GBKA’s Rules


last amended November 1992

  1. The Association shall be called "Gwent Beekeepers Association", hereinafter called "the Association".
  2. The Association's objects shall be the encouragement, improvement and advancement of beekeeping in Gwent.
  3. The Committee will consist of at least 12 Members, including any Members elected under Rule 6, the remainder to be elected at the AGM. Included in this number shall be the Officers, namely a Chairman, a Vice Chairman, a Secretary and a Treasurer.
  4. THE COMMITTEE:
    1. Will manage the Association in accordance with these Rules. It shall have authority to commit the Association's funds and have power to enter into contracts, to hold property and to borrow for the purposes of the Association on behalf of all Association members.
    2. Will meet at least four times a year. A quorum will be five Members. Each Committee Member shall have a vote and the Chairman a casting vote.
    3. Will set the date for the AGM to be held before the end of November each year and will give at least 14 days' notice of the date and the agenda to the Membership.
    4. Will present an annual report to the AGM of the work of the Association together with audited accounts for the year.
    5. Will propose to the AGM the annual level of subscriptions.
    6. May call a Special General Meeting of the Association giving at least 14 days' notice of the date and agenda to the Membership.
    7. Will have powers to co-opt Members to the Committee.
    8. Will have powers to refuse Membership or to expel Members whose connection with the Association could be detrimental to the Association's interests.
  5. THE MEMBERSHIP
    1. There shall be three classes of Members - Ordinary, Associate and Life.
    2. The subscription for Ordinary and Associate Members for the next 12 months will be due after completion of the AGM.
    3. If a Member has not paid the appropriate subscription by the first of March of the following year, that Member shall be deemed to have resigned.
    4. In the event of hardship the Chairman and Treasurer jointly shall be permitted to waive any part of the annual subscription of a Member that they deem fit.
    5. Associate Members shall be non-beekeeping Members, and shall pay half the Ordinary Members' subscription.
    6. A Member joining the Association after the first of June shall pay three-quarters of the subscription.
    7. Life Members shall be Members who have given exceptional service to beekeeping in Gwent and shall be appointed by the Committee and have their subscription waived.
    8. All Ordinary and Associate Members who have paid their subscriptions and Life Members will be entitled to vote at Annual and Special General Meetings.
    9. Ten Members, giving their reasons, may require the Committee to call a Special General Meeting, to be held within 30 days of their request.
  6. BRANCHES
    The Association may form or dissolve Branches at the discretion of the Committee following a request by Members. Each Branch shall have a constitution compatible with that of the Association, and shall be entitled to appoint three Members to the Association's Committee.
  7. THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:
    1. Will receive the Committee's report and accounts for the preceding year.
    2. Will elect a President.
    3. Will elect the Officers and other Members of the Committee, other than those appointed under Rule 6.
    4. Will appoint an Auditor.
    5. Will set the subscriptions for the following year.
  8. Alterations to these Rules shall receive the assent of two-thirds of the Members present and voting at an Annual or Special General Meeting. A resolution for the alteration of the Rules must be received by the Secretary of the Association at least 21 days before the meeting at which the resolution is to be brought forward. At least 14 days' notice of such a meeting must be given to the Membership and must include notice of the alteration proposed. Provided that no alteration to Rule 2, Rule 9 or this Rule shall take effect until the approval in writing of the Charity Commissioners or other authority having charitable jurisdiction shall have been obtained, and no alteration shall be made which would have the effect of causing the Association to cease to be a charity in law.
  9. The Association may be dissolved by a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at a Special General Meeting convened for the purpose of which 21 days' notice shall have been given to Members. Such a resolution may give instructions for the disposal of any assets held by or in the name of the Association, provided that if any property remains after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities such property shall not be paid to or distributed among the Members of the Association but shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institution or institutions having objects similar to some or all of the objects of the Association as the Association may determine, and if in so far as effect cannot be given to this provision then to some other charitable purpose.
Notes:
  1. Members who join or rejoin the Association after the first of March in any one year should be aware that any Bee Diseases Insurance they pay will only provide cover from 40 days after they pay the insurance.
  2. The Association has to pay capitation to BBKA for all Members irrespective of when they join during the year.