CONSTITUTION
1. Name
The Association shall be called The Midlands Association of Leisure and Shopping Centre Management (“The Association”).
2. Objectives
The objectives of the association shall be as follows:
a. To bring together and provide an Association for site based Leisure and Shopping Centre Management Personnel.
b. To actively encourage co-operation and mutual contact between the associates, to assist, maintain and improve the expertise in all aspects of the Management and Promotion of Leisure and Shopping Centres.
c. To arrange, convene and hold regular meetings and conferences, to discuss subjects relating to present day and future circumstances of Leisure and Shopping Centre Management.
d. To endeavour to circulate and make available any information or papers especially prepared for the Association and any records, extracts, new legislation or details or details of the outcome of test cases or any other topic that are relevant to leisure and shopping centre management.
3. 1 Membership
a. Membership is open to site based Leisure and Shopping Centre management personnel who are currently employed in the Management of Leisure and Shopping Schemes within the Midlands and Eastern Regions and honorary members.
b. Members transferring to appointments beyond the Midlands Region, shall, at the discretion of the Management Committee, be entitled to retain Membership of the Association on payment of the appropriate subscription.
c. A Member may resign from the Association by giving notice in writing to the Secretary at any time
d. All members of the Association shall be required to pay their annual subscription by the due date. Any member who fails to pay his/her subscription by the period 60 days in arrears will have his/her membership terminated.
3. 2 Membership
An alternative associate membership is available for anyone who has retired or left the industry but would still like to be part of the group. However the following criteria must be met:-
You must have been a fully paid up member previously
You will have either retired or moved away from the industry completely
You agree to pay 50% of the annual subscription fee by completing the normal membership form stating that you wish to join as an associate member
Additional charges may apply for hotel accommodation and other misc items as per the ‘normal’ subscription fees
You will not have any voting rights
4. Subscription
Each member of the Association shall pay an Annual Subscription as determined and agreed at The Annual General Meeting.
5. Management Committee Officers
A Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and a Treasurer of The Association shall have executive powers to co-opt other members from time to time.
6. Election of Officers
a. The Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected every two years by the members of the Association. These Officers may be democratically elected by postal ballot prior to the Annual General Meeting to be formally adopted at such meeting.
b. The Chairman will serve a two year term office and at the end of that period will vacate the position which will then normally be filled by the Vice-Chairman. This system of electing the Chairman and Vice-Chairman will continue until such a time as either have to vacate their position through unforeseen circumstances.
c. If the Chairman has to resign his/her position the Vice-Chairman will take over the Chairmanship for the remainder of that year. In these circumstances he/she will not be precluded from serving a further year in office to commence at the next AGM.
d. If the Vice-Chairman has to vacate his/her position the membership of the Association will elect a replacement.
7. General Meetings
a. The Annual General Meeting shall be held in June with the accounts submitted at that time for approval.
b. The time and place of all meetings shall be determined by the Management Committee and shall take account of the venues that shall be made available for visits or meetings throughout the Region or beyond.
c. If a Member requires to discuss a subject or subjects specifically at a meeting, a Extraordinary Meeting can be arranged (at the discretion of the Management Committee) and an agenda for such meeting shall be prepared in advance.
d. Any Extraordinary Meeting required shall be called by giving 21 days notice to Members of The Association.
8. Association Business
a. In addition to the appointment of the officers at the Annual General Meeting, a statement of the accounts of The Association and the balance sheet for the financial year 1 Jan – 31 December shall be made by the Treasurer. Any variation of accountancy matters shall be addressed at this meeting.
b. Minutes shall be taken for the Annual General Meeting and for any Extraordinary Meetings that shall be arranged by the Management Committee.
9. Proceedings at General/Extraordinary Meetings
a. No business shall be transacted at any General or Extraordinary Meeting unless ten association members are present (this can include the elected officers).
b. If ten members are not in attendance within 30 minutes of the appointed time of a Extraordinary meeting no business can be conducted on behalf of The Association at that time.
10. Chairman
a. The Chairman of The Association shall preside at every General or Extraordinary Meeting. If the Chairman is unable to attend the meeting or is in excess of 15 minutes late for the appointed start of the meeting, the Vice-Chairman shall preside.
b. Any resolution of an agenda item discussed at an Annual, General or Extraordinary Meeting shall be determined by a show of hands.
c. If a resolution is voted on by a show of hands and the voting is equal, the Chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.
d. Each Leisure or Shopping Centre represented by a paid up member shall have one vote. No member shall be entitled to vote unless all subscriptions and other sums that may apply have been paid by such member to The Association in respect of his/her membership.
11. Amendment of the Constitution
This Constitution may be amended by the passing at an Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary Meeting of a Resolution for which a minimum of three quarters of the members present vote in favour.
12. Winding Up
The Management Committee may at its absolute discretion wind up the Association at any time and any funds of the Association surplus to those required to pay its liabilities as held by the Treasurer shall be repaid to the Members in equal shares.