual concessions (pensioners, students in full-time education, low income on benefits) with certain social events charged extra. These rates may not be altered without the agreement of an Annual General Meeting.
c) Any new member who joins on or after 30 December in any subscription year shall
have membership until the close of the next successive year. Subscription
terms of membership for Associate Members will be fixed by the Committee.