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Constitution

Still from Mr Smith Goes to Washington

1. Name

The Society shall be known as the Forest Row Film Society, hereinafter referred to as the Society.

2. Objects

The objects of the Society shall be:

  1. To encourage interest in the film as an art and as a medium of information and education by means of exhibition of films of a scientific, educational, cultural and artistic character.
  2. To promote the study and appreciation of films by means of lecture discussion and exhibitions.
  3. In order to further objects 1 and 2 above and with regard to object 4 below to assist, encourage or to collaborate in film orientated activities with other societies, organisations and institutions.
  4. The Society shall be non-political and non-profit-making; non-political means that the Society shall not espouse the cause of any political party.

3. Membership

  1. Membership of the Society is open on an elective basis to all members of the public, over the age of 16.
  2. Membership of the Society shall entitle the holder to attendance at all film shows and other meetings.
  3. Only members shall be admitted to the film exhibitions.
  4. There are two categories of members: (i) Full Members, who, on payment of the Annual Subscription, shall be entitled to admission to each film for the current season at the Reduced Rate and be entitled to vote at a General or Special General Meeting; and (ii) Day Members, who shall pay the Full Rate for admission to each film. Concessions for each category will also be available.
  5. The amount of the Annual Subscription shall be determined from time to time by the Committee.
  6. The amount of admission charges (Full Rate and Reduced Rate) shall be determined from time to time by the Committee.
  7. Members of the Committee are Full Members of the Society, but are not required to pay the Annual Subscription or any admission charge.

4. Management

  1. The business of the Society shall be managed by a General Committee, consisting of a Chairman, an Honorary Treasurer and an Honorary Secretary and such other executive officers as may from time to time be appointed together with not less than three or more than seven other members. The Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting and shall hold office until their successors are appointed at the Annual General Meeting next following their appointments. Any vacancies during the course of the year shall be filled by appointment of the committee, who shall also have power to co-opt members. The committee shall not co-opt more than three members over and above the maximum seven ordinary members in any calendar year.
  2. A large part of the Committee’s work will be undertaken using email or letters. The Committee shall meet not less than three times per year.
  3. The quorum for Committee meetings shall be three.
  4. The Society shall hold a General Meeting at least once a year. A Special General Meeting may be called at any time by the Committee or upon a request in writing being made to the Secretary and signed by at least three-quarters of the Full Members of the Society.
  5. The date of any General Meeting shall be publicly displayed in print or electronic form in such a manner as it is reasonably accessible by all Members of the Society no less than two weeks before the agreed date of such General Meeting.
  6. The quorum for a General Meeting shall be five members or ten per cent of the total number of Full Members, whichever is the larger.
  7. The Society shall not be run for the private profit of a member or members. Any balance at the end of the year shall be carried over and devoted to furthering the objects of the Society.
  8. The officers and members of the Society shall not receive payment, either directly or indirectly, for their services or for other than legitimate expenses incurred in this work.
  9. The Society shall not be wound up except by a resolution of three-quarters of those present at an Extraordinary General Meeting called for that purpose by the Committee. In the event of a winding up of the Society, any remaining funds of the Society shall not be distributed among the members of the Society but shall be devoted to objects similar to those of the Society in consultation with the British Film Institute.

5. Alteration of Rules

No alteration of rules by addition, amendment or rescission shall be made except at a General or Special General Meeting of the Society, provided also that the motion be supported by at least two-thirds of the Full Members present at the meeting. No amendment of clauses 4(7-9) is permissible.