FORTRESS STUDY GROUP

CONSTITUTION


 

1.    

The Society shall be named the Fortress Study Group.
 
 

2.    

The object of the group shall be to advance the education of the public in the study of all aspects of fortifications and their armaments, especially works constructed to mount or resist artillery.
In furtherance of the above object but not further or otherwise the Group shall have the following powers:

a.    

To publish a journal and a newsletter devoted to this subject.

b.    

To encourage and promote the recording of such works in the UK.

c.    

To maintain a library of references on this subject for the use of members.

d.    

To campaign for the preservation, protection and recording of works of fortification.

e.    

To organise group visits to fortifications in the UK and abroad.

f.    

To co-operate with societies in the UK and other countries having similar interests.
 
 
 

3.    

a.  

Membership shall be open to all interested individuals or institutions.

b.    

Membership may be terminated by the society at the Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General Meeting on a tree fourths majority of those attending and provided that the member concerned has been given the opportunity to state their case to the meeting in person.
 
 
 

4.    

a.    

The elected officers of the society shall be: Chairman, Journal Editor, Newsletter Editor, Reviews Editor, Treasurer and Secretary.
Officers shall be elected at an annual general meeting, usually for a term of three years which may be extended by a further three year period, although in the case of the Chairman, his or her period of tenure shall not exceed six years.

b.    

In addition to the above officers, a librarian shall be nominated by the committee, who shall not be subject to regular re-election and shall not have a vote on the committee.

c.     

On a majority vote at an annual general meeting, following recommendation by the committee, members may be elected to the class of Fellow of the Group in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the achievement of the aims of the Group. The title is honorary and the subscriptions and privileges of a fellow are the same as those of an ordinary member.
 
 
 

5.     

The affairs of the Group shall be managed by a committee, elected at the AGM, that shall consist of the elected officers, ex officio, and by six ordinary Members, each to serve for a period of three years, two retiring each year. No ordinary member will be eligible to stand for re-election until the lapse of one year. The committee may co-opt additional members for the period up to the next AGM.

  
 
 

6.    

The Annual general meeting shall be held in the UK, and shall usually be combined with the Autumn conference.

  
 
 

7.    

a.    

The annual subscription shall be fixed by the members at the AGM and shall cover the issue of the newsletter, journal, maintenance of the library and the administrative expenses. It shall not cover the cost of meetings, conferences and visits which must be met by those taking part. The liability of members shall be limited by the amount of their annual subscription. The Treasurer shall present accounts covering the previous year for the approval of members at the AGM.

b.    

The Secretary and Treasurer shall be excused their subscriptions in return for minor unaccounted expenditure.
 
 
 

8.    

Resolutions passed at the AGM shall be binding on the committee and the Group, except that after their initial agreement any change in the constitution, after approval at an AGM, will take effect unless a simple majority of all members shall, on a postal vote, object; and further, that no amendment to Clause 2, Clause 10 or this present Clause 9 shall be made without the prior approval of the Charity Commissioners, and no amendment or addition or deletion may be made the effect of which would cause the Group at any time to cease to be a charity in law.

  
 
 

9.    

The Group may be dissolved by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting, including proxy votes of those unable to attend, and at a Special General Meeting convened for the purpose of which 28 days' notice shall have been given. Such a resolution may give instructions for the disposal of any assets held by or in the name of the Group, provided that if any property remains after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities such property shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Group but shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institution or institutions having objects similar to some or all of the objects of the Group as the Group may with the approval of the Charity Commissioners or other authority having charitable jurisdiction determine.

  



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