Constitution.

The group shall be called The Bromsgrove Indie Club, hereafter referred to as the Indie Club.

The main objective of the Bromsgrove Indie Club is to advance the Independent Retailers within Bromsgrove, and the organisation of events and activities to promote not only its members, the high street and Bromsgrove in general.  It does this by attracting membership among highly qualified individuals and independent retailers with academic, industrial and event organisation experience.  As well as through its activities including publications, educational programmes, charitable events and entertainment programs.

The Aims of the Bromsgrove Indie Club are:

  • To be a not-for-profit organisation showing a wide range of performances and similar events in Bromsgrove and surrounding area.

  • To make such events more accessible to the local community.

  • To promote integration and cooperation within the local community.

  • To encourage participation by encouraging volunteering at events.

  • To utilise the local venue and facilities.

  • To promote high ethical standards within Bromsgrove.

  • To ensure the long-term viability of Bromsgrove High Street.

  • To maximise the accessibility of Indie Club activities and encourage participation throughout each of its members professions.

  • To improve the professional status of its members.

Powers

  • To raise funds to support the group and further its activities.

  • To recruit volunteers as and when required.

  • To acquire and maintain assets and equipment.

Committee

The Indie Club will be managed through the Management Committee consisting of club management, the Club Officers plus other committee members as necessary, for example:

  • Membership Secretary

  • Publicity Manager

  • Events Manager

  • Social Secretary

  • Webmaster

  • Welfare Manager

The Management Committee

The Management Committee will consist of founding board members of the Indie Club, they have ultimate responsibility for directing the activity of the Indie Club, ensuring it is well run and delivering the outcomes for which it has been set up.

Every management committee/board member should provide leadership to the organisation by:

  • Setting the strategic direction to guide and direct the activities of the organisation;

  • Ensuring the effective management of the organisation and its activities and monitoring the activities of the organisation to ensure they are in keeping with the founding principles, objects and values.

Membership

  • Membership to the Indie club is open to any member of the local retail community of Bromsgrove and surrounding area, who feels they can benefit from the group and is interested in helping the group meet its aims.

  • All members will have voting rights at the AGM.

  • As a member of the Indie Club, you are required to attend at least two Indie Club meetings per annum.

  • The management committee may refuse or remove membership with reasonable cause.  - Appeals may be made, details in DISCIPLINE AND APPEALS.

  • All members, and the Management Committee will be subject to the regulations of the constitution and by joining the Indie Club will be deemed to accept these regulations and codes of practice that the Indie Club has adopted.

  • Senior members are required to make themselves available to officiate in at least two of the Club’s organised events annually in line with the Club policy on event support.

Officers

  • The Management committee will appoint following officers: Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and therefore become senior members of the Indie Club.

  • Appointment of officers are to take place at the AGM. Prospective candidates must be proposed and seconded by two members of the Club.

  • Officers will be appointed and serve a period of one year.

  • Officers can relinquish the title of officer and senior member, in which case another member will be appointed.

Meetings

  • The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held during the month of April and not less than 14 days notice will be given for the meeting.

  • The AGM will appoint the group officers and receive the annual report and accounts.

  • Committee meetings will be held 5 times a year during the months of January, March, April, July, and October and no less than 14 days notice will be given for each meeting.

Money

  • An account will be opened in the name of Bromsgrove Indie Club.

  • Cheques must be signed by two members of the management committee.

  • Accounts are to be prepared and examined annually.

  • Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by members who undertake duties for the group will be reimbursed.

Changing the Constitution

  • In the event of any changes needing to be made a Special Meeting of the membership will be called for which not less than 14 days notice will be given.

  • A majority vote must be achieved to authorise any changes.

Closing Down

  • Closing down will require the unanimous decision of all of the management committee and a Special Meeting will be called.

  • Any monies and/or assets remaining will be donated to a Bromsgrove based charity for related projects.

  • The charity will be selected by the Indie Club management committee.

DISCIPLINE AND APPEALS

  • All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be submitted in writing to the Secretary.

  • The Management Committee will meet to hear complaints within 30 days of a complaint being lodged. The committee has the power to take appropriate disciplinary action including the termination of membership.

  • The outcome of a disciplinary hearing should be notified in writing to the person who lodged the complaint and the member against whom the complaint was made within 7 days of the hearing.

  • There will be the right of appeal to the full Management Committee. An appellant should lodge the appeal in writing to the Secretary within 7 days of receiving the outcome. The full committee should consider the appeal within 14 days of the Secretary receiving the appeal, voting by proxy if necessary.

  • All concerns, allegations or reports of bullying/abuse towards fellow members should be submitted in writing to The Club’s Welfare manager.

  • If an allegation of abuse/bullying is found to be correct, then instant removal of that accused member will take place, an appeal can be lodged, which must be received in the form of a letter no later than 7 days of removal of being a member.