Friends of Purdown is a not for profit organisation, set up to protect the Purdown Open Space. The charter below sets out the purpose, guidelines and rules of association of this organisation.

Friends of Purdown Constitution

27th August 2003

1.Name of association

The association is to be known as Friends of Purdown.

2. Geographical Area

The area covered by the association consists of the open space and forest know as 'Purdown' that stretches from Muller Road to the Dower House in Stoke Gifford, bounded on the east by the M32 and the west by Romney Avenue, including the Lockleaze open space.

3. Aims and Objectives

1. To provide a forum for community communication and a focus for community action in regard to the area known as Purdown.
2. To preserve the ecological and archaeological assets of the area.
3. To promote community, social, educational and other such activities, valuable to the residents and users of the area.
4. To improve and protect the amenities and services within the area, including public rights of way.
5. To be an organisation that effectively represents the interests of its members.
6. To ensure that all members are consulted regularly, and that all residents eligible for membership are encouraged to partake.
7. To strive to build effective partnerships with statutory bodies including Bristol City Council, Avon Wildlife Trust, English Heritage and Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

4. Membership

Membership is open to all persons eighteen years and over irrespective of nationality, race, national or ethnic origin, religious or political belief, gender and colour of skin, who use the area and accept the aims and objectives of the association. Junior membership, which carries a reduced fee, is open to children under the age of eighteen and over the age of five years.

5. Conduct of Business

The business of the Association will be conducted by the Committee.

1. The Committee will be elected at the first full meeting of the Association and at each Annual General Meeting. Candidates must be proposed and seconded by members of the Association and may be elected on a straight majority of members present at the meeting.
2. The Committee will be made up of members, consisting of Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and at least four other members. All appointments are voluntary and unpaid. A person may not occupy more than one office at a time.
3. The election or removal of officers or Committee members may only be carried out by an Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Association. The Committee may temporarily fill any vacancy arising among the officers of the Association from the membership until the next Annual General Meeting, when elections take place.
4. No Committee meeting shall take place without a quorum of four members with at least one member from the office of Chair, Treasurer or Secretary.
5. The Committee shall arrange a minimum of four open meetings per year for the members of the Association to discuss issues effecting residents of the community. These meetings will be called be the Association which will ensure that all residents in the area are notified of the meeting date, time and venue.

6. Annual General Meeting

The Committee shall call an Annual General Meeting of the Association for members to hear reports from officers on the past years activities and to receive and approve the annual financial report. At this meeting the current Committee will resign and a new Committee will be elected. There is no restriction on the number of years a member can serve as a Committee officer, but members are encouraged to be willing to stand for election for at least one term of office. It is preferable that officers do not remain in post for a term longer than three years. Advance notice of this meeting will be sent to all members and others eligible for membership.

7. Extraordinary General Meetings

Extraordinary General Meetings to discuss emergency matters directly affecting the Association or its interests must be arranged at the request of at least three Committee members or by a written request signed by at least a quarter of the membership of the Association. All members shall be provided with at least 14 days notice of the date, time, venue and agenda of the meeting. These meetings are open to all members of the Association.

8. Sub-Committees

The Committee shall appoint sub-committees to carry out the business of the Association. Any sub-committees formed to work on a particular project will keep accounts of their spending and written records of their meetings.

9. Duties of Officers

The officers will organise the work of the Community Association.

1. The chair shall conduct the meetings of the Association.
2. The Treasurer will open a bank account in the Association's name. Cheques should be signed by the chair or treasurerf. The Treasurer will keep a proper account of the money being received and spent by the Association and at least once a year will have the accounts audited by an approved auditor.
3. The Secretary will inform members of forthcoming meetings, make minutes, and circulate to all members.
4. All direct communications with the media shall be carried out by the Press Officer.

10. Finance

All money granted to, or raised by the Association shall be used for the benefit of the Association's membership in line with the Aims and Objectives set out in the Constitution. Any expenditure must be seen to allow fair competition and value for money, and based on ethically sound judgement.

1. All expenditure must receive prior approval from the Committee by way of majority vote. A minuted record should be made. This does not apply to petty cash expenditure.
2. Members are encouraged to pay a nominal subscription for membership to the association. They are also encouraged to partake in fund raising activities organised by the Association Committee.
3. All members who volunteer their time and effort on behalf of the Association do so without payment. If an approved activity carried out on behalf of the Association causes a member to incur personal expense, with the provision of adequate proof, that member may apply to the Committee to be reimbursed. Any claim for expenses that can be anticipated should be authorised in advance. Failure to do so may cause the Committee to decline the request.

11. Alterations to the Constitution

Any change to the Constitution must be discussed at an open meeting. Members will be given at least 14 days notice of the meeting and the agenda. Any changes must be approved by at least two thirds of the members present and voting at the meeting.

1. The Committee, or if a Committee no longer exists, a majority of the remaining Association membership can propose that the Association should be dissolved. They must give at least 14 days notice to all those eligible for membership of the Association of the date of the meeting and the agenda. For the sole purpose of dissolution, a quorum need not apply; the Association may be dissolved by a two thirds voting majority of members present.
2. Assets remaining in the account shall be used for purposes of benefit to the community as the meeting shall decide.

12. Review of the Constitution

This constitution will be reviewed on an annual basis in order that it continues to fulfil an up to date and relevant foundation for the operation of the Association. This review will include a review of the Citywide Tenants Compact, in order that any necessary amendments can be made.

13.Approval

The content of this Constitution was agreed and ratified by the meeting of the Association held on………………………………

Signed………………………………………

Chairperson.