CONSTITUTION 

(Amended 4th March 2016 Annual General Meeting) 

The Organisation shall be called the “National Organisation of Residents Associations”. 

The aims of the organisation shall be to promote the common interests of associations of residents in U K towns and cities as defined by their respective associations.  

This will be done by providing a forum for member associations to exchange information and experience and to draw attention to developments which may affect the quality of life in towns and cities;   

• representing the interests of member associations collectively to regional and national authorities and other organisations;   

• and monitoring and commenting on major issues affecting the quality of life of town and city residents, including planning, traffic management, licensing, cultural activities, community safety and policing;  

Mode of Working will be:    

to collect and provide information to member associations and other interested groups through an occasional newsletter and a web site and any other helpful means;  

to publicise achievements and problems of member associations and the organisation itself through the media;  

to garner information and support by working in close contact with other national organisations with complementary interests. 

Membership 

Membership shall be open to all associations representing residents in the United Kingdom.

Honorary Officers  

Members shall elect such officers as it may from time to time determine, but always including Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Secretary.

The Committee 

The policy and general management of the affairs of the organisation shall be directed by a Committee which shall consist of up to eight representatives of the individual member associations. The committee shall include the five Honorary Officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Membership Secretary and Treasurer) and up to three ordinary members of the Association.   

The Chair and Committee members shall hold office for up to six years, but submitting themselves annually for re-election at the AGM; and not be eligible to be re-nominated for any office for a year after standing down.  To avoid ‘recruitment bunching’, the Chair may propose to the AGM that the year when any particular Honorary Officer or Committee member is to be replaced be brought forward. 

The Committee shall have power to co-opt not more than three other persons.  The Chair shall hold office for three years. All other members shall retire annually, but shall be eligible for re-election. Elections may be held by postal ballot.

Once in each year in the month of January the Committee shall present to member associations an Annual Report of the Committee, the annual audited Statement of Accounts and the appointment of an Auditor. 

Other Committees 

The Committee shall have the power to appoint such sub-committees as it shall from time to time determine. 

Annual General Meeting 

The Annual General Meeting shall be held in March.  At least 21 days’ notice shall be given to all member associations by the Secretary. The election of the committee shall take place at the Annual General Meeting. Nominations for officers and committee members must be submitted at least five days before the Annual General Meeting. Individuals nominated must have agreed to stand. 

Voting at the Annual General and other Meetings 

At any meeting of NORA members only one delegate from each NORA member organisation is eligible to vote. 

Special General Meeting

The Secretary shall, within 14 days of receiving a written request to do so by not less than 10 members, call a Special General Meeting of the organisation. The agenda of any Special General Meeting shall be circulated to members not less than 14 days before the date of the meeting. 

Subscriptions 

The individual members shall pay such subscriptions as the Committee from time to time recommends. Subscriptions shall be due on 1 January each calendar year and payable to the Treasurer of the organisation. On the recommendation of the Treasurer, the Committee shall have the authority to vary any individual subscription for new members joining after the start of the year.

Quorum 

Decisions taken by the committee must be agreed by the majority of its members with not less than three members voting. The chair shall have a casting vote. 

Minutes 

Minute books shall be kept by the organisation, the Committee and all subcommittees. 

Dissolution 

If the Committee by a simple majority decides at a Special General Meeting time that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the organisation, it shall seek the approval of a simple majority of all member associations. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be applied towards charitable purposes for the benefit of the member residents associations. 

Alterations to the Constitution 

Any alterations to this Constitution attending an Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting shall require the approval of two thirds of the members providing that the members have been given not less than 14 days notice in writing of the wording of the proposed alteration.   Members unable to attend may appoint a proxy.