7.

Membership

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7.1.

The Members shall consist of the subscribers to the memorandum of association and Individuals and Organisations who agree to become Members and are registered as such in the register of members.

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7.2.

The Company shall have no fewer than 20 Members at any time.

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7.3.

In the event that the number of Members falls below 20 the Directors may not conduct any business other than taking steps to ensure that sufficient Members are admitted to enable the Company to comply with article 7.2.

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8.

Membership Criteria

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8.1.

Membership of the Company is open to:

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8.1.1.

Individuals aged 16 or over who (and Organisations which) are members of the Community (“Ordinary Members”); and

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8.1.2.

Individuals aged between 12 and 15 who are members of the Community (“Junior Members”) (such Members not being eligible to serve as Directors).

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8.2.

If an Individual or Organisation ceases to fulfil the criteria within article 8.1.1 or 8.1.2, that Individual or Organisation must inform the Company.  The Company may choose to reclassify a Junior Member as an Ordinary Member.

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9.

Applications for Membership

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9.1.

No Individual or Organisation may become a Member unless that Individual or Organisation has submitted a written application for membership in the form prescribed by the Directors and the Directors have approved the application.  An application submitted by an Organisation must be signed on behalf of that Organisation.

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9.2.

The Directors shall consider applications promptly.  The Directors shall assess each application to determine whether the applicant meets the criteria for becoming an Ordinary Member or Junior Member.

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10.

Register of Members

 

The Directors shall cause a register of members to be maintained in accordance with section 113 of the 2006 Act.

 

11.

Notices and Other Communications

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11.1.

The Company may serve a notice on a Member in hard copy (addressed to the address given for that Member in the register of members, and posted or hand-delivered) or electronic form (faxed or e-mailed).  A notice is deemed to have been served on the day following the day on which it is hand-delivered, posted faxed or e-mailed.

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11.2.

The Company may communicate with a Member by electronic means (including fax and email) unless the Member has requested that communications from the Company be sent in hard copy.  The Company may publish notifications by means of a website provided the Company has advised Members of this and taken reasonable steps to notify Members who have informed the Company that they do not have internet access.

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12.

Membership Subscriptions

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12.1

Members shall be required to pay an annual membership subscription.

 

12.2.

Annual subscriptions (if any) shall be set by Members at the AGM. Members may set different rates for Ordinary Members and Junior Members.

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12.3.

Any Individual or Organisation who/which ceases to be a Member shall not be entitled to a refund of their/its membership subscription.

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13.

Cessation of Membership

 

A Member shall cease to be a Member if:

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13.1.

that Member sends a written notice of resignation to registered office of the Company;

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13.2.

that Member no longer fulfils the membership criteria within article 8;

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13.3.

that Member has failed to pay an annual membership subscription for over six months and has received at least one written reminder, and the Directors have resolved to expel that Member;

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13.4.

a resolution that that Member be expelled (where that Member’s conduct, in their/its capacity as a Member, has been detrimental to the effective functioning of the Company) is passed by special resolution at a GM (notice of which shall state: (a) the full text of the resolution proposed; and (b) the grounds on which it is proposed) at which the Member is entitled to be heard;

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13.5.

in the case of an Individual:

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13.5.1.

that Individual becomes insolvent or apparently insolvent or makes any arrangement with their creditors; or

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13.5.2

that Individual has died (membership of a company limited by guarantee not being transferable); or

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13.6.

in the case of an Organisation, that Organisation goes into receivership or liquidation, or is dissolved or otherwise ceases to exist (membership of a company limited by guarantee not being transferable).

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14.

Associates

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14.1.

Individuals and Organisations wishing to support the Purposes who are not members of the Community may become associates of the Company (“Associates”).  Associates may attend and speak at GMs but may not participate in such meetings for voting or quorum purposes.

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14.2.

No Individual or Organisation may become an Associate unless that Individual or Organisation has submitted a written application to become an Associate in the form prescribed by the Directors and the Directors have approved the application.  An application submitted by an Organisation must be signed on behalf of that Organisation.

 

14.3.

The Directors shall consider applications promptly.  The Directors shall assess each application to determine whether the applicant meets the criteria for becoming an Associate.

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14.4.

The Directors shall cause a register of associates to be maintained containing: 

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14.4.1.

the names and addresses of the Associates;

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14.4.2.

the date on which each Individual or Organisation was registered as an Associate; and

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14.4.3.

the date at which any Individual or Organisation ceased to be an Associate.

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14.5.

An Associate shall cease to be an Associate if:

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14.5.1.

that Associate sends a written notice of resignation to the Company;

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14.5.2.

that Associate becomes a member of the Community;

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14.5.3.

a resolution that that Associate be expelled from being an Associate (where that Associate’s conduct, in their/its capacity as Associate, has been detrimental to the effective functioning of the Company) is passed by special resolution at a GM (notice of which shall state: (a) the full text of the resolution proposed; and (b) the grounds on which it is proposed) at which the Associate is entitled to be heard;

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14.5.4.

in the case of an Individual: (a) that Individual becomes insolvent or apparently insolvent or makes any arrangement with their creditors; or (b) that Individual has died; or

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14.5.5.

in the case of an Organisation, that Organisation goes into receivership or liquidation, or is dissolved or otherwise ceases to exist.