Constitution for West Dorset ICD
(Implantable
Cardiovertor Defibrillator) Support Group
WD.ICD.SG
1. Title
The
group shall be called West Dorset ICD (Implantable Cardiovertor Defibrillator) Support Group.
2.
Aims and Objectives of the West Dorset ICD (Implantable Cardiovertor
Defibrillator) Support Group
The group has been established to provide support and information to patients and their families/friends, in the
West Dorset area, who have had an Implantable
Cardiovertor Defibrillator
(ICD) implanted.
The
aim of the group is to support its members by:
Providing an opportunity
to meet people who may have shared a common or difficult experience in their lives.
Offering
emotional support to people with ICDs and their partners, relatives and carers
Providing
information
Providing a forum for discussion and friendship
Complementing
the service already offered by health care professionals
Arranging social events
Arranging
group meetings with informative speakers/presentations
The income from funds raised by the group will be used to support and maintain further meetings and events, and to
support individuals, projects and resources that have been agreed by the committee.
3.
Ground rules
The members of the West Dorset ICD
(Implantable Cardiovertor Defibrillator)
Support
Group will agree to:
Treat each other with respect
to create a forum of honest communication
Ensure everyone has the opportunity to share their point of
view with the consideration of others
Be aware that the meetings are not a forum for discussing individual
medical problems
Maintain confidentiality
The committee members
are responsible for ensuring that these ground rules are followed.
Powers
To further its aims and objectives the West Dorset ICD (Implantable Cardiovertor Defibrillator) Support Group committee
will:
Hire a venue suitable for the meetings to occur
Obtain,
collect and receive monies and funds by means of contributions, donations, subscriptions and any other lawful method towards
the group’s activities and for the good of support group members
Not undertake
any form of permanent trading in the raising of funds
Give payment to guest speakers at the group when required
Procure
equipment, projects and resources for use within the confines of the group
4.
Membership
Membership of the group shall be open to individuals who have an
ICD and the friends, family and carers of these individuals. Individuals who have non-
defibrillator pacemakers will also be accepted as associate members. Membership
is achieved by an eligible individual requesting that their contact details be added to the database held by the Secretary.
Every member will have the right
to vote on motions at support group meetings including the AGM.
Every member should have the opportunity to vote for an individual to represent him/her on the committee.
The committee may terminate the membership of
an individual. The individual has the right to appeal to the committee if they wish
and can have someone accompany them to this meeting.
Members should notify a member of the committee if they do not wish to remain a member of the West Dorset ICD (Implantable
Cardiovertor Defibrillator) Support Group. They will then be removed from the circulation
list. Any personal data held by the committee (especially that held by the secretary) in respect of their membership will
be deleted/securely disposed of.
5. Officers
The group shall be governed by the committee with the purpose of organising and overseeing the running of the support
group meetings and events and maintaining an overview of and agreement for expenditures made from the group’s funds.
An Annual General Meeting (AGM) will allow members
of the West Dorset ICD (Implantable Cardiovertor Defibrillator) Support Group to elect from the membership a committee who
shall hold post from the conclusion of that meeting. Officers, including a Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary will be appointed
at the AGM from the committee membership. More than one role may be held by an officer.
The minimum number of members or officers needed
at an AGM of West Dorset ICD (Implantable Cardiovertor Defibrillator) Support Group and at a committee meeting shall be one
third of members (or such other number as the group may from time to time determine) to make votes/decisions valid.
The committee will include the Arrhythmia
Nurse Specialists.
The
committee may appoint further members as deemed necessary.
All members of the committee will be above the age of 18 years.
Elections
The AGM will
be held each year at such time and place as the committee determine. This may occur following a West Dorset
ICD (Implantable Cardiovertor Defibrillator) Support Group meeting. Elections will occur by a show of hands at the AGM. Once
elected (or confirmed in office for existing committee members) committee members will hold office until the next AGM.
Committee
members should be notified at previous meetings of nominations for committee membership. The details of those standing for
office will be circulated prior to the AGM to all members of West Dorset ICD (Implantable Cardiovertor Defibrillator) Support
Group.
The proceedings
of the committee shall not be invalidated by a vacancy or if an appointment is not made at the AGM meeting.
An extraordinary
meeting may be called at any time providing all members of the committee are informed 21 days in advance.
A member
of the committee shall cease to hold office if he/she:-
Becomes
incapable by reason of mental disorder, illness or injury of managing his/her own affairs.
Is
absent from the meetings for a period of six months without an explanation.
Notifies
the committee that they wish to resign before their period of office is completed.
8.
Committee
No members
of the committee shall supply or be interested in supplying goods or services to the West Dorset ICD (Implantable Cardiovertor
Defibrillator) Support Group except by way of a free gift or on a basis that shows no profits or gain directly or indirectly
to members concerned.
The majority
of votes of the committee present will determine every matter. In the case of equal votes the chairperson
of the meeting will have the casting/second vote.
The committee
shall keep minutes of the meeting which will be distributed to members following the meeting.
The committee
may make or alter the rule for the conduct of their business, the summoning and conduct of meetings and the custody of documents.
No rule can be made which is inconsistent with the aims of the group or standards of good governance.
9. Accounts and Finance
The group
shall maintain a bank account in the name of West Dorset ICD (Implantable Cardiovertor Defibrillator) Support Group.
The funds of the group including all donations, contributions and bequests shall be paid into
the account and operated by the committee. All expenditure must be agreed by the committee. The Treasurer will be a signatory
to the account, as will one of the Arrhythmia Nurse Specialists.
There will be a record of accounts maintained
by the treasurer. Accounts shall be prepared annually, audited by an independent
authority where practicable, and presented to members at the annual general meeting. Any member who wishes to scrutinise the
accounts may do so by notifying a member of the committee of their wishes.
If a committee member is seen to be irresponsible
with the funds raised by the group this will be considered a breach in the terms of agreement and this member shall be held
personally accountable.
10. Meetings of the Group
The meetings of the West Dorset ICD (Implantable Cardiovertor Defibrillator) Support Group will be held on a quarterly
basis unless otherwise decided by the members. Dates and subjects of each meeting will be notified to members in advance.
All members
of the West Dorset ICD (Implantable Cardiovertor Defibrillator) Support Group shall be informed of the date and time of the
AGM meeting.
All members
of the group will be given a copy of this constitution on joining the group.
11. Alterations
to the Constitution
It is the role of the committee
to consider potential constitution changes which, will be brought to the AGM for agreement.
Any alteration to the constitution of the group
must receive the agreement of not less than two thirds of those in attendance at the AGM.
12. Dissolution
If the Committee decides that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve
the West Dorset ICD (Implantable Cardiovertor Defibrillator) Support Group it shall call a meeting for all members of the
group for which no less than 21 days notice should be given. If the proposal is confirmed
by two thirds of all those present and the voting committee the committee shall have the power to release the assets held. Any assets will be transferred to such charitable institutions as determined
by the members.
The Arrhythmia
Nurse Specialist will maintain a copy of the statement of accounts and transfer of assets for future reference.
This constitution was approved 17th January 2019 at the WDICDSG AGM