THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REDBRIDGE CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION

1. NAME:
Name of the "ASSOCIATION" shall be "THE REDBRIDGE CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION" here in after referred to as the "RCA".
2. ADDRESS:
Address of the "RCA" shall be 14a Connaught Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 . Telephone Number: 020 8514 0861.
3. AIM:
" The Aim of the "RCA" is to organise a Carnival Procession, Diverse Multicultural, Multifaith Fete laced with numerous popular themes inter alia; Green Living, Healthy Living, sustainable development, faith, hope and charity - and the Selection of a Carnival Court (Carnival Queen and Two Carnival Princesses - where possible) at an Annual Selection Dance - if possible - to represent the "RCA" and any other event that will raise money for Local and National Charities.

4. OBJECTIVES:

" To hold a diverse muliticultural, multifaith carnival event with intention to unite all people in Redbridge in a fun atmosphere and encourage visitors to our wonderful borough.
" To raise money for the support of local and national charities
" To facilitate debate and discussion on popular local and National themes such as Green issues, Animal welfare, sustainable development and the social model of disability - by utilising keynote speakers and encouraging theme based stalls.
" To stimulate knowledge of local services, facilities and figureheads by working with community, charity, emergency services and council organisations.

4. MEMBERSHIP:
" Membership of the "RCA" shall be open to any Individuals/Companies willing to support the aim of the "RCA".
" Membership Fee - on the one off payment of a donation of Ten pounds (£10.00p) for Individuals and payment of a donation of Fifty pounds (£50.00p) for Companies. (The upper limit of the Donation will be left to the discretion of the Individual/Companies wishing to be a Member).
" The Donator will be asked to Gift Aid their Donation by signing a Gift Aid Form, if they pay tax.

5. ENTITLEMENT:
" The Members/Corporate Members will receive regular information about the various activities of the "RCA", reduced price for entry to Carnival Functions and the right to vote at the Annual General Meeting.
" All Individuals and Company Representatives will be entitled to be nominated for Office or Membership of the "RCA" Executive Committee or any Sub-Committee within the framework of the "RCA".
" They shall have the right to vote for the Officers of the "RCA" and Members of the Executive Committee of the "RCA" at the Annual/Special General Meeting.
" The Vote for "RCA" Officers (Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer) and Members of the Executive Committee shall be by Secret Ballot, except when there is only one nomination, it will be by a show of hands.

6. ADMINISTRATION:
" The day to day running of the "RCA" shall be administered by the Executive Committee of FOUR Officers (Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer) and SIX (6) other Members, elected at the "RCA" Annual General Meeting, plus any Co-opted members that shall be co-opted to the Executive Committee for a pacific job.

7. OFFICERS:
" The Officers of the "RCA" shall be The Chairman, The Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. They will all be elected Annually at the "RCA" Annual General Meeting.

8. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
" The Executive Committee shall meet as often as may be necessary for the efficient conduct of the "RCA" business but in any case not less than once a month. SIX members, including TWO officers shall constitute a quorum for the Executive Committee.
" The Executive Committee shall have the power to appoint members of the "RCA" to fill any vacancies, which occur on the "RCA" Executive Committee through resignation, or any other reason, during the year.
" The "RCA" Executive Committee shall have the power to set up Sub-Committees as may be deemed necessary; the Officers of the "RCA" shall be ex-officio members of all Sub-Committees. All "RCA" Sub-Committees shall be responsible to the Executive Committee and shall report back to the "RCA" Executive Committee, at the first meeting after their own. All Sub Committees shall NOT commit the "RCA" on matters of policy or finance without the prior approval of the Executive Committee of the "RCA".
" No person serving as an Officer or as a Member of the Executive Committee shall receive payment, excepting the re-imbursement of those expenses incurred legitimately in the exercise of his or her function in the "RCA".
" The "RCA" Executive Committee shall be empowered to deal with any matter arising, not provided for in this constitution. Should any difference of opinion arise as to this constitution, the "RCA" Executive Committee has the power to determine the same and their decision shall be final.
" Voting at the "RCA" Executive Committee Meetings shall be by a show of hands, except as herein otherwise provided and unless specified by the Chairman/Vice Chairman, a simple majority shall decide. In the case of an equality of votes, the Chairman/Vice Chairman shall have the casting vote.
" All Members of the "RCA" Executive Committee shall be elected Annual at the "RCA" Annual General Meeting.

9. GENERAL MEETINGS:
" The "RCA" shall hold an Annual General Meeting, in each calendar year and Special General Meeting as and when required. The "RCA" Annual General Meeting will be held on the first Monday of June every year.
" The Secretary shall give at least Fourteens Days (14 Days) notice of the "RCA" Annual General Meeting.
" Nominations for the "RCA" Officers (Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer) and Members of the Executive Committee (6), must be received at least seven days (7 days) prior to the "RCA" Annual General Meeting by the Secretary, in writing. Nomination Papers must be signed and seconded. The consent of the Nominees having been previously obtained must sign the Nomination Papers.
" Voting - Voting at the "RCA" Annual General meeting will be by secret ballot. Ballot papers being prepared by the "RCA" Secretary before the "RCA" Annual General Meeting.

10. FINANCE:
" The "RCA" Financial Year will be from the 1st January each year to the 31st December each year.
" The "RCA" Treasurer shall keep and produce a set of Accounts as may be required by the "RCA" Executive Committee.
" The "RCA" Treasurer shall prepare a Financial Statement of Accounts of the "RCA" at the end of the Financial Year (31st December each year).
" The "RCA" Treasurer will manage the bank account; there will be four authorised signatories to the account of which two can authorise cheques and withdrawals. In the event that the "RCA" Executive Committee member has been authorised to buy goods on behalf of the "RCA", if they have used their own money they will be refunded upon producing receipts.
" At the Discretion of the "RCA" Executive Committee, such monies that shall from time to time become surplus to immediate requirements shall be invest by the "RCA" Treasurer on the behalf of the "RCA"
" Auditors shall be appointed at the "RCA" Annual General Meeting and shall hold officer for one year.
" The Audit of the "RCA" Accounts shall, be completed for presentation to the "RCA" Annual General Meeting.
" Donations - The "RCA" Executive Committee shall be empowered to make donations to any Local or National Nominated Charity, within the London Borough of Redbridge.
" The Charity will be nominated annually and the presentations made at the Annual Selection Dance.

11. DISSOLUTION: Should the "RCA" be dissolved, any assets or property held in the name of the "RCA" shall be donated to community groups in the London Borough of Redbridge.

12. ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION shall receive the assent of not less than two thirds of the "RCA" members present at the "RCA" Annual General Meeting or "RCA" Special General Meeting. Twenty-one day's notice of "RCA" Special General Meeting will be given in writing to all members and shall include notice of alterations proposed.

13. PATRON, PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENTS:
" The "RCA" Patron shall be His Worship the Mayor of the London Borough of Redbridge.
" The "RCA" President shall be the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the London Borough of Redbridge.
" The "RCA" Vice Presidents:
The Member of Parliament for Ilford South.
The Member of Parliament for Ilford North.
The Member of Parliament for Wanstead and Woodford.

15. The Constitution was adopted by the "RCA" Executive Committee on the following (date)………………………………………………

SIGNED BY
Chairman: Dated:

Vice Chairman Dated:

Secretary Dated: