ACT ONE CONSTITUTION

Description	The organization shall be called "Act One" (the 'Society')
Aims and Objectives	The primary objective of the Society is to give to the local community and surrounding areas the opportunity to learn the technique and art of theatre by staging performances, running workshops and organising other activities from time to time as approved by the Steering Group. Particular emphasis is placed on encouraging newcomers, especially young people, into the theatre thus ultimately allowing amateur theatre to survive and thrive. To encourage all members to embrace new challenges and experiences associated with the theatre. To offer members the chance to have fun through participation in the various activities of the Society. To consider staging productions that complement the work of GCSE and 'A' level students. To encourage visiting actors and directors from other Societies to join the group on a temporary basis to enhance the depth and variety of experience to the Society's members. To provide a variety of entertaining productions for all members of the local community. To participate in amateur theatre festivals and competitions as and when possible. To make available a number of free tickets for each production, working with the Bracknell Forest Borough Council Youth Service and local voluntary organizations. To contribute to the development of the Cultural Strategy of Bracknell Forest.
1. Membership Classes	There shall be the following classes of membership: Full Members who are entitled to participate in all activities of the Society and are eligible to vote in meetings. Student Members who are in full time education and who are entitled to participate in all activities of the Society and are eligible to vote in meetings. Associate Members are entitled to the social privileges of Society membership and are eligible to vote in meetings. Visiting Members who are temporary members of the Society and who are eligible to participate in one production in any capacity whether performing, assisting or directing. Such members agree to pay a casting fee if performing. Honorary Members who have this honour conferred upon them by a General meeting of the Society and as such are not liable to pay subscription charges. Honorary members shall have the same privileges of membership as Associate Members except that an Honorary Member shall not serve on the Steering Group or be eligible to vote. The meetings, rehearsals, workshops, social events and other such activities of the Society may be attended by all persons in membership of the Society.
2. Subscriptions	All Full, Associate and Student Members shall pay a subscription fee as determined at an Annual General Meeting and shall have the right to vote at the AGM or an Extraordinary General Meeting. The Steering Group has the power to waive or reduce individual subscription fees in cases of hardship. Associate Members wishing to upgrade to Full Membership may do so by paying subscriptions equivalent to the difference between an Associate and Full subscription rates on a pro rata basis for the period of this membership change. All persons seeking membership or a change in their class of membership shall have their applications determined by the Steering Group. Members joining the Society during the first six months of any financial year shall be required to pay full fees. Members joining after the lapse of six months in any financial year shall be required to pay a reduced subscription at the discretion of the steering group. Only such Members as have paid the annual subscription shall be eligible to vote or otherwise share in the activities of the Society. At the discretion of the Steering Group, members whose subscriptions are in arrears may for such time forfeit these and all other rights and privileges of membership and their membership may lapse if arrears reach 3 months. Performing Members shall, in addition to the annual subscription fees, pay a production fee for each production they are in which is set by the Steering Group prior to the production.
3. Officers	The Society shall be managed by a Steering Group of at least 7 but no more than 9 members of the Society excluding Honorary and Visiting Members. The Officers of the Steering Group shall be: The Chairman, who shall preside over all meetings of the Society (except Sub-groups). In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman shall preside and, if both are absent, the meeting shall elect a temporary Chairman. The Secretary, who shall prepare the agenda and keep minutes of all Steering Group and General Meetings. A copy of the minutes shall be available to all members on request. The Treasurer, who shall keep full accounts which shall be audited prior to submission to the Annual General Meeting by a person approved at the previous AGM. This person does not need to be qualified in this task. The Social Secretary, who shall prepare the social calendar and manage the organisation of the events upon it, together with the organisation of any raffles and other such activities approved by the Steering Group. The Publicity and Press Officer, who shall co-ordinate all forms of publicity and maintain the corporate image of the Society. This Officer's main role shall be to enlist funding, including by sale of tickets and productions, sponsorship and advertising. The Membership Secretary, who shall be responsible for keeping all membership details up to date and for recruitment of new members of the Society. The Membership Secretary shall work closely with the Social Secretary in keeping members informed of performances, workshops and other events. The Production Co-ordinator, who shall be responsible for co-ordinating all aspects of productions and acting as a link between the Director and the Steering Group. The Officers shall serve for a maximum term of two years, with the exception of the Chairman who will serve for a maximum of three years, after which term they shall be eligible for re-election or election to any other office. If the above positions are filled, the AGM has the power to elect up to two additional voting members to the Steering Group who shall have no portfolio. The position of Vice Chairman shall be filled by election from the Steering Group with the Chairman having the casting vote. The Steering Group may co-opt a substitute to fill any Officer vacancy giving preference to any Steering Group member without portfolio. A co-opted member of the Steering Group shall have the same rights and responsibilities as an elected member of the Steering Group. Co-opted Members of the Steering Group shall serve until the next Annual General Meeting following their co-option at which they shall be eligible for election in the normal way.
4. Steering Group	The Steering Group must be quorate to make any decisions. The quorum is five members. The Steering Group can appoint sub-groups for specific or ad hoc purposes provided that such sub-group include at least one Steering Group member. The quorum for sub-groups is two. Steering Group meetings shall be open to any member of the Society unless the Steering Group votes to exclude all non-Steering Group members by a vote of two thirds majority. Only members of the Steering Group may participate in any vote at a Steering Group meeting. The Steering Group shall endeavour to ensure the activities of the Society enable as many members of the Society to participate in some way. The Steering Group shall have the power to suspend or expel any member of the Society who shall render themselves unfit for membership of the Society. Before any such member is suspended or expelled, the Secretary shall give them seven days written notice to attend a meeting of the Steering Group and inform them of the complaint(s) made against them. No member shall be suspended or expelled without first having had an opportunity to appear before the Steering Group in order to answer such complaints made against him/her, nor unless at least two thirds of the full Steering Group vote in favour of his/her suspension or expulsion.
5. Productions	The Steering Group shall be responsible for the selection of the Director and dates for each production. The Steering Group shall appoint a Director for each production at least four months before the dates it sets for the production. The Steering Group will first approve the potential Director's choice of production. The Director shall be responsible to the Steering Group for all aspects of the production and as such may be replaced by a two thirds majority vote of the Steering Group should they contravene the guidelines set for a Director. The guidelines for the Director shall be: To select a production with regard to the wishes and involvement of members of the Society, the Society's resources and capabilities, and commercial viability; To appoint and manage a cast and crew, demonstrating fairness, openness and integrity; During the course of the production, to attend Steering Group meetings as an ex-officio non-voting member. To have due regard to any constraints set by the Steering Group. To show and act with full commitment to the production; To fulfil any other requirements which the Steering Group may have requested of the Director as a condition of granting them permission to direct that production; The cast and crew shall agree to abide by the rules set by the Director for auditions, rehearsals and all other aspects of the production.
6. Liability	Members shall be personally responsible for any items loaned to them. The Steering Group shall charge a member for any item damaged or lost whilst in the care of that member. Copies of the Society's insurance policy shall be available upon application or request. The Society shall not be liable for an uninsured injury or loss to members or visitors or the property of either, however caused.
7. Financial	The Society's financial year shall run from 1 April to 30 March. All surplus monies of the Society shall be deposited or invested as the Steering Group may decide. Cheques and any other withdrawals shall require the signatures of both the Treasurer and one other Steering Group member so authorised by the Steering Group.
8. General Meetings	Annual General Meeting (AGM)The AGM shall be held after the end of the Society's financial year, and in any case within thirteen months of the previous AGM, to transact the following business: Approval of minutes of previous AGM and of any intervening General meeting The Chairman's report. To receive, and if approved, to adopt a duly audited statement of the Society's accounts to the end of the preceding financial year. To consider any proposal from the Steering Group to vary the level of subscriptions. To elect the Officers of the Steering Group. For any position that is contested, all candidates must be allowed to state their case before a secret ballot is executed. The candidate with the most votes will be elected. To adopt changes to the Constitution which must be circulated with the calling notice. Any other business that may be notified by a member to the Secretary at least seven days prior to the meeting or otherwise at the discretion of the Chairman. The quorum for a general meeting is one quarter of members entitled to vote, or 9 members, whichever is higher. Written notice calling an AGM shall be given by hand, post or by electronic means to all members at least fourteen days before the meeting. Notice addressed to the last address notified to the Secretary shall be good notice. Accidental omission to send notice or non-receipt of the same shall not invalidate the proceedings at the meeting. Extraordinary General Meetings (EGM)An EGM may be called at any time by resolution of the Steering Group, or shall be called within fourteen days of a written request to the Secretary signed by one quarter of the full membership. An EGM shall be called if the Steering Group becomes unquorate and is unable to co-opt additional members. Such a meeting shall be primarily for the election of Steering Group members to fill vacant spaces. Voting at General MeetingsAll votes shall be decided by a simple majority unless the proposal constitutes a change to the Constitution, in which case this will be decided by a two thirds majority of members eligible to vote. Members not present may vote by giving a written proxy to another member eligible to vote. Written proxies must be received by the Secretary at least 24 hours before the meeting. In the event of any equality of vote, the Chairman of the meeting shall have an additional, casting vote.
9. Dissolution	If a General Meeting of the Society convened at least fourteen days beforehand, by notice specifying the intention to propose the dissolution of the Society, shall resolve by a two thirds majority of members entitled to vote that the Society be dissolved, then the Steering Group shall take immediate steps to convert, into money, all property of the Society (with power to postpone the conversion of any particular property if a General meeting so authorises). Out of the proceeds of such conversion, the Steering Group shall discharge all debts and liabilities of the Society, and any balance remaining shall be disposed of as a General meeting may resolve; and thereupon the Society shall for all purposes be dissolved. If the Society shall not have resolved upon the disposition of such balance within six months after the date of the resolution to dissolve the Society, then the same shall be distributed equally between all persons who were paid up full members at the date of such resolution.