Edinburgh Private Tenants Action Group Constitution

1. Name of group

The name of the group shall be Edinburgh Private Tenants Action Group

2. Aims of the group

a.  To campaign for decent and affordable housing for all

b.  For properly enforced legislation that puts private tenants’ rights before landlords’ profits

c.  To organise a strong and vibrant private tenants movement in Edinburgh

e.  To inform Edinburgh residents about private tenants issues

f.  To build links between private tenants, trade unions, and community groups

g.  To encourage the development of social housing.

3. Membership

a. Eligibility for private tenant membership shall be open to all private tenants in Edinburgh. Eligibility for membership is regardless of gender, sexual orientation, HIV status, disability, nationality, political party, race or religious opinion.

b. All private tenant members must pay a membership fee, which may be waived by the committee in circumstances of financial hardship. The fee is proportional to income. The fee is decided upon by the committee.

c. Not eligible to be members are: Landlords or managers of residential properties, their employees (both full and part-time), their agents (including those who do contract work for them) and their immediate family.

d. Membership may be suspended by the committee under the following circumstances:

• If the member repeatedly discriminates on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, HIV status, disability, nationality, political party, race or religious opinion.
• For being violent, harassing or threatening violence against other members or guests.
• For being repeatedly disruptive in meetings.
• For claiming to represent this organisation without the authorization of the Committee.
• For bringing the organisation into disrepute.

e. Should the suspended member wish to appeal against the decision of the committee they may present their appeal to the next general meeting of the organisation.  Should the appeal be upheld their membership is to be reinstated, otherwise their membership is terminated.

Supporters:

f. Supporters are individuals who are not private tenants, or who otherwise cannot be members, who wish to provide their support to the organisation. They make a financial contribution to the organisation, at a minimum of the supporters rate, as determined by the committee. They do not have voting rights, and may not serve on the committee. Their status as supporters, and attendance at meetings is at the discretion of the committee.

Affiliates:

g. Affiliates are organisations who wish to provide their support to the organisation. They must provide a regular affiliation fee to the organisation at a rate determined by the committee. The criteria for affiliate membership is decided upon by the committee. Their status as affiliates, and attendance at meetings is at the discretion of the committee. Affiliates cannot vote.

4. Committee

a.  A committee shall be elected to carry out the business of the group

b.The committee shall be made up of the chairperson, secretary, treasurer and a minimum of two general members.

c. The committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the group. Vacancies on the committee may be filled by co-option which will stand until the next Annual General Meeting.

d. The office bearers shall carry out the duties given to them by a general meeting of the group.

e. A quorum for the committee meetings shall be 5 people.

f. The committee shall meet no less than 4 times a year.

g. If a committee member fails to attend 3 consecutive meetings without tendering apologies they will be deemed to have resigned and the vacancy filled.

h. Committee meetings are open to all members to contribute

5. Annual General Meeting

a. There shall be an Annual General Meeting within 14 months of an inaugural meeting or last AGM at which the committee shall make a report of its activities, present a statement of accounts, and shall then resign.

b. The AGM shall elect a new committee and vote on any recommendations or motions and any amendments to the constitution.

c. The secretary shall notify all members and advertise locally details of the Annual General Meeting not less than fourteen days before the meeting.

Other General Meetings

a. There shall be a general meeting open to all members of the group every 2 months, or as circumstance may require as decided by the committee.

b. A Special General Meeting open to all members of the group will be held if 25% or more of the members submit, in writing, a request for such a meeting to the secretary, who will arrange for such a meeting to take place within fourteen days.

c. In all cases, the secretary shall publicise general meetings at least seven days in advance.

7. Quorum

No general meeting or Annual General Meeting shall be considered quorate if less than 5 members are present.

8. Finance

A bank account shall be opened in the name of the group. The committee shall authorise in writing two of its members for the purpose of drawing monies or making payments by cheque. All cheques must be signed by not less than two of the two authorised signatories. No two signatories from the same family should sign a cheque.

9. Changes to the constitution

a. The constitution may only be altered at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting.

b. All proposed changes to the constitution must be submitted in writing to the secretary at least seven days before the general meeting.

c. Any changes to the constitution must be agreed by a majority of at least two thirds of the members present at the meeting.

10. Dissolution of the group

a. The group may only be dissolved by a Special General Meeting called for that purpose.
Such a meeting must be advertised at least fourteen days before the date of the meeting.

b. A proposal to dissolve the group shall only take effect if agreed by at least two thirds of the members present at the meeting.

c. Any remaining funds and assets shall be returned to the relevant funding body.

Adopted 17/10/2012