Constitution

1. THE AIMS OF THE ASSOCIATION
The aims of the Association shall be to promote friendship and understanding, strengthening by all possible means the existing links and stimulating and fostering the mutual exchanges by people of the twin towns, cousin twin towns and those of other towns with which the Association has links, and to organise fund raising activities to foster the aims of the Association.

2. ORGANISATION
Officers of the Association shall be:-
(a) The Chair
(b) The Vice Chair
(c) The Secretary
(d) The Treasurer
(e) The Events Officer
(f) The Membership Secretary
(g) Management Committee

The affairs of the Association shall be administered by this Committee who shall have all the powers conducive or incidental to the attainment of the aims referred to and to management and control of the affairs of the Association.
The Management Committee shall consist of the Officers of the Association, ten other individual members of the Association, together with two nominated members of Darlington Borough Council.
They should be elected annually by members present at the Annual General Meeting and nominations should be made and seconded in writing by members of the Association to the Secretary prior to the AGM, indicating the respective nominees’ willingness to stand.
A quorum of the Management Committee shall consist of five members of the Committee.
The Management Committee may invite to any of the meetings, in an consultative or advisory capacity, such person or persons as they think fit. Such persons will not be entitled to vote.

3. MEETINGS
The Association shall normally meet bi monthly. A quorum shall consist of eight members. The Association’s business year shall be from 1st January to 31st December.
The Management Committee shall meet as required.
The Annual General Meeting shall be held in March, and the Agenda shall be:-
(a) To receive Officer’s reports for the preceding year.
(b) To receive the audited accounts for the preceding year.
(c) To appoint auditors for the ensuing year.
(d) To approve the rate of membership subscriptions.
(e) To conduct elections for Officers of the Association.
(f) To transact any business relating to the Constitution.
A quorum for an Annual General Meeting shall be two officers and ten members.

Special General Meetings may be called by the Chair or a Management Committee member acting on his behalf in the following cases.
(a) Upon direction of the Management Committee.
(b) On a written request signed by not less than ten members of the Association, the request being delivered to the Secretary not less than 14 days prior to the date proposed for such a meeting.
(c) At the request of the Auditors.
A quorum for a Special General Meeting shall be two Officers and ten members.

4. MEMBERSHIP
Individual membership is available to anyone on payment of an annual membership fee. Individual members are entitled to one vote.
Corporate membership is available to any company, club, commercial or similar organisation on payment of an annual membership fee. Corporate membership entitles the organisation to one vote by an accredited representative.
Membership fees shall be reviewed at the Annual General Meeting and shall be payable on 1st January each year.
Members shall only be entitled to promotions, discounts or offers made by the Association if their membership of the Association covers a period of more than six months preceding the date of these entitlements.

5. VOTING
Each member of the Association, whether individual or corporate, shall be entitled to one vote, matter being decided by a simple majority. (Except in relation to changes in the Constitution – see below) The Chair shall have a casting vote.

6. FINANCE
(a) All monies of the Association shall be controlled by the Management Committee and shall be handled in the name of the Association by:
the Nat West Bank, 25 High Row, Darlington.
(b) All banking of monies shall be done by the Treasurer or his nominee and all withdrawals or cheques shall be ratified and signed by two signatories from the Chair or Secretary or Treasurer of the Association
(c) The accounts shall be audited at least once a year by the auditors appointed by the Annual General Meeting.
(d) The audited statement of accounts for the last financial year shall be submitted to the Annual General Meeting.

7. CONSTITUTION
Amendments to the Constitution shall only be made at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting. Notice of the proposed amendment shall be given to the Secretary before the meeting and details shall be given in the notice convening the meeting.
No such amendment shall be carried unless two thirds of the members present and voting at the meeting vote in its favour.

8. WINDING UP
In the event of the Association being dissolved, any properties or surplus funds remaining after debts and liabilities have been settled shall be donated to some purpose or organisation, the aims and objectives of which correspond with those of the Association, or to a charity or charities or as the Management Committee shall so decide.