Our Constitution

Make A Green Team was founded at an inaugural meeting on Sunday 29th May 2011, at 4 Pellew Place, Plymouth, Devon . This formation followed the Constitutional winding up of The Maker Green Team, the ‘All Volunteer Not for Profit Community Events Recycling Organisation’ established in December 2006.
All existing responsibilities, commitments and resources held by the former Maker Green Team Quorum were transferred as part of the Maker Green Team’s ending to ‘Make A Green Team’. It was agreed upon by all present and voted upon that the former name ‘Maker Green Team’ was to be held in trust as it was recognised that the former groups history & reputation made good the evolution to Make A Green Team. All right of use of the former Maker Green Team title thus remain the intellectual rights of the Make A Green Team Quorum.

This Constitution for the organisation was adopted at the first Annual General Meeting of the Quorum on Sunday 29th May 2011 at 4 Pellew Place, Plymouth, Devon.

The Constitution of Make A Green Team

1 Title and Address

The title of the organisation is the “Make A Green Team”. The administrative address (‘HQ’) shall be that of the Secretary or as assigned by the quorum.
As of 30th May 2011 this shall be
The Make A Green Team Office, Hillcrest, Upcott Hill, Okehampton, Devon,
EX20 1SQ

2 Aims of the organisation

(a) To promote and support the use volunteer not for profit community event recycling schemes at locations and events covering the entire South West region of England and by invite by other community organisations and bodies at locations within the United Kingdom & mainland Europe. To promote volunteering and to deliver volunteering schemes within projects assigned by the Quorum of Make A Green Team.
(b) To disseminate information within the group, and outside by means of a website, and publication elsewhere including, but not limited to, other publications, media sources, and group meetings.
(c) To provide organisational training, recycling knowledge, tools and equipment, transport means, which may be available to group members and others. The Quorum to provide funds for, and access to, such tools and equipment at their sole discretion.
(d) To aid the provision of community event recycling schemes through volunteer not for profit community event recycling schemes at locations and events covering the entire South West region of England and by invite by other Community organisations & bodies at locations within the United Kingdom & mainland Europe. To promote volunteering and to deliver volunteering schemes within projects assigned by the quorum of Make A Green Team. This will be actioned by work, consultation, technical assistance, training, liaison and financial assistance. Such financial assistance to be at the sole discretion of the Quorum.
(e) To work with national and international societies and groups to further community recycling event practice. (f) This organisation adopts the bottom up principles of Agenda 21(UN Rio summit 1992)

3 Membership of the Organisation

(a) Membership of the organisation is open to any individual who has an interest in community event recycling.
(b) Membership is free, by volunteering and invited by Quorum officers.
(c) Each member must agree to observe the Rules and Regulations of the organisation and to support the Constitutional statement of Make A Green Team.
(d) Upon resigning from the quorum or otherwise ceasing to be a member of the organisation the individual must return, without delay, to the Secretary all materials belonging to the organisation.

4 Officers of the organisation

4.1 The affairs of the organisation will be run by a quorum. These will comprise a Chairperson, a Secretary, a Treasurer and other members nominated and co-opted.
4.2 The Quorum must meet at least once per annum at a date and venue to be selected by the Secretary in consultation with all Quorum members.
4.3 The Quorum has the power to co-opt any member onto the quorum or Sub-committee until the next Annual General Meeting.
4.4 The Quorum has the power to suspend or expel any member of the organisation who acts against the Rules and Regulations of the organisation or commits a criminal act.
4.5 Expenses incurred by members in the course of their duties should be recorded at the time, with all related receipts. Reimbursement of personal expenses will be at the quorum's discretion
4.6 To qualify for reimbursement, expenditure must be agreed in advance by 3 committee members
4.7 The Chairperson, the Secretary or the Treasurer may independently sanction sundry expenses under £50 on an ad hoc basis as circumstance’s demand.
4.8 A Quorum will consist of 50% of quorum members.

5 Finances of the organisation

5.1 The organisation will be financed by: (a) Grants, (b) Donations from any source. (c) Profits from fundraising activities (d) The sale of publications, gifts (e) Schemes of work created on a cost and donation agreement. (f) Secondary not for profit social vehicles which generate exclusive profit and donate as a gift to Make A Green Team.
5.2 All monies of the organisation will be paid into a current and/or deposit accounts held in the name of the organisation, or a temporary account nominated by the Treasurer as an interim account for an unspecified period of holding.
5.3 All payments will require consensus of 66% of quorum members, within and from the Chairperson, Secretary or Treasurer within their roles.
5.4 The financial period for the organisation will be one calendar year. Duly audited accounts and balance sheets to be presented to the quorum at least one month prior to the Annual General Meeting providing turnover exceeds £15,000*. The financial year to be 5th April to 6th April year following.

6 Annual General Meeting

6.1 The Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’) shall be held annually (within May each year) at a time and place decided by the Quorum.
6.2 The business of the AGM shall be: (a) To receive reports from the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. (b) Receive the audited accounts*. (c) Elect the Officers and quorum. (d) Conduct any other business of the meeting.
6.3 Any member wishing to include an item on the agenda must forward the item to the Secretary 21 days prior to the meeting.
6.4 Officers and members of the quorum must be proposed by two members of the organisation. Retiring members may stand for re-election. No member may hold an Officers post for more than 5 successive years.
6.5 All members shall be advised of the date and location of the meeting 28 days prior to the meeting. This notification to be in the group newsletter and by Internet announcement.
6.6 A Quorum will be three or more persons (co-opted for role), one of whom must be a quorum member up to the Annual General Meeting.

7 Amendments to Constitution

Any proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be submitted as an agenda item for the Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) as defined in Article 8 with the provision of Article 6.3. Any proposal to change the constitution requires that 66% of the quorum present vote in favour.

8 Extraordinary General Meeting

At the request of the quorum, the Secretary will call an Extraordinary General Meeting. Such a meeting must take place within 6 weeks of the request and at a venue decided by the quorum. The only business which may be transacted is that on the Agenda and no other business may be discussed.

9 Winding up

If at an Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting, a Resolution is passed to wind up the affairs of the Organisation, then so much of the assets of the Organisation shall be realised as required to discharge any and all liabilities of the Organisation and the remaining assets to be disposed of by the existing committee in accordance with Article 2.