GLOSSARY OF TERMS - WHAT YOUR CONSTITUTION MEANS
| CONSTITUTION | Set of ‘Rules’ for the organisation to follow | |
| OBJECTIVE | The reason for which the organisation was set up | |
| POWERS | Allows the organisation to carry out functions, e.g. to fundraise, employ staff, rent premises |
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| EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES | It is essential for every organisation to have an equal opportunities policy to ensure the organisation does not discriminate against any individual | |
| MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE | The people involved in managing an organisation. The constitution will set out who is eligible to be nominated to stand on the management committee, how long they can serve, how to fill vacancies and some of the powers allocated to the committee | |
| MEETINGS | Lists some procedures for holding committee meetings, number of meetings per year, behaviour at meetings, voting of proposals eligibility to vote, declaration of interests, quorums | |
| QUORUM | The minimum number of committee members needed to make any decisions at convened meetings | |
| ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS | Required by all organisations. Open to the general public to review work achievements over one year. Nominations to stand on the management committee are usually agreed together with the appointment of office bearers | |
| OFFICE BEARERS | The individuals elected by the Management Committee to hold a position such as Convener, Secretary or Treasurer and who are given specific responsibilities to assist the running of the organisation | |
| STAFF | Refers to paid staff and what they can and cannot do in terms of policy decision making | |
| VOLUNTEERS | Refers to anyone who assists the organisation and does not receive
a salary (can receive out-of-pocket expenses) |
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| FINANCE | Will indicate how the finances of the organisations will be managed and who will be responsible for signing cheques on behalf of the organisation | |
| AUDITOR | The independent person to check over the annual accounts. Income less than £100,000 need not have a full audit but can have their accounts examined |
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| CONSTITUTION ALTERATIONS | Sets out the procedure for how to change your constitution | |
| DISSOLUTION | A procedure that must be included in the event that the organisation decides to give up. Tells how to do this and what to do with any money left over | |
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