Essex School Governors Association Constitution

1. Name

The name of the Association shall be the "Essex School Governors Association (ESGA)," hereafter called the Association.

2. Objects of the Association

  1. To be an independant democratic forum for all governing bodies in Essex.
  2. To assist governing bodies to further the interests of children in Essex Schools.
  3. To encourage governing bodies to be active members of the Association.
  4. To promote high standards in the exercise of their responsibilities by governing bodies.
  5. To encourage co-operation between schools and between local associations or clusters.
  6. To provide a vehicle for expressing collective views of governing bodies and to make appropriate representation at local or national level.
  7. To further good relationships with eduation authorities and other relevant bodies.
  8. To act collectively to protect the integrity of education in the County and within the Associations membership.
  9. To affliate to the NGA in order that local views can be presented at a national level.
  10. To develop agreements between Governing Bodies, schools, LA and other related bodies.

  • 3. Membership

    1. Every Governing Body in the County of Essex shall be entitled to membership and may nominate one representative to the Association who shall be entitled to vote. The epresentative should be a governor at the school.
    2. Each Governing body shall have one vote.
    3. There should be no othe form of membership but individual governors shall be able to attend meetings by virtue of being members of a governing body in membersip of the Association but shall have no vote.
    4. Honorary, non voting membership, may be offered to other appropriate and relevant bodies at the discretion of the Executive Committee subject to any policy of the Association.
    5. Members should represent the collective views of the Association when representing it and not promote one's own agenda.

    4. Attendance

    Governors shall be entitled to attend meetings and hold office of the Association for as long as they hold offic as a governor.

    5. Subscriptions

    1. On the recommendation of the Executive Committee the Annual General meeting of the Association shall determine the subscription fee from each governing body due on the first day of the following finacial year.  
    2. The Association shall maintain a list of members.

    6. Meetings of the Association

    1. There may be upto three meetings of the Association each year of which one shall be the AGM.
    2. There shall be 28 days notice given for the annual meeting or any addtional meeting.
    3. Additional meetings may be called either at the request of the Committee or at the request of 10 governing bodies to consider special or immediate concerns.
    4. The quorum shall be 20.
    5. Each governing body represntative at the meeting shall have one vote and decisions shall be made by a simple majority of those present and voting.
    6. The agenda for each meeting shall be drawn up by the committee. The agenda for the AGM must include any resolutions submitted to the committee upto 4 weeks prior to the meeting. The agenda shall be sent out to Governing bodies not less than 2 weeks prior to the meeting.
    7. Resolutions may not be put from the floor at any meeting.
    8. In the event of the AGM being inquorate than the Executive committee shall be responsible for the business set out in the agenda of the AGM. Where rules changes are required than 75%of the executive committee shall agree.
    9. The minutes of the AGM, once agreed by the Chair, shall be distributed to the executive committee within 14 days of the AGM and thereafter shall be made available to othr members. Copies shall also be made available at the next AGM.

    7. Executive Committee and Officers 

    1. There  will be a minimum of three meetings during the year.
    2. There shall be an Executive Committee (hereinafter referred to as "the committee") responsible for the general management o the Association.
    3. It shall consist of ten elected representative each to serve or a period of one year nless they cease to be a governor.
    4. All geographical areas and types of school will be entitled to be represented on the committee.
    5. The committee may co-opt up to four additional members.
    6. At the first meeting after the AGM the committee shall elect a Chairman, who shall be the Chairman of the Association, and shal hold office until the next election, a Vice Chairman, a secretary, a minute secretary and a treasurer, who shall hold office likewise. The Chairman and the Vice Chairman must be elected rom the committee but the secretary, minute secretary and treasurer ned not be.
    7. Provided the Chairman and Vice Chairman is elected annually there shall be no maximum period for which they may serve in these pots.
    8. Where an officer ceases to be governor or resigns than the Executive Committee shall elect such officers to serve until the next AGM.
    9. The quorum shall be 6 members of the Full Executive Committee, excluding the secretary, minute secretary and treasurer if they are appointed from ouside.
    10. The Assocition may create such honorary offices, as it deems fit. Should it create a titular office of President that office mus be filled by election at the AGM. The committee shall be entitled to offer suggestions. The President shall be entitled to receive all minutes and relevant paperwork.
    11. If a member f the Executive fails to attend 3 consecutive meetings, they will be deemed to have resigned from the committee (unless prevented from attending by extenuating circumstances, as decided by the Executive Committee).
    12. Unless otherwise stipulated all agendas and relevant paperwork shall be circulated 7 days prior to the meeting.
    13. Unless otherwise stipulated all minutes shall be circulated within 14 days of the meeting.

    8. Other Committees 

    The Association may establish other committees as they see fit.

    9. Finance

    1. The committee shall, as necessary, maintain a Bank/Buiding society account(s) name of the Association. Cheque withdrawals shall be made on the signature of two officers. Any internet banking transactions of the account(s) shall be conducted by an authorised (normally the treasurer), who shall be responsible for the strict responsibility of the system. All withdrawals shall be within written approved financial limits.
    2. The Association may pay reasonable expenses to members of the Executive or other persons ho attend approved meetings on behalf of the Associatio.
    3. All monies shall be applied to further the objectives of the Association and for no other purpose.
    4. The financial year shall be from April 1st to March 31st the following year The Committee shall require the accounts to be examined annually by a qualified person and presented at the AGM next following the end of the financial year.

    10. Affiliations

    1. The Association may affiliate to any other body whose aims are consistent with those of the Association.
    2. The Commitee may negotiate on behalf of the Association and make reccomendations to meetings for action.

    11. Representation on other Bodies

    1. Where the Association is invited to nominate representatives onto other bodies the AGM shall elect such perons unless the AGM shall decide to delegate such elections to the Committee or the appointment is needed between AGM's.
    2. Wherever possible such appointees should be members of the committee.

    12. Amendments to the Constitution

    1. Amendments to the constitution shall only be considered at the AGM or an EGM called specifically for that purpose. 
    2. Amendments to the constitution shall require two thirds of the nominated representatives present to vote in favour at a quorate AGM or EGM.

    13. Dissolution

    1. If the committee decides by simple majority or is requested by 20 or more members Governing Bodies to propose the dissolution of the Association, it shall call a special meeting giving not less than 80 days notice.
    2. If by a simple majority of those nominated representatives attending agrees, the Association shall be dissolved.
    3. If the meeting is inquorate under rule 6.3 a further meeing shall be called not less than one month after the first.
    4. If that meeting is inquorate the Association shall be deemed as dissolved.
    5. Any assets remaining shall be transfered to such other non profit making organisations having objectives similar to those of the Association as the committee shall decide.