Kilmarnock Somme Association
"Friends Of East Belfast"
Constitution
1. Name & Objectives
The Association shall be called Kilmarnock Somme Association “Friends Of East Belfast", in proud memory of the East Belfast Regiment of Lord Carson's Ulster Volunteer Force in 1912. Then in 1914 the East Belfast Volunteers became the 8th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, affectionately known as "Ballymacarrett's Own" as part of the 107th Infantry Brigade, 36th Ulster Division that fought in World War One.
The objectives of the Assoc. will be to preserve and protect our history and culture, focussing on the sacrifices made by the 36th Ulster Division and our local Scottish regiments along with the rest of the Allied forces in the First World War mainly at the Battle of the Somme by organising learning nights and trips to the battlefields of France and Belgium as well as fundraising events for the Somme Heritage Centre in Newtownards, Co. Down and the Thiepval Ulster Memorial Tower in France.
2. Membership
There shall be the following classes of membership:-
1. Full Member
2. Junior Member (11 - 16 years old)
3. Honorary Member
4. Proposed Member
A new candidate, who is put forward as a member by an existing member, must be vetted, proposed & seconded by the committee after filling in our application form and also reading and agreeing to our Constitution to gain full membership.
A member may be expelled if they break any of the constitution, by a majority decision taken by the committee members only.
All members to agree and abide by the constitution and the rules of the Assoc. and agree that in no circumstances shall the Assoc. as a body have any liability to any member for injury or damage how so ever or where so ever caused.
Membership of this Association is open to all, no matter what their religion, race or disability. As long as they support the principals of the Act of Union of 1800 of Great Britain & Northern Ireland.
3. Monthly Subscription/Dues
Subscription will be fixed for the year by members attending the month of January meeting (i.e., the first meeting of the New Year)
Honorary members are exempt from monthly payments.
The committee may at their discretion waive payment of subscription/dues in cases of hardship.
Members whose subscriptions are more than 4 months in arrears will be asked to appear before the committee. A further month will then be allowed to provide the arrears. Failure to provide the full arrears will result in suspension from the Association.
4. Meetings
The Assoc. will meet once a month. With the committee being elected every 12 months by all the attending members at the first monthly meeting of the New Year in January.
A committee consisting of:-
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
A. To Be Elected
A committee member must first be a fully paid up member of the Association.
B. The Committee’s Functions
A. The committee shall meet as and when necessary. Three committee members must be present to hold such a meeting. The President or any member taking the chair in his place shall have the casting vote.
B. It shall be the function of the committee to manage the affairs of the Assoc., by promoting the Assoc. and furthering its objectives and aims in accordance with this constitution. To maintain the numbers and quality of all members. Also for the purchasing or the rental of a meeting room for the Assoc. monthly meeting, and to formulate for approval by all the members, rules as to the conduct, discipline and dress code of all members, when acting as representatives of the Association.
5. Annual General Meeting
The A.G.M will be held on the first meeting in January of each year which will include:-
A. The election of the committee as noted above
B. The Treasurer will provide a copy of the Assoc. accounts for the previous year to all members.
C. Confirmation, alteration, or improvements to the rules of the constitution as formulated by the committee.
D. To deal with any other outstanding Association business.
6. Trustees
The Association shall have a board of Trustees, which will consist of, the President, the Vice President, the Treasurer and the Secretary.
FOR GOD AND ULSTER