Constitution

The Group shall be called The Belfast Humanist Group. The Group is non-political and secular. Its aims are:
(a) To encourage a rational, responsible and humanitarian approach to life by a reliance on humanity's own intellectual, moral and social resources in every aspect of life.
(b) To promote a knowledge of the secular foundations of morality, as an essential factor for the establishment of a harmonious community.
(c) To give practical service to the community.
(d) To foster toleration of differing lifestyles and beliefs.

2. Methods

(a) The Group shall hold regular meetings to conduct business and discuss matters of interest.
(b) The Group shall make representations to the press and public bodies, subject to the proviso that all statements made on behalf of the Group have been agreed in advance and approved by a two-thirds majority at a regular meeting.

3. Membership

(a) Any person who supports the aims of the Group and abides by the Constitution may become a member of the Belfast Humanist Group, provided they pay the appropriate fee.
(b) All annual subscriptions will be due at the end of January each year and the level and duration of subscriptions shall be determined at the AGM in the light of the financial report.

4. Annual General Meeting
A general meeting of the Group will take place in January of each year for the purposes of:
(a) Presentation of reports on the year's work by the officers of the Group.
(b) Presentation of an audited account of the Group's finances.
(c) The election or re-election of officers.
Procedures:
(d) Only paid-up members may vote or stand for office.
(e) Nominees must consent in advance to their nomination.
(f) Notice of the AGM must be sent to every member 10 days before the date of the AGM.
(g) The candidates will be elected by a simple majority.
(h) 20% of the membership will constitute a quorum for the AGM. In the event of a quorum not being present, s fresh AGM must be convened as soon as possible.
(i) An auditor will be appointed at the meeting preceding the AGM.

5. Duties of Officers
The AGM shall elect Chairperson, Deputy Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
The Group favours rotation of offices.
Duties of Officers;
(a) Chairperson - Calling meetings, preparing and circulating agenda; keeping order at
meetings.
(b) Deputy Chair - as for (a) when required.
(c) Secretary - Taking the minutes at general meetings, reading the minutes and dealing
with correspondence on behalf of the Group.
(d) Treasurer - Receiving and paying monies on behalf of the Group and informing the Group of its financial status each month; co-operating with the annual audit.

6. Disbursement of monies.
(a) Cheques issued on behalf of the Group must be signed by two Office-bearers.
(b) Expenditure by the Office-bearers in excess of £40 must be voted on at a regular meeting.

7. Meetings
(a) Meetings wilt be conducted by the Chairperson, or Deputy Chair, or a member nominated by the meeting.
(b) A quorum will consist of 40°/o of the membership or 8 members, whichever is greater.
(c) Any motion, proposed and seconded, wiH be put to the meeting and voted on. A motion is carried if it is supported by a two-thirds majority of members present.
(d) Any member may propose a motion to the meeting.
(e) The Chairperson will always have a casting vote only.

8. Constitutional Amendments
(a) Constitutional amendments can only be dealt with at the AGM or at a special meeting convened for that purpose.
(b) Constitutional amendments must be submitted in writing to the Secretary not less than three weeks before a meeting of the Group and must be signed by at least 6 members. Such a meeting shall be designated a special meeting. In the case of an AGM only two signatures are
required.
(c) All members must be notified of a proposed constitutional amendment.
(d) A constitutional amendment is carried on a two-thirds majority.

9. Termination of Office or Membership
Any motion calling for the removal of any person from office or from membership of the Group, shall be proposed and seconded at one meeting and voted on at the next.

10. Affiliation
Affiliation to other bodies may be considered an appropriate means of furthering the aims of the Group and may be proposed as a motion at a general meeting.

11. Provision for winding up.
(a) The Group can only be wound up by a unanimous decision at a regular meeting,
(b) in the event of the Group having to be wound up, all funds, after the payment of liabilities, shall go to the British Humanist Association for furthering the development of other Humanist groups.

Adopted January 1996.