The Constitution

1. Name

The name of the Society shall be the Friends of Midsummer Common (hereafter called FoMC).

2. Purpose

The primary purpose of FoMC is to elicit support and make representations to the appropriate authorities in order to encourage the good management of Midsummer Common (taken to include Butt Green).

3. Aims and Objectives

FoMC's specific aims are:

to establish the legal position regarding the use and management of the common;
to help foster good management practices in order to protect the environment and address the principles of sustainable development;
to encourage the use and enjoyment of Midsummer Common and its facilities by members of the public;
to discourage the spoliation or inappropriate use of Midsummer Common by individuals or organisations; and
to ensure that any developments and improvements are within the law and sympathetic to the nature, characteristics and qualities of Midsummer Common.

To meet these aims, FoMC sets itself the following objectives:

to research the historic documents and determine what can and cannot be done on Midsummer Common, taking legal advice where necessary;
to work with the City Council and other groups to prepare and adopt management plans for Midsummer Common;
to work with the City Council in drawing up the annual programme of events on the Common and to ensure that these are well advertised;
to work with organisers to ensure that events have minimal impact and cause no nuisance to local residents;
to gather and report grievances made by those attending events on Midsummer Common and by those living nearby;
to identify areas of poor Common's maintenance and failure to meet standards and to work with the City Council to rectify these; and
to test and express a view on any proposed developments on Midsummer Common.

4. Membership

Membership shall be open to Cambridge citizens who are interested in furthering the objectives of FoMC. It is the policy of FoMC to welcome and treat all members and volunteers fairly and equally regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion, age or disability. The Secretary shall keep an up-to-date list of members. Every member shall pay an annual subscription to FoMC – this subscription having been agreed at the preceding Annual General Meeting.

5. Honorary Officers

At the Annual General Meeting, FoMC shall elect from its members a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer who shall hold office until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting after their election but shall be eligible for re-election.

6. Committee

The policy and general management of the affairs of FoMC shall be directed by a Committee comprising the honorary officers and up to five other elected members. The Committee may co-opt additional members on a temporary basis. The Committee shall meet not less than three times per year under the direction of the chairperson. Four members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. The Secretary shall take minutes and make them available to all members.

7. General Meeting

The first General Meeting of FoMC shall be held not later than January 2007, and once in each year thereafter an Annual General Meeting shall be held at such a time (not being more than 15 months after the holding of the preceding Annual General Meeting) and place as the Committee shall determine. At this annual meeting the members of the Committee shall be elected by simple majority. The Committee may convene a Special General Meeting for a specified purpose. For all such meetings, 21 days notice shall be given to the members.

8. Finance

The funds of FoMC shall be applied in furtherance of its objectives. All payments shall be authorised by two honorary officers and no payment shall be made to any members except for the reimbursement of reasonable out of pocket expenses. The Treasurer shall open a bank account, keep proper accounts, and prepare an annual statement which shall be examined by an independent examiner, who is reasonably believed by the Committee to have the requisite ability and practical experience, and submitted to the Annual General Meeting.

9. Alteration to the Constitution

No alteration or addition to this constitution shall be made except at a General Meeting and agreed by not less that two thirds of the members present.

10. Dissolution

FoMC may be dissolved by a resolution passed by a two thirds majority of those present and voting at a Special General Meeting convened for the purpose. Such a resolution shall give instructions for the disposal of any assets held by or in the name of FoMC.

24 February 2009