Constitution

1. NAME
The name of the organisation is the "Dorset Cyclists' Network" which may be abbreviated to DCN
2. OBJECTIVE
The objective of DCN shall be to promote cycling in the County of Dorset in any legal manner.
3. MEMBERSHIP
(a) Membership is open to all, with the reservation that the County Committee has the power to refuse or cancel membership if it appears to them to be in the interests of DCN to do so.
(b) Membership data may be made available to members of the County Committee for administrative use, but otherwise is confidential.
4. MANAGEMENT
a) The organisation shall be managed by a County Committee which may set up Branches throughout the County. Branches will each be responsible for the DCN objective in their areas.
b) Rules for the management of Branches shall be decided by the County Committee.
5. COUNTY COMMITTEE
a) Each DCN Branch shall be entitled to one place on the County Committee.
b) The County Committee shall be elected at a County Annual General Meeting.
c) If a majority of those present at an AGM agree, officers and Committee members may be elected to serve for one, two or three years.
6. OFFICERS
a) The County Committee will elect a Chairman and Treasurer. These may be additional to the Branch representatives.
b) It may also elect a General Secretary, Membership Secretary and other officers as necessary.
c) Specific functions may be assigned to committee members as necessary.
7. COOPTED COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The County Committee may co-opt additional members, but they shall not be entitled to vote on committee decisions.

8. COUNTY COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES
The County Committee shall be responsible for
a) Finance, including approving expenditure, setting the level of subscriptions and overseeing other sources of income.
b) Deciding DCN general policy on cycling issues
c) DCN publicity and advertising
d) Communication with members, including newsletter and web site
e) Giving support to Branches in carrying out their functions
f) Giving support to individual members where no Branch exists
g) Communication with the press and outside bodies on general cycling issues
9. DECISION MAKING
a) Decisions of the County Committee may be arrived at by meetings or by telephone, e-mail or other means of communication.
b) Decision will be made by a majority vote of those attending a meeting or being consulted by other means.
c) At least one such meeting or other form of discussion shall take place annually in addition to the annual general meeting.
d) For a decision to be taken, there must be a quorum of at least half the County Committee membership.
e) All members of the committee must be notified of proposals requiring a decision at least one calendar month beforehand.
10. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
a) The County Annual General Meeting shall be held in May or June and shall be open to all members and the general public.
b) Only fully paid-up members may vote.
c) The date and place of the AGM shall be notified to members at least 14 days before the meeting. This may be done through a newsletter or other means.
d) Nominations for County Committee members shall contain the consent of the person nominated and shall be in the hands of the Chairman or County Secretary at least seven days before the meeting.

e) If there are vacancies, nominations may be made at the meeting to fill them.
f) No resolution shall be adopted at the County AGM unless notice of the motion has been lodged with the Chairman or General Secretary at least 7 days before the meeting.
g) The Chairman shall call an Extraordinary County General Meeting at the request of any member who has the support of thirty or more households on the current paid-up membership list . The request must be made by letter to the Chairman and shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other business shall be discussed.
11. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
a) The Treasurer shall keep accounts of income and expenditure and shall submit a balance sheet , audited independently of the County Committee, to the annual general meeting.
b) The Treasurer shall open a suitable account, approved by the County Committee, in which shall be deposited all money not required for immediate needs.
c) The County Committee may authorise the Chairman, Treasurer or other Officer to sign cheques.
d) In the event of DCN ceasing to exist, any outstanding money and other assets shall be disposed of to the benefit of other groups campaigning for cyclists, at the discretion of the Committee.