Rules & Constitution

Note: This information is updated immediately new information is received. Open Sandwich Design

1). The Association shall be called the “Sandwich & District Chamber of Commerce” and the Aims of the Chamber are:-

• to promote, encourage and foster the general trade and business of the Town & District;
• to safeguard the rights and privileges of it’s members and to take such action as may be deemed to be necessary in cases where such rights and privileges are affected;
• to consider and discuss trade, business, national, local and other questions affecting members and to take action wherever necessary;
• to advance commercial and social intercourse between the members and to arrange such meetings and functions as may be considered desirable;
• to cooperate with any trade association or similar organisation for the betterment and advancement of the Chamber’s members;
• to ensure that the interests of the Chamber are adequately represented in relation to public affairs.

2). No party politics or theological subjects shall be entertained by the Chamber.

3). Membership of the Chamber shall be open to all persons, firms and companies who are concerned in furthering the interests of Sandwich & District upon being duly proposed and seconded by existing members and receiving the votes of the majority of those present at an Executive Committee meeting.

The Committee shall have power to refuse applications for membership without assigning any reason, or return the subscription of any member, whereupon membership shall cease. The subscription shall be determined by the Executive Committee and approved at the Annual General Meeting.

4). All subscriptions shall be due on 1 st January each year.

5). Any member whose subscription for the previous year shall be twelve months in arrears shall cease to be a member.

6). The management of the Chamber shall be vested in a President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and Executive Committee of 12, to include 2 members from Eastry and 2 members from Ash. The Officers and the Executive Committee to retire annually but be eligible for re-election. The President shall be elected for two years and shall be eligible for re-election. The Executive Committee have power to co-opt additional members to their numbers for special purpose. Each candidate for the Executive Committee shall be nominated by two members of the Chamber. The election shall be by ballot; if necessary, each member present at the time of election to have one vote for each vacancy.

7). From time to time a sub-committee may be formed by the Executive Committee to make recommendations to the full Committee in connection with any matter.

8). There may be quarterly general meetings. The Annual General Meeting of the Chamber shall be held not later than the end of April when the Officers and the Executive Committee shall be elected. Other Executive Committee meetings are to be monthly, except the month of August.

9). Any vacancies in the offices of President, Chairman, Treasurer or Secretary, or members of the Executive Committee occurring between any two monthly meetings, may be filled by the Executive Committee at the next monthly meeting.

10). The Treasurer’s Accounts, having first been audited by a Member appointed by the Committee, shall be submitted to the Annual General Meeting.

11). A Special Meeting may be called on the written requisition of three members to the Secretary, such requisition to set forth the objects for which the meeting is required and, on receipt of such requisition, the Secretary shall call the Meeting to be held within fourteen days.

12). Notice of all Committee Meetings shall be circulated by the Secretary to each Committee Member. This notice shall state the nature of the business to be transacted. Seven day’s notice shall be given of all meetings.

13). The quorum of all General Meetings of the Chamber shall be seven and at Committee Meetings four.

14). No rule shall be made or altered except by a Resolution of the Chamber after due notice.

15). The Chair of all meetings shall be taken by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman, or in their absence, by a Chairman appointed by the meeting.

16). The votes of the Chamber shall be taken by a show of hands, but if three members object to a show of hands, a ballot shall be taken on any question. In the event of an equality of votes, the Chairman shall have the casting vote.

17). A list of the members of the Chamber shall be kept by the Secretary and shall be produced to any member on request.

18). The business of the Annual General Meeting shall be in the following order:-

• Minutes
• Reports of Committee
• Election of Officers and Executive Committee

Only one amendment is to be dealt with at a time.

Any amendment is to be disposed of before a fresh amendment is entertained.

No member at an Annual General Meeting shall speak more than once on the same motion or amendment except the mover, who shall have the right of reply.

19). Reporters shall be admitted to all non-executive meetings of the Chamber.

20). Any member shall have the power to invite strangers to any non-executive meeting of the Chamber, but they shall not take any part or vote at such meetings of the Chamber.

21). The Secretary shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and shall receive such remuneration as shall be fixed by the Executive Committee.