CONSTITUTION

1. Title

The group shall be known as the "Northampton Prostate Cancer Support Group".

2. Aims and Objectives

To provide support to group members and all non-members who wish to attend group meetings. Sharing experiences or seeking informal advice on Prostate Cancer may provide this.

To provide a forum for discussion on Prostate Cancer issues.

To help in accessing information that may be relevant to prevention and treatment.

To assist members and non-members in coping with illness.

To focus on social and educational activities for members.

From time to time, sekk and invite speakers and experts in various fields to present talks.

To produce a programme of activities for members.

3. Membership

Membership shall be open to all Prostate Cancer sufferers in Northamptonshire and their wives, partners and carers.

A subscription of £1 per person per meeting will be collected. When a member has attended three meetings they will become a full member and entitled to a voice in the running of the Group and vote at General Meetings.

If a member is found to be abusive or disruptive the Chairman will speak to the member and if this does not resolve the matter, a decision may be taken by the Committee to ban the member from meetings.

4. Election of Committee and Officers

A Committee of up to 12 members shall manage the affairs of the Group and will be elected or re-elected each year.

Officers shall consist of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, and Publicity Officer.

The Committee shall have the power to appoint other officers as deemed necessary.The Committee may co-opt individuals for particular functions if necessary on a temporary basis.

The Committee will meet in between Group Meetings if it is deemed desirable.

The Committee will always ratify actions taken by the Chairperson alone.

5. Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting shall be held at the November meeting.

The purpose of the Annual General meeting shall be to receive the Chairperson's report, the audited statement of accounts, to elect officers and Committee, and an auditor to deal with any matters that may arise.

6. Extraordinary General Meeting

 The Committee shall have the power to call an Extraordinary General Meeting having given due notice of the agenda.

7. Finances

The financial year shall be from the 1st October to the 30th September.

The Treasurer is required to keep accurate records and proper books of account and to present an audited statement of accounts at the Annual General Meeting.

The Treasurer is responsible for payments into and out of the bank monies received on behalf of the Group.

The Treasurer, Chair and Secretary are authorised to sign cheques on behalf of the Group. All cheques must bear two signatures.

8. Alterations to the Constitution

Alterations or amendments to the Constitution shall only be made at an Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting called for that purpose.

 9. Dissolution

The Group may be disolved by a resolution at an Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting called for that purpose by a majority. All assets then held by the Group shall be handed over to Macmillan Cancer Support.

10. Security and Data Protection

Any information held by the Group and all discussions in meetings are strictly confidential. No communication will be made except by post unless at a meeting.