Constitution

1. The name of the Society

shall be THE BRITISH BUTTON SOCIETY.

The office shall be the residence of the Honorary Secretary or such other place as prescribed by the Committee.

2. AIMS AND OBJECTS

a)     To encourage the collecting and preservation of buttons (antique and/or modern) and the research into the history appertaining to their origins and uses. The term “buttons” is to include ancillary articles.

b)     To afford opportunities for members to exchange information, to show their collections, and to conduct any business that may be desired.

c)      To promote and protect the interests of the Society and its members relative to the collecting of buttons.

d)     To enter into any agreement with any person, group of persons, firms or organisations for such purposes as may be deemed advisable in the interests of members.

e)     To encourage related social activities for the members.

 3. MEMBERSHIP

a)     Membership of the Society shall be open to any person and comprise Ordinary Members, Overseas Members, and Honorary Members.  

b)     Ordinary Membership shall be confined to those resident in the United Kingdom.

c)      Overseas Membership shall be open to all persons who do not qualify for Ordinary Membership.

d)     All applications for any class of Membership shall be dealt with by the Committee who will have full and absolute power to refuse an application for Membership irrespective of qualifications and without giving any reason for such refusal.

e)     Honorary Members — the Committee shall be empowered at its discretion to extend invitations to individuals for election as Honorary Members of the Society as a mark of appreciation for services rendered.

f)      A register of Membership shall be kept by the Membership Secretary, and periodically a list shall be circulated to all Members.

4. SUBSCRIPTIONS

The subscription for the following calendar year shall be decided at the Annual General Meeting of the Society and shall be due on the 1st January each year.

a)     The Honorary Membership Secretary shall arrange for the collection of subscriptions as they become due.

b)     Further finance for specific purposes may be raised by levy, agreed at a General Meeting.

c)      Any Member failing to renew their subscription by 28th February shall cease to be a Member.

5. MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL

a)     The management of the business and affairs of the Society shall be vested in the President, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and Committee Members.

b)     The President shall be elected annually at the General Meeting and the maximum term of office shall be three consecutive years with an interval of not less than two years between each period of office.

c)      The Honorary Secretary shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

d)     The Honorary Treasurer shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

e)     The Honorary Membership Secretary shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

f)      The Auditor or Independent Examiner shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting.

g)     Committee Members, restricted to a maximum of five in number, shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

h)     At the discretion of the Committee, Branch Sections may be formed with their own Officers, but the business transacted will be limited to that area and all major decisions must be approved by the National Committee.

i)       Any three members of the Committee, one of whom must be an Officer, are empowered to call a meeting of the Committee.

j)       The Committee is empowered to co-opt additional Members and can appoint a Vice President if necessary to assist with the running of the Society.

k)     The Committee shall meet at least twice each year.

l)       In the absence of the President, the Committee is empowered to elect its own Chairman.

6. GENERAL MEETING

a)     A General Meeting shall be held once in each calendar year, at such time, date and place as may be decided by the Committee provided it is not more than fifteen months after the holding of the preceding Annual General Meeting.

b)     An Extra-Ordinary Meeting may be called at any time by six members of the Society, one of them an Officer.

c)      At least 14 days’ notice shall be given for all General Meetings. An Agenda detailing the business to be discussed and transacted and any special Resolutions proposed will be available at the meeting.

d)     In all matters, with the exception of the expulsion of a Member, the vote of the majority of Members present shall be decisive, the Chairman exercising the casting vote in the event of a tie.

e)     A Resolution calling for the expulsion of a Member shall be supported by at least two-thirds of the Members present to be carried.

f)      The President shall preside at all meetings, but if s/he fails to attend within fifteen minutes, an elected Member of those present shall occupy the chair.

g)     The business of the Annual General Meeting shall be — To receive the President’s Report; to receive and adopt the Accounts for the preceding year together with the Honorary Treasurer’s report thereon; and other competent business including the election of Officers and Members of the Committee.

7. VOTES

a)     Committee Meetings — each member attending shall be entitled to one vote, provided their current subscription has been paid.

b)     General Meetings — each member of the Society shall be entitled to one vote, provided the current subscription has been paid.

8. HONORARY SECRETARY

a)     Shall keep a Minute Book recording therein the business of all meetings and Resolutions passed.

b)     Shall deal with all correspondence, carry into effect all requirements of the Society and generally act as its representative.

9. HONORARY TREASURER

a)     Shall keep all account books related to the business of the Society.

b)     Shall open an Account in the name of the Society.

c)      Cheques on behalf of the Society shall be signed by two of three persons so authorised, namely The Honorary Treasurer and any other two members of the Committee so authorised.

d)     Shall present a financial statement when called upon at Committee meetings.

e)     Shall prepare and present audited accounts and a Report at each Annual General Meeting.

10. RESIGNATIONS

Subscriptions paid or part thereof are not refundable.

11. ALTERATION OF RULES

Rules may only be altered, eliminated or replaced by the Votes of not less than two thirds of the Members present at a General Meeting.

12.  DISSOLUTION OF THE BRITISH BUTTON SOCIETY

Should the Society be dissolved, any surplus funds after meeting all liabilities or outstanding debts, will be donated to charity, agreed by the committee.

Arrangements shall be made by the committee for the following:

Items held by the Archivist, on behalf of the Society, together with back copies of Button Lines, shall be either donated to a museum or sold to members.

Artefacts shall be donated to a museum.