Chamber of Commerce Constitution

The Constitution of Crystal Palace & Norwood Chamber of Commerce
1. Name
The association is known as "Crystal Palace & Norwood Chamber of Commerce" (hereinafter called "the Chamber").

2. Place of Meeting
Meetings are held at any place appointed by the Committee.

3. Objectives
The objectives of the Chamber are:
3.1 The promotion and protection of the business interests of Members.
3.2 The collection, discussion and distribution of information, and promotion or opposition to legislative and other measures, affecting the business interests of Members.
3.3 Co-operation by affiliation or otherwise with any association having similar objectives.
3.4 The promotion of charitable and social functions.
3.5 Activities which are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives.

4. Governing Body
The Governing Body are the Members of the Chamber (hereinafter called "the Members") at General Meetings. The Committee has 5 Honorary Members (hereinafter called "the Committee"), including an Honorary Chairman, an Honorary Secretary, an Honorary Membership Secretary, an Honorary Treasurer and an Honorary Solicitor. The Committee conducts the business affairs of the Chamber.

5. Committee Members
The Members of the Committee retire annually at the end of The Annual General Meeting. A Committee Member can resign from the Committee by giving the Honorary Secretary or Honorary Chairman formal notice in writing and the resignation takes effect upon acceptance by the other members of the Committee. A Committee Member will immediately step down if adjudged a bankrupt or entered into a deed of arrangement with, or compound with, creditors. The Committee can co-opt a Member to take the place of any elected Member of the Committee dying, retiring or becoming bankrupt or compounding with his creditors or resigning and the new Member will hold office for the unexpired period of office of the Member whose place they have filled. The Committee may from time to time make bye-laws and appoint Sub-Committees for special purposes. The Committee decides when meetings are held but there will be at least one meeting every 3 months.

6. Committee Member Nominations
Any member of the Chamber can be proposed for election or re-election as a Committee Member with the nomination of 2 Members to whom the candidate is personally known. Nominations with the consent in writing of the candidate must reach the Honorary Secretary at least 21 days before the Annual General Meeting.

7. Special Meetings of the Committee
Special meetings of the Committee can be held at any time if any Committee Member makes a written request to the Honorary Secretary or the Honorary Chairman. All members of the Committee are then given at least 7 days notice including details of the business to be transacted. Each Committee Member has one vote and all questions shall be decided by a majority of the Committee Members present and voting, the Honorary Chairman has the casting vote. The quorum is 3 Committee Members.

8. Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is to be held as soon as convenient after the last day in February each year. Members are to be given 14 days written notice of the place, date and time and agenda of the AGM. Members attending the AGM are to receive the report of the Honorary Chairman of the Chamber's proceedings since the previous year's AGM. The financial statement of the Chamber is presented by the Honorary Treasurer. The auditors statement to certify the correctness of the financial statement is presented by the Honorary Solicitor. If the financial statement or auditor's certification is unavailable at the AGM then an interim report must be presented with as much information as possible. The financial statement or auditor's certification must then be presented as soon as possible at a future meeting of the Chamber, as the first item of business, and no later than 3 months after the AGM has been held. The Honorary Chairman conducts the election of Committee Members for the following year. The Honorary Chairman conducts the presentation of resolutions (if any) and allows the proposer(s) to give an outline of the resolution before a vote is taken. At the end of the AGM the Committee Members retire and the newly elected (or re-elected) Committee Members take up their posts.

9. Election of Committee Members
The Honorary Chairman appoints a Returning Officer and Tellers for a Ballot Vote and then announces the candidates for Committee Membership which includes an Honorary Chairman, an Honorary Secretary, an Honorary Membership Secretary, an Honorary Treasurer, and an Honorary Solicitor. The Committee can refuse to accept the nomination of a candidate without giving a reason. Committee members are elected by show of hands or by ballot if demanded by a majority of Chamber Members present.

10. Resolutions at the Annual General Meeting
Resolutions by Members must be made in writing to the Honorary Secretary or Honorary Chairman at least 21 days before the Annual General Meeting (AGM) so that details can be provided to Members in time for the official written notification of the AGM date (which is 14 days). The resolution must be clearly stated and provided with the names of proposer(s) and seconder(s).

11. Special General Meetings
Special General Meetings (SGM) are called by the Committee within 28 days of the written request of not less than two thirds of the Members, excluding Members of less than 3 months standing. The request must clearly state the business to be transacted at the SGM. Members are then to be given 14 days written notice of the place, date and time and agenda of the SGM. The SGM is conducted by the Honorary Chairman but if unable to attend by any other member of the Committee nominated by the Honorary Chairman. All voting shall be by show of hands or by ballot if demanded by a majority of Chamber Members present. The chairman may exercise a casting vote.

12. Membership
Members of the Chamber are retailers, wholesalers, traders, manufacturers, workers, self-employed, merchants and professionals carrying on business in Crystal Palace and Norwood, and others who in the opinion of the Committee represent or contribute to the commercial interests of the area. Application for Membership must be made on a form provided by the Committee and signed by the applicant. The Committee has the power to refuse a candidate or determine the membership of any Member without giving a reason.

13. Associate Membership
The Committee may offer Associate Membership of the Chamber to persons distinguished in public life, commerce or finance who shall not be required to sign the application form or to pay any subscription. Such Members shall have no right to vote at any meeting.

14. Subscription
The subscription to the Chamber is £25 per annum (or such other sum as the Committee may from time to time determine at any General Meeting) and shall be payable to the Honorary Treasurer on 31st March of each year. New members joining between 1st January and 31st March will pay the same subscription amount as existing members on the date of joining (subject to acceptance) and the next subscription amount will be due on the 31st March the following year. New members joining between 31st March and 31st December will still pay the full annual fee even though their first year of membership will be a period of less than 12 months. Any Member who wishes to cancel their membership of the Chamber should give 1 month's notice in writing to the Honorary Membership Secretary and will not be eligible for any repayment of any subscription paid.

15. Finances
No expenditure should be made without the authority of the Committee. All cheques must be signed by at least two members of the Committee. The Committee will select any bank(s) to act as the Bankers of the Chamber as it shall from time to time select.

16. Alteration and Interpretation of The Constitution
The Constitution of the Chamber cannot be altered except by Resolution passed at a General Meeting of the Chamber by two thirds of the Members present and voting. The nature of the proposed alteration(s) must be stated in the notices calling the Meeting and not less than 14 days notice given to all Members. If any matter, at any time, arises that has not been provided for in the Constitution, or any doubt arises as to the interpretation, the matter will be resolved by the Committee, whose decision shall be final.

17. Dissolution and Distribution of Property
The Chamber can be dissolved by the votes of a majority of two thirds of the Members present at a General Meeting, provided that 1 month's notice of any such proposal is given to all the Members of the Chamber and that the resolution for the dissolution is confirmed by a similar majority at a General Meeting to be held 1 month thereafter. If upon the winding up or dissolution of the Chamber there remains after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities and property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid or distributed among the members of the Chamber, but shall be given or transferred to such a charity as the members should decide.