Constitution

Name

The Group shall be called Building Resilience Against Climate Emergency and recognised by the acronym BRACE.

Purposes

The aims of BRACE shall be to:

  1. To promote education within the local community of Llanfyllin and surrounding villages about the climate and ecological emergency.
  2. To understand and communicate the Welsh Well Being of Future Generations Act, Paris Accord etc.
  3. To promote community development by encouraging cooperation and mutual support in a changing physical and economic environment.
  4. To manage activities that promote community cohesion, increase food security & biodiversity, and to offer sustainable and environmentally responsible alternatives for the benefit of all.
  5. To be considerate and understanding of those who may have different opinions but ultimately members must accept there is a climate and ecological emergency and that we all need to work together to find solutions.
  6. To provide resources and support for projects and groups operating under the BRACE umbrella.

Powers

In order to carry out its aims and purposes BRACE will be administered by a Steering Committee elected by its membership. The Steering Committee may:

  1. Raise funds, receive grants and donations.
  2. Acquire assets and liabilities in pursuit of the aims of BRACE.
  3. Co-operate with and support other groups with similar purposes.
  4. Initiate or perform any other legal activity which advances the aims of BRACE.

Membership

  1. Membership is open to anyone who supports the purposes of the group. Membership is available to anyone without regard to gender, race, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or belief. Membership is not restricted to only those living or located in the area of Llanfyllin or the surrounding villages.
  2. People who wish to become a member should contact the Secretary. Membership lasts 1 year and can be renewed via an annual check that people still wish to be a member. The Secretary will remove any member from the membership list if they request to leave. The Steering Committee will maintain the membership in compliance with GDPR. The Steering Committee may expel someone from membership, provided it is in the best interest of the group to do so, and they are given the right to be heard by the Steering Committee before the decision is made – they can be accompanied by a friend.
  3. Each member shall have one vote at a General Meeting.

Management

  1. BRACE shall be managed by a Steering Committee of the Officers and no more than 7 other members elected at an Annual General Meeting (AGM).
  2. The Officers of the Steering Committee shall be the Chairperson, the Treasurer, and the Secretary.
  3. The Steering Committee will hold at least 4 meetings a year.
  4. At least one Officer and 2 Steering Committee members must be present (actually or virtually) for decisions to be taken.
  5. Decisions may be taken by a simple majority vote.
  6. Minutes to be taken and published for every meeting.
  7. If a Steering Committee member has a conflict of interest this must be declared, and the member may not be involved in any decision.
  8. The Steering Committee may appoint any other member as a Steering Committee member to fill a vacancy provided the maximum number is not exceeded.

Duties of the Officers

  • The Chairperson is to:
    • Chair Steering and General Meetings.
    • Represent and act as spokesperson for BRACE when necessary.
  • The Secretary is to:
    • Prepare agendas for meetings and take and keep minutes.
    • Maintain a list of members.
    • Deal with correspondence.
  • The Treasurer is to:
    • Supervise the financial affairs of BRACE.
    • Keep proper accounts that show all monies collected and paid out.
    • Arrange for the accounts to be audited annually by a suitable person or body.

Officers may be assisted or deputised as necessary by agreement of the Steering Committee.

Finance

  1. Any money obtained by BRACE shall be used only for the purposes of BRACE or for specific causes agreed by the Steering Committee following consultation with members.
  2. Any bank account opened for BRACE shall be in the name of BRACE.
  3. Cheques or other disbursement shall be signed by the Treasurer and another nominated Steering Committee member. Any payments via internet banking must also require second person approval.
  4. The most recent audited annual accounts can be seen by any member on request.

Annual General Meeting – AGM

  1. The AGM must be held every year, with 14 days’ notice given to all members along with a copy of the Agenda. Minutes must be taken and made available to all members.
  2. The quorum for an AGM shall be 20% of the membership or 5 people (whichever is the greater).
  3. The Steering Committee will present the Annual Report and Accounts.
  4. Any member may put themselves forward for election as a Steering Committee Officer or member either before or at the AGM.
  5. The roles of Chair, Secretary and Treasurer will be voted at the AGM, other roles can be voted or assigned by the Steering Committee either at the AGM or at the first Steering Committee meeting.
  6. Every member has 1 vote.
  7. Members will elect between 3 and 10 members to the Steering Committee. They will retire at the next AGM and may stand for re-election.
  8. Any change to the constitution made at the AGM must be agreed to by a two thirds majority of those attending.

General Meetings

If the Steering Committee considers it is necessary to:

  • change the constitution before the AGM.
  • wind up BRACE.

they must call a General Meeting so that the membership can make the decision. All such decisions require a two thirds majority of those attending.

The Steering Committee must also call a General Meeting within 21 days if it receives a written request from the majority of members (>50%). All members must then be given 14 days’ notice and told the reason for the meeting. All decisions taken will require a majority of two thirds of those attending.

Should a decision be taken at a General Meeting to wind up BRACE,any money or assets remaining after payment of debts shall be given to a body or organisation with similar aims and purposes to BRACE.

This constitution was adopted at a Special General Meeting of BRACE on 28th October 2020.

Chairperson Diana Allan

Secretary John Dady