1. TITLE: The name of the Society shall be the Cockermouth Harmonic Society hereinafter referred to as the Society.

 2. OBJECTS: The object of the Society shall be to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of choral and orchestral music in all its aspects, by the presentation of choral/orchestral concerts and recitals and by such other ways as the Society through its Committee shall determine from time to time.

 3. MEMBERSHIP: The Members of the Society shall be those who pay the annual subscription at the appropriate rate or rates as shall be determined by the Committee, all subscriptions being payable in advance or by monthly or quarterly Bankers Orders, and, (in the case of performing members) who shall provide such evidence of musical ability as the Committee may require.

 4. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE: The management of the Society shall be in the hands of a Committee consisting of a Chairman’ an Hon. Secretary, an Hon. Treasurer, the Federal Representative and not less than three other members of which one may be co-opted; the officers and the other Committee members (other than the Federal Representative) shall be elected out of the Society’s members at the Annual General Meeting; they shall hold office for one year and be eligible for re-election.  The Federal Representative shall remain in office until replaced.  The Committee shall have the power to appoint sub-committees from among their own members or otherwise as the Committee shall think fit.  Any such sub-committee will make full and regular reports back to the Committee.  The Quorum at Committee meetings shall be four members.  Committee members are automatically Trustees of the Society.

 5. MANAGEMENT: All the arrangements for the concerts and other events and the control of finance shall be in the hands of the Committee.

 6. FINANCE:  

 7. DISSOLUTION: In the event of the Society being wound up, any assets remaining upon dissolution after the payment of proper debts and liabilities shall be transferred to a charitable institution or institutions having similar objects to those of the Society.

 8. GENERAL MEETING: Within six weeks of the end of each financial year the members shall be summoned to an Annual General Meeting of which a fourteen days’ notice in writing shall have been given.  The Quorum at such meeting shall be twenty five percent of the existing membership.  The Committee, at their discretion, may call a Special General Meeting of the Society of which at least fourteen days’ notice shall be given.  The Quorum of such a meeting shall be as for the Annual General Meeting.

 9. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS: Each year accounts will be audited or examined to the extent required by legislation or, if there is no such requirement, scrutinised by a person who is independent of the committee.  The accounts will then be submitted to the members at the Annual General Meeting.

 10. AMENDMENTS: The constitution may be amended by a two thirds majority at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting provided that fourteen days’ notice of the proposed amendment which shall have the effect of the Society ceasing to be a charity.

Last updated: 21 April 2015

(a) The financial year shall end on the 31st July.

(b) A banking account shall be opened in the name of the Society and cheques  shall be signed by any two officers of the Society.

(c) The Society may receive donations, grants in aid and financial guarantees   and tickets for any or all its concerts and other events that shall be offered for  sale to the public.

(d) The income and property of the Society whencesoever derived shall be applied solely towards promoting the objects of the Society as set forth above and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred either directly or indirectly to any member of the Society except in payment of legitimate expenses incurred on behalf of the Society.