Beaumont Society Constitution

ARTICLE I NAME
1. The name of the Society shall be the "BEAUMONT SOCIETY", hereinafter called the Society.

ARTICLE II PURPOSES
1 To form an association for all Transgenderd persons, and through this association to provide a means of help and communication between members, in order to reduce the emotional stress, eliminate the sense of guilt, and so aid the better understanding by them and of their families and friends.
2. To promote and assist by all means possible the study of gender role differences.
3. To inform lay and professional groups about all aspects of Transgenderism and Gender Dysphoria and about the work of the Society and, by such and any other lawful means, to gain public understanding and tolerance for this mode of behaviour and help for those so affected.
4. To engage generally in any cause or object to promote the above purposes, and to do anything necessary and proper for their accomplishment.

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
1. The number of members of the Society shall not be limited, but members shall acquire membership in the classes stated below and shall have rights and responsibilities only as defined in this Constitution.
2. Qualifications For Membership
a Members shall be of the age of majority, (as laid down by act of Parliament), which in 2007 is eighteen.
b Members shall sign the declaration which appears on the Application for Membership, and also a declaration that they are prepared to accept the Constitution.
c Such applications must be accepted by the Society's officers as laid down in Article III:3a & 3b.
3. There shall be five classes of membership.
a/ E Member: These members are those who have membership through the internet only, and will have no voting rights.
b/ FULL MEMBERS: These are members of the Society  They have the right to vote and to use all the facilities of the Society.
c/ HONORARY/LIFE MEMBERS: Despite the provisions of ARTICLE III:2, and in full recognition of ARTICLE II: it is realised that certain individuals have greatly contributed to the aims of the Society and Honorary membership may be offered to them at the absolute discretion of the Executive Committee;
d/ FAMILY ASSOCIATION MEMBER: A full member may apply for joint membership with his/her partner/family member.   The Family Association's Membership will be as the full members but with an "A". i.e. 5 59-- A.   The Associate member will have the same rights as their full member has, except that they will not receive a Magazine or Bulletin in their own right, or be required to pay any fee.   Associate Membership ceases with non-renewal of the full members membership.
e/ Women of Beaumont Society (WOBS) helpline operators shall be bound by the Constitution as Full Members of the Society during their period of tenure.   WOBS have their own autonomy and shall operate their own guidelines providing they do not conflict with the guidelines of the Society.

ARTICLE IV FEES AND DUES
1. The Society
a The annual subscription shall be defined by the Executive Committee.
b The rejoining fee for any member whose membership has lapsed for a period in excess of two years, shall be the same as that for a new member.
c The annual subscription is the amount required from a member to maintain that membership in good standing.   The sum payable shall be determined by the Executive Committee and shall become due on the anniversary of the member joining the Society.
d Annual subscriptions shall be waived for the members of WOBS Helpline Operators during their period of tenure and for Honorary/Life Members.
2. The Regions
Each region, as defined by the Executive Committee, shall by a two thirds majority of votes cast by its Regional officers, establish fees and dues in such amounts as it may deem necessary, to cover the expenses of any Regional activities and may levy such fees and dues on those members participating in Regional activities.   Non-payment of such Regional Fees and Dues shall not prejudice a member's normal benefits as a full member of the society.
3. Hardship
In the event of financial hardship, the Executive Committee empowers the Regional organisers to reduce or waive any subscription or fee due from a member detailed in ARTICLE lV:1a as they see fit.

ARTICLE V WITHDRAWAL, SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION
1. Any member may resign from membership at any time by so notifying the Executive Secretary in writing, but membership fees paid shall not normally be refunded.
2. In the event that a member's conduct is, in the opinion of an Officer of the Society, deemed to be prejudicial to the Society then that person's rights of membership shall be suspended forthwith.   The complaint shall be put to that person in writing, who shall then have the right to submit a reason or defence of that conduct either in writing, or in person to the Executive Committee, whose decision shall be final.
3. Failure of any member to pay the Annual Subscription within a period of three months after the due date shall result in automatic termination of membership.   The Society's publications shall not be sent after the renewal date has passed.

ARTICLE VI  Organisation.
1. Executive Committee
a The Executive Committee shall be the Governing Body of the Society and shall consist of the PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, TREASURER, MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY, MAGAZINE & BULLETIN EDITOR's and all REGIONAL ORGANISERS.
The Executive Committee shall be responsible for establishing all policies by means of appropriate resolutions in respect of the Society's purposes, conduct and applicable law.
b The Executive Committee shall meet not less than twice a year, preferably in March and September.   The day-to-day running of the Society shall be dealt with by the National Officers, who shall comprise the President, Vice President, Executive Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Secretary.   The President shall preside at such meetings of the Executive Committee except when unable to attend or so requests.   The Executive Committee shall then appoint one of their numbers to take the chair and to use the casting vote.
c A quorum for a meeting of the Executive Committee shall be a majority of the Executive Committee, each member exercising one vote only.   No action may be taken nor resolution adopted by the Executive Committee except by the affirmative vote of the majority of those present, each member having one vote only, with the exception of the Presiding Officer who shall have the casting vote in the event of a tie.
d Should a member of the Executive Committee be unable to attend a meeting of that Committee, another full member can be nominated by that Officer to attend and vote.
2. Regional Organisation
The British Isles shall be divided into Regions. Each region shall have a Regional Organiser who shall be responsible for organizing the Society at a Regional level within the constitution of the Society, for providing opportunities for social contact amongst its members, and for initiating and sustaining liaisons with other local organisations
3. Sub Committees
The Executive Committee shall establish and dissolve such sub Committees from time to time as it deems necessary, and determine their business.
4. Co-opted Members
Both the Executive and Regional Committees shall, if needs be, co-opt additional Committee members having specific skills or knowledge, for special tasks.

ARTICLE VII OFFICERS
1. The Society shall have as voting members at Executive Committee meetings: the President, Vice President, Executive Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Magazine & Bulletin editor's, WOBS representative, and all Regional Organisers.
2. The President, Vice President, Executive Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership Secretary shall be jointly responsible for the custody and control of all records and documents relating to membership.   They shall be responsible for the security and confidentiality of such records and documents, subject to the provisions of ARTICLE IX.
3. The Executive Secretary shall provide a secretarial service for the Executive Committee.
4. Role of Treasurer
The Treasurer shall maintain records of all disbursements and receipts, of the Society's finances and of the Society's Bank and Building Society accounts as provided within ARTICLE XI.
The Treasurer shall be nominated by the full Executive Committee and shall be approved by a simple majority vote of that Committee, the appointment being for a term of two years.
Funds belonging to The Society shall be deposited in such Banks or Building Societies in the name of the 'Beaumont Society' that are authorised by the Executive Committee and shall be disbursed as the Executive Committee shall determine.   The Treasurer shall maintain records of all disbursements and receipts, of the Society's finances and of the Society's Bank and Building Society accounts as provided within ARTICLE XI.   The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining adequate accounting records which shall be reconciled to bank / building society statements on a regular basis. Periodically the Treasurer shall also reconcile bank/building society receipts for membership payments to a list of paid up members provided by the membership secretary.
The Treasurer shall be required to report on the financial standing of the society to the Executive Committee on a regular basis which may be determined by the Executive Committee.
Audits
The Executive Committee shall appoint an Independent Auditor, preferably Honorary, to carry out an inspection of the funds and property of the Society and to report to the members annually, or at such other times as the Auditor deems prudent.   The Auditor shall be empowered to report to members if necessary without reference to the Executive Committee.   Once in each financial year the Editor of the Society's Magazine shall accept and publish the Auditor's report as submitted and the Auditor shall report upon whether the financial operations of the Society have been conducted within the terms of the Constitution.   The person appointed as Auditor shall, ideally, be a member of an acceptable Professional Body, and shall continue in office year by year subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, unless the Auditor does not wish to.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the safe keeping of all supporting documentation to the accounts, including bank statements, and will be required to provide access to all records and documentation to the independent auditor appointed by the Executive Committee (normally on completion of the annual accounts).
The Treasurer shall also provide access to all records and documentation to any serving member of the Executive Committee after receiving reasonable notice of their intention to carry out an inspection.
Authorised Signatories
Bank and/or Building Society Club accounts must be held in the name of the 'Beaumont Society' and at least three members of the Executive Committee shall be authorised signatories an all such accounts. (Normally the Treasurer, President and one other Executive Committee Member authorised by the Executive Committee).   The Treasurer will be responsible for routine payment of bills and expense claims and will have authority to sign cheques / make payments to a limit set by the Executive Committee from time to time.   Practically this should enable most regular/routine disbursements to be dealt with in the strength of one signature) Cheques / payments and/or transfers of funds in excess of the limit set by the Executive Committee shall require a second signature.
5. The PR. Officer with the responsibility for Public Relations shall be responsible for the promotion of the Society in general, and for ensuring that knowledge of its existence and its work is given to outside organisations.   This officer shall deal with all correspondence that might be regarded as appertaining to public relations.
6. Magazine and Bulletin Editor's, shall be full member's of the Society and will be responsible for producing the Magazine and Bulletin and to arrange for the said Magazine and Bulletin to be with the printers/publisher's in time for the production and distribution in line with the executive committee's recommended distribution dates.

ARTICLE VIII ELECTIONS
1. Regional Officers
a Area Organisers shall be appointed by the Regional Organiser, with appointments being for a period of two years.
b Regional Organisers shall be volunteers who are prepared to further the aims of the society and be nominated by members of their region.   If more than one applicant is nominated then a ballot of the membership of that region shall take place.   The National Officers shall oversee the ballot.   The applicant with the most votes will stand as the Regional Organiser for that region.   The office will be held for a period of two years, after which time a new nomination will be required.   Should no member of a region be willing to serve as the Regional organiser, the matter will be referred to the National Officers.   The election of a Regional Organiser shall, whenever possible, take place in the year that the Area Organisers are NOT being appointed, other than by their resignation or removal from office.
2. Executive Officers
a President, Vice President & Executive Secretary.
Nominees for these positions shall be proposed and seconded by members of the Society.   If more than three members, who are prepared openly to be available, are nominated for any of these positions, then a meeting of the full Executive Committee will select three from these candidates, who shall then be balloted by the members, to serve in the office nominated.   Each officer shall serve for a period of three years and the appointments of these officers shall be alternated so that only one is elected in any one year.
b The election of the Executive Secretary shall be in 2008 and every three years thereafter.   Similarly the Vice President shall be elected in 2009, the President in 2007 and every three years thereafter.   Nominations shall be considered at the first Executive Committee Meeting of the year in which the election is to take place.
c Only postal balloting shall be allowed of all full members and, in the event of a tie, the Executive Committee shall decide by a simple majority vote, which nominee has been elected.
d Should any of these Officers resign, or be removed from office, the remaining Officers of the Executive Committee shall nominate a successor to fill the vacated post for the remainder of the term of office, with this nomination being approved by a simple majority vote.
4. Treasurer, Membership Secretary, These Officers shall be nominated by the full Executive Committee and shall be approved by a simple majority vote of that Committee, with each of these offices being for a term of two years, with re nomination as appropriate.
5. Re-election.
Any Officer shall be eligible to stand for re-election for a further term, if so prepared to serve.
6. Willingness to Serve.
Persons nominated for any appointment shall signify in writing their willingness to serve in that post and all candidates shall have been full members, for a period of not less than twelve months, subject only to the discretion of the Executive Committee.
6. REMOVAL OF AN OFFICER
Should the Conduct of any Officer be deemed to be prejudicial to the interests of the Society, that Officer may be removed from office by a special ballot, or by a vote at a meeting of the Executive Committee?   In either case, a two-thirds affirmative vote shall be sufficient to remove the Officer.   Any Officer removed in this way shall be barred from holding further office.

ARTICLE IX RECORDS
1. The Society recognises that the acquisition and retention of members depends on their identity being kept inviolate and that neither the Society, nor its Officers and members, shall under any circumstances divulge the identity of another member, without that member's expressly written consent.
2. In order to satisfy the requirements of Section 1 of this article and also to enable the Society to function; information supplied by members shall be classified in Grades.
Grade 1. This shall be information that is given on the membership application form and subsequent correspondence and, any other information as the Member or applicant may decide is not for use by other Officers of the Society.
Grade 2. This shall be information that is required for the efficient administration of the Society, but which is not classified as Grade 1.   It may include Members names and addresses, to enable the Executive to communicate with members, although any member may decide that such information about him/herself should be classified as Grade 1.
3. With the exception of the details given on the application form, information may be reclassified only with the written consent of, or at the request of, the member to whom it relates.
4. Availability of classified information.
Grade 1. Information classified as Grade 1 shall be available only to the President, Vice President, and Executive Secretary, Membership Secretary and Treasurer who shall be responsible for the security of such information.
Grade 2. Information classified as Grade 2 shall be available to the President, Vice President, Executive Secretary and to such other members of the Executive Committee that the aforementioned Officers deem should have it.
5. Liability for disclosure
Whilst the Society understands the need for the security of the information given to it by its members and agrees to do all in its power to prevent such information being disclosed, neither the Society nor its Officers can accept any liability for the consequences of such information being disclosed, irrespective of how such disclosure occurred.   Furthermore all members shall agree by signing their membership application or renewal forms, that neither the Society, nor its officers, shall be held liable for any such disclosure.

ARTICLE X FUNDS
1. Funds belonging to The Society shall be deposited in such Banks or Building Societies that may, from time to time, be authorised by the Executive Committee and shall be disbursed as the Executive Committee shall determine.
2. The WOBS shall hold their own account and pay out of it the bills of the administration of their service. They shall provide the Executive Committee, with an annual costing, so that the Society Grant may be maintained plus any membership donations.

ARTICLE XI PROPERTY
1. The funds and property, both real and personal, of the Society shall be considered solely and exclusively the property of the Society and in which no member shall have any individual interest, other than that to which each may be entitled by operation of the law upon final Dissolution of the Society.
2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the declared intention of the Society that in the event of Dissolution, the funds and assets then in hand shall be used in some endeavour, as similar as possible to the purposes stated in ARTICLE II, rather than be distributed to members of the Society.
3. The Executive Committee shall make the first appointment of an Independent Auditor, preferably Honorary, to carry out an inspection of the funds and property of the Society and to report to the members annually, or at such other times as the Auditor deems prudent.   The Auditor shall be empowered to report to members if necessary without reference to the Executive Committee.   Once in each financial year the Editor of the Society's Magazine shall accept and publish the Auditor's report as submitted and the Auditor shall report upon whether the financial operations of the Society have been conducted within the terms of the Constitution.   The person appointed as Auditor shall, ideally, be a member of an acceptable Professional Body, and shall continue in office year by year subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, unless the Auditor does not wish to.
4. Any National Officer, who, showing good cause and giving reasonable notice in writing, shall be entitled to request the surrender of all records, information, equipment and monies owned by the Society, pertaining to its members, or held on its behalf by another Officer.

ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS
1. With the exception of ARTICLE II PURPOSES, the articles in this Constitution may be subject to Amendments, Additions or Deletions at a meeting of the Executive Committee.
2. No Amendment, Addition or Deletion shall be deemed carried unless it receives a two-thirds majority of the Executive Committee present in Quorum.

Revised September 1986

Revised January 1992

Revised 18th March 2007

The foregoing Constitution is to come into effect on 18th March 2007, as agreed at a meeting of the executive Committee held on 18th March 2007, in London, and all previous Constitutions of the Beaumont Society will then be cancelled.