Constitution

Guernsey Trees for Life

Constitution and Rules [2015]

1. Name

The association shall be a charitable association and shall be known as “Guernsey Trees for Life”.

2. Aims and Objects

The aims and objects of Guernsey Trees for Life are:

  1. to encourage, whether by giving advice or financial assistance or other‑wise, the protection, preservation and planting of trees throughout the Bailiwick of Guernsey, and to foster among the inhabitants of the Bailiwick an awareness and appreciation of trees for their amenity, ecological and other values.
  2. To own, lease, occupy or manage real property and to enhance the same by the planting of the trees thereon.

3. Membership

There shall be four classes of membership:

Ordinary Membership – Ordinary members shall be individuals who are not Honorary, Corporate or Supporter members.

Corporate Membership – Corporate members shall be members which are bodies corporate. Corporate members shall have the rights of Ordinary members and they shall be entitled to be represented by such person as they may appoint in writing from time to time.

Honorary membership – Honorary members shall be persons whom the committee considers deserve to be honoured for services to the aims of Guernsey Trees for Life. Life members of the former Guernsey Branch of Men of the Trees at the date of the adoption of this constitution shall be deemed to be Honorary members. Honorary members shall have the rights of Ordinary members but shall not be required to pay annual membership subscriptions.

Supporter Membership ‑ A special category of membership which can only designated by the Committee for those Ordinary members who continue to pay regular amounts by standing order at an amount which is below the current minimum membership rate for a single person as set by the Committee for the year in which payment is made. Supporter members are not eligible to vote and are not entitled to propose motions at general meetings.

 

4. Application for Membership and Subscriptions

  1. Membership will be granted to an applicant once an application form, accompanied by the appropriate subscription, has been submitted to and approved by the committee or by a person appointed by the Committee to approve new members.
  2. The annual subscription shall be payable on the 1st January and the rates thereof shall be determined by the Committee from time to time
  3. Should any members fail to pay an outstanding subscription after two reminders have been sent to the last known address of the member, such member shall be deemed to have relinquished membership but may rejoin at the Committee’s discretion on payment of the annual subscription.

5. Contributions to the International Tree Foundation

Guernsey Trees for Life may make such grants as the Committee may decide from time to time to the International Tree Foundation; a United Kingdom charity registered No. 243626.

6. Ownership of Real Estate

All real estate beneficially owned by Guernsey Trees for Life shall be held by trustees on behalf of the Association upon a bare trust. Such trustees shall be appointed or removed as the case may require at a general meeting of Guernsey Trees for Life.

7. Constitution, Organisation and Powers of the Committee

The affairs of Guernsey Trees for Life shall be managed by a Committee consisting of at least five members and no more than twelve. Committee members shall be elected by the members in general meeting or otherwise as provided herein and the Committee shall be organised and function as follows:

  1. Two of the Members of the Committee shall retire in rotation each year at the Annual General Meeting but shall be eligible for re‑election.
  2. The Chair, Vice‑Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Membership Secretary, Education Officer & Public Relations Officer shall be appointed annually at a meeting of the Committee which shall be held immediately after the Annual General Meeting. Holders of office from any previous year shall be eligible for re‑election.
  3. In the event of any vacancy occurring in the Committee between Annual General Meetings the Committee may appoint a member to fill such vacancy and such Committee member shall hold office until the following Annual General Meeting.
  4. The Committee shall have the power to appoint such sub‑committees as it shall consider desirable or necessary.
  5. The quorum for a Committee meeting shall be three Committee members, of whom two must be from the following – The Chair, the Vice‑Chair, the Secretary and Treasurer.
  6. In the absence of the Chair and the Vice‑Chair the Committee members present shall elect a Chair of the meeting.
  7. Any member of the Committee who fails to attend at least half of the Committee meetings during the calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned unless an explanation is received and accepted by the Committee. Any resulting vacancy shall be considered at the next Annual General Meeting.
  8. The Committee shall have the power to co‑opt a member to the Committee as it may see fit, even if the maximum number of Committee members as mentioned in the preamble of this section shall thereby be exceeded, and such co‑opted member shall retire at the next Annual general Meeting but shall be eligible for re‑election.
  9. The Chair shall not be eligible for re‑appointment after three consecutive years in such office, unless no other member of the Committee is willing to be appointed in succession to the incumbent. In any event a Chair shall not hold such appointment for a period exceeding six years.
  10. Each Committee member shall have one vote and decisions shall be taken by a simple majority of votes, and in the case of an equality of Votes as to a motion of the Chair of the meeting shall have a casting vote.
  11. Any reasonable expense of a Committee member incurred on behalf of Guernsey Trees for Life shall be reimbursed.
  12. The Committee shall be empowered to determine any matter arising which is not covered by these rules or which relates to the interpretation and effect of these rules.

8. General Meetings

The Annual General Meeting of Guernsey Trees for Life shall be held at such time and place as the Committee shall decide. At that meeting there shall be placed before the members the annual accounts and balance sheet for the previous financial year and a report of the Committee as to the activities of Guernsey Trees for Life during the period since the last Annual General Meeting. The meeting shall consider also the elections of members to the Committee as required in these rules and any other business as the Committee shall think necessary and appropriate, and which shall have been mentioned in the notice of the meeting. The Chair of the Annual General Meeting shall have the authority to permit discussions on matters as shall be raised by the members at the meeting but no resolutions on the matters discussed shall be put to the meeting.

  1. Extraordinary General Meetings shall be convened by the Secretary or failing that person the Chair or failing that person the Vice‑Chair at the request of the Committee whenever the Committee shall consider the same necessary or within four weeks after the Secretary at any time shall have received the application in writing signed by not less than ten members showing clearly the special purpose for which such meeting is called.
  2. Details of any motion proposed to be put to an Annual General Meeting by a member who is not on the Committee shall be sent in writing to the Secretary in good time before the Secretary shall send out notices to members convening the Annual General Meeting.
  3. Notice of a General Meeting shall be sent out at least 14 days before the date of the meeting. The notice for an Annual General Meeting shall contain the names of the Committee members retiring by rotation and shall state whether they are willing to stand for re‑election. Members shall also be invited to propose candidates for election to the Committee. Such proposals shall be made in writing to the Secretary not less than three clear days before the meeting and shall be countersigned by the candidate, but the Chair of the meeting shall have the power at the Annual General Meeting to take proposals from the floor if insufficient candidates have been proposed within such time limit.
  4. Ten members shall constitute a quorum for a general meeting.
  5. The Chair or, in his/her absence, the Vice‑Chair shall preside at a general meeting and if both are absent the meeting shall elect another member of the Committee as the Chair.
  6. A member shall not be permitted to vote at a general meeting if that member‘s subscription has not been fully paid up to date.
  7. Supporter members are not entitled to vote at a general meeting.
  8. Subject to Rules 12 and 13 hereof decisions taken at general meetings shall be by simple majority of votes but in the case of an equality of votes as to a motion the Chair of the meeting shall have the casting vote.

9. Representation Generally

The Chair or the Vice‑Chair is authorised to represent Guernsey Trees for Life before the courts and tribunals of the Bailiwick in all matters relating to movable and immovable property.

10. Representation in respect of other Associations

Guernsey Trees for Life may at any time and from time to time appoint any of its members as a representative on the Committee of any other society, club or association.

11. Limitation of Liability

No member of Guernsey Trees for Life, whether a Committee members of otherwise, shall be liable for the payment of liabilities beyond the amount of any subscription, contribution or other debt from him/her to Guernsey Trees for Life, same in respect of fraud.

12. Amendment to Constitution

The Constitution may be amended at a General Meeting. The resolution concerning such proposed amendment shall not be adopted unless approved by a majority of at least three quarters of those present and voting.

13. Dissolution of the Society

Guernsey Trees for Life may be wound up following the passing of a resolution at a General Meeting. The resolution concerning the dissolution shall not be adopted unless passed by a majority of at least three quarters of those present and voting.

On the winding up of Guernsey Trees for Life, any funds belonging to it shall be given to any Charity which shall have been recommended by the Committee and shall have also been sanctioned by a simple majority of members present at the General Meeting at which dissolution was adopted.

Notes

“Guernsey Trees for Life” is the new name for “The Guernsey Society of the Men of the Trees” which change of name was approved at the Annual General Meeting held on 25 June 2015.

“The Guernsey Society of the Men of the Trees” was established in April 1993 in succession to the Guernsey Branch of the Men of the Trees, which had been in the Island since 1935. It is a member of the Association of Guernsey Charities (No 163) and is formally affiliated to the International Tree Foundation (formerly Men of the Trees) in the United Kingdom.

“Guernsey Trees for Life” is registered with Guernsey Registry as charity reference CH 301.

Link to 2016 Accounts