Cotswold Savoyards Constitution
As amended at the AGM 2022.
1. TITLE
The name of the Society shall be THE COTSWOLD SAVOYARDS hereinafter referred to as the Society.
2. OBJECTS
The principal object of the Society shall be to promote, maintain and produce the works of W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan by the presentation of public performances and concerts. The Society will include other musical works considered suitable.
3. MEMBERSHIP
All applications for membership of the Society shall be made to the Secretary and shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. Membership shall be conditional upon the payment, in advance, of the annual subscription.
The Executive Committee may, at its discretion, set lower subscriptions for juniors and students.
There shall be four categories of membership of the Society: Full Member, Life Member, Temporary Member and Vice President.
(i) Full members shall be entitled:
(a) to information on the activities of the Society
(b) to take part in social events arranged by the Society
(c) to vote at any General Meeting
(d) to priority consideration for bookings at public performances and major concerts where possible.
Applicants for full membership who wish to take part in public performances will be required to audition before a panel consisting of (i) a Musical Director nominated by the Executive Committee and (ii) the Chairman or one other member of the Executive Committee.
The Society may, through the Executive Committee, re-audition any previous or existing singing member who has not participated in a stage production or concert for a period of two years or more.
(ii) Life Members
Subject to recommendation of the Executive Committee and approval by the members at a General Meeting, the Society may recognise outstanding service towards its objects by conferring individual life membership. A Life Member so created may enjoy all the benefits of full membership of the Society without payment of an annual subscription.
(iii) Temporary members
Any person buying a ticket for a public performance staged by the Society shall automatically become a member of the Society for the duration of the performance but shall have no voting rights or other privileges.
(iv) Vice Presidents
Subject to the recommendation of the Executive Committee and approval by the members at a General Meeting, the Society may appoint Vice Presidents to represent the Society as required. A Vice President may enjoy all the benefits of full membership without payment of an annual subscription.
4. PATRONS
(i) The Society shall actively encourage support and financial assistance by way of patronage.
(ii) The minimum annual rate of patrons subscription shall be determined by the Executive Committee.
(iii) A patron of the Society shall be entitled:
(a) to priority consideration for bookings at public performances and major concerts where possible
(b) to information about the Society's activities
(c) to take part in social events arranged by the Society.
5. PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY
The Society may have a President who shall be elected by the members at each Annual General Meeting.
6. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
(i) The affairs of the Society shall be managed by an Executive Committee consisting of Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity Manager and five other members. All Officers and Committee Members shall be elected each year at the Annual General Meeting.
(ii) The Executive Committee shall elect one of their number to be Vice-Chairman, who will become an Officer of the Society.
(iii) Nominations for Officers and Committee Members complete with the signatures of Proposer, Seconder and nominee should be sent to the Secretary at least seven days before the Annual General Meeting.
(iv) Members retiring from office at each Annual General Meeting shall be eligible for re-election.
(v) In the event of death, incapacity or resignation of any member of the Executive Committee, that Committee shall have the power to fill the vacancy and such appointment shall be effective until the next Annual General Meeting.
(vi) The Executive Committee should aim to meet at least once a month.
(vii) At a meeting, five members including two officers present at the appointed time and place shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
7. CONCERTS
(i) A Concerts Committee of not more than five members shall be appointed annually by the Executive Committee and shall include a member of the Executive Committee and the Musical Director appointed for that concert.
(ii) The appointment of a Musical Director and Accompanist(s) for each concert shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee.
(iii) The Concerts Committee shall be responsible for the artistic content of each concert.
8. STAGE PERFORMANCES
(i) The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the selection of all stage productions after consultation with members at a General Meeting.
(ii) The appointment of Stage Director(s) and Musical Director and, if necessary, Chorus Master for each stage production shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee.
(iii) Auditions for principal roles shall be held for all stage productions. The audition panel shall consist of the Stage Director(s), the Musical Director, the Choreographer, if applicable, and Chairman of the Society, or a nominated officer from the Executive Committee, together with two society members, neither of whom is auditioning for a principal role, appointed by the Executive Committee and neither of whom may vote. The Chairman shall have a casting vote.
(iv) Chorus auditions shall normally be held for stage productions. The audition panel shall consist of the Stage Director(s), the Musical Director, the Chorus Master and Choreographer, if applicable, and the Chairman of the Society, or a nominated officer from the Executive Committee.
9. FINANCE
(i) The financial year shall end on 31st December.
(ii) A bank account shall be opened in the name of the Society and cheques shall be signed by any two of the following: Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary.
(iii) The Society may receive subscriptions, donations or financial assistance in any other form.
(iv) The amount of annual subscriptions shall be determined by the Executive Committee. Any changes in the amount of annual subscriptions shall be notified to the membership not less than thirty days prior to the commencement of the new financial year.
(v) A show levy shall be charged to members performing in a stage production. The amount of the show levy shall be determined by the Executive Committee and stated on the audition form.
(vi) Tickets and programmes for stage productions and concerts may be offered for sale to the public.
(vii) The income and property of the Society whencesoever derived, shall be applied solely to promoting the objects of the Society as set forth above and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred either directly or indirectly to any member or members of the Society except in payment of legitimate expenses incurred on behalf of the Society.
(viii) The financial accounts of the Society shall be audited and submitted to the members for approval at each Annual General Meeting.
(ix) The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining separate financial records for social activities, including, if necessary, a separate bank account.
10. GENERAL MEETING
(i) The Annual General Meeting of the Society shall normally be held in March of each year.
(ii) Notice of all General Meetings shall be issued to every member at least fourteen days before the date of such meeting. The notice must state the business to be transacted.
(iii) An extraordinary General Meeting shall be convened if requested in writing by at least fifty per cent of the full members of the Society. The request shall state the purpose of the meeting and shall be sent to either the Chairman or Secretary. The meeting shall be held within six weeks of the date of receipt of the request.
(iv) An extraordinary General Meeting may also be called by the Executive Committee.
11. CONSTITUTION
(i) This constitution may be amended at a General Meeting by a two-thirds majority of members present and entitled to vote.
(ii) Notice of any proposed alteration shall be given in writing to the Secretary at least twenty-eight days before the General Meeting and shall be notified to the members in writing at least fourteen days before the date of such meeting.
12. DISSOLUTION
In the event of the Society being wound up any assets remaining after the payment of proper debts and liabilities shall be transferred to a charitable institution or institutions having similar objects to those of the Society.