CONSTITUTION

1: Name

The name of the group shall be Friends of Lochalsh Leisure Centre = FOLLC.

2: Vision

To work in partnership with the Lochalsh Leisure Centre = LLC for the benefit of the public to protect and improve Lochalsh Leisure Centre as a Community asset.

3: Aims

a) To raise funds for Lochalsh Leisure Centre to encourage public interest in the upkeep and continuity of LLC.

b) To advance the public's awareness of the facilities offered, by fundraising & promoting LLC facilities for the benefit of community groups and visitors to the area.

c) To develop and deliver funds to LLC.

4: Objectives

The main objectives of FOLLC are to:

a) Promote the activities of FOLLC as a fundraising group.

b) Represent the aims of the FOLLC when communicating with other potential fundraisers & the LLC, other interested groups and fundraisers to achieve the FOLLC vision to aid LLC.

c) Promote health and well-being of residents and visitors through encouragement of the use of LLC and aiding to keep open and an up to date amenity and recreational area.

d) Raising funds to safeguard future of LLC.

5: Powers

a) Organise meetings for members of FOLLC for their fundraising events, and support other individuals and organisations in their fundraising efforts.

b) Raise funds and submit funding bids, invite and receive contributions, subscriptions & covenants with LLC. Take donations, gifts and ideas from a person(s) or public in order to finance work in support of the FOLLC aims.

c) Donate to the LLC such funds as are deemed appropriate for maintenance and improvement projects within Lochalsh Leisure Centre as the Management Committee may determine to be in accordance with the FOLLC's aims.

d) Communicate through & make representations to appropriate authorities on any matters relating to the Group's aims.

e) Publicise the FOLLC activities through the media and other contact with residents and visitors.

f) Work with comparable groups and exchange information, advice & expertise with them.

g) Carry out any other lawful activity which will, in the judgement of the Management Committee, further(s) the aims and objectives of FOLLC.

6: Membership

a) The FOLLC shall be voluntary & totally self-supporting.

b) Membership shall be open to anyone interested in taking part in the organisation and furthering its aims and are willing to abide by the rules of the LLC.

c) Every Committee member shall have one vote at general meetings except where otherwise stated in this constitution.

d) Any member of the association may resign his/her membership by giving to the Secretary of the Friends of Lochalsh Leisure Centre written notice to that effect.

7: Management

a) The affairs, funds & assets of the FOLLC shall be managed & controlled by a Management Committee.

b) Such officers on the Management Committee shall be appointed from the membership to conduct the administration of the organisation. These shall be a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson Treasurer & Secretary & their Committee These officers will be in charge and responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation, but shall be answerable at meetings to members.

c) The Management Committee shall be accountable to all members at all times.

d) Minutes will be kept of all meetings of the organisation & the secretary or nominated person shall enter a record of all proceedings and resolutions.

e) Four elected members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum for meetings of the Management Committee.

f) The Management Committee shall hold regular meetings at least FOUR times per calendar year, to include one AGM at which any matters concerning its policy & administration can be discussed. All members and a nominated LLC Officer shall be entitled to attend.

g) The FOLLC shall work in close consultation with the LLC.

h) It shall receive assistance from the LLC in the form of guidance & advice from LLC officers.

i) Representatives from other organisations may be invited to the Committee meetings by the joint agreement of the Officers.

j) Invited representatives may participate in the business of the meeting at the discretion of the Chairperson, but will not have the right to vote.

k) Tasks and events should be appropriate to the aims of the FOLLC & in accordance with LLC Constitution with no exclusion to any part of the community.

l) The FOLLC shall work in close consultation with the LLC.

m) It shall receive assistance from the LLC in the form of guidance & advice from LLC officers.

n) Representatives from other organisations may be invited to the Committee meetings by the joint agreement of the Officers.

o) Invited representatives may participate in the business of the meeting at the discretion of the Chairperson, but will not have the right to vote.

p) Tasks and events should be appropriate to the aims of the FOLLC & in accordance with LLC Constitution with no exclusion to any part of the community.

q) The FOLLC shall work in close consultation with the LLC.

r) It shall receive assistance from the LLC in the form of guidance & advice from LLC officers.

s) Representatives from other organisations may be invited to the Committee meetings by the joint agreement of the Officers.

t) Invited representatives may participate in the business of the meeting at the discretion of the Chairperson, but will not have the right to vote.

u) Tasks and events should be appropriate to the aims of the FOLLC & in accordance with LLC Constitution with no exclusion to any part of the community.

v) The FOLLC shall work in close consultation with the LLC.

w) It shall receive assistance from the LLC in the form of guidance & advice from LLC officers.

x) Representatives from other organisations may be invited to the Committee meetings by the joint agreement of the Officers.

y) Invited representatives may participate in the business of the meeting at the discretion of the Chairperson, but will not have the right to vote.

z) Tasks and events should be appropriate to the aims of the FOLLC & in accordance with LLC Constitution with no exclusion to any part of the community.

8: Annual General Meeting

a) The FOLLC shall hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to agree its policies & administration. This will be held no later than 6 weeks after the date of the end of the financial year.

b) All Members shall be entitled to attend and the meeting shall have PUBLIC NOTICE(s) publicised at least 14 days in advance.

c) A third of members of FOLLC shall constitute a quorum at the AGM, subject to a minimum of SEVEN (7).

d) All motions shall be circulated to members not less than 14 days before the meeting.

e) All voting at the meeting shall be by simple majority, with the Chair holding a casting vote if required.

f) The normal business of the AGM shall be:

1) to receive reports from the Chairman & accounts from the Treasurer;

2) to approve annual accounts;

3) to acknowledge Management Committee members standing down after period of service;

4) to elect Management Committee members subject to being proposed and seconded at the meeting;

5) to consider proposals for amendments to the constitution.

6) to consider any motions arising.

9: Finance

a) Accounts shall be kept by the Treasurer, submitted to an external (EXAMINER) selected by the committee & approved at a members’ meeting.

b) Any money obtained by the FOLLC shall be used only by the FOLLC in accordance with its aims.

c) Accounts shall be examined & reported to the FOLLC & the LLC at the AGM.

d) The end of the financial year shall be at the end of November.

10: Alteration of the Constitution

a) Proposals for amendments to this constitution or dissolution (must be delivered to the Secretary in writing. The Secretary in conjunction with all other officers shall then decide on the date of a general meeting to discuss such proposals, giving at least four weeks (28 days) clear notice or postpone such discussion until the next AGM.

b) Any changes to this constitution must be agreed by at least two-thirds of those members present and voting at any general meeting.

11: Dissolution

a) The FOLLC may be wound up at any time if agreed by two thirds of those members present & voting at any EGM or AGM Subject to the provisions of clause 10. Any assets shall be passed to Lochalsh Leisure Centre (LLC).

b) Any assets obtained by the FOLLC shall be used only by the FOLLC in accordance with its aims.

c) The end of the financial year shall be at the end of November.

12: Health and Safety

a) The FOLLC shall be responsible for meeting its “Duty of Care” obligation to meet all relevant Health & Safety Law current at the time of any activity.

b) The FOLLC shall undertake health and safety risk assessments of all its activities before engaging in any activity.

c) All participants shall be made aware of the necessary safeguards, to carry out any activity in compliance with their “Duty of Care” to keep themselves & others safe.

d) Members of FOLLC shall ensure none of their activities create a potential hazard to those visiting LLC.

13: Liability for claims

The responsibility of fundraising events lies with the organisers & FOLLC cannot be liable for any claims.

14: Adoption of the Constitution

This constitution was adopted by the members present at a meeting held on: 15th January 2025