Title
The name of the association is the St Edmund's Community Association, referred to in this constitution as "the Association".

Area of Benefit
The area of benefit of the Association is the St Edmund's District Council Ward, Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Objects
The principal objects of the Association are as follow:

• To promote the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of the inhabitants of St Edmund's.
• To foster good community spirit in St Edmund's and good relations between all sections of the local community
• To foster good relations between the local community and agencies planning and providing services for the area, including the organisations that make up the South Wiltshire Strategic Alliance
• To act as a channel of communication both within the local community and between the community and relevant agencies
• To enable the local community to become more involved in decisions on local issues
• To improve the environment, facilities and services for residents
• To represent the welfare of residents and to counter disadvantage and discrimination
• To raise and manage funds to help achieve these objects
• To remain a totally independent and non-political organisation
• To ensure young people are involved and their views represented
• To work together in such other ways as will further the objects of theAssociation

Powers
In furtherance of its objects the Association may:

• promote the Association and its work and events and opportunities in St Edmund's through publications and events and any other appropriate means
• appoint representatives to such bodies as seems appropriate
• raise money from public and/or private sources
• buy, lease or otherwise acquire, and sell, lease or otherwise dispose of, property and goods
• employ staff
• carry out any other lawful activity which will further the objects of the Association

Membership
Membership of the Association shall be open to:

• any individual aged 16 years and over resident in the area of benefit
• a representative of any voluntary or community organisation active in the area of benefit
• a representative of any business based in the area of benefit
• councillors elected for any part of the area of benefit
• a representative of any school in the area of benefit
• Other organisations, statutory, private or voluntary, having an interest in or serving St Edmund's but having an area of benefit wider than St Edmund's, may at the invitation of the Association nominate a representative as a non- voting member.
• Members shall automatically cease to be voting members if they cease to fulfil the conditions of membership. The Association may, under Clause 7, make rules providing for termination of membership.
• There will be no charge for membership, but the Association may seek funds by way of voluntary contributions should this become necessary in the future.

Association Meetings

• The Association shall meet not less than three times a year.
• One meeting shall be The Annual General Meeting, which shall be held not more than fifteen months after the previous Annual General Meeting.
• Not less than 15 days public notice of each meeting shall be given.
• Association meetings shall be open to the general public and advertised in the area.
• In organising its meetings the Association will adopt an equal opportunities policy within the resources at its disposal.
• A meeting of the Association shall be called if demanded by 20 members.

Management
The Association shall:

• Appoint a chair and other such officers as seem necessary and appropriate.
• appoint a management committee consisting of not less than 3 and not more than 12 members and such other committees, sub- committees and working groups as appropriate
• Make appropriate arrangements for the management of any monies under its control.
• Make such rules for the conduct of its meetings and business and for the regulation of membership as seems appropriate provided that no rule, arrangement or appointment may be made which is contrary to any part of the constitution.

Amendments to the constitution
Amendments to the constitution may be made only at a meeting of which 28 days public notice has been given, and only if:

• The notice so given included the text of the proposed amendments
• Not less than 25 members attend the meeting.
• Not less than two thirds of those present and voting support the amendments

Dissolution
The Association may be dissolved only by a meeting of which 28 days public notice has been given, and only if:

• The notice so given included the proposal to dissolve the Association.
• Not less than 25 members attend the meeting; and
• Not less than two thirds of those present and voting support the proposal to dissolve the Association.

In the event of dissolution, any assets of the Association remaining after the meeting of liabilities shall be used for the benefit of the area in such ways as the Association shall decide, provided that they may not be distributed among the members of the Association.

Version: 1/11/02