Governance

1. Name of Society

The Society will be called “The Stirling Field and Archaeological Society”.

2. Aims

The aims of the Society shall be to advance the education of the public about archaeology, natural history, local history and environmental subjects, with particular reference to the Stirling area, and in furtherance thereof:

1. to organise lectures and visits in connection with the above objects.
2. to encourage participation in excavations, surveys and other activities leading to an increased knowledge especially of the local environment.

3. Membership

Membership shall be open to all those who agree with the aims of the Society and pay the appropriate subscription. There shall be one class of membership for all, with no concessions. Children under the age of 18 shall be admitted free when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

A member whose subscription is one year in arrears shall be deemed to have resigned. Family membership shall entitle two individuals to vote. Members who are unable to attend a Society meeting may record their votes in writing to the Secretary.

4. Subscriptions

Subscription rates shall be as decided at the Annual General Meeting, and subscriptions shall become due on 1st April.

5. Management

i) The Society shall be managed by a Committee consisting of the Office Bearers and up to six other members. The Office Bearers shall consist of a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, a Treasurer and a Secretary. The Committee as a whole shall retire annually, but shall be eligible for re-election at the Annual General Meeting.

ii) A Quorum of the Committee shall be three, including at least two of the Office Bearers.

iii) The Secretary on the Authority of the Chairman shall convene a meeting of the Committee at least twice in each year.

iv) All property of the Society shall be vested in the members of the Committee for the time being.

v) The Committee is empowered to incur any normal liabilities on behalf of the Society, but without incurring debt, and to authorise the Treasurer to pay accounts. The Committee members are hereby indemnified by the Society against any claim or demand in respect of any liability properly and bona fide incurred on behalf of the Society.

vi) Members of the Committee must conduct themselves with courtesy and decorum when discussing the Society’s affairs. Disputed decisions shall be put to a vote; in the event of a tie the Chairman’s decision shall be final.

vii) The Committee shall have the power to remove from the roll of members any member whose conduct is considered to bring the Society into disrepute. Any member so removed has the right to appeal to a Special General Meeting provided that written notice be given to the Secretary within 14 days of receiving notice of the removal.

6. General Meetings

i) The Annual General Meeting shall be held each year in March. It will receive reports and audited accounts from the Committee and conduct the elections.

ii) A Special General Meeting may be called by the Committee with one month notice given to the membership, and such a Special Meeting must be called on request in writing of at least six members of the Society.

iii) A Quorum of a General Meeting of the Society shall be 20% of the membership.

7. Finance

All monies raised by or on behalf of the Society shall be applied to further the objects of the Society and for no other purpose provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent the payment in good faith of fees to professional and technical advisers or the repayment to members of the management committee of out of pocket expenses. Members who join the Committee do so voluntarily and are not paid for their services in managing the affairs of the Society.

8. Examiner

An Examiner, who shall not be a member of the Committee, shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

9. Representation of the Society

Any individual claiming to represent the Society in any relevant matter must have express authorisation from the Committee.

10. Alterations to the Constitution

Such alterations may be made only at a properly constituted General Meeting, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present. Details of the proposed alterations must be circulated at least a month in advance of the meeting.

11. Dissolution

In the event of dissolution of the Society at a properly constituted General Meeting called for that purpose, any remaining funds and assets, after all outstanding debts have been paid, shall be transferred to one or more recognised charitable bodies agreed by that General Meeting to have aims compatible with those of the Society.