CONSTITUTION
Terms:
Safety Centre Alliance (UK) shall be referred to as ‘Alliance’ throughout the document.
Reference to ‘Interactive Safety Centre’s’ are indicative to permanent & mobile initiatives.
Aims and Objectives:
The aim of the Alliance shall be based on the advancement of training, education, and social inclusion, and through this to provide benefit to the community by provision of an interactive safety education initiative, situated within the United Kingdom, and to make this facility available to those located within the UK. Safety Centres equip their visitors with the knowledge they need to make informed life choices, enable them to recognise key risks and dangers, and empower them with the confidence to take actions which will reduce the risks to themselves and others.
Purpose:
The Alliance exists to facilitate support, networking and development between interactive safety centres across the UK and to offer advice to those wishing to set up new centres.
Membership:
Any person connected with interactive safety centres within the UK who wishes to be associated with its Objects shall be eligible for membership of the Alliance.
Local bodies and Alliances may apply for membership.
Membership, whether individual, organisational, or corporate, shall be for one year, renewable at the Annual General Meeting each year.
The Committee shall have the power to refuse membership, or a renewal of membership, to any applicant or group, and to expel any member for any act deemed by the Committee to be in conflict, or harmful to, the aims and objectives of the Alliance.
The Alliance reserves the right to make any checks necessary to ensure that its membership remains safe, reliable, trustworthy, and fit to be involved with the visitors that participate in Safety Education. The results of such checks, other than DBS, will not be made available to the individuals concerned, nor to other members of the Alliance other than Chair, Vice-Chair/Coordinator, Secretary, and Treasurer.
It must be understood that such measures are taken for the benefit of the young people involved and the reputation of the Alliance and that these measures will also apply to any person Co-opted or Seconded.
Key principles of membership:
additional work which would incur additional costs to the centre). Cost sharing is encouraged, but the overall aim shall be collaboration and not profit.
Organisation:
The Alliance shall comprise of, and be administered by, a Committee of those persons interested in achieving the aims and objectives of the Alliance.
The membership should be as widely represented as possible and should not consist of less than six members.
At all times the Alliance and its membership will comply with current Law and conduct its affairs in a reputable manner.
Qualification for membership of the Committee shall be by Invitation, open to all interactive safety centres.
Officers of the Alliance:
These shall be appointed from within the Committee and comprise:
Other Officers may be appointed to the Committee at an Annual General Meeting. Additionally, Sub-committee task groups, or working parties, may be formed at any time and at the discretion of the Committee, to tackle specific projects. Such groups may Co-opt other persons subject to the approval of the Committee.
Voting:
Each Committee Member shall have one vote excepting persons Co-opted or Seconded to the Alliance who shall not be entitled to vote.
Decisions shall be determined in all instances by a simple majority.
The Chair shall have an additional casting vote if necessary.
Meetings:
Meetings shall rotate around all centres allowing members to see how others operate.
Annual General Meeting:
The Committee shall convene an Annual General Meeting before the 31st March of each year. At least twenty-one days advance Notice will be given in respect of an AGM.
Committee Meetings:
These will be arranged at a suitable venue and will be held on a regular basis - albeit the use of e-mails, video conferencing, texts, or other electronic means of meeting are to be utilised. Also, a rota system of persons be adopted to attend outside Alliance’s meetings. Additional meetings nearer an event time may be scheduled and site visits may be arranged as required.
A quorum will be 50% of the main Committee – whether at an ‘electronic’ gathering or physically attending a meeting.
Finance:
The Treasurer shall present to each Meeting a statement outlining all financial affairs conducted since the previous Meeting - this should also include any proposed or anticipated expenditure or income to be made/received prior to the following Meeting.
At the Annual General Meeting, the Treasurer shall present in writing, the annual accounts, duly audited, for Safety Centre Alliance.
The Financial year for the scheme shall be 1st April to 31st March.
The income and property of the Alliance shall be applied solely to the carrying out of the Objects of the Alliance as set out in this Constitution.
The HSBC Bank, Danestrete, Stevenage, Herts., SG1 1BY will be the appointed Bank for the Alliance, and initially will be required to operate a Business Account for the Alliance.
All cheques shall be signed by any two of the four nominated signatories – normally the Treasurer, and either, the Chair, Vice-Chair, or Secretary.
No Officer or Committee member may profit from the Alliance – however, subject to approval, certain reasonable expenses may be authorised.
Amendments to the Constitution:
The Constitution may only be changed at an Annual General Meeting.
Any proposed amendments will only be considered if given in writing to the Secretary, who must receive such proposals at least fourteen days prior to the Annual General Meeting.
Any amendments may be Agreed by a simple majority vote.
Dissolution of the Alliance:
The Alliance may be dissolved at any time upon a Resolution passed by two-thirds of those members entitled to vote at an official Meeting.
At least twenty-eight days clear notice of such a Meeting shall be sent to all members of the Alliance, specifying the purpose of the Meeting.
Such Resolutions may give instructions for the disposal of any assets held by, or in the name of, the Alliance, provided that if any property remains after the discharge of all debts and liabilities, such properties shall not be paid to, or distributed amongst, the members of the Alliance, but shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institution or institutions having Objects similar to the objects of the Alliance.
If agreement of the disposal of assets cannot be reached, the Charity Commissioners, or other Authority having charitable jurisdiction, shall be requested to arbitrate.
Safety Centre Alliance (UK) shall be referred to as ‘Alliance’ throughout the document.
Reference to ‘Interactive Safety Centre’s’ are indicative to permanent & mobile initiatives.
Aims and Objectives:
The aim of the Alliance shall be based on the advancement of training, education, and social inclusion, and through this to provide benefit to the community by provision of an interactive safety education initiative, situated within the United Kingdom, and to make this facility available to those located within the UK. Safety Centres equip their visitors with the knowledge they need to make informed life choices, enable them to recognise key risks and dangers, and empower them with the confidence to take actions which will reduce the risks to themselves and others.
Purpose:
The Alliance exists to facilitate support, networking and development between interactive safety centres across the UK and to offer advice to those wishing to set up new centres.
Membership:
Any person connected with interactive safety centres within the UK who wishes to be associated with its Objects shall be eligible for membership of the Alliance.
Local bodies and Alliances may apply for membership.
Membership, whether individual, organisational, or corporate, shall be for one year, renewable at the Annual General Meeting each year.
The Committee shall have the power to refuse membership, or a renewal of membership, to any applicant or group, and to expel any member for any act deemed by the Committee to be in conflict, or harmful to, the aims and objectives of the Alliance.
The Alliance reserves the right to make any checks necessary to ensure that its membership remains safe, reliable, trustworthy, and fit to be involved with the visitors that participate in Safety Education. The results of such checks, other than DBS, will not be made available to the individuals concerned, nor to other members of the Alliance other than Chair, Vice-Chair/Coordinator, Secretary, and Treasurer.
It must be understood that such measures are taken for the benefit of the young people involved and the reputation of the Alliance and that these measures will also apply to any person Co-opted or Seconded.
Key principles of membership:
- Free member to member help and advice - no member shall charge another
additional work which would incur additional costs to the centre). Cost sharing is encouraged, but the overall aim shall be collaboration and not profit.
- We aim to make all centres better through a collaborative approach rather than being seen to be in competition, or when any one centre has all the answers.
- We also aim to support centres-in-planning from development stage through to opening.
Organisation:
The Alliance shall comprise of, and be administered by, a Committee of those persons interested in achieving the aims and objectives of the Alliance.
The membership should be as widely represented as possible and should not consist of less than six members.
At all times the Alliance and its membership will comply with current Law and conduct its affairs in a reputable manner.
Qualification for membership of the Committee shall be by Invitation, open to all interactive safety centres.
Officers of the Alliance:
These shall be appointed from within the Committee and comprise:
- Chair
- Vice-Chair
- Treasurer
- Secretary
Other Officers may be appointed to the Committee at an Annual General Meeting. Additionally, Sub-committee task groups, or working parties, may be formed at any time and at the discretion of the Committee, to tackle specific projects. Such groups may Co-opt other persons subject to the approval of the Committee.
Voting:
Each Committee Member shall have one vote excepting persons Co-opted or Seconded to the Alliance who shall not be entitled to vote.
Decisions shall be determined in all instances by a simple majority.
The Chair shall have an additional casting vote if necessary.
Meetings:
Meetings shall rotate around all centres allowing members to see how others operate.
Annual General Meeting:
The Committee shall convene an Annual General Meeting before the 31st March of each year. At least twenty-one days advance Notice will be given in respect of an AGM.
Committee Meetings:
These will be arranged at a suitable venue and will be held on a regular basis - albeit the use of e-mails, video conferencing, texts, or other electronic means of meeting are to be utilised. Also, a rota system of persons be adopted to attend outside Alliance’s meetings. Additional meetings nearer an event time may be scheduled and site visits may be arranged as required.
A quorum will be 50% of the main Committee – whether at an ‘electronic’ gathering or physically attending a meeting.
Finance:
The Treasurer shall present to each Meeting a statement outlining all financial affairs conducted since the previous Meeting - this should also include any proposed or anticipated expenditure or income to be made/received prior to the following Meeting.
At the Annual General Meeting, the Treasurer shall present in writing, the annual accounts, duly audited, for Safety Centre Alliance.
The Financial year for the scheme shall be 1st April to 31st March.
The income and property of the Alliance shall be applied solely to the carrying out of the Objects of the Alliance as set out in this Constitution.
The HSBC Bank, Danestrete, Stevenage, Herts., SG1 1BY will be the appointed Bank for the Alliance, and initially will be required to operate a Business Account for the Alliance.
All cheques shall be signed by any two of the four nominated signatories – normally the Treasurer, and either, the Chair, Vice-Chair, or Secretary.
No Officer or Committee member may profit from the Alliance – however, subject to approval, certain reasonable expenses may be authorised.
Amendments to the Constitution:
The Constitution may only be changed at an Annual General Meeting.
Any proposed amendments will only be considered if given in writing to the Secretary, who must receive such proposals at least fourteen days prior to the Annual General Meeting.
Any amendments may be Agreed by a simple majority vote.
Dissolution of the Alliance:
The Alliance may be dissolved at any time upon a Resolution passed by two-thirds of those members entitled to vote at an official Meeting.
At least twenty-eight days clear notice of such a Meeting shall be sent to all members of the Alliance, specifying the purpose of the Meeting.
Such Resolutions may give instructions for the disposal of any assets held by, or in the name of, the Alliance, provided that if any property remains after the discharge of all debts and liabilities, such properties shall not be paid to, or distributed amongst, the members of the Alliance, but shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institution or institutions having Objects similar to the objects of the Alliance.
If agreement of the disposal of assets cannot be reached, the Charity Commissioners, or other Authority having charitable jurisdiction, shall be requested to arbitrate.