Constitution

1. Name

2. Meaning of words within this Constitution
   1. “Rural” shall mean an area comprised of communities of less than ten thousand people whether market towns, villages, hamlets or scattered housing;
   2. “Christian” shall mean that which acknowledges the divinity and lordship of Jesus Christ.
3. Aim
   1. To advance the kingdom of God through the proclamation of the Christian gospel in rural areas;
   2. To enable all those involved in the evangelization of rural areas of the UK to share insight and experience;
   3. To encourage good practice in rural evangelism;
4. Objectives
   1. To arrange conferences and consultations on subjects related to the aims of the Organisation;
   2. To publish papers, articles, books, booklets on subjects related to the aims of the Organisation;
   3. To provide internet facilities appropriate to the aims of the Organisation;
   4. To do all such other activities that in the opinion of the Members or the Committee are appropriate to the aims of the Organisation;
   5. To carry out the aims and objectives in ways that express the essential Christian unity that is already God’s gift to all who believe on the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
5. Area of Activity

6. Members
   1. The Members of the Organisation shall be any of the following having made written application to become a Member

2. Each Member may appoint up to two people to represent them, hereinafter called “the Representatives”, with each having a vote,
3. The Representatives shall be free to vote in whatever way they feel is in the best interest of the Organisation and must not be mandated to vote by the body they represent.

4. All meetings other than the Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be Special Meetings.
5. The Secretary shall be responsible to ensure that notice of the AGM and Special Meetings shall be provided to all Members by post at least one calendar month in advance. Such notice should include the date, time and place of meeting together with an agenda. All meetings where the administration of the Organisation is to be discussed must be announced to Members by post or email not less than one calendar month in advance.
6. Any two Committee Members and not less than one third of the Representatives shall have power to instruct the Secretary to call a Special Meeting of the Organisation.
7. Decisions should be by consensus whenever possible; otherwise a simple majority will suffice.
8. If, at either an AGM or a Special Meeting, there is insufficient representation of the Members the Committee will have the discretion to arrange a postal ballot.
9. Personal Members may be admitted to the Organisation at the discretion of the Committee but shall not be entitled to vote at an Annual General Meeting or Special Meeting of the Organisation.
6. Committee
   1. The Members of the Organisation shall, at each Annual General Meeting, elect or re-elect from among their number or from among Personal Members some to serve upon a Committee for the purposes of administering the affairs of the Organisation between Annual General Meetings.
   2. The Committee shall comprise not less than five or more than eight persons to include the Secretary and any Treasurer as ex-officio Committee Members.
   3. Decisions of the Committee should be by consensus wherever possible but may be determined by simple majority. Any two members of the Committee may jointly call for a decision of the Committee to be suspended and the matter referred to a Special Meeting of the Members or its AGM.
   4. Members elected to the Committee may second additional members to fill any vacancies that might arise between Annual General Meetings. Any additional member of Committee so appointed shall stand down at the next AGM but may then be elected to serve.
   5. Members elected to the Committee may second additional members if required to assist them in addressing a specific task, such persons to be appointed for specific periods of time.
   6. All members of Committee may claim reasonable travel and other incidental expenses, but may not receive any personal remuneration in consideration for their services on the Committee.
7. Officers
   1. At an AGM the Members shall appoint one of the Representatives to serve as Secretary and another to serve as Treasurer both normally for a term of three years.
   2. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be combined if so desired.
   3. In the event of an Office becoming vacant the Committee shall appoint one of their number to serve until the next AGM.
   4. The Committee shall elect one of its number to serve as Chairperson either on each occasion that it is convened or to serve until the next AGM.
   5. The Committee shall determine when it meets providing that it meets not less than twice a year, one of which may be by telephone, video or web conferencing.
8. Fees and financial administration
   1. Fees for the coming financial year shall be set at the AGM.
   2. The Treasurer shall produce appropriate information for the efficient administration of the Organisation at the AGM to include a balance sheet, Statement of Financial Activities, and cash flow forecast for the coming 12 months.
   3. The Treasurer shall provide a summary of financial activities at each Committee Meeting.
   4. The Committee shall have authority to determine the bank at which the Organisation’s funds are held and to open accounts that ensure efficient management of the funds.
   5. The Committee will determine who shall be signatories on the bank accounts providing not less than two signatures are required, except that       
   6. The Committee may nominate the Treasurer or another appropriate person to carry out online banking providing

10. Variation to this Constitution
    1. Any proposed variation to the Constitution must be set out in writing and sent to all the Representatives.
    2. Unless at least one third of the Representatives request that a Special Meeting is convened to consider any proposed variation then the matter may be determined by postal ballot.
11. Winding Up