Essex Badger Protection Group Constitution

1. NAME

The name of the organisation shall be the ESSEX BADGER PROTECTION GROUP.

2. OBJECTIVES

The Essex Badger Protection Group is made up of a group of voluntary members throughout South Essex whose common interest is the protection of badgers. The Group is a charitable organisation affiliated to the Badger Trust Registered Charity No. 1111440.

The Group’s main objectives are detailed below:

1. To monitor badger setts within South Essex and thereby protect the badger population by keeping accurate and detailed records of all badger activity. The areas covered by the Group include the following council areas:
   
   1. Basildon Council
   2. Brentwood Council
   3. Castle Point Council
   4. Chelmsford Council
   5. Rochford Council
   6. Southend Council
   7. Thurrock Council
2. To encourage a tolerance and appreciation of badgers throughout the community, by offering advice and providing information & education, so as to preserve their habitat.
3. To promote habitat preservation and foster humane attitudes towards all forms of wildlife.
4. To provide a 24 hour emergency telephone helpline in order to facilitate :
   
   1. The rescue of injured badgers with the objective that they are returned to the wild at the earliest possible opportunity or humanely euthanized where this is not possible.
   2. The prevention of wildlife crime involving badgers and/ or badger setts in line with The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This will often involve close liaison with the police, The Badger Trust. the RSPCA and Natural England.
5. To provide an email contact address to facilitate:
   
   1. The investigation of Badger RTAs
   2. Providing advice for garden problems or any public space (e.g. woods, parks, cemeteries)
   3. Commenting on planning applications and developments where badgers and/or their habitat are at risk
6. To raise funds to facilitate the objectives set out in the objectives above.
7. To Maintain accurate records of all Group-related activity on a centralised system

3. STATUS

The organisation shall be non-profit making, non-party political and non-sectarian.

4. MANAGEMENT

1. The organisation shall be managed by a General Committee consisting of the following Principal Officers:
         Chairperson
         Vice Chairperson
         Secretary
         Treasurer
         Membership Secretary
         Events Organiser
         Newsletter Editor
         General Officer(s) as required.
   All the above shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
    
2. Should one of the Principal Officers resign during a term of office the Committee shall appoint a replacement who shall serve until the next Annual General Meeting.
3. All major decisions to be made/agreed at Committee level by a majority.
4. Where Committee Members hold more than one role, their voting rights will be limited to just one vote.

5. MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership shall be open to all who are interested in actively furthering the purposes of the organisation.
2. A person shall cease to be a Member of the organisation if their conduct is considered to be detrimental to the objectives of the organisation by a majority of the General Committee.
3. All Members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all Annual General Meetings of the organisation and each Member shall have one vote.
4. A Member shall obtain agreement from the General Committee BEFORE making ANY representations in the Group’s name.
5. No Member shall divulge the locations of setts to a non-member.

6. MEETINGS

1. The Committee shall meet at least five times a year. Special Committee Meetings may be called at the request of at least two Committee Members provided that at least fourteen days’ notice of such Meeting is given.
2. All Annual General Meetings shall be held not later than six months after the end of the organisation’s financial year which will be the 31^st May, unless extenuating circumstances prevail in which case an extension may be granted at an Extraordinary General Meeting subject to a majority vote. All Members to be notified in writing at least twenty-one days prior to the AGM.
3. The Chairperson of the organisation shall preside at the Annual General Meeting. In his/her absence the Vice-Chairperson shall preside. If both are absent a Committee Member, as agreed by the General Committee, shall preside.
4. The Agenda for the Annual General Meeting shall consist of the following:
   
   1. Apologies for absence.
   2. Adoption of Minutes of previous Annual General Meeting.
   3. Chairperson’s report.
   4. Presentation and adoption of accounts.
   5. Constitution Review/Adoption
   6. Any other reports.
   7. Notice of motions.
   8. Election of Members of the General Committee.
   9. Any other business.
5. Notices of motions or additions to the Agenda will be at the discretion of the General Committee and must be received by the Secretary not less than seven days before the Annual General Meeting.
6. Nominations to the General Committee must be received by the Secretary not less than seven days before the Annual General Meeting and must be supported by a Proposer and a Seconder.
7. Committee Members are expected to be fully involved in the running of the Group, and to attend a minimum of three meetings per year. Failure to do so could result in their removal from their post, subject to the discretion of the majority of Committee Members.

7. FINANCES

1. All monies raised by or on behalf of the organisation shall be applied in furthering the objectives of the organisation.
2. The Treasurer shall open a Bank Account in the name of the organisation. All cheques to be signed by the Treasurer or the Chairperson
3. The Treasurer shall keep proper accounts of the finances of the organisation and report thereon to the General Committee as required by them.
4. All members will be asked to pay an annual membership fee. Individual and Family memberships will be available. Membership fees will be reviewed annually and any changes to be agreed at the Annual General Meeting.
5. The accounts of the finances of the organisation shall be audited on an annual basis by an independent person.

8. AMENDMENTS TO CONSITUTION

1. This Constitution will be reviewed on an annual basis by the Group Secretary to ensure it remains up to date.
2. Adoption of the Constitution will be agreed at each Annual General Meeting.
3. The current version of the Constitution will be available to view at the Group’s website www.ebpg.co.uk
4. Any amendment to this Constitution shall require the approval of a majority of those present and voted upon at the Annual General Meeting at which it is discussed.
5. Any resolution for the amendment of the Constitution must be received by the Secretary at least fourteen days before the Meeting at which the resolution is to be brought forward.

9. DISSOLUTION

1. If the General Committee feel that because of lack of support, or in the interest of the majority of Members, the organisation should be dissolved, a Special Meeting shall be called giving twenty-one days’ notice of a resolution to this end.
2. If such a decision is confirmed by a majority of those present at the meeting, all liabilities and debts shall be discharged, and any monies remaining in the account to be donated to The Badger Trust and/or local wildlife charities as the General Committee may determine.

……….END……….