Change to the constitution No 1

 

The audit. 

 

We have never had a professional audit made of our accounts; to do so would cost more than we have.  The word audit has always been taken to mean a lay audit carried out by members but this has rarely, if ever, been done prior to the AGM and the accounts presented have always been un-audited.  We have on occasion got a members to do a lay audit after the AGM.  We are not averse to an audit, however, it is generally difficult to find someone to do it.  As such we want to alter the constitution to allow un-audited accounts to be presented furthermore we will introduce a finance policy that will allow any member to inspect the accounts.

 

Change

 

In Paragraph 7 remove the word lay is inserted before the word audited.

 

 

 

 

Change to the constitution No 2

 

Goal: to remove the references to specific supporting faith groups, this is because the supporting faith groups have changed over time, to the point that 30% of our membership are not members of a supporting faith group.  In addition we do not wish to appear to exclude other faith groups or appear to classify some faith groups as “main” or imply others are minor. 

 

Changes:

 

Replace paragraph 4

 

Supporting Faiths - Reading Interfaith Group is supported by members of the following faith communities: Baha'i, Brahma Kumaris, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh.

 

With

 

Supporting Faiths - Reading Interfaith Group is supported by members of many faith communities and strives to include and support all faiths.

 

Replace the sentence in Paragraph 9

 

Nominations may be made to the Committee by a supporting faith group.

 

With

 

Nominations may be made to the Committee by any member.

 

In Paragraph 5 remove the words

 

to ensure, where possible, that it has at least one member of each of the supporting faith communities.

 

Change to the constitution No 3

 

Goal: Remove specifics about our activities, this is because they limit us to those activities and prevent us from doing things such as have web sites, support other organisations events or to engage in other activities pursuant to our goals.  We have very rarely been able to organise an event where we experience each other's worship or witness each other's ceremonies, yet this is demanded as part of our constitution. 

 

Paragraph 1 remove the words:-

 

To arrange occasions at which we experience each other's worship, witness each other's ceremonies, enter into dialogue with one another and celebrate our common commitment to spiritual values.

 

Paragraph 6 remove the words:-

 

and be responsible for planning and arranging the Group's annual programme of events.

 

 

Change to the constitution No 4

 

Goal: to remove the need to elect the Vice Chairman, Hon. Secretary and Hon, Treasurer and to allow the position to be decided by the committee and for internal flexibility.

 

Replace in Paragraph 5

 

The officers and members of the committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting

 

With

 

The Chairman and members of the committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting

 

Replace in Paragraph 7

 

officers and members of the Committee

 

with

 

Chairman and members of the Committee

 

Change to the constitution No 5

Goal: There have been problems in the past with the election of chairman, which have resulted in our chairman serving more than 2 consecutive years, contrary to our constitution, (with the full support of our membership).

 

Paragraph 5 remove the words

 

The Chairman shall not serve for more than two consecutive years.

 

Change to the constitution No 6

 

There has been a suggestion that it takes a year to get ones feet under the desk as chairman and that a 3 year term would enable a chairman to be more effective.

 

Replace in Paragraph 7

 

members of the Committee for the ensuing year

 

with

 

 

Change to the constitution No 7

 

Goal: to remove the perceived gender bias from the constitution by replacing the word chairman with the word chair

 

Actions

 

Replace the word Chaiman with Chair