Constitution

The full name of the Association shall be Comunn Birlinn Gaidheilaich, the Association shall be known as Comunn Birlinn and is hereinafter referred to as the Association.

1.Objects The objects of the association shall be to advance education of the public in traditional boatbuilding skills and seamanship and thereby enable a wide range of people to have access to their cultural heritage. In furtherance thereof, but not otherwise, the association shall seek: (a) To build West Highland Galleys, or any other traditional Scottish vessels considered suitable by the Association, using traditional boat building methods. (b) To undertake educational voyages, using any traditional vessel considered suitable by by the association, with particular emphasis on the schoolchildren of the western seaboard of Scotland. (c) To promote knowledge of the maritime history of the Celtic seas. (f) To act as a repository for writings and oral traditions on galleys (and other traditional Scottish vessels), and their historical operation

2. Powers The powers of the Association will be:- (a) To raise, spend and hold funds in a bank or otherwise. (b) To promote and provide for the dissemination and exchange of knowledge and information. (c) To employ and pay any person or persons to supervise, organise and carry on the work of the Association (d) To engage and pay fees to professional advisors/consultants to assist the work of the Association. (e) To make representation to and enter arrangements with national or local government and appropriate statutory or voluntary agencies. (f) To take out membership of such organisations as are considered to be in the interest of and compatible with the objects of the Association. (g) To advise in relation to, organise, support and/or conduct educational and training programmes, courses, seminars, and events of all kinds directed towards the acquisition or development of skills which are relevant to the Association and the objects of the association.

3. Membership Full membership is open to all. Registered members shall be entitled to vote at general meetings. Affiliate membership shall be open to voluntary and statutory organisations who wish to further the aims of the Association, and individuals with a special interest in or special knowledge of the Association's aims. Affiliate members shall not be entitled to vote.

4. Management Committee (a) The management of the association shall be in the hands of a management committee consisting of a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Shipwright and a minimum of three and maximum of seven ordinary members. (b) The committee shall elect office bearers amongst themselves (c) All committee members shall be elected at the AGM and shall serve a maximum of two years. They shall then be eligible for re-election. (d) In addition to the office bearers and elected members, the committee may request to serve on the committee, in an advisory capacity, other interested individuals or representatives of stautory or voluntary organisations, as the committee may determine, provided that no such advisory members shall be entitled to vote. (e) A member of the management committee shall be deemed to have resigned if they are absent from three consecutive meetings without acceptable cause. (f) The management committee shall meet at least four times a year. (g) The management committee shall keep a minute book in which proceedings of AGMs, EGMs and business meetings shall be kept. (h) A quorum shall consist of four members of the management committee, of whom at least two shall be office-bearers.

5. Finance (a) The financial year shall commence on 1st of April each year. (b) The Treasurer shall keep accurate records of money received and spent and these records shall be examined by an independent competent person or accountant elected at the AGM. (c) All money and property received by the Association shall be used to further the aims of the Association and shall not be used by any officer or other member of the management except for expenditure properly incurred on its behalf or for out of pocket expenses. (d) No member of the management committee shall be liable for any loss incurred by the Association, provided the action which led to the loss was made in good faith.

6. Annual General Meeting (a) The AGM shall be held within three months of the presentation of the accounts. (b) No less than 28 days notice shall be given to the members of the Association of the time and place of the meeting and the business to be transacted in it. (c) Notice of resolutions for discussion at the AGM shall be given in writing, duly proposed and seconded, to the Secretary at least 28 days before the date of the AGM. (d) Seven members personally present, of whom at least two shall be office-bearers, shall be a quorum.

7. Extraordinary General Meeting (a)An EGM may be called by the executive committee or by the written request of one third of the members, addressed to the secretary and clearly stating the purpose of the meeting. (b) Provided the purpose stated is legitimate, the EGM shall be called and conducted according to the rules for an AGM.

8. Voting (a) Voting shall be on the basis of a simple majority except in regard to Dissolution of the Association, which must be passed at a general meeting of the Association by a majority of at least two thirds of voting members. (b) Any amendments to the Constitution may be passed by a simple majority of those present at a general meeting called for the purpose, providing that all members have received due notification in writing of the proposed changes and the time and place of the meeting.

9. Dissolution (a) The Association may be dissolved by at least a two thirds majority of members, casting their votes in person or by post, at a General Meeting, the notice of which specified the the proposal to dissolve the Association. (b) Any funds or assets remaining after the proper payment of all debts and liabilities shall be given to any other recognised charitable organisation or organisations that have aims similar to those of the association. In the event that effect cannot be given to the aforementioned provisions the residuary assets shall be applied to some other charitable aim or aims as the membership shall decide.