West Midland Bird Club

The Club shall be known as the West Midland Bird Club, herein after referred to as 'The Club.'

2.1 The objects of The Club shall be to advance the education of the public in the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of wild birds and wild bird study and to promote the conservation of wild birds and their habitat. In furtherance of this objective, but not otherwise, the Club shall have the power to :—

2.2 Encourage and organise the study and recording of wild birds, with special reference to the birds of the counties of Warwickshire, Staffordshire, The West Midlands and Worcestershire, hereinafter referred to as 'The Club's Area'.

2.3 Manage or participate in the management of Nature Reserves.

2.4 Provide facilities for persons interested in ornithology to meet and exchange ideas and information.

2.5 Work in close liason with local and national organisations in the interests of wild birds.

2.6 Encourage the promotion of an informed body of public opinion on wild birds and their conservation.

2.7 Publish papers and reports, in particular, the 'West Midland Bird Club Annual Report', and to record in an appropriate form, information on all aspects of wild bird life in the Club's Area and to participate in national and local ornithological surveys.

2.8 Do all such things as shall further the Objects of The Club.

3.1 The Administration of The Club shall be in the hands of the Executive Council (EC).

3.2 The Executive Council shall consist of the Club's Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary; two ordinary members; any other Trustees; a Representative from each Branch and the Chairman of any Committee where the Executive Council deems this to be appropriate. All shall be elected each year at the Annual General Meeting, with the exception of the Branch Representatives who shall be elected annually by their respective Branches, and all shall have voting rights.

3.3 Members of the Executive Council shall all be members of The Club and have paid their annual subscriptions.

3.4 The Officers of the Executive Council may serve for a continuous period of 5 years after which they should stand down but may be eligible for re-election to any office subject to the Club's standard election process.

3.5 Nominations for the Executive Council may be made by any two members and must be received by the Secretary, together with the consent in writing of the nominee, at least 15 days before the Annual General Meeting.

3.6 The Executive Council shall have the power to fill any vacancy arising among the Officers or elected members until the next General Meeting.

3.7 At any meeting of the Executive Council, six members entitled to attend and vote shall form a quorum.

3.8 If a quorum is not present 30 minutes from the time that the meeting is scheduled to commence, the meeting shall stand adjourned until the same time and venue 1 week later, or until such time and place as may be determined.

3.9 At the resumption of any adjourned meeting, only the business on the previous agenda may be discussed, save that the Council may take advantage of later information.

3.10 At any meeting of the Executive Council, voting shall be a show of hands unless a majority of those present demand a poll. In the event of an equality of votes, the Chairperson of the meeting shall have a casting vote.

3.11 The Executive Council shall have the power to appoint or dismiss non-executive officers of The Club. Such officers shall not be members of the Executive Council, shall not be Trustees, nor have voting rights at any EC meeting but shall act with the devolved authority of the EC within the duties of their office.

3.12 The Executive Council shall have the power to co-opt additional members. These members shall serve until the next Annual General Meeting.

3.13 There shall be two permanent sub-committees, the Records, Research and Reserves Committee (RRR) and the Membership, Promotion and Fund Raising Committee (MPFR). The EC may appoint to these sub-committees, any members of The Club that it shall see fit. The EC shall have the power to form other committees to carry out any specific task it may authorise and for that purpose, to appoint any member of The Club that it shall see fit to serve on that committee. The EC may dissolve any such committee on completion of that task.

3.14 The actions and proceedings of all such committees shall be minuted and shall be fully and promptly reported to the Executive Council.

4.1 The Club shall consist of Honorary Members, Adult and Junior Members and Affiliated Bodies. The membership categories of 'Inclusive' and 'Standard' shall apply to Honorary, Adult and Junior Memberships.

4.2 Honorary Members — in recognition of exceptional services to The Club, the Executive Council may grant Honorary Membership. Honorary Members shall pay no subscription and shall be entitled to all the privileges of Adult Membership. The Executive Council may nominate a President and up to three Vice Presidents, who shall be Honorary Members. Such nominations shall be confirmed by a simple majority vote at a General Meeting. These appointments shall be subject to review by the Executive Council every three years.

4.3Adult Members — Adult Members shall be entitled to attend General Meetings and vote thereat, to avail themselves of the facilities provided for indoor meetings and field trips and to receive a copy of the Annual Report and Bulletins. The subscription rate shall be set by the Executive Council.

4.4 Junior Members — Junior members shall be between the ages of 12–17 years inclusive. They shall be entitled to all the privileges of Adult Membership except that they may not vote. The subscription rate shall be set by the Executive Council.

4.5 Inclusive Membership Category — An 'Inclusive Member' shall be entitled to receive all the facilities as provided by Adult Membership together with access to any named West Midland Bird Club Reserve, such named reserves shall be decided upon by the Executive Council. When visiting such Reserves an Inclusive Member may be accompanied by their partner and descendants aged 16 years and under.

4.6 Standard Membership Category — A 'Standard Member' shall be entitled to receive all facilities as provided by Adult Membership but access to Reserves shall be excluded from this category.

4.7 Affiliated Membership — The Executive Council may admit to 'Affiliated Membership' schools and other organised bodies. The subscription rate shall be set by the Executive Council. Affiliated Bodies shall be entitled to a free copy of the Annual Report and any Bulletins and apply for up to six places at any Field Meeting. Affiliated Membership shall entitle up to six persons, or a larger number by prior arrangement with the Secretary, to attend an indoor meeting. Members of Affiliated Bodies may not vote at any Meeting. Members of Affiliated Bodies shall not be treated as members of The Club for the purpose of applications for permits.

4.8 New Members joining after 30th September — New Members who join between 1 October and 31st December shall not be required to pay a further subscription for the following year and shall be entitled to the appropriate privileges of Membership but not receive a free copy of the Annual Report for the year in which they join.

4.9 Subscriptions — Subscriptions shall be payable on the 1st January each year.

4.10 Forfeiture of Membership — Any Member whose subscription is not paid by the 31 March in any year shall automatically cease to be a member of the Club. The Executive Council may, at the request of any four members and after due consideration, call on any member to resign, if for any reason his or her connection with the Club is considered detrimental to its interests. Such a member shall be afforded a right to appeal in person to the Executive Council against such a dismissal.

5.1 The Executive Council may at any time, set up Branches or Local Groups within the Club's Area. These may not engage in activities outside the 'Objects' of The Club without prior authorisation from the Executive Council.

5.2 Each Branch shall be administered by as many members as is deemed necessary to achieve its agreed objectives. Such objectives might include bringing together groups of birders and organising indoor meetings, field trips, research and ringing within their area. A suitable person shall be nominated to be responsible to the Club's Treasurer for the disbursement and collection of Club funds.

5.3 Branch Officers and Committee Members shall be elected by members of The Club at an Annual General Meeting of that Branch which is to be held before 1st April each year. All Branch Officers shall be eligible for re-election. Nominations for a Branch Committee may be made by any two members of the Club and must be received by the Branch Secretary at least fifteen days before the Annual General Meeting of that Branch. Each Branch shall nominate one person to represent that Branch on the Executive Council.

5.4 The Executive Council may, at the request of a Branch Committee, provide such financial support as it sees fit, for the purpose of the proper working of the Branch. The Branch Treasurer shall account to the Executive Council for these funds.

5.5 The Executive Council may at any time nominate one or two of its members to represent it at any meeting of a Branch Committee.

5.6 Any member of The Club may avail themselves of the facilities offered by any Branch or Local Group and may vote at any Annual General Meeting of that Branch.

6.1 The Club is a registered charity and shall comply with the requirements of the Charities Act. It shall also take advantage of all tax concessions due to charities of its size and standing.

6.2 Subject to the above :—

Subject to the provisions of Rule 9, the following rules shall apply to the holding of General Meetings.

7.1 The Annual General Meeting of the Club shall be held before 30 June each year. Extra-ordinary General Meetings may be held at any time as required.

7.2 The Membership shall be given a minimum of 28 days notice of the date, venue and Agenda of any General Meeting.

7.3 A quorum for a General Meeting shall be not less than 20 members.

7.4 All votes at a General Meeting shall be carried by a simple majority of members present and entitled to vote. The Chairperson shall not have a casting vote.

8.1 Proposals for any alteration to these Rules may be made by any ten members. They will normally be considered at the next Annual General Meeting of The Club, but the Executive may recommend their consideration at any General Meeting.

8.2 Such proposals shall first be submitted to the Executive Council and shall be circulated to the membership by the Secretary not less than 28 days before the General Meeting at which they are to be considered.

8.3 Such alterations shall be incorporated into the Rules of the Club provided they are approved by a simple majority vote of those members present and entitled to vote. No alteration shall be made to these Rules which would cause The Club to cease to be a charity in law.

9.1 If the Executive Council decides that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve The Club, it shall call a General Meeting of all Members of The Club. The notice of the meeting shall state the terms of the resolution being proposed.

9.2 If the proposal is confirmed by a two thirds majority of those present and having voting right, the Executive Council shall have the power to realise any assets held by or on behalf of The Club.

9.3 Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to such a charitable institution or institutions having objectives similar to those of The Club as the membership may determine or, failing that, shall be applied for some other charitable purpose.