Constitution

Name

In pursuance of its aims of welcoming and helping people the Club shall be called The Windmill Club & Drop-in Centre (hereinafter referred to as the Windmill Centre)

Objects:

1. To arrange community support for lonely, mentally or emotionally unwell people. The principal concern shall be to provide, in a relaxed atmosphere, social facilities and develop and foster skills to build up the confidence of disadvantaged people who usually have very few, if any, friends or caring relatives.
2. Encourage people, whatever their backgrounds to communicate irrespective of race, culture, gender, age or religious faith.

Membership

Membership of The Windmill Centre shall be open to any person over the age of 18 irrespective of gender, race or religion.

In the best interests of all, and bearing in mind the mental and emotional issues concerned, members may be barred from attending if they are causing undue stress and disruption to others. Before this is done the Trustees shall speak with, and warn in confidence, the person concerned and try ascertain the cause of the trouble. Medical and other advice shall be taken as necessary. Re-instatement will be considered depending upon circumstances.

Subscriptions

There shall be no subscriptions of any kind.

Trustees / Committee Members

The Windmill Centre shall be administered and managed in accordance with this constitution on a Voluntary basis. The Trustees shall have the authority to co-opt, appoint and constitute advisory committees to help with the running of the Centre. No one shall be appointed as a Trustee or Committee member who:

1. Is under 18 or who would, if appointed, be disqualified from acting as a member by virtue of section 45 of the Charities Act 1992 or any statutory re-enactment or modification of that provision,
2. Becomes incapable by reason of mental disorder, illness or injury of managing and administering his or her own affairs.
3. If a person is absent from all their meetings, held within a period of one year, his or her office will be vacated unless valid reasons are given.

The Trustees shall have the authority to appoint such professional helpers, on short-term agreements, as are necessary for the proper pursuit of the objects of The Windmill Centre.

The appointments of professionally qualified people, who can help to stimulate and motivate the members, will be dependent upon donations / grants received.

The Trustees shall have the authority to co-operate with other charities, voluntary bodies and statutory authorities operating in furtherance of the objects of The Windmill Centre, or of similar charitable purposes, and to exchange information and advice with them.

The Trustees, and designated Committee members, shall have the authority to do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement and benefit of the members.

Funding / Remuneration

In furtherance of the objects, but not otherwise, the Trustees may exercise the following powers: raise funds and invite and receive contributions provided that in so doing they shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities and shall conform to any relevant requirements of the law. They will have authority to buy, lease or exchange any property necessary for the achievement of the objects of The Windmilll Centre and to maintain it.

The funds of The Windmill Centre including all donations, contributions and bequests, shall be paid into an account operated in the name of The Windmill Club at such Bank or Building Society as the Trustees shall decide. All cheques drawn on the account must be signed by any two of three persons whose names are lodged with the Bank / Building Society. All monies received will be used for the purposes designated by the conditions of the grant.

The Windmill Centre shall be run on a Voluntary basis and no fees of any kind shall be paid to any Trustee or Committee member.

All funds received shall be used for the benefit of the members. Out-of-pocket expenses for petrol (at rates in accordance with prevailing charitable usage) and costs involved in organising events shall be paid subject to receipts being obtained and approved.

Meetings

1. The Windmill Centre will be open each week, except for August, Easter week and a fortnight over Christmas. If for any reason a meeting has to be cancelled all concerned shall be notified as soon as possible. During the Spring and Summer months some outdoor events (such as trips) will replace the indoor activities. Funds permitting a day trip will be organised during August to a place(s) agreed with all concerned. Programmes will be prepared in advance for the Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer sessions. These will be available for general distribution.
2. The Trustees, in addition to regular contact with each other, shall hold at least four ordinary meetings each year.
3. There will be two Open Meetings each year and people shall be encouraged to express their opinions and to suggest activities / events they would like. These suggestions shall be considered by the Trustees / Committee members in the light of available and projected funding and then implemented as is deemed possible.
4. The Trustees, in addition to the ordinary meetings, will meet annually in January (and no later than February) to elect an Honorary Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and an Independent Auditor. The three Officers shall be ex-officio members of any sub-committee that may be appointed. The meeting shall also discuss and approve the audited accounts for the previous year which will run from January 1 to December 31. At least 21 days notice shall be given of the Annual Meeting.
5. A special meeting may be called by the chairperson or by any two members of the Trustees upon not less than 21 days' notice being given.

The chairperson shall chair all meetings. If the chairperson is absent the members present shall choose one of their number to ch the meeting before any other business is transacted. In the case of equality of votes the chair of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.

Alteration of Rules / Constitution

The Trustee shall have authority to alter the Rules / Constitution, but no such alteration shall take effect until the same has been confirmed at the Annual Meeting of the Trustees.

The Trustees shall have authority to make Bye-laws for regulating the conduct and affairs of The Windmill Centre provided the same are not inconsistent with the general rules. Such bye-laws shall be posted in some conspicuous part of The Windmill Centre premises and shall be binding on all members. Bearing in mind the nature of the disabilities affecting the members all rules will be carefully explained, as necessary, in a clear concise, helpful manner.

The spirit behind the wording is that any rules are intended to ensure a harmonious and helpful environment for the majority of the people attending The Windmill Centre.

Dissolution

If at any time it is felt necessary to dissolve The Windmill Centre on the grounds of expense or otherwise, a Special Meeting must be convened of all the Trustees together with such Advisors as may be deemed necessary. On a majority decision The Windmill Centre can then be dissolved after:

1. All parties who may have given grants that are still outstanding have been contacted
2. All members have been informed
3. An advertisement and/or editorial has been placed in suitable newspapers, covering the area of benefit, giving the reasons for the dissolution.

Subject to the forgoing the Trustees, aided by any necessary Advisers, shall have the powers to dispose of any assets held by or in the name of The Windmill Centre. Any assets remaining after the settlement of any proper debts and liabilities shall be applied towards charitable purposes in an area of benefit, as the Trustees may decide, bearing in mind the original objectives.

Historical Note

The Windmill Club was established in 1974 to help patients from local psychiatric hospitals. The aims of the Club and its constitution were amended in the early 1990's to allow for the Central Government "Dispersal in the Community" initiative. In pursuance of its aims to be a centre that is welcoming and open to all it was renamed The Windmill Centre & Drop-in Centre.