The Constitution of the Medina Mariners Association

 1.The Name of the Association is The Medina Mariners Association.

 2.        The OBJECTS OF THE ASSOCIATION are

(a)    To promote the permanent preservation for the benefit of the Public generally and especially the inhabitants of the Isle of Wight of the area of the navigable part of the River Medina in the Isle of Wight and the rand forming the Medina Valley, and with particular regard to the area designated as a Country Park by the Isle of Wight County Council and generally to protect and preserve the amenities in the area comprising the parts mentioned above! and for the attainment of the foregoing to consider and fit shall seem necessary or desirable to promote, assist or oppose proposals for the use or development of land within the said area.

(b)    To promote the benefit of the Inhabitants of the Isle of Wight (Hereinafter called the area of benefit) without distinction of sex or of political, religious or other opinions by providing facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants.

 In furtherance of the above objects but not further or otherwise the Association shall have the following powers:­

(c)    To protect, preserve, promote organise. advance and protect from excessive commercial exploitation the use by the public of the opportunities for recreation arising wholly or partly within the said area 

(d)    To do all such lawful acts or things as are necessary to the attainment of the primary objects of the Association and so far as may be necessary to do such acts or things in collaboration with any person, body. institution, authority or otherwise.

 3.      Membership of the Association shall be open to all as of right and there shall be no admission or joining fee. 

4.      The Annual Subscription shall be such as may be fixed by the Association in Annual General Meetings as hereinafter provided. The Association shall have power to accept donations for any purpose not inconsistent with its objects and may make special appeals for funds to be used in connection with any such purpose 

5.        Any Member may determine his or her membership at any time by notice in writing to the Honorary Secretary. 

6.       The Committee may on a resolution passed by three quarters of its members thereof discontinue the membership of any member of the Association whose subscription shall be three months in arrears or for any other reason at the absolute discretion of the committee 

7. The management of the Association shall be vested in a Committee consisting of the Chairman, the Honorary Treasurer, the Honorary Secretary and not more than fifteen other members provided that the Committee may co-opt additional members to the Committee Five members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. The Association shall at its first meeting and at every Annual General Meeting elect a Chairman. Honorary Treasurer and Honorary Secretary together with fifteen other

Members to constitute the Committee for the ensuing year. The Members of Committee shall take office at the end of the meeting at which they are elected and shall hold office until the end of the next Annual General Meeting. All Members of the Committee may be re-elected for a further term or further terms of office. The Chairman for the time being of the Committee shall also be the Chairman of the Annual General Meeting. 

 9. The Honorary Treasurer shall keep accounts of all moneys received and expended on account of the Association and shall present such accounts at the Annual General Meeting of the Association. A Banking Account shall be opened on behalf of The Association and all cheques drawn upon the said account shall require the signature of at least two members of the committee. 

 10. The Financial Year of The Association shall end on the 31st day of December in each year and a General Meeting of the members shall be convened by the Honorary Secretary in April of the following year for the purpose of receiving the Annual Report and Balance Sheet, for electing the Officers and Committee for the ensuing year and to consider any other business as may be necessary. Fourteen days notice of such Meeting shall be sent to all Members. Fifteen Members present in person shall constitute a quorum at the Annual General Meeting. In the event of a quorum not being present the meeting shall be adjourned to such date, place and time within the ensuing fourteen days as the Chairman shall decide and the members present at that meeting shall constitute a quorum.

 11. An Extra Ordinary General Meeting may be convened at any time by a resolution of the Committee or on the requisition of at least ten members of the Association A Meeting held on such requisition shall be held within twenty-one days of the receipt of such requisition by the Honorary Secretary and the Honorary Secretary shall give to the other members of The Association Fourteen days notice of such meeting. A quorum shall be the same as a quorum at the Annual General Meeting. 

 12. All matters not herein provided for and not involving an Amendment to this Constitution may be dealt with by the Committee. 

 13. The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the Members at an Annual or Special General Meeting provided that fourteen days notice of the proposed amendment has been sent to all Members and provided that nothing herein contained shall authorise any amendment which shall have the effect of the Association ceasing to be a Charity at Law. No alterations or addition or deletion may be made to the objects clause, the dissolution clause or this clause. 

 14. In the event of a dissolution of the Association any assets remaining after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities shall not be paid to or distributed among the Members of the Association but shall be given to such other charitable institution or institutions having similar objects to the Association.