Constitution

GoSocial Constitution 1. Name: the name of the group shall be GoSocial 2. The aims of the group shall be to: 2.1 Promote and encourage social activities and opportunities for those aged 18 and over (adults) living in Norfolk and adjacent counties 2.2 Support the reduction of loneliness in adults 3. Powers: in order to achieve its aims the group may: 3.1 Raise money 3.2 Open bank accounts 3.3 Take out insurance 3.4 Organise events 3.5 Work with other groups, organisations & charities 3.6 Do anything that is lawful which will help it to fulfil its aims 4. Membership: 4.1 Membership of GoSocial shall be open to any person 18 and over who is located in Norfolk or the adjacent counties and who will support the group to achieve its aims. 4.2 Membership shall be available to everyone without regard to any protected characteristic as defined by the Equality Act (2010) 4.3 Members must be willing to pay any membership subscription as proposed by the Committee and agreed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) (see Section 8) 4.4 Members are expected to abide by the rules of the group and to treat others with consideration and respect. Where a members conduct at an event (including to other members and/or the public) has been brought to the attention of the Committee, all reasonable efforts will be taken to resolve this so that membership can continue. However, if this is not possible, membership may be terminated by the Committee. In this situation the member will be offered the opportunity to meet with the Committee prior to a final decision on continuation of membership being made. 4.5 Where a member remains inactive (e.g. no activity for 6-months or longer without prior agreement with the Committee) membership may be terminated without notice. The member’s profile will be removed in accordance with GDPR and as set out in the GoSocial Terms and Conditions. 5. Management/Administration: 5.1 GoSocial shall be administered/managed by a volunteer Committee of no less than 3 and no more than 7 members elected at the AGM. 5.2 The key roles of the Committee shall be: the Chair, the Treasurer and the Secretary. Any other Committee roles will be decided by the Committee based on need and prior to the AGM. In the event that a key role is not filled at the AGM, this will be rotated around the other elected committee members. 5.3 Should interest in filling a vacant role be expressed between AGMs, this can be filled on a trial basis with the agreement of the Committee and membership informed via the Committee News (or equivalent) of the website. 5.4 The Committee shall meet a minimum of 6 times a year 5.5 The quorum for Committee meetings shall be 3 members 5.6 Voting on decisions would usually be at Committee meetings through a show of hands. If there is a tied vote, then the Chairperson for that meeting shall have a second vote. In exceptional circumstances (i.e. urgent decisions) voting may be carried out electronically but this will be recorded in the minutes of the next in-person Committee meeting 5.7 The Committee may remove any Committee member who’s conduct on the Committee breaches the standards expected. There will be an opportunity for the affected Committee member to discuss with other role holders, and any decision will require a two-thirds majority. Where conduct also relates to events/other members point 4.4 will also be followed. 5.8 Working groups may be formed for specific purposes (e.g. GoSocial group event planning). Where these groups do not include a Committee member, arrangements must be made to provide updates to Committee meetings 5.9 Committee members may not be held personally financially liable for GoSocial 6. Duties of the Committee: 6.1 Chair of the Committee 6.1.1 Chair meetings of the Committee, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and any Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) 6.1.2 Represent GoSocial at functions/meetings that the Group has been invited to 6.1.3 Act as spokesperson for GoSocial when necessary 6.1.4 Arrange for another Committee member to deputise for them where required 6.2 Secretary to the Committee 6.2.1 Prepare the agenda for Committee meetings and the AGM, including adding any non-standard items requested by the Chair/Committee members 6.2.2 Maintain a record of actions agreed by the Committee and monitor progress via the monthly Committee meeting 6.2.3 Take written records (minutes) of meetings and after approval by the Committee members in attendance, upload these to the GoSocial website. 6.2.4 Monitor/action member trial periods based on notification from event hosts of first attendance 6.3 Treasurer 6.3.1 Oversee the financial affairs of GoSocial (see also Section 7) 6.3.2 Maintain accounts that show all monies collected and paid out by GoSocial 6.3.3 Monitor/action membership changes in response to member sending notification of payment 7. Finance: 7.1 Any bank accounts opened for GoSocial shall be in the name of GoSocial and this will be the preferred method for all financial transactions both in and out of the account 7.2 Money raised for/by GoSocial shall be used only for GoSocial. Exception may be made where an ad hoc fundraiser for an identified charity has been made, when all donations will be passed to the charity in question. Any requests will, in the first instance, be considered by the Committee. 7.3 Where permitted by the bank or financial institution, payment will be approved by two committee members 7.4 Any cheques issued shall be signed by two committee members 7.5 Donations (for tax reasons) should be considered a gift to the Committee, however 100% of monies received will be used solely for the benefit (as determined by the Committee) of GoSocial 8. Annual General Meeting: 8.1 GoSocial shall hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the month of April 8.2 Members as determined by the conditions of membership at the time (see Section 4) and GoSocial Terms and Conditions) shall be given at least fourteen days’ notice of the AGM and shall be entitled to attend and vote 8.3 The business of the AGM shall include: 8.3.1 Receiving reports on the previous year’s activity from the elected Committee members 8.3.2 Electing a new Committee 8.3.3 Discussing other agenda items previously notified to the Committee. 8.3.4 Where a vote is required, this would usually be by a show of hands, in the event of an equal vote, the Chair of the Committee (or meeting if different) shall have the final vote 9. Extraordinary General Meeting: 9.1 An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be called by the Committee to discuss an urgent matter. 9.2 The Secretary shall give members fourteen days’ notice of any EGM together with notice of the business to be discussed. 9.3 All members as determined by the conditions of membership at the time shall be entitled to attend and vote. 9.4 In the event of an equal vote, the Chair of the Committee shall have the final vote. 10. Alterations to the Constitution: 10.1 Any changes to this Constitution must be agreed by at least two-thirds of members present and voting at any Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting. 11. Dissolution: 11.1 GoSocial may be dissolved if agreed by two-thirds of members present and voting at any Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting. 11.2 In the event of dissolution, any assets remaining after any invoices/debts have been paid shall be given to a charity chosen by the Committee. 11.3 Should GoSocial become insolvent, dissolution may occur without a member vote Ratified at the Annual General Meeting 20th April 2026