Constitution and Rules

1.     NAME

The name of the Chamber of Trade shall be “The Church Stretton and District Chamber of Trade”.

2.     AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aims and objectives of the Chamber of Trade shall be:

• the Chamber of Trade exists to act on behalf of its members at a collective and individual level;
• the Chamber of Trade will represent the business and commercial viewpoint to regulatory and statutory bodies;
• the Chamber of Trade will seek to develop the potential of Church Stretton and the Strettondale area economically, socially and environmentally;
• to monitor the proceedings of local authorities in order that proper regard may be paid to the consequences of decisions that affect the local tourist industry, retailers, catering outlets and professionals;
• to endeavour to secure adequate representation on the decision-making bodies of the area;
• to enter into friendly co-operation with other organisations whose objectives are focused on the advancement of amenities within and relating to the area;
• to discuss matters of mutual interest and to solidify such interest by united action where advantageous;
• to encourage members to offer a high standard of service; and
• to achieve quick and effective communication between members.

3.     TERRITORIAL AREA

The area covered by the Chamber of Trade is Church Stretton and Strettondale.

4.     MEMBERSHIP

Membership of the Chamber of Trade will be open to all businesses and professionals located in, or whose income is derived from, the territorial area of the Chamber.

5.     MEMBERSHIP FEES

The membership fee will be £20 per year (June to May) or such other sum as shall be agreed at an Annual General Meeting.  Members in arrears of subscriptions for six months will forfeit their membership.

6.     OFFICERS

The officers of the Chamber of Trade will be the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer who will also be members of he Committee; there may be up to twelve Committee members in total, including those co-opted onto the Committee.

7.     TERM OF OFFICE

A term of office will be no more than three years.  Officers and members of the Committee may offer themselves for re-election without further nomination provided that the Secretary is notified of such intention at least seven days before the Annual General Meeting.

8.     ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting will be held no later than 31 March each year.

9.     QUORUM

The quorum at any meeting will be two officers and no less than two members.

Committee members unable to attend a meeting may nominate in advance a Committee member who is present to vote by proxy on their behalf.

Voting at any meeting will be by members in attendance, with each establishment entitled to one vote per subscription paid.  Guests who have been invited to attend a meeting are not entitled to vote.

10.    FINANCES

All subscriptions and other income will be paid into the Chamber’s bank account.

Any reasonable expenses of the Officers incurred in the course of their duties will be met from the Chamber’s funds.

The Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer may sign cheques or make other disbursements.

The Chamber’s financial year will end on 31 December.

A Committee member other than an Officer will audit the annual accounts between the financial year-end and the Annual General Meeting.

11.    DUTIES OF OFFICERS

The Chairman (or in his/her absence the Vice-Chairman) will preside at meetings of the Chamber and shall perform such duties as ordinarily pertain to the office.  Where votes are tied the (Vice-)Chairman will have the casting vote.

The Secretary will keep and circulate the record of all meetings and will perform such duties as ordinarily pertain to the office.

The Treasurer will have custody of all Chamber of Trade funds and will account for them to the Committee on request.  The Treasurer will present the annual accounts to members at the Annual General Meeting and will perform such other duties as ordinarily pertain to the office.

If possible, a Committee member will be elected Membership Secretary.  In the absence of any such appointment the duties of Membership Secretary – the keeping of up-to-date membership records, ensuring that each member has paid the annual membership fee and actively promoting the Chamber of Trade to new businesses as they establish or move into the Chamber’s territorial area – will be carried out by the Officers as agreed between them.

12.    ALTERATIONS TO THE RULES

Theses rules or any part thereof may be revised, rescinded or amended at the Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General Meeting provided that such change is approved by a two-thirds majority.