Guest guest Posted October 18, 2006 Report Share Posted October 18, 2006 Good day everybody, What follows is the draft of the legal documents for ratifying a proposed not for profit, social enterprise, Gifted Friends of Tomorrow. It is the brainchild of a person on the autism spectrum who has asked that it be posted to Aspie and Autie mailing lists for discussion, and the collection of feedback, as going forward these people are intended to be the first beneficiaries of the initiative. I wanted to write a lot more about the project, and its intentions and workings, however I was asked not to be the person mentioned above who is sadly quite shy. He asks instead that if you have questions, you ask them so those unanswered by the document can be found and used to correct it. Primarily he asked that this document be submitted to you his fellow autistics so that you could provide your thoughts, and especially your criticisms. He promises faithfully to take your criticism on board, and return to you with at least one more Discussion Draft, possibly several. So please, e-mail with your thoughts, questions, concerns and criticisms at our specially registered e-mail address: giftedfriendsdraft@... Thank you very much, The future secretary of Gifted Friends of Tomorrow ------------------------ Memorandum and Articles of Association of Gifted Friends of Tomorrow Discussion Draft 1 of Version 3, 16 Jan 2006 THESE ARE DRAFT DOCUMENTS, NOT RATIFIED DOCUMENTS, Copyright © 2006 to the authors. Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this these document's, but changing it is not allowed. ------------------------- The Companies Act 1985 Company Limited by Guarantee and not having a share capital Memorandum of Association of Gifted Friends of Tomorrow 1 NAME The Company's name is Gifted Friends of Tomorrow 2 PURPOSE AND RATIONALE Creative genius is most prevalent among people with a wide variety of perceived 'disorders' more so than in the population as a whole. Those behind Gifted Friends of Tomorrow believe strongly in the wisdom of a Divine power, be it the will of some deity or brilliance of evolution, that those most damaged by our sick and unhealthy societies have been Gifted with the the means to improve the world that created them, and in so doing, help themselves. 3 REGISTERED OFFICE The Company's registered offices will be in England and Wales. 4 OBJECTS The Company's object is to carry on activities which benefit the community and in particular (without limitation) to: (1) Provide purpose and meaning, including employment, both paid and beneficial to persons suffering from some variety of pereferred disorder, refered to here after o as Gifted Persons). (2) To provide for a nominal fee of not more than the cost of provision, or £1 (whichever is greater) as a service, regular social events for Gifted persons, and their friends and family. (3) Gifted Friends of Tomorrow will act as both a primary and an umbrella corporation for businesses, which will employ or serve as an outlet for products and/or services developed by the Members. (4) Gifted Friends of Tomorrow will provide education and encourage growth and development among our Gifted persons and in the population as a whole, via the actions and work of the Members. 5 POWERS The Company has the power to do anything which is incidental or conducive to the furtherance of its object. 6 LIMITED LIABILITY The liability of the Members is limited. 7 GUARANTEE Every Member of the Company undertakes to contribute a sum not exceeding £1 to the assets of the Company if it is wound up during his, her or its membership or within one year afterward: (a) for payment of the debts and liabilities of the Company contracted before he, she or it ceased to be a Member & #894; ( for the costs, charges and expenses of winding up & #894; and © for the adjustment of the rights of the contributors among themselves. 8 STATEMENT OF ETHICAL FINANCIAL CONDUCT (1). Except for fair wages granted by the board to employees, no person or entity cacompanys buisness companys buisness. (2) No employee's wage will be less than one and a half times the minimal wage, or 40% of the net gain from their work if this amount is higher except when, (a) The employee is a true volunteer without wage. ( The employee requests for themselves a locompanys netprofit'smpanys netprofit's must be spent within a period of ten years of receipt towards the furtherance of the objects. We, the subscribers to this Memorandum, wish to form a Company pursuant to this Memorandum. Names, Addresses and Signatures of Subscribers Guarantee 1. Signature£1 Name Address Witness to the above signature. Signature£1 Name Address 2. Signature£1 Name Address Witness to the above signature. Signature£1 Name Address The Companies Act 1985 Company Limited by Guarantee and not having a share capital Articles of Association of Gifted Friends of Tomorrow TABLE OF CONTENTS SubjectArticles Part One: Definitions and Interpretation Definitions 1 Interpretation 2 Part Two: Asset Lock Transfer of assets 3 Part Three: Directors' Functions Directors' general authority to manage the Company4 Limits on Directors' functions 5 Directors' general authority to delegate functions 6 Committees of Directors 7 Part Four: Decision making by Directors Scope of rules 8 Directors to take decisions collectively 9 Unanimous decisions 10 Majority decisions 11 Meetings of Directors 12 Conflicts of interest 13 Records to be kept 14 Specified number of Directors for majority decisions 15 Chairing of meetings of Directors 16 Directors' discretion to make further rules 17 Defect in appointment 18 Part Five: Directors' Appointment and Terms of Service Minimum number of Directors 19 Eligibility to be a Director 20 Methods of appointing Directors 21 Retirement of Directors and election at annual general meetings 22 Termination of Directors' appointment 23 Directors' remuneration and other terms of service 24 Directors' expenses 25 Part Six: Appointment of Members Appointment of Members26 Transfer and termination of Membership27 Part Seven: General Meetings Annual general meeting 28 Other general meetings29 Notice 30 Quorum 31 Conduct of business – general 32 Voting procedures 33 Minutes 34 Part Eight: Miscellaneous Company Secretary 35 Company seal 36 Accounts and reports37 Notices 38 Indemnity 39 PART ONE: DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION 1 DEFINITIONS In these Articles the following terms shall have the following meanings. Term Meaning " 1985 Act " the Companies Act 1985 " 2004 Act " the Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004 " address " in relation tsuch communicationsmunications, includes any number or address used for thepurposes of suchcommunications " Articles " the Company's Articles of Association " Asset Locked Body " a community interest company, Charity or ish Charity or a body established outside Great Britain (for the purposes of article 3(2)(a), the United Kingdom) that is equivalent to any of those persons " Chair " the meaning given in article 16 " Charity " (except in the phrase, " ish Charity " ) the meaning given by Section 96 of the Charities Act 1993 " clear days " in relation to the period of a notice, that period excluding the day when the notice is given or deemed to be given and the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect " Company " Gifted Friends of Tomorrow Community Interest Company " Director " a Director of the Company, including any person occupying the position of Director, by whatever name called " Directors' functions " the meaning given in article 4(1) " electronic communication " the meaning given in the Electronic Communications Act 2000 " in writing " written printed or transmitted writing including by electronic communication " majority decision " the meaning given in article 11 " Members " the members of the Company as defined in the 1985 Act " Memorandum " the Company's Memorandum of Association " Regulations " the Community Interest Company Regulations 2005 " Regulator " the Regulator of Community Interest Companies " relevant quorum " the meaning given in article 15(1) " remuneration " any reasonable payment or benefit received, or to be received, by a Director or employee of the Company in consideration for that Director's or employee's services to the Company, and any arrangement in connection with the payment of a pension, allowance or gratuity to or in respect of any person who is to be, is, or has been a Director or employee of the Company or any of its predecessors in business " ish Charity " a body entered in the ish Charity Register " Secretary " the individual appointed as Company Secretary under article 35 " subsidiary " the meaning given in section 736 of the Companies Act 1985 " unanimous decision " the meaning given in article 10. 2 INTERPRETATION (1) Unless the context requires otherwise, words or expressions defined in: (a) the 1985 Act, ( the 2004 Act, or 10 © the Regulations, have the same meaning in the Articles. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1): (a) " community " is to be construed in accordance with section 35 of the 2004 Act and Part 2 of the Regulations & #894; ( " financial year " has the meaning given in section 223 of the 1985 Act & #894; and © " transfer " includes every description of disposition, payment, release or distribution and the creation or extinction of an estate or interest in, or right over, any property, or, in Scotland, a right, title or interest in or over any property. (3) Unless the context requires otherwise, all references to legislative provisions are to the legislation concerned as amended, repealed, reenacted or replaced and in force from time to time. (4) Unless the context requires otherwise, words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular. (5) All headings and explanatory notes are included for convenience only: they do not form part of the Articles, and shall not be used in the interpretation of the Articles PART TWO: ASSET LOCK 3 TRANSFER OF ASSETS (1) The Company shall not transfer any of its assets other than for full consideration. (2) Provided the condition specified in paragraph (3) is satisfied, paragraph (1) shall not apply to: (a) the transfer of assets to any Asset Locked Body specified in the Memorandum or Articles for the purposes of this article or (with the consent of the Regulator) to any other Asset Locked Body & #894; and ( the transfer of assets made for the benefit of the community other than by way of a transfer of assets to an Asset Locked Body. (3) The condition is that the transfer of assets must comply with any restrictions on the transfer of assets for less than full consideration which may be set out elsewhere in the Memorandum or the Articles. (4) If: (a) the Company is wound up under the Insolvency Act 1986 & #894; and ( all its liabilities have been satisfied, then any residual assets shall be given or transferred to the specified Asset Locked Body specified in the Memorandum and Articles for the purposes of this article. (5) For the purposes of this article, the following Asset Locked Body is specified as a potential recipient of the Company's assets under paragraphs (2) and (4). Name: Registered Charity Number [if applicable]: Registered Company Number [if applicable]: Registered Office / Principal office address: PART THREE: DIRECTORS' FUNCTIONS 4 DIRECTORS' GENERAL AUTHORITY TO MANAGE THE COMPANY (1) The Directors' functions are: (a) to manage the Company's business & #894; and ( to exercise all the powers of the Company for any purpose connected with the Company's business. (2) The Directors may delegate their functions in accordance with the Articles. 5 LIMITS ON DIRECTORS' FUNCTIONS (1) The Members may, by special resolution: (a) alter the scope of the Directors' functions & #894; or ( require the Directors to act in a specified manner. (2) No special resolution passed under paragraph (2) shall have retrospective effauthorise DIRECTORS' GENERAL AUTHORITY TO DELEGATE FUNCTIONS (1) Subject to the Articles, the Directors may delegate any of their functions to any person they think fit. (2) The Directors must not delegate to any person who is not a Director any decision connected with: (a) the taking of decisions by Directors & # 894; or ( the appointment of a Director or the termination of a Director's appointment. (3) Any delegation under paragraph (1) may authorise further delegDECISIONMAKINGirectors' functions by any person to whom they are delegated. 7 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS (1) Two or more Directors are a " committee " if the Directors have: (a) delegated any of the Directors' functions to them & #894; and ( indicated that they should act together in relation to that function. (2) The provisions of the Articles about how the Directors take decisions shall apply, as far as possible, to the taking of decisions by committees. PART FOUR: DECISIONMAKING BY DIRECTORS 8 SCOPE OF RULES (1) References in the Articles to decisions of Directors are to decisions of Directors which are connected with their functions. (2) Except where the Articles expressly provide otherwise, provisions of the Articles about how the Directors take decisions do not apply: (a) when the Company only has one Director & # 894; or ( to decisions delegated to a single Director. 9 DIRECTORS TO TAKE DECISIONS COLLECTIVELY Any decision which the Directors take must be either a unanimous decision or a majority decision. 10 UNANIMOUS DECISIONS (1) The Directors take a unanimous decision when they all indicate to each other that they share a common view on a matter. (2) A unanimfavourcision need not be taken at a meeting of Directors, or involve any discussion between Directors. 11 MAJORITY DECISIONS (1) The Directors take a majority decision if: (a) every Director has been made aware of a matter to be decided by the Directors & #894; ( all the Directors who indicate that they wish to discuss or vote on the matter have had a reasonable opportunity to communicate their views on it to each other & #894; and © a majority of those Directors vote in favour of a particular conclusion on that matter at a meeting of Directors. (2) Paragraph (1)(a) does not require communication with any Director with whom it is not practicable to communicate, having regard to the urgency and importance of the matter to be decided. 12 MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS (1) Any Director may call a meeting of Directors. (2) Every Director must be given reasonable notice of a meeting of Directors. (3) Paragraph (2) does not require notice to be given: (a) in writing & #894; or ( to Directors to whom it is not practicable to give notice, having regard to the urgency and importance of the matters to be decided, or who have waived their entitlement to notice. (4) Directors participating in a meeting of Directors: (a) must participate at the same time, but may be in different places & #894; and ( may communicate with each other by any means. (5) Questions arising at a meeting of Directors shall be decided by a majority of votes & #894; in case of an equality of votes, the Chair shall have a second or casting vote. 13 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST (1) In this article, a " relevant interest " is: (a) any interest which a Director has in & # 894; or ( any duty which a Director owes to a person other than the Company in respect of, an actual or proposed transaction or arrangement with the Company. (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), a Director shall be deemed to have an interest in a transaction or arrangement if: (a) the Director or any partner or other close relative of the Director has an actual or potential financial interest in that transaction or arrangement & #894; ( any person specified in paragraph (2)(a) is a partner in a firm or limited partnership, or a director of or a substantial shareholder in any Company, which has an actual or potential commercial interest in that transaction or arrangement & #894; or © any other person who is deemed to be connected with that Director for the purposes of section 317 of the 1985 Act has a personal interest in that transaction or arrangement. (3) Subject to paragraph (8)(, a Director who has a relevant interest must disclose the nadecisionmakingt of that interest to the other Directors. (4) Subject to paragraphs (5) and (6), when the Directors take a majority decision on any matter relating to a transaction or arrangement in which a Director has a relevant interest: (a) no Director who has such a relevant interest may vote on that matter & #894; and ( for the purposes of determining whether a relevant quorum is present, or whether a majority decision has been taken in relation to that matter, such a Director's participation in the decisionmaking process shaldisapplyored. (5) Paragraph (4) does not apply: (a) if the Director's interest cannot reasonably be regarded as giving rise to any real possibility of a conflict between the interests of the Director and the Company & #894; or ( if the Director's interest only arises because the Director has given, or has been given, a guarantee, security or indemnity in respect of an obligation incurred by or on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. (6) The Members may by ordinary resolution decide to disapply paragraph (4), either in relation to majority decisions generally or in relation to a particular decision. (7) Subject to the 1985 Act, if a Director complies with paragraph (3): (a) that Director: (i) may be a party to, or otherwise interested in, the transaction or arrangement in which that Director has a relevant interest & #894; and (ii) shall not, by reason of being a Director, be accountable to the Company for any benefit derived from that transaction or arrangement & #894; and ( the transaction or arrangement in which that Director has a relevant interest shall not be liable to be treated as void as a result of that interest. (8) For the purposes of paragraph (3): (a) a general notice given to the Directors that a Director is to be regarded as having a specified interest in any transaction or arrangement shall be deemed to be a disclosure that the Director has an interest in any such transaction or arrangement of the nature and extent so specified & #894; and ( any interest of which a Director has no knowledge, and could not reasonably be expected to have knowledge, shall be disregarded 15 SPECIFIED NUMBER OF DIRECTORS FOR MAJORITY DECISIONS (1) Subject to paragraph (2), no majority decision shall be taken at a meeting of Directors unless 60% (the " relevant quorum " ) participate in the meeting and are entitled to vote on the matter on which a majority decision is to be taken. (2) If the Company has one or more Directors, but the total number of Directors is less than the relevant quorum, a meeting of Directors may take a majority decision: (a) to appoint further Directors & #894; or ( that will enable the Members to appoint further Directors. 16 CHAIRING OF MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS (1) The Directors shall appoint a Director to chair all meetings of Directors. (2) If the person appointed under paragraph (1) is for any reason unable or unwilling to chair a particular meeting, the Directors shall appoint another Director to chair that process. (3) The Directors may terminate an appointment made under paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) at any time. (4) A Director appointed under this article shall be known as the Chair for as long as such appointment lasts. 17 DIRECTORS' DISCRETION TO MAKE FURTHER RULES (1) Subject to the Articles, the Directors may make any rule which they think fit about how they take decisions. (2) The Directors must ensure that any rule which they make about how they take decisions is communicated to all persons who are Directors while that rule remains in force. 18 DEFECT IN APPOINTMENT (1) This article applies if: (a) a decision is taken by the Directors, or a committee of the Directors, or a person acting as a Director & #894; and ( it is subsequently discovered that a person who, acting as a Director, took, or participated in taking, that decision: (i) was not validly appointed as a Director & # 894; (ii) had ceased to hold office as a Director at the time of the decision & #894; (iii) was not entitled to take that decision & #894; or (iv) should, in consequence of a conflict of interests, not have voted in the process by which that decision was take (2) Where this article fortys: (a) the discovery of any defect of the kind specified in paragraph (1)( shall not invalidate any decision which has been taken by, or with the participation of, the person in relation to whom that defect existed & #894; and ( any such decision shall be as valid as if no such defect existed in relation to any person who took it or participated in taking it. PART FIVE: DIRECTORS' APPOINTMENT AND TERMS OF SERVICE 19 MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DIRECTORS The number of Directors shall not be less than five and shall not exceed fourty. 20 ELIGIBILITY TO BE A DIRECTOR (1) A person shall not be a Director unless that person: (a) is a Member and (if that person is an individual) is willing to serve as a Director and has attained the age of 18 years & #894; and ( is elected or appointed as a Director in accordance with the Articles. (2) No person shall be elected or appointed as a Director in circumstances which, if that person had already been a Director, would have resulted in that person ceasing to be a Director under the Articles. 21 METHODS OF APPOINTING DIRECTORS onethird first Directors shall be the persons named in the Form 10 upon incorporation. (2) Thereafter, Dionethirdmay be appointed by ordinary resolution of the Members, provided that the appointment does not cause the number of Directors to exceed any number fixed by or in accordance with the Articles as the maximum number of Directors 22 RETIREMENT OF DIRECTORS AND ELECTION AT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (1) At the fifth annual general meeting all the Directors shall retire from office, and at every subsequent annual general meeting onethird of the Directors or, if their number is not three or a multiple of three, the number nearest to onethird shall retire from office. If only one Director is subject to retirement by rotation, that Director shall retire. (2) Subject to the 1985 Act, the Directors to retire by rotation shall be those who have been longest in office since their last appointment or reappointment, but as between persons who became or were last reappointed Director on the same day those to retire shall (unless thirtyfiveerwise agree among themselves) be decided by lot. (3) If the Members at the meeting at which a Director retires by rotation do not fill the vacancy, the retiring Director shall, if willing to act, be deemed to have been reappointed unless: (a)thirtyfiveeeting it is resolved not to fill the vacancy & #894; or ( a resolution for the reappointment of the Directtwentyeighto the meeting and lost. (4) A retiring Director who wishes to be considered for reelection shall give notice to the Secretary at least fourteen but not more than thirtyfive clear days before the date appointed for the annual general meeting. (5) A Member other than a retiring Director who wishes to be considered for election as a Director shall give notice to the Secretary at least fourteen but not more than thirtyfive clear days before the date appointed for the annual general meeting. (6) At least seven but not more than twentyeight clear days before the date appointed for holding an annual general meeting notice shall be given to all who are entitled to receive notice of the meeting of any person who is eligible for election or reelection as Director and has given notice under paragraph (4) or paragraph (5) (each such person being, for the purposes of this article, a " candidate " ) . (7) Every notice given under paragraphs (4), (5) or (6) shall state those particulars which would be required to be included in the Company's register of Directors if the person to which the notice relates were to be elected a Director. (8) Subject to paragraph (9), the question whether each such person is to be elected as a Director shall be decided by a separate ordinary resolution of the Members at the annual general meeting. (9) If: (a) a number has been fixed by or in accordance with the Articles as the maximum number of Directors (the " relevant maximum " ) & #894; and ( the number of candidates exceeds the relevant maximum less the number of those directors who are not retiring, then the election of Directors shall follow the procedure set out in paragraph (10) rather than that set out in paragraph (8). (10) Where the conditions specified in paragraph (9) are fulfilled: (a) each Member shall be invited to vote on the candidates by ranking them in order of preference on ballot papers which they must sign and return to the Company at or before the annual general meeting in order to cast their votes on the candidates (and any ballot papers returned at the annual general meeting must be returned before the time appointed for the return of ballot papers by the chair of the meeting) & #894; ( the annual general meeting may be adjourned for the counting of votes under paragraph (10)(a) (and, if it is so adjourned, the existing Directors shall continue in office until the outcome of the vote has been determined) & #894; and © the candidates elected as Directors shall be those who have been ranked highest in order of preference, taking account of the average of all Members' votes, and shall be equal in number to the relevant maximum less the number of those directors who are not retiring. (11) If fewer than the minimum number of Directors are elected at an annual general meeting, the Directors shall appoint further Directors to fill any vacancy 23 TERMINATION OF DIRECTORS' APPOINTMENT (1) A person shall cease to be a Director if: (a) that person ceases to be a Member & #894; ( that person ceases to be a Director by virtue of any provision of the 1985 Acts, or is prohibited by law from being a Director & #894; © any notice to the Company that that person is resigning or retiring from office as Director takes effect (except that where such resignation or retirement would otherwise lead to the Company having fewer than two Directors, it shall not take effect until sufficient replacement Directors have been appointed) & #894; (d) the Members pass an ordinary resolution removing that person from office & #894; (e) a contract under which that person is appointed as a Director of, or personally performs services for, the Company or any of its subsidiaries terminates, and the Directors decide that that person should cease to be a Director (f) the Directors decide, at a meeting of Directors, that that person should be removed from office, but such a decision shall not be taken unless the person in question has been given: (i) at least fourteen clear days' notice in writing of the proposal to remove that person from office, specifying the circumstances alleged to justify removal from office & #894; and (ii) a reasonable opportunity of being heard by, or of making representations in writing to, the Directors. 2) No powers to remove Directors may be given to persons who are not Members which immediately after their exercise could result in either: (a) the majority of the remaining Directors having been appointed by persons who are not Members & #894; or ( the number of Directors removed during the financial year of the Company by persons who are not Members exceeding the number of the remaining Directors, but this shall not prevent a Director from appointing, or subsequently removing, an alternate director, if permitted to do so by the Articles. 24 DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION AND OTHER TERMS OF SERVICE (1) Subject to the 1985 Act, and the Articles, the Company satisfying the community interest test, and any resolution passed under paragraph (2), the Directors may decide the terms (including as to remuneration) on which a Director is to perform Directors' functions, or otherwise perform any service for the Company or any of its subsidiaries. (2) The Members may by ordinary resolution limit or otherwise specify the remuneration to which any Director may be entitled, either generally or in particular cases. 25 DIRECTORS' EXPENSES The Company may meet all reasonable expenses which the Directors properly incur in connection with: (a) the exercise of their functions & #894; or ( the performance of any other duty which they owe to, or service which they perform for, the Company or any of its subsidiaries. PART SIX: MEMBERS 26 APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS (1) The subscribers to the Memorandum are the first Members of the Company. (2) Such other persons as agree to become Members of the Company, whose names are entered in the register of Members, and who are admitted to membership in accordance with the Articles, shall be Members of the Company. (3) No person shall be admitted as a Member of the Company unless he, she or it is approved by the Directors. (4) Every person who wishes to become a Member shall execute and deliver to the Company an application for membership in such form (and containing such information) as the Directors require. (5) Any person who is denied membership may appeal at a the general meeting, where their membership may be decided by resolution of the members. 27 TRANSFER AND TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP (1) Membership is not transferable to anyone else. (2) Membership is terminated if: (a) the Member dies or ceases to exist & #894; ( the Members pass an ordinary resolution expelling the Member & #894; or © otherwise iafterwardsce with the Articles. (3) No resolution shall be passed under paragraph (2) unless the Member has been given: (a) at least fourteen clear days' notice in writing that it is proposed to expel him, her or it, specifying the circumstances alleged to justify expulsion & #894; and ( a reasonable opportunity of being heard by or of making written representations to the Members passing the ordinary resolution PART SEVEN: GENERAL MEETINGS (MEETINGS OF MEMBERS) 28 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Company shall hold an annual general meeting: (a) within 18 months of the Company's date of incorporation and afterwards once in each calendar year (provided that not more than 15 months shall elapse between the date of one annual general meeting of the Company and that of the next) & #894; and ( at such date, time and place as the Directors shall determine.. 29 OTHER GENERAL MEETINGS (1) The Directors may decide to call a general meeting at any time. (2) The Directors shall call a general meeting on receiving a requisition to that effect in accordance with the 1985 Act. 30 NOTICE (1) Notice of general meetings shall be given to every Member, the Directors and the Company's auditors (if any). (2) All general meetings shall be called by at least 21 clear days' notice in writing. (3) Every notice calling a general meeting shall specify: (a) thereal-timedelectronicme of the meeting & #894; and ( the general nature of the business to be transacted. (4) In the case of an annual general meeting, the notice shall specify that the meeting is an annual general meeting. (5) If a special resolution is to be proposed, the notice shall contain a statement to that effect and set out the text of the special resolution. 31 QUORUM (1) No business shall be transacted at any meeting unless a quorum is present. (2) The quorum for a general meeting shall be 30% Members present in person (or, in the case of a corporate Member, by its duly appointed representative), or remotely present via realtime elecontric communications, and entitled to vote on the business to be transacted. (3) If a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting, the meeting shall stand adjourned for a minimum of seven days until such time as the Directors determine. 32 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS – GENERAL (1) The Chair shall preside as chair of the general meeting. In the Chair's absence, the Members shall appoint some other Director, or (if no Director willing to preside is present) Member to preside. (2) The chair: (a) may adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, with the consent of a meeting at which a quorum is present & #894; and ( shall do so if so directed by the meeting or in accordance withremotelycles.real- timeoelectronicshall be transacted at an adjourned meeting other than business which might propeauthorisedeen transacted at the meeting had the adjournment not taken place. (4) When a meeting is adjourned for fourteen days or more, at least seven clear days' notice shall be given specifying the time and authorisedhe adjourned meeting and the general nature of the business to be transacted. Otherwise it shall not be necessary to give any such notice. (5) Except as required by law, all decisions of the Members at a general meeting shall be made by ordinary resolution. 33 VOTING PROCEDURES (1) Every Member present in person, or remoteley via realtime elecontric communications, or by proxy (or, in the case of a corporate Member, by its duly authorised representative) shall have one vote. (2) A person who is not a Member shall not have any right to vote at a general meeting of favourCompany (except as the proxy or (in the case of a corporate Member) duly authorised representative of a Member). (3) Paragraphs (1) and (2) are without prejudice to any right to vote on a resolution affecting the rights attached to a class of the Company's debentures. (4) A declaration by the chair that a resolution has been: (a) carried & #894; ( carried unanimously, or by a particular majority & #894; © lost & #894; or (d) not carried by a particular majority, and an entry to that effect in the minutes of the meeting, shall be conclusive evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against the resolution. (5) In the case of an equality of votes, the chair shall be entitled to a casting vote in addition to any other vote he or she may have as a Member. (6) The proceedings at any general meeting shall not be invalidated by reason of any accidental informality or irregularity (including with regard to the giving of notice) or any want of qualification in any of the persons present or voting. (7) No objection shall be raised to the qualification of any voter except at the general meeting or adjourned meeting at which the vote objected to is tendered, and every vote not disallowed at the meeting shall be valid. Any objection made in due time shall be referred to the chair whose decision shall be final and binding. 34 MINUTES (1) The Directors shall cause minutes to be made and kept in writing of all proceedings at general meetings of the Company. (2) Any such minute, if purported to be signed by the chair of theauthorisedor by the chair of the next succeeding general meeting, shall be sufficient evidence of the proceedings. PART EIGHT: MISCEauthorised 35 COMPANY SECRETARY (1) Subject to the provisiauthorised 1985 Act, the Directors shall appoint an individualauthorisedas Company Secretary for such term and at such remuneration and upon such otheauthorisedions as they may think fit. (2) The Directors may decide to remove a person from the office of Secretary at any time. 36 COMPANY SEAL (1) This article applies if the Company has a seal (the " common seal " ). (2) The common seal shall only be applied to a document if its use on that document has been authorised by a decision of the Directors. (3) If the common seal is applied to a document, the document shall be: (a) signed by an authorised person & #894; and ( countersigned by another authorised person. (4) For the purposes of this article, an authorised person is: (a) any Director & #894; ( the Secretary & #894; or © any person authorised by the Directors for the purpose of signing and countersigning documents to which the common seal is applied. 37 ACCOUNTS AND REPORTS (1) The Directors shall comply with the requirements of the 1985 Act and any other applicable law as to keeping financial records, the audit or examinations of accounts and the preparation and transmission to the Registrar of Companies of annual reports and accounts (2) Subject to paragraph (3), the Company's statutory books and accounting records shall be open to inspection by the Members during usual business hours. (3) The Company may in general meeting impose reasonable restrictions as to the time at which and the manner in which the statutory books and accounting records of the Company may be inspected by Members. 38 NOTICES (1) Except where the Articles provide otherwise, any notice to be given to or by any person under the Articles shall be in writing to an address for the time being notified for that purpose to the person giving the notice. (2) The Company may give any notice to any person under the Articles: (a) in person & #894; ( by sending it by post in a prepaid envelope addressed to that person at that person's registered address, or by leaving it at that address & #894; © by fax or by electronic communication to an address provided for that purpose & #894; or (d) by posting it on a website, where the recipient has been notified of such posting in a manner agreed by that person. (3) A person present at any meeting shall be deemed to have received notice of the meeting and, where requisite, of the purpose for which it was called. (4) Proof that: (a) an envelope containing a notice was properly addressed, prepaid and posted & #894; or ( that an electronic commujudgement or fax has been transmitted to tjudgementct address or number, shall be conclusive evidence that the notice was given. (5) A notice shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to be given: (a) at the expiration of 48 hours after the envelope containing it was posted & #894; or ( in the case of a notice contained in an electronic communication or fax, at the expiration of 48 hours after the time it was transmitted. 39 INDEMNITY (1) Subject to the 1985 Act, a Director shJudgementindemnified out of the Company's assets against any expenses which that Director incurs: (a) in defending civil proceedings in relation to the affairs of the Company (unless judgement is given against the Director and the judgement is final) & #894; ( in defending criminal proceedings in relation to the affairs of the Company (unless the Director is convicted and the conviction is final) & #894; © in connection with any application for relief from liability for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the affairs of the Company (unless the Court refused to grant the Director relief, and the refusal is final). (2) Judgement, conviction or refusal of relief becomes final if the period for bringing an appeal or any further appeal has ended and any appeal brought is determined, abandoned or otherwise ceases to have effect. (3) This article is without prejudice to any other indemnity to which a Director may be entitled. Names, Addresses and Signatures of Subscribers 1. Signature Name Address Witness to the above signature. Signature Name Address 2. Signature Name Address Witness to the above signature. Signature Name Address Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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