Constitution for registration as a charity - at - law as amended 22/3/2004

1. TITLE
The name of the society shall be the " Swinton & District Excelsior Band."

2.  OBJECTS 
To educate the public in the arts and sciences, and in particular the arts & sciences of music, in the presentation of concerts and other activities.

3.  MEMBERSHIP 
Membership shall be restricted to those applying and being accepted by the Bandmaster or the committee. Members will be issued with a membership card The committee shall be empowered to create life members (who will also be entitled to participate fully in committee meetings), as recognition of their exceptional contributions to the Band.

4.  OFFICERS 
The officers of the society shall be the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Hon Secretary, Hon Treasurer, the Bandmaster, and the Deputy Bandmaster and Learners coordinator all of whom shall be elected by the members at the Annual General meeting (A.G.M.) Nomination of officers shall be made by a proposer and seconder at the A.G.M..

5.  MANAGEMENT 
The management of affairs, engagements and concerns of the Band shall be entrusted to a committee (hereinafter called "The Committee") which shall consist of all the officers of the society and such other members as shall be decided and elected at the A.G.M. by the members., Nomination shall be made by a proposer and seconder at the A.G.M. The officers and committee shall remain in office until their successors are elected at the annual general meeting following their election. The committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy which should occur. The retiring members of the committee shall be eligible for re-election as shall the officers.

6. COMMITTEE 
The committee shall meet at such times as the committee shall elect and the committee shall regulate its own procedure. 
The committee shall have the power to expel any member who offends against the rules of the society or whose conduct shall in the opinion of the committee render him or her unfit for membership of the society. Before any such member is expelled the Hon. Secretary shall give him or her 7 days written notice to attend a meeting of the committee and shall inform him or her of the complaints against him or her.

8.  A.G.M. 
The committee shall have the power to alter the rules, but no alteration shall be made that would cause the Band to cease to be a Charity-at-Law, and no alteration shall take effect until the same has been confirmed at the A.G.M. or at a special General meeting convened for the purpose. A General meeting of the society shall be held each year to transact the following business:

A. To receive, and if approved to adopt a statement of the society's accounts to the end of the preceding year. 

B. To consider, and if approved sanction any duly made alteration to the rules. Alterations to the Name, Objects or Dissolution clauses of this constitution may only be made with the written consent of the charity commissioners. 

C. To appoint the officers and other members of the committee. 

D. To deal with any special matter which the committee desires to bring before the members, and to receive suggestions from the members for consideration by the committee. Notice convening the A.G.M. shall be sent to the members or displayed on the notice board not less than 10 days before the meeting, and shall specify the matters to be dealt with.

10.  QUORUM 
At committee meetings 5 members shall form a quorum. At general meetings 7 members shall form a quorum.

11.  INSTRUMENTS 
The Band instruments and any property of the society shall be used only for Band engagements and practice unless the Bandmaster or Secretary's permission is first obtained.

12.  PROPERTY 
The property of the society shall be invested in four Trustees who shall be appointed by the committee and the property of the society shall be vested in them to deal with by them as the committee may from time to time direct by resolution (of which an entry in the minute book shall be conclusive evidence ).  The Trustees shall be indemnified against all risk and expense out of the society's property. The Trustees shall hold office until death, resignation, or removal from office by the committee. Where by reason of such death, resignation or removal from office by the committee, it is necessary that new Trustee or Trustees be appointed, the committee shall nominate the person or persons to be appointed the new Trustee or Trustees. For the purpose of giving effect to such nomination the Hon. Secretary is hereby nominated as the person to appoint new Trustees of the society within the meaning of the section 36 of the Trustee act 1925 and he or she shall by deed duly appoint the person or persons nominated by the committee.

13.  REGISTER OF MEMBERS 
Every member shall communicate to the Hon. Secretary his or her current address and such address shall be inserted in the register of members and all notices sent by post to such address shall deem to have been duly delivered within 10 days of posting.

14.  DISSOLUTION 
The society shall continue to operate until its membership is reduced to five playing members. If the society shall be wound up whether voluntarily or otherwise, the then committee shall realise the assets of the society and the net proceeds of such realisation shall first be utilised for the paying of all debts owing by the society, and the balance (if any) shall be distributed to any other charitable organisation having similar objects as the committee may choose. The receipt of the treasurer or other proper officer of these societies shall be a good and efficient discharge thereof

15.  CONSTITUTION 
A copy of this constitution shall be given to each member of the society by the Hon. Secretary.