Name: The name of the Association is Hawick Camera Club, hereinafter called the Club
Objects
The objects of the Club are
to establish maintain and conduct a Camera Club for the purpose of advancing the education of the public by promoting and encouraging the study, teaching, practice, knowledge and appreciation of the art of photography, In furtherance of this object, the society shall seek to promote
- the development of the art of photography in all its forms
- the promotion of photography in the community
- the compilation of archive material for use in the community.
Powers
To carry out any activities which further the above objects.
To purchase, take on lease, hire or otherwise acquire any property or rights which are suitable for the Club's activities.
To engage such consultants and advisors as are considered appropriate from time to time.
To invest any funds which are not immediately required for the Club's activities in such investments as may be considered appropriate and to dispose of and vary such investments.
To liaise with other voluntary sector bodies, local authorities and any other bodies with a view to furthering the Club's objects.
To acquire and maintain such equipment as may be needed in pursuit of these aims.
To effect insurance of all kinds.
To raise funds in pursuance of the Club's objects.
To accept grants, donations and legacies of all kinds and any reasonable conditions attached to them to pay bona fide expenses and running costs incurred in pursuance of the objects.
To borrow money and to give security in support of any such borrowing by the Club.
To take such steps as may be deemed appropriate for the purpose of raising funds for the Club's activities.
To do anything which may be incidental or conducive to the furtherance of the Club's objects.
To pay bona fide expenses and running costs incurred in pursuance of the objects.
To acquire and maintain such equipment as may be needed in pursuit of these aims.
Membership
Membership is open to anyone who has an interest in the furtherance of the aims of the Club.
An employee of the Club will not be eligible for membership; a person who becomes an employee of the Club after admission to membership will automatically cease to be a member.
There will be three categories of Member, namely Ordinary, Junior and Honorary.
The admission of Honorary Members will be on the recommendation of the Committee and will be in recognition of outstanding service to the Club. Such memberships will be proposed at the next Annual General Meeting.
Ordinary and Junior Membership will commence on payment of the annual subscription. Junior membership is open to those under the age of eighteen years on 1st September prior to the start of the Club session.
Subscriptions
These will be fixed for Ordinary and Junior Members at each Annual General Meeting for the following session.
Meetings and Office Bearers
A General Meeting will be held annually
- to receive an annual report by the President,
- to consider the annual accounts and appoint an independent examiner,
- and to elect the Management Committee of a maximum of 12 members.
The Members will elect the Office Bearers of President (Chairperson), Vice-President (Vice-Chairperson), Minute/Admin Secretary and Treasurer and will also elect other members with responsibility for Programme – Judges, Programme – Speakers, Publicity, Website Administrator, Competition Secretary and a maximum of three other members to serve on the Management Committee.
Members will be informed by the Secretary of the date of the Annual General Meeting, the Names of the Office Bearers, and Committee members due to retire, the names of members proposed and seconded to fill such vacancies and any business to be discussed. It will be at the discretion of the Chair of the AGM to receive any nominations and further motions, other than changes to the constitution, at the Annual General Meeting.
Management Committee members will retire from office at the Annual General Meeting but will be eligible for re-election.
The President and the Vice-President may not serve for more than two consecutive years in those posts. The retiring President will in addition, remain a member of the Committee after his/her last year of office and have full voting rights.
The Committee will be empowered to appoint any sub-committee or ad hoc working group as deemed necessary.
Should vacancies arise during the session, the Committee may co-opt person(s) or elect Office-Bearer(s) to serve until the next AGM.
Ordinary meetings will be held as required.
Special General Meetings
These may be called at any time by the Committee or upon a written request supported by 5 members. A meeting will be held within 14 days of any such request except in proposals to alter the constitution where conditions as for the AGM will apply.
Voting at Annual and Special General Meetings will be by a simple majority vote, with the Chairperson having a casting vote necessary.
The quorum for ordinary meetings will be five, and the quorum for both Annual and Special General meetings will be one third of paid-up members.
Any motion will be decided on a simple majority, unless otherwise specified, the Chairperson having a casting vote in the event of a tie.
Secretary
The Secretary will notify members of Committee meetings due.
The Secretary will keep minutes of all meetings. These will be available to members on request.
Finances
Treasurer
The Treasurer will receive and disburse all monies due to and by the Club.
He/she will keep a record of all Club members.
A Bank Account in the name of Hawick Camera Club will be held.
Two out of the three Office Bearers of President, Secretary and Treasurer will be required for its operation.
All financial and legal transactions must be approved by Office Bearers. Accounts shall be prepared annually and either audited or certified by a capable independent examiner as required by law. All monies brought in will be applied only for the furtherance of the objects of the club. Hawick Camera Club is a not-for-profit organisation and any profits will be used to maintain and improve the equipment of the Club and provide resources of the Club.
Dissolution
If the Club determines that, for any reason, it is appropriate for the Club to be dissolved, it will convene a Special General Meeting giving at least 28 days notice, and stating the terms of the proposed resolution.
If the proposal to dissolve the Club is confirmed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting. it will have the power to dispose of any assets remaining after satisfaction of debts to another charity with similar aims and objects, as identified by those present and voting.
Amendments to Constitution
This Constitution may be amended by a resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of those present and voting at a General Meeting, providing that due notice has been given, including the terms of the resolution. Written notice of the proposed alteration or addition must be given to the Secretary not less than 28 days before the meeting. No amendments may be made if their effect would be to render the Club ineligible for charitable recognition.
President
Secretary
Treasurer
This amended Constitution was adopted on 3 April 2025