Friends of Levenshulme (FoL) governing document

Purpose and principles
1. We are a community campaigning organisation for Levenshulme. We
campaign on issues that affect local people.
2. We are an inclusive and democratic organisation, independent of all
political parties and business interests.
3. We are committed to principles of equality, diversity and nondiscrimination,
and reflect this in our campaign priorities and organisational
practices.
4. We campaign on the principle that public services in Levenshulme should
be publicly funded and delivered at accessible locations to meet the needs of all
Levenshulme neighbourhoods and communities.
Participation in FoL
5. Residents of Levenshulme, and other people with legitimate interests in
Levenshulme, are entitled to participate and vote at Open Meetings (see
paragraph 7), subject to respect for the purpose and principles at paragraphs 1-
4. There will be no membership list for FoL. Participation in Open Meetings (see
paragraphs 7 & 8) will confer voting rights. In any case of dispute the chair (see
paragraph 9) will determine the right of individuals to participate and to exercise
voting rights.
6. We aim to secure the widest possible participation in FoL from
Levenshulme people, and will promote this by local public advertisement and
reporting of our open meetings and other activities.
Conduct of business
7. Periodic Open Meetings will be held to decide on FoL campaigns and
organisation. A quorum of ten people entitled to vote will be required for an
Open Meeting to have power to make decisions.
8. At least one Open Meeting per calendar year will be constituted as the
annual general meeting, normally held in the first quarter (January-March). It will
elect a Convenor and a Treasurer, any other officers, and other members of the
Core Group. This Core Group, inclusive of the Convenor and Treasurer, and any
other officers, will number not fewer than five people.
9. The Core Group will co-ordinate business on behalf of FoL between Open
Meetings, responsible and accountable to participants in Open Meetings. The
Convenor will normally chair Core Group meetings. Open Meetings will be
chaired by the Convenor or by another Core Group member.
10. FoL will maintain a bank account for the purposes of holding income and
making payments in support of its campaigning purposes and organisational
requirements. The Treasurer will give regular reports of income & expenditure,
and the balance of the account, at Open Meetings.
11. Any resolution either to amend this document or to dissolve FoL needs to
be passed by a majority of at least two thirds of people entitled to vote at a
quorate Open Meeting (see paragraph 7) publicly advertised for the purpose of
considering such a resolution. In the event of a resolution to dissolve FoL being
passed any remaining uncommitted funds held in the FoL bank account will be
transferred to one or more community based organisations whose objects are
consistent with FoL purposes and principles.
Draft approved by Core Group 30th March 2009
Approved at public EGM 17th April 2009