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If you would like to learn more about Mill Rise or would like to get more involved, contact Janet Rawlinson on 01782 635200
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Village Life / Constitution

NAME
1.	The group shall be known as: Friends of Mill Rise
AREA
2.	The group will be open to all prospective residents of the Mill Rise Extra Care Scheme and residents from the surrounding community who may use the public services which are to be built at Mill Rise.
OBJECTIVES
3.	To make sure that residents are fully consulted and their views are taken into account.
4.	To help promote a sense of community and build friendships for residents moving into the new Mill Rise scheme.
5.	To give residents the chance to influence decisions made about the Mill Rise scheme.
6.	To keep the surrounding community informed and updated on the development at Mill Rise.
7.	To secure funding for social and leisure activities.
MEMBERSHIP
8.	Membership shall be open to all residents who have expressed an interest in the Mill Rise Scheme and other persons as the group shall agree irrespective of sex, nationality, race, colour, political or religious beliefs, over the age of 55 (due to the nature of the extra care scheme and the residents who willing be living there)
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
9.	The group should demonstrate a commitment to the promotion of race equality, equal opportunities and the elimination of disadvantage and actively encourage involvement from under-represented groups.
10.	The group, in the conduct of its affairs, prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, sex, age, sexuality, disability, religion and political affiliation.
MONIES RAISED
11	Monies raised by or on behalf of the group shall only be used to achieve the Objectives of the group or for charitable donations agreed with Members.
12.	The group will hold a bank or building society account and records of all transactions shall be maintained by the Treasurer. A minimum of two Committee Members’ signatures shall be required for any withdrawal or cheques required on behalf of the group.
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
13.	The business of the group shall be conducted by a Committee of at least 3 members elected at each Annual General Meeting, which shall consist of Treasurer, Secretary and Chair, and other Officers or Members as the AGM may decide. No more than two Committee Members shall be from the same family or household.
14.	The Committee may co-opt non-voting members onto the Committee as required to carry out the defined objectives of the group for a defined period of time.
15.	The removal of Officers and Committee Members may only be carried out by a two thirds majority of those present and voting at the General Meeting of the group. The Committee may temporarily fill any vacancy arising among the Officers of the group from its other members until the next General Meeting.
16.	The Committee shall meet as necessary and not less than 4 times per year.Participation at meetings by non-Committee members who fail to notify the Secretary beforehand shall be dependent upon the discretion of the Chair.
17.	The group shall call at least two publicised open meetings per year in order to sound out local opinion.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS
18	The Committee shall hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) and present either a Chair’s report or the Annual Report of the group in June. If the Annual Report is not available for this meeting, it will be made available to Members within 6 months of the date of the AGM. At the AGM : The Committee shall present the Chair’s Report or the Annual Report of the group The Committee shall present Audited Accounts for the group for the previous year. Committee Members shall be nominated and elected to serve for the next 12 months.
19.	Not less than 14 days notice of the AGM shall be given
SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
20.	The Secretary shall call a Special General Meeting at the request of the majority of the Committee, or on receipt of a written petition by not less than 10 members of the group giving reasons for their request.
21.	The Secretary shall give not less than 7 days notice of the date for an SGM which must take place within 21 days of a request. Notice for all meetings will include Time, Date and Place of meeting and an Agenda.
QUORUM
22.	The quorum for Committee meetings shall be 3 members.
23.	The quorum for all General Meetings shall be 5 members.
REPRESENTATION
24.	Any member delegated to represent the group in consultation with any other body shall act on the instruction of the group and shall report back to the next available meeting of the group.
SUB-COMMITTEES
25.	The Committee shall have the power to delegate any of their functions to sub-committees consisting of two or more persons appointed by them (but at least one member of the sub-committees must be a Committee Member) and all proceedings must be reported promptly to the Committee.
CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION
26.	All Members shall be provided with a summary copy of the Constitution.
27.	Any alteration to the Constitution shall require the approval of a majority of those present.
28.	The constitution will be reviewed at least once every two years, to fit in with the changes in the Mill Rise Development.
DISSOLUTION OF THE GROUP
29.	If a Committee no longer exists any 4 Members may notify the Membership of a special general meeting to be held which can dissolve the group by a majority, of those attending and voting at the meeting.
30	At least 14 days notice shall be given prior to this meeting.
31.	If dissolved the meeting shall place all books and documents in the safekeeping of Aspire Housing’s Resident Involvement Team.
32.	Assets, financial or otherwise remaining when the group has satisfied any liabilities shall be used for the purposes set out in the objectives of the group, details of which shall be decided by those present at the meeting.