CONSTITUTION OF THE
NORTH OF SCOTLAND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

1. NAME

The Society shall be known as the North of Scotland Archaeological Society.

2. OBJECTS

The objects of the Society are to further the study of archaeology in the North of Scotland by active participation and to promote that interest in any way that the committee may approve.

3. MEMBERSHIP

The Society shall keep a register of  members. Membership shall be open to any person who expresses an interest in the archaeology of the North of Scotland and who is proposed and seconded by members and approved by the committee at a subsequent meeting.

4. SUBSCRIPTION

The membership subscription shall be as fixed by the members at their Annual General Meeting.

5. APPLICATION OF FUNDS

All monies received by the Society shall be applied in carrying out the objects of the Society in accordance with this constitution.

6. INVESTMENT OF FUNDS

The assets of the Society shall be held in the names of the Chairperson and the Treasurer of the Society for the time being as Trustees ex officio for the Society (the Chairperson and Treasurer of the Society being hereinafter referred to as “the Trustees”).The Trustees shall be bound to deal with the assets according to instructions given by the committee members of the Society. The Trustees, with the consent of the committee, shall have the power to invest in investments but only to the extent permitted by the Trustee Investments Act 1961 (as amended).

7. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The financial year of the Society shall run for the twelve month period ending on the 30th day of September in each year. As soon as  practicable after the 30th day of September the Chairperson shall call an Annual General Meeting of the Society at which the Chairperson, whom failing, the Vice-Chairperson, shall preside for the purposes of :-

a) approving the audited Annual Accounts of the Society

b) electing Office bearers andcommittee members to serve on the Committee in place of those retiring from office

c) appointing an auditor of the Society's Accounts

d) considering any other competent items which are included on the Agenda of the Meeting.

At least four clear weeks notice of the Annual General Meeting together with a copy of the Agenda and the audited Annual Accounts shall be given or sent to the members registered on the Society’s register and such notice may  be given by letter or such other method as the Committee may deem appropriate. Attendance at the Annual General Meeting will not normally be restricted to members of the Society.

8. VOTES OF MEMBERS

In the event of a vote being called at an Annual General Meeting, only members aged sixteen years or more may vote and one vote may be cast by each member. All matters to be voted on shall be determined by a simple majority of those present and voting.

9. COMMITTEE MEMBERS

There shall be a committee of at least seven, the majority of whom shall hold an archaeological qualification. The Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and at least 3 ordinary members. At each Annual General Meeting, one third (rounded up if necessary) of the Committee drawn from members who have served for the longest number of consecutive years without retiring, shall retire and any Committee member co-opted during the course of the preceding year shall retire from the Committee. All Committee members so retiring  shall also be eligible to stand for re-election. Where two or more committee members were first appointed or re-appointed at the same time the re-appointed members shall stand down first. The Committee shall have powers of co-option of up to a maximum of two co-opted members in any one year. Only members aged eighteen years and over may be elected Committee members. No Committee member shall be entitled to any remuneration as a committee member but, at the discretion of the Committee may be paid travelling and other expenses properly incurred in connection with the discharge of their duties. The quorum for the Committee meetings shall be: an office bearer and two ordinary Committee members.

10. MEETINGS OF COMMITTEE

The Committee shall meet as often as they deem necessary, but at least once every year between Annual General Meetings. Each committee member present shall have one vote but the Chairperson shall have a casting vote. A quorum of not less than four must be present at a committee meeting. If the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary or Treasurer vacates office during the course of the year, the committee members shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy until the next Annual General Meeting.

11. AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION

No alteration is to be made to this constitution unless approved by a majority of two-thirds of these present and voting at an Annual or Special General Meeting of the Society. Notice of the motion for such alteration must be sent to the Secretary of the Society at least eight weeks in advance of such Meeting, and at least four weeks notice of such motion must be given to the members.

12. DISSOLUTION

The Society may be dissolved by Resolution of an Annual or  Special General Meeting, called on four weeks notice to the members for that purpose, passed by a majority of at least two-thirds of the members present and voting. If the Society is wound up, the assets shall be transferred to another body or bodies whether charitable or not whose objects are similar to those of the Society, the body or bodies being determined by the members of the Society at or before the date the Society is wound up.

14th October 2006