CONSTITUTION OF THE FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY NETWORK (SUFFOLK)

 

1          NAME

The charity’s name is THE FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY NETWORK (SUFFOLK)

 

 

2          THE CHARITY’S LOCATION

The charity shall be located at and operate from premises leased by the East of England Faiths Agency from the East of England Cooperative Society so long as the lease exists.

 

 

3          THE CHARITY’S POWERS

The charity shall be free to arrange, devise, promote and execute any activity except that it shall not contravene any requirements of the lease held by the East of England Faiths Agency or by the Directors of the East of England Faiths Agency or by the landlord of the East of England Faiths Agency.

 

 

4          THE PURPOSES OF THE CHARITY ARE: -

To promote multi-faith understanding, cultural sensitivity and spiritual awareness among the general public and, in particular, among those with professional responsibilities.

To provide a safe space in which sensitive and controversial subjects might be explored and views expressed and examined without giving or receiving offence and without recrimination.

 

 

5          TRUSTEES

The charity shall be managed by a committee of up to 12 trustees whose replacements are appointed by the existing trustees.

 

 

6          CARRYING OUT THE PURPOSES

In order to carry out the charitable purposes, the trustees have the power to:

(1)          raise funds, receive grants and donations

(2)          apply funds to carry out the work of the charity

(3)          co-operate with and support other charities with similar purposes

(4)          conduct research, arrange courses, conferences and consultations

(5)          do anything which is lawful and necessary to achieve the purposes

 

 

7          MEMBERSHIP

The trustees shall be the only members of the charity.  Trustees shall be appointed for a period of 3 years and may be reappointed.  The trustees will keep an up-to-date membership list.

 

The trustees may remove a person’s membership if they believe it is in the best interests of the charity.  The member has the right to be heard by the trustees before the decision is made and can be accompanied by a friend.

 

 

8          ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – AGM

The charity is not required to hold an AGM so long as the Trustees continue to meet

 

 

9          TRUSTEE MEETINGS

(1)          Trustees must hold at least 3 meetings each year.  At their first meeting they will elect a chair, treasurer and secretary.

(2)          Officers shall serve for one year when they may be re-appointed or replaced.

(3)          Trustees may act by majority decision.

(4)          At least 5 trustees must be present at the meeting to be able to take decisions.   Minutes shall be kept for every meeting.

(5)          If trustees have a conflict of interest they must declare it and leave the meeting while this matter is being discussed or decided.

(6)          The trustees may appoint up to 2 additional trustees if individuals with special skills are required.  Such appointments should be reviewed after one year.

(7)          The trustees may make reasonable additional rules to help run the charity.  These rules must not conflict with this constitution or the law.

 

 

10           MONEY AND PROPERTY

(1)          The trustees are not empowered to purchase or own any property.

(2)         Money must only be used for the charity’s purposes.

(3)          Trustees must keep accounts.  The most recent annual accounts can be seen by anybody on request.

(4)          Trustees cannot receive any money from the charity, except to refund reasonable out of pocket expenses.

(5)          The trustees shall open and operate a bank account.

(6)         Money must be held in the charity’s bank account.

(7)          All cheques must be signed by 2 trustees.

 

 

11        ASSOCIATES

Sympathetic individuals may be registered as Associates.

Registered Associates will receive information and publicity about FSN’s activities,

 

 

12        WINDING UP

Any money or property remaining after payment of debts must be given to a charity with similar purposes to this one.

 

 

13        CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION

Changes to the constitution can only be made at a specially convened full meeting of trustee members.  No change can be made that would make the organisation no longer a charity.

 

 

14        SETTING UP THE CHARITY

This constitution was adopted on 11th May 2019 by the people whose signatures appear below.  They are the first member trustees of the charity.

 

Signed                                                Print name and address

  1.  

Mrs Cynthia Margaret Capey
Tonweya, Church Street, Occold, Eye, IP23 7PS

  1.  

Mr Martin Spettigue
4 Paget Road, Ipswich, IP1 3RP

  1.  

Dr William David Capey
Tonweya, Church Street, Occold, Eye, IP23 7PS