The Constitution of the Hodgemoor Riding Association was adopted at a Special General Meeting of the Association on 26th April 2001.

1) Name
The name of the association shall be 'The Hodgemoor Riding Association,’ hereinafter referred to as 'the Association'.

2) Aims
The objects of the Association shall be:-

a) To contribute, with Forest Enterprise and other concerned bodies, towards the conservation of Hodgemoor Wood as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, while at the same time assisting in its development as a recreational area for a variety of users.

b) To further the interests of horse riders in and around Hodgemoor Wood.

c) To negotiate with Forest Enterprise and other bodies a network of horse trails and bridlepaths in and around Hodgemoor Wood.

d) To assist Forest Enterprise and other bodies to maintain the horse trails and bridlepaths in Hodgemoor Wood.

e) To represent the interests of riders in any discussions or relations with other users of Hodgemoor Wood and surrounds and to seek a harmonious coexistence with all other users.

To obtain, collect and receive money and funds by way of contributions donations legacies grants and any other lawful method PROVIDED THAT the Association shall not undertake any permanent trading activity in raising funds for the above mentioned charitable objects.

3) Membership
Membership of the Association shall be open to all individuals and corporate bodies who shall not benefit directly from funds raised by the Association.

4) Committee
There shall be a committee (all of whom shall be unpaid) consisting of

Chairman

Secretary

Treasurer

Four Members

5) Subscription:
The annual subscription shall be such sum as shall be fixed at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting.  Subscriptions shall become due on joining the Association for the period up to 1st April next after joining.  Thereafter they shall be payable in advance on 1st April each year save that the subscriptions of those who joined between 1st January and 31st March shall be valid for a period of a year starting on 1st April of that year. Members whose subscriptions are in arrears shall be excluded from membership.

6) Meetings

a) Committee Meetings

A minimum of seven days notice shall be given to hold a committee meeting.

Four members of the committee of whom at least one shall be the Chairman Secretary or Treasurer shall constitute a quorum

If the Chairman is absent from a meeting, the members of the Committee shall elect a Chairman for the meeting from among the members.

b) Annual General Meetings

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall take place in the month of October and shall be convened by the Secretary.

An AGM shall be convened by the Secretary giving at least fourteen days notice to the Members of the Association

The business of the AGM shall be to receive a report from the Committee, to approve the annual accounts, to appoint auditors, to elect the Officers and Committee members for the following year and to consider any matter of which reasonable notice has been given to the Secretary.

c) Special General Meetings.

The committee may resolve to summon a Special General Meeting at any time.

On receipt of a request in writing by any ten Members of the Association, the committee may resolve to summon a Special General Meeting.

The Secretary shall give not less than fourteen days notice of a Special General Meeting specifying the business to be transacted.

d) Voting

Every matter at all meetings shall be determined by a simple majority of those present and voting on the question.  In cases of equality of votes the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.

7) Accounts

a) All moneys shall be held in a separate bank account in the name of the Association with such Bankers as the Committee shall from time to time direct.  All cheques drawn on such bankers shall be signed by any two of the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.

b) The accounts shall be balanced annually as at 5th April.

a) The Committee shall have the general management and direction of the moneys and other assets and of the affairs of the Association in accordance with the aims of the Association.

b) The Committee shall have powers to fill a casual vacancy or vacancies on the Committee and the co-opted person shall hold office until the end of the next Annual General Meeting following their co-option.

10) Rules
Within the limits prescribed by this Constitution the Association may from time to time make and alter rules and regulations for the conduct of the business of the Association and for the summoning and conduct of their meetings PROVIDED THAT a resolution for such changes shall be included in the business of a Special General Meeting or an Annual General Meeting and passed at such a meeting.

The provisions of this Constitution may be altered by a two thirds majority of those present and voting at a Special General Meeting convened for the purpose and of which not less than fourteen days notice shall have been given to all the Members PROVIDED THAT no alteration to Clause 2, Clause 11 or this Clause shall take effect until the written approval of the Charity Commissioners or other authority having charitable jurisdiction shall have been obtained and no alteration shall be made which would cause the Association to cease to be a charity at law.

11) Winding Up
The Association may be dissolved by a resolution passed by a simple majority of Members of the Association present and voting at a Special General Meeting convened for the purpose and of which not less than fourteen days notice shall have been given to all the Members.  Upon dissolution the property and assets of the Association shall be applied to such charitable purposes as the Committee may with the approval of the Charity Commissioners or other authority having charitable jurisdiction determine.