Management and Constitution

CHESTER HUMANISTS (CHUM)         CONSTITUTION 

17/07/2025

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1 Name

The name of the Group shall be: Chester Humanists (CHUM)

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2 Aims

The aims of the Group shall be to: Provide activities, services, social opportunities, friendship and support for people with a humanist world view. CHUM will seek to contribute positively to local communities and support societal change which promotes human rights and general fairness.

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3 Powers

In order to achieve its aims the Group may:

a.  Raise money

b. Open bank accounts

c. Take out insurance

d. Organise courses and events

e. Encourage training in community service roles (e.g. Celebrancy, School Speaking, Pastoral Support)

f. Work with other groups and exchange information

g. Do anything that is lawful which will help it to fulfil its aims

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4 Membership

(a) Membership of the Group shall be open to any person over 16 who is;

interested in the aims of the group and: willing to abide by the rules of the group and

willing to pay any subscription agreed by the Management Committee and

living in or has an association with Chester and the surrounding area – that area including but not limited to the area served by Cheshire West and Chester Council and extending to further parts of the Wirral and into North East Wales.

(b) Membership shall be available to anyone without regard to gender, race, nationality,

disability, sexual preference who shares a humanist perspective

(c) Every individual member shall have one vote at General Meetings.

(d) The membership of any member may be terminated for good reason by the

Management Committee but the member has a right to be heard by the Management

Committee before a final decision is made.

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5 Management

(a) The Group shall be administered by no more than 10 members elected periodically and informally.

(b) The Officers of the Management Committee shall be: the Treasurer and the Secretary.

(c) The Management Committee shall meet periodcially as deemed necessary.

(d) A Chair shall be selected for each meeting. 

(e) The quorum for Management Committee meetings shall be 4 members.

(f) Voting at Management Committee meetings shall be by show of hands. If there is a tied vote the decision will be suspended until a majority decision is attained through a new vote.

(g) The Management Committee may by a two-thirds majority vote and for a good and proper reason remove any Committee member, provided that person has been given an opportunity to be heard before a final decision is made.

(h) The Management Committee may appoint another member of the Group as a Committee member to fill a vacancy provided the maximum number is not exceeded.

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6 Duties of the Officers

(a) The group will operate with minimal officer roles

(b) The duties of the Secretary are to:

• take and keep minutes of meetings

• prepare the agenda for meetings of the Committee and the Group in consultation with

others

• maintain the membership list

• deal with correspondence

• collect and circulate any relevant information within the Group

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(c) The duties of the Treasurer are to:

• supervise the financial affairs of the Group

• keep proper accounts that show all monies collected and paid out by the Group

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7 Finance

(a) Any money obtained by the Group shall be used only for the Group.

(b) Any bank accounts opened for the Group shall be in the name of the Group.

(c) Any payments shall be authorised and processed by the Treasurer and one other member of the committee.

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8 General Meeting

(a) The Group shall hold a General Meeting  periodically to check everyone is content with the way the group is functioning.

(b) All members shall be given as much notice as deemed necessary before any meeting and shall be entitled to attend and vote. The quorum for any meeting to make decisions on behalf of the group shall be 4 members.

(c) The business of the General Meeting shall typically include:

(i) various contributors reflecting upon the Group`s activities over the year

(ii) a report from the Treasurer on the finances of the Group

(iii) identifying any specific skills needed and identfying people to undertake duties accordingly. and

(iv) considering any other matter as may be decided.

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9 Alterations to the Constitution

Any changes to this Constitution must be agreed by at least two-thirds of those members present and voting at any General Meeting.

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10 Dissolution

The Group may be wound up at any time if agreed by two-thirds of those members present and voting at any General Meeting. In the event of winding up, any assets remaining after all debts have been paid shall be given to another local Group with similar aims or to Humanists UK.