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NEW FOREST DOG OWNERS’ GROUP CONSTITUTION

1. NAME – The name of the Group shall be “New Forest Dog Owners’ Group”.

2. OBJECTIVES – The object of the Group shall be to promote responsible dog ownership in the New Forest area and to ensure the freedom of dog owners to exercise their dogs off lead in the New Forest.

3. MEMBERSHIP – Membership is open to users of the New Forest who support the Group objectives and undertake to support the Group in a peaceful manner. Those wishing to become members may apply to the Committee who will consider and, if thought fit, approve the application. The Committee may delegate the approval of applications to the membership secretary. Members may be expelled from the Group by the Committee if they bring the Group into disrepute or fail to observe the rules of this constitution.

4. SUBSCRIPTION – The membership fee will be £5 per annum, save that a second or subsequent family member forming part of the same household shall be entitled to membership at a fee of £1 per annum. Alternatively, membership for life may be obtained by the making of a one-off payment of £60. Donations are welcome and funds will also be raised by collection.

5. MANAGEMENT OF THE GROUP – The management of the Group shall be in the hands of the Committee. The Committee, all being honorary, shall be nominated and elected at the Annual general Meeting and shall comprise:
Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary.
Other officers will be at the discretion of the Committee.

6. The quorum shall be 4 members of the committee. Committee decisions will be arrived at by simple majority of those present. In the event of a tied vote the Chairman shall have an additional casting and final vote. The Committee may delegate its powers as it sees fit.

7. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE – All elections or expulsions of Committee members or members of the Group shall be decided by simple majority of those voting and present at the relevant committee meeting. In the event of a tied vote the Chairman shall have an additional casting and final vote.

8. FINANCIAL YEAR – This will run from 1 June to 31 May. Annual accounts to be produced by the Group’s Treasurer and audited by a member of the Group, preferably a qualified accountant, not holding office on the Committee. The Group will be non-profit-making.

9. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – The Group shall hold an Annual General Meeting for all members. The date and time for the meeting will be determined by the Committee. The Committee will, as far as possible, give all members at least 14 days’ notice of the date and time of the AGM. The purpose of the meeting shall be for the Group Treasurer to report the audited annual accounts to the members and for a Committee to be elected for the ensuing year. The meeting may also be used for members to discuss any other business, as appropriate, relating to the Group.

10. EXTRAORDINARY AND PUBLIC MEETINGS - These meetings may be called in addition to the Annual General Meeting. Meetings may be called upon receipt of a request from at least ten members of the Group (who must also provide a suitable venue), or for a special purpose by decision of the Committee. A notice and statement of business is to be advertised at least 14 days before the date of such meetings if practicable.

11. DISSOLUTION – The Group may be dissolved at any time by a resolution passed by not less than three-quarters of the members present and voting at an extraordinary meeting called for that purpose. As soon as practical after a dissolution has been resolved, accounts for the Group shall be presented and any funds of the Group remaining after the discharge of all liabilities shall be donated to the registered charity known as Dogs Trust. No member shall be entitled to any payment in respect of his or her membership of the Group at the time of dissolution.

12. RULES CHANGE – No rule shall be withdrawn, amended or altered and no new rule made, except by a majority of members present and voting at an Extraordinary or Annual General Meeting. Notice of any such intention shall be advised in writing by the Group Secretary at least 14 days prior to the date of such Meeting.

Any matters not provided for in this Constitution shall be dealt with by the Committee whose decision shall be binding on all members.

We are a non-profit making organisation and any
surplus funds will ultimately be donated to Dogs Trust

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