This section gives you an overview of the what a governing document is & what is contained within one.
Introduction to Governing Documents:
A governing document is a written description of what the organisation is and the rules by which it operates;is the organisation’s central document, setting out its purposes, powers and rules.
Its form depends on the legal structure of organisation:
Organisation Type Governing document Use
Unincorporated Associations Constitution
Trust Trust Deed or Declaration of Trust
Industrial and Provident Society Rules
Company Limited by Guarantee Memorandum and Articles
Community Interest Company Memorandum and Articles
A basic set of rules can be useful for the following reasons:
- It set out the groups agreed aims and objectives and it explains how the group make decision.
- It detail who is responsible for what.
- A set of rules or constitution is often required by funders and organisations such as banks.
- You may need a set of rules or constitution to affiliate to some umbrella organisations e.g. Voluntary Action Luton.
- It also gives the group a degree of credibility.
- It avoids confusion about who has responsibilities for a group especially when it is being in it development by another organisation.
Writing a Set of Rules or Constitution
Constitutions are known by many names - Set of Rules, Aims and Objectives, etc.
The constitution should set out clearly:
- The name of the organisation
- The overall objects (aims) of the organisation
- The powers of the organisation
- Rules for membership
- Rules for the Annual General Meeting and other general meetings
- Rules for selecting the managing committee
- The Financial roles
- How to alter the constitution
- A dissolution clause stating how a decision to close the organisation should
- be made.
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