The Constitution of the Brackley Players

9^th June 1997

General

1) The society shall be called the "Brackley Players', made up of junior members aged 16 years and under, and senior members aged 17 years and over.

2) The aims of the society shall be

    a)To pursue vigilantly every opportunity for the performance of live theatre, in its many and varied forms,          in and around Brackley and further afield.

    b)To provide a programme of social events for members.

3)There shall be a section of the Brackley Players known as 'Theatrix' which shall be open to all members aged 25 and under.

4) Theatrix members will be governed by a Code of Conduct approved by the committee.

5) If any member's behaviour is thought to be damaging to the society, the committee shall have the right to ask for an explanation. Failure to give a satisfactory explanation may result in his/her membership being revoked.

6) The committee of the society shall invite a suitable person to be President who shall become an honorary member of the society with full voting rights. The period of tenure to be agreed between the President and the committee.

7) A 'Patron' is any non-member who makes an annual donation in cash to the society. Patrons shall be kept informed of the society's activities. A list of Patrons shall appear on the society's notice board.

8) 'Friends' of the society shall be those who purchase a season ticket, either single or double, for the society's productions, at an annual rate to he decided by the committee. Friends of the society will be kept informed of all future productions and social activities. Being a Friend does not, in itself, carry voting rights.

9) No member of the society may receive free tickets to any of the society's productions

10) The financial year runs from 1st April to 31st March each year.

11) In the event of the society disbanding, any funds remaining after all liabilities have been met, shall be disbursed in accordance with the decision of the society at the Final General Meeting.

Membership

12) The subscription year runs from 1st September to 31st August each year. Members who do not renew their membership by 31st October are deemed to have resigned. Anyone joining the society on or after 1st July shall by paying the subscription for the subsequent year, receive free membership for the remainder of the current year.

13) The amount of subscription for the next year shall be recommended to the AGM by the committee.

14) Life members are senior members who have made a once only payment of the seven times the current annual subscription.

Annual General Meeting

15) The Annual General Meeting (AGM), which shall take place in June, will include

    a) Presentation of reports by retiring officers.

    b) Audited accounts to be presented by the Treasurer.

    c) An election from the senior membership, by the senior membership, of eight ordinary committee             members and three officers, namely, Chairman, Treasurer, and Business Secretary.

16) Items for inclusion on the agenda of the AGM must be given to the secretary six weeks before that meeting

17) Every senior member shall receive nomination forms, together with the agenda and a set of the previous AGM's minutes, one month prior to the meeting. Completed nomination forms must be given to the Secretary seven days before the AGM.

18) The junior membership shall hold an election as near as possible to the AGM to elect two junior members to serve on the committee.

19) An auditor will be appointed at the AGM.

20) Only paid up senior members have the right to vote.

21) An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called on receipt of a written application to the secretary signed by at least seven senior members. Seven days notice shall be given of such a meeting.

22) Amendments to the constitution shall be made at the AGM or at an extraordinary General Meeting called for this purpose. Notice of these proposed amendments must be given to the Secretary at least six weeks prior to such meetings.

Committee

23) The Chairman has control of all meetings and shall be responsible for interpreting the rules of the society.

24) The committee shall elect a Vice-Chairman and any officers required.

25) Ordinary committee members may not serve for more than three consecutive years.

26) The committee shall have the power to co-opt further members.

27) In the absence of the Chairman and Vice Chairman, members shall elect a chairman for the duration of the committee meeting. Seven members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

28) Officers of the committee shall act under the control of the committee.

29) The committee shall meet at least once every two calendar months.

Productions

30) The selection of productions may only be made with the approval of the committee.

31) A producer is required to submit, through the Treasurer, an outline budget for ratification by the committee before auditions are held.

32) A producer is required to hold a production meeting. At this meeting it should he decided who is doing what job. A detailed budget sheet stating who is responsible for each part of the budget should be completed and handed to the committee via the Treasurer. Where possible the production meeting should be held before rehearsals start.

33) Before the casting of any play, notice shall be given of the date and place of auditions. Unless notification to the contrary has been received by the producer, non-attendance shall be taken as an indication that members do not wish to be considered for a part.

34) All members of the society involved in a production, and requiring a script, shall pay for their script.

35) All members of the society involved in a production are required to make themselves available for the rigging and de- rigging of the performance venue. The dates of these activities will be notified at the time of auditions by the Producer. Any member not satisfying this requirement without the prior agreement of the Producer or Stage Manager may be refused the right to audition for, or otherwise participate in, future productions at the discretion of the committee.

36) Only paid up members of the society may take part in the performance, but the committee may invite guests who shall be honorary members for the duration of that production.

37) The producer is to be co-opted onto the committee for the duration of the production.