Wimbledon Community Chorus - Our Constitution

Wimbledon Community Chorus - Constitution Available as a pdf file to download

The Choir

The Choir shall be called "Wimbledon Community Chorus" or WCC for short
It shall be non-political and non-sectarian and open to all members of the Wimbledon community and neighbouring areas irrespective of musical experience
The Choir will assist and support such charitable institutions or purposes as the Committee (as defined below) shall from time to time determine
The Choir will meet during the academic terms of the local area, with each “Year” consisting of three terms, starting at the beginning of the Autumn term and ending at the end of the Summer term

Objectives

To foster the enjoyment of making music of good quality with fellow members of the community and encouraging social bonds between its members
To encourage community cohesion through public performances for and by the community
To be representative of our local community, creating a safe and welcoming atmosphere for everyone committed to non-discriminatory practices and equal opportunities for all

Committee/Officers

Management of the Choir shall be conducted by a "Committee" consisting of the following officers: Chair, Membership Secretary, Treasurer, Events Co-ordinator, Section Representatives (at least one from each section: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass). (The Musical Director and Accompanist will attend meetings EX OFFICIO)
The Committee may co-opt other members for any purpose they deem fit, such co-opted members will not have voting rights.
All the arrangements for the concerts and other events and the control of finance shall be managed by the Committee.

Election of Committee

The Committee shall be elected by a majority of the members voting, by a ballot if necessary, at the Annual General Meeting which shall be held after the last rehearsal of the summer term, or at a Special General Meeting in the case of mid-term resignations. Positions on the committee can be held for 3 years without re-election, though committee members can resign at any time. Nominations for election to the committee must be made by members of the Choir in writing and in the hands of the committee Chair at least 7 days before the AGM (or SGM)
The Committee shall meet once a term and at other times when business warrants. A quorum shall be formed by three members of the Committee or one third of the total number of Committee members, whichever is the greater
At the first Committee Meeting following the end of the Year, the Committee shall plan the forthcoming year's events, budget and strategy and confirm the appointment of the Musical Director and Accompanist

Membership

Members are expected to attend 70% of rehearsals in order to participate in performances - the Musical Director may exert his/her discretion in allowing exceptions. Attendance is noted in the register. Non-attendance will be followed up if it extends to more than 3 weeks in a row (without prior notification). This is in order to ensure members are not being excluded or discriminated against in any way, and to maintain good relations between members, and between the members and the Committee
Punctuality and common courtesy are expected at all times and discipline maintained during rehearsals and performances
Members are responsible for their own music, and any replacements will need to be paid for by them
To maintain a balance in the Choir, one or more sections may be closed to new members from time to time at the discretion of the Committee. In this event, prospective new members will be placed on a waiting list until space becomes available.
For good and sufficient reason the membership of any individual may be terminated by the decision of the Committee PROVIDED that the individual shall have the right to be heard by the Committee before any decision is made final

Finance

The Membership subscription rate shall be determined at the Annual General Meeting
Membership fees will consist of a standard and a reduced rate; the termly fee normally applies regardless of when in the term a member joins. However at the discretion of the Chair / Treasurer this requirement may be waived
The reduced rate shall apply at the discretion of the Chair / Treasurer and based on evidence of unemployment / full-time student status and this can be reviewed at any time
Guests will not be charged for their first rehearsal, but if they subsequently join, they will be expected to pay the termly fee.
Membership fees are payable at the first rehearsal of each term. The Choir aims to collect as much as possible of the subscription income by bank transfer. Cheques are accepted as a last resort rather than routinely
The Choir aims to operate as a paperless group as much as possible and seeks to avoid postage costs wherever possible. This means that it is the Choir’s intention to communicate by email and pay all invoices by bank transfer. This applies to dealing with anyone whose services or facilities the Choir pays for
The financial year of the Choir shall terminate at the end of the third term of each Year with the financial position of the Choir being reviewed each term by the Committee
Reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by members on the authorised business of the Choir will be reimbursed at the discretion of the Treasurer up to £100, and by the Committee if over £100.
A suitable bank account shall be maintained in the name of the Choir and operated under the signature of the Treasurer
Choir finances and records will be maintained and a summary presented at the AGM

Music

Printed and published music that is provided free of charge by the Choir must not be sold, copied or loaned by Choir members to any external party
The Committee has the right to ask for such sheet music to be returned to the Choir in the event of membership lapsing
The choice of music will be made by the Musical Director but the membership will be asked periodically by survey for suggestions and repertoire requests will be taken into consideration by the Musical Director
Programme selection for concerts shall be the responsibility of the Musical Director and Accompanist

General

If, upon the winding up or the dissolution of the Choir, there remains ANY property whatsoever after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, such property shall not be distributed amongst the members of the Choir but shall be given or transferred to a charitable institution or institutions having objectives similar to the objectives of the Choir, such Institution or Institutions to be determined by the members of the Choir at or before the time of dissolution
This Constitution is available for viewing on the website and a copy is kept in the storage box available for viewing at all practices.

Dated March 2023