Dumfries & Galloway

Multicultural Association

Constitution
Title

Article 1 The name of the organisation shall be Dumfries and Galloway Multicultural
Association, hereinafter called the Association.

Objects

Article 2 The objects of the Association shall be

a. To support, and educate organisations and individuals on issues
relevant to ethnic, religious and cultural minorities.
b. The advancement of education and the provision of training relevant to
racial equality and diversity.
c. To distribute information and advise and educate the general public,
relevant organisations and Association members about issues of
diversity and discrimination.
d. To integrate and enrich member groups into Scottish Society.
e. To develop and provide a locally based interpretation and translation
service.
f. To seek to establish a ‘Multicultural Centre’ in Dumfries and Galloway to
support and implement the above objectives and other relevant cultural
activities.
g. To employ such staff as are considered appropriate for the proper
conduct of the association’s activities
h. To obtain assets, accept donations and legacies of any kind, generate
income and apply for funding in pursuit of achieving the Association’s
objectives
i. To do anything which may be incidental or conducive to the furtherance
of any of the Association’s objects.

Membership

Article 3
a. Full Membership of the Association shall be open to any individual or
organisation representative from an ethnic or religious minority group
within Dumfries and Galloway who declares their support for the above
objectives. (Article 2)
 b. Other individuals and groups who support the objectives (Article 2) may
join as Associate members. Associate members have no voting rights.

c. The Association Full members have the power to reject an application

for membership, or to expel a member from the Association for good
reason. This shall be done through presenting a motion to that effect at
a General Meeting.

Contributions

Article 4

Subject to approval at a General Meeting of the Association, an annual

membership contribution may be requested.

The subscription or membership contribution shall be determined by the

Association annually at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Officers

Article 5 The Office Bearers of the Association shall be Chairperson, Secretary and
Treasurer. At the first Executive Committee meeting following the AGM
Office Bearers will be elected.

If an Officer Bearer of the Association, or any other member of the Executive

Committee, ceases to hold office the Executive Committee shall have the
power to elect a successor from the existing Association members. The
successor shall remain in office until the next Annual General Meeting.

If a member of the Executive Committee does not attend any meetings for
six months for good reason or does not explain their absence, the Executive
Committee has the power to remove them from the Committee.

Other Office Bearers of the Association may be elected as determined by the

Association at a General Meeting.

Executive Committee

Article 6 The Executive Committee shall consist of not less than four (4), or more than
twelve (12) Full members, including the Office Bearers.

The Executive Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting

and shall serve for a period of 3 years, ⅓ of existing Committee members
will retire at each AGM by rotation or a draw if needed. All retiring members
are eligible for re-election at the same AGM. Nominations should be
submitted in writing to the Secretary prior to the meeting. If insufficient
nominations are received prior to the AGM, nominations may be taken at the
AGM.

Ref: EQD/3/1 - Constitution

 The quorum for an Executive Committee meeting shall be three (3), one of
whom must be an Office Bearer of the Association. Voting will be by a
simple majority. In the event of a tied vote, the Chairperson will have a
casting vote.

Executive Committee Powers

Article 7 The Executive Committee shall be the governing body of the Association and
shall control the management and direction of Dumfries & Galloway
Multicultural Association between Annual General Meetings.

The Executive Committee shall meet not less than 8 times per year and
Minutes of each meeting shall be taken. At least 7 days notice of each
meeting shall be given.

Annual General Meeting

Article 8 The Annual General Meeting shall be held in June each year or as soon as
possible thereafter.

The AGM of the Association shall be held for the purposes of;
a. To receive and approve the accounts of the Association for the financial
year ended 31 March last.
b. To receive and approve the Chairperson’s report on the work of the
Association.
c. To elect members of the Executive Committee in accordance with
Article 6.
d. To transact such other business as may be notified in the circulated
Agenda for the meeting.

All Full members as defined in Article 3 shall be entitled to attend the AGM
and vote.

The quorum of the AGM shall be 5 (five) Full members.

Finance

Article 9 Proper financial recording shall be kept by the Treasurer showing:

(i) All monies received expended by the Association
(ii) All sales and purchases of the Association
(iii) All assets and liabilities of the Association

The Treasurer shall give a Financial Report at each meeting of the Executive
Committee and shall submit a statement of accounts if requested by the
Chairperson.

The Treasurer shall present to the AGM a copy of the accounts.

All cheques issued on behalf of the Association shall be signed by any two of
the following officers: Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer or another
designated member of the Executive Committee.

Ref: EQD/3/1 - Constitution

Alternations to Constitution

Article 10 No alterations shall be made to the constitution without the same being duly
received and voted for by a majority of not less than two-third present at an
Annual General Meeting or an Emergency General Meeting.

Extra-ordinary General Meeting

Article 11 An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called on written request signed

by 5 (five) or more Full members of the Association. An EGM will have the
full powers of an ordinary AGM.

Dissolution

Article 12 If instructed by resolution supported by two-thirds of the members attending

and voting at a General Meeting of the Association, the Executive Committee
shall arrange for the Dumfries and Galloway Multicultural Association to be
dissolved. Any remaining funds or assets, after settlement of all due debts,
shall be transferred to an organisation having similar aims as the
Association.

Chairman

Secretary

Date : 8 August 2006

Ref: EQD/3/1 - Constitution