1. Constitution
The Society shall be designated the Cotswold Heritage and Detecting Society (CHADS).
An elected Committee will manage the Society.
At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or a Special General Meeting (SGM) called for the purpose, a majority of the members present shall have the power to decide or adjust the constitution and rules of the Society at their discretion.
Upon receiving a requisition signed by 10 members of the Society, the Secretary shall call an Extraordinary General Meeting. At least 28 days notice of request shall be given together with an agenda for the meeting.
The Committee may convene a Special General Meeting at any time. At least 7 days notice of such meeting shall be given together with an agenda for the meeting.
The Society may be disbanded at any time at an Extraordinary or Special General Meeting called for the purpose. Two thirds of the members present must be in agreement with the motion to disband.
In the event of the Society disbanding, having discharged it debts the remaining moneys held by the Treasurer will be donated to a Charity decided by the Chairman.
2. Membership
Application for membership must be made in writing to the Membership Secretary and accompanied by the appropriate subscription fee. Acceptance will be at the discretion of the Committee. Their decision will be final.
Any member found guilty of bringing the Society or hobby into disrepute may at the discretion of the Committee have their membership revoked at any time.
3. Conditions of Membership
Each member will promote the Club and the hobby of metal detecting.
Members will abide by the Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting in England and Wales (2017)
Members will not bring the Society or hobby into disrepute.
Members agree to mandatory membership of the National Council for Metal Detecting (NCMD).
Members will observe the NCMD Code of Conduct.
Members will abide by detecting restrictions as advised by NCMD.
Any members found guilty of bullying, disrespectful comments or degrading comments about things such as race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender or identity may at the discretion of the committee have their membership revoked at any time.
Members failing to comply with conditions of membership may at the discretion of the committee have their membership revoked at any time.
4. Subscription
The Committee shall set the annual subscription.
Annual subscriptions shall be paid on or before first meeting in February.
An administration charge (set by the Committee) will be levied on late subscription renewals.
Annual subscription shall include a non-negotiable fee for Liability Insurance provided by an Insurer acceptable to the Committee.
Membership will run from first day of February until the final day of January each year.
The Committee will set subscription for new members joining after February.
5. Officers of the Committee
The Officers of the Society will be Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary and Sites Officer and a maximum of 4 Officer Committee members.
No Officer will hold more than two positions.
3 members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business.
The Society can at its discretion elect a President, Vice President(s) and Life Member(s).
6. Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting shall be held at the March meeting of each year. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided 15 members are present.
Receive and approve minutes of previous AGM.
Consider any business arising from them.
Receive and adopt the Annual Balance sheet and Statement of Accounts.
Election of Officers of the Committee.
Alterations to Rules.
Other business of which due notice (28 days in writing to Secretary) is given.
All voting shall be by a show of hands unless a ballot be demanded by at least 15
Paid members qualified to vote. Chairperson will hold deciding vote.
7. Finance
The Committee shall decide which bank/s or other financial institution/s the funds of the Society are lodged.
The Chairperson shall approve all expenditure in excess of £100. Cheques to be signed by at least two Officers nominated by the Committee.
The financial year of the Society will end on 31st January.
8. Club sites
Any finds of historical, archaeological, financial or potentially dangerous significance recovered from a Club site must be reported to the Committee.
9. Rules binding on members
Each member shall be deemed to have given his/her assent to the foregoing Rules and agree to abide by the decisions of the Committee.