3.1 There shall be one class of membership only. Except as defined in Section 3.4 to participate in any of the Club's activities any person over 12 years of age must be such a member. Any person under 18 years of age must have the consent of their parent or guardian to participate in the Club's activities.

3.2 Membership fees shall be as agreed by each General Meeting.

3.3 All members joining the Club and non members participating on a trial basis shall be deemed to accept the terms of this constitution and any bye-laws published from time to time by the Club. Non-acceptance can at the Executive Committee's discretion lead to expulsion or non admittance.

3.4 The Executive Committee shall have the discretion to allow participation by non-members on a trial basis in any of the Club's activities in Scotland with the exception of General Meetings. The trial period for activities involving overnight accommodation, including camping, shall not exceed one month.

4.1 The affairs of the Club shall be conducted by an Executive Committee which shall consist of the Officers of the Club plus up to four other members elected by the AGM

4.2 The Officers of the Club shall be honorary and shall consist of the Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor and Events Convenor who shall be elected annually at the Annual General meeting. If the post of any officer or other committee member shall be vacant at any time after such an election the Executive Committee shall have the power to fill the vacancy.

4.3 All Executive Committee members shall be members of the Club.

5.1 Annual General Meetings: The Club shall hold an Annual General Meeting normally as reasonably early as possible in the month of May to:

5.1.1. Approve the minutes of the previous year's AGM,

5.1.2. Receive reports from the Chairperson and the Secretary,

5.1.3. Receive a report from the Treasurer and approve the Annual Accounts

5.1.4. Receive a report from the auditor on the Annual Accounts,

5.1.5. Elect the Executive Committee,

5.1.6. Consider changes to the Constitution, if necessary,

5.1.7. Appoint auditors for the Club's accounts for the coming year,

5.1.8. Agree the Membership fee structure for the following year.

5.1.9 Deal with other relevant business.

5.2 In the event of an AGM not being quorate there shall be a second AGM within 45 days for which the normal quorum shall be suspended. Except in a situation of dissolution such second AGM shall not consider Constitutional Amendments. An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) shall be called by an application in writing to the Secretary supported by at least 25% of members or 14 members (whichever shall be the smaller).

5.3 The powers of an EGM are the same as those of an AGM, but only the motions detailed in the notified agenda as per section 5.7.4 shall be considered. The Executive Committee shall also have the power to call an EGM by decision of a simple majority of the Committee. An EGM which is inquorate shall carry out no business and anyone wishing to further the proposed business of that EGM must seek a new EGM and satisfy the normal requirements for the calling of such General Meetings

5.4 At least 30 days notice shall be given to all voting members of the Club of any General Meeting

Notice shall be deemed to have been given by inclusion in the newsletter or by e mail circulation of the membership, and insertion on the Newsletter Web page.

5.5 Voting

5.5.1 With the exception of changes to the constitution, decisions put to a vote shall be resolved by a simple majority at General Meetings.

5.5.2 The Chairperson of the Club shall hold a deliberative as well as a casting vote.

5.5.3 The AGM shall be deemed to be the final event in the membership year which has finished or is about to finish and members shall be entitled to vote who are paid up members at the start of the AGM or were paid up members for the membership year. Only members who are paid up by the start of any EGM shall be eligible to vote

5.6 Quora

The quorum at General Meetings shall be 25% of members or 14 members whichever shall be the smaller and the quorum for Committee Meetings shall be four members.

5.7 Changes to the Constitution.

5.7.1. Any Change to the Constitution shall require a two-thirds majority of those present and eligible to vote at a General Meeting.

5.7.2 Notice shall be given to all voting members of any General Meeting as specified in 5.4 and then any proposal to change the Constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary at least 22 days prior to the meeting.

5.7.3. All proposals for changes to the Constitution shall be signed by two members eligible to vote at a General Meeting.

5.7.4 Any proposed change to the Constitution shall be included in the notified Agenda for a General Meeting at least 15 days prior to the meeting .

5.8 Expression of opinions

Members who are unable to attend a General Meeting shall be encouraged to convey their views, in writing, on any proposed Constitutional Amendments to the Chairperson or Secretary, who shall bring them to the notice of the meeting prior to the vote.

6.1 The financial year shall run from 1st May to 30th April each year.

6.2 The membership year shall run from 1st June to 31st May.

6.3 The Treasurer shall be responsible for the preparation of the Annual Accounts of the Club.

6.4 The Accounts shall be audited by an independent person elected by the last General Meeting.

6.5 The cheques or withdrawal slips against the Club's funds shall be signed by the Treasurer and one other nominated office-bearer.

6.6 All members of the Club shall be considered to be jointly responsible for the financial liabilities of the Club.

© Copyright Edinburgh Ski Touring Club 2007. e-mail: webman@estc.org.uk Last updated May 2007