Constitution and Rules of The McGuffin Group

1. Name
   The name of the organisation shall be The McGuffin Group.
   
   
2. Objectives
   To advance the education of the public in the knowledge, understanding And appreciation of the arts, particularly the art of film and television, and Allied visual techniques. In furtherance of the foregoing objective, but not Further or otherwise, to promote the study and appreciation of film and Television by means of lectures, discussions and exhibitions. A further Objective of The McGuffin Group is to promote and preserve the former ABC / EMD Cinema as an important cultural, architectural and historical Resource. To promote intercultural awareness, understanding and harmony through the showing of a wide range of films from overseas countries, in Languages other than, and including, English. To provide an outreach service to minority ethnic communities within the borough of Waltham Forest and Adjoining districts, by from time to time screening films of relevance and Interest to cinema goers within those communities.
   
   
3. Executive
   The Organisation shall be in the hands of an Executive Committee (hereinafter referred to as 'the Executive' or 'the Committee'), whose decisions shall be final in all matters. Said Committee to consist of the following:
   
   
1. Chairperson, Treasurer, Press Liaison Officer, Membership Secretary, Events Co-ordination Officer, Fund Raising Officer, Film Co-ordination Officer, Technical Advisor, Technical Assistant. All of the above shall be empowered to take such action as is reasonable to adequately carry out their individual Functions. Any dispute on this matter shall be decided by A meeting of the Executive called for this purpose only. Any person occupying any of the above positions shall be Removed from office under the following circumstances Only:
   
   
1. Upon resignation from Executive
2. Upon termination of membership
3. Upon an affirmative vote by not less than two-thirds of the Executive. A meeting to consider such a course of action may be called at the written request of not less than twenty full members.
   
   
2. In addition to the above, there may be appointed to the Executive Committee one representative from the general membership, who Shall have full speaking and voting rights at Executive Committee Meetings. This person may be nominated and voted upon by the Membership in attendance at an Annual General Meeting.
3. The Committee may, if so desired, co-opt additional persons in the form of advisors. Such persons may attend Committee meetings, but shall not have voting rights.
4. For the purposes of clarity, the 'Executive' shall be considered to be the executive body for both The McGuffin Film & TV Society and McGuffin Events. However, membership (Clause 6(1)) refers only to membership of McGuffin Film & TV Society and any rights held by the membership shall be deemed to Be held under the aegis of Film & TV Society only. Whilst membership of McGuffin Film & TV Society automatically includes membership of The McGuffin Group, no member - with the exception of Executive Committee Members - shall have rights with regard to The McGuffin Group as a whole.
5. Where any Committee vacancies exist, these shall be advertised within the general membership and appointed by the Executive. Such appointees shall be subject to ratification at an AGM.
6. There shall be a Sub-Committee consisting of a maximum of eight members. Five positions of said Sub-Committee shall be: Designer, Publicity Assistant, Events Assistant, Box Office Assistant and one Member without portfolio, all of whom shall be appointed by The Executive Committee. Two other positions may be filled as and when Required, and may be elected at an AGM. All members of the Sub-Committee Shall have such powers as deemed necessary to undertake their work. However, The Sub-Committee shall be at all times accountable to the Executive Committee, and no decision shall be taken contrary to Executive Committee Policy on any matter. Members of the Sub-Committee may attend Executive Committee meetings but shall not have voting rights. Members of the Sub- Committee shall only be removed upon an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Executive Committee.
   
   
4. Meetings
   The Committee shall meet at dates and times as it may deem necessary, but shall Ideally meet at least once per month. The agenda at such meetings shall include the following:
   
   
1. Apologies for absence, Business arising from previous meeting, Financial report Events, Membership, Film Programming, and Any other business.
   
2. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall usually be held in March of each year, although it may be postponed, rescheduled or cancelled if, in the opinion of the Committee, special circumstances apply. The order of business at an Annual General Meeting shall be as follows: Apologies for absence, Officers Reports, Election of Membership Representative, Financial Reports, and Any other business. A formal notice of an Annual General Meeting shall be given by the Chairperson to members not less than 14 days prior to said meeting. Only Full Members (as in 6(1)(a)) with at least 28 days continuous membership during the preceeding 12 months shall be entitled to attend an AGM.
   
3. The order or content of (a) above may be changed by a majority vote of members present at the meeting.
4. No meeting shall continue once a time period of two hours has elapsed, unless extended for a specific time period by a majority vote of those members present. One extension only shall be permitted.
5. The quorum for Executive meetings shall be four. For an AGM it shall be twelve. In the event of a non-quorate AGM, the meeting shall be cancelled and a Special General Meeting (SGM) will be called with a quorum of ten at least seven days after the date of the AGM. If this is inquorate, further SGMs (with quorums of ten) may be called as Necessary. An SGM following an inquorate AGM may be postponed, rescheduled or cancelled if, in the opinion of the Committee, special circumstances apply.
6. A Special General Meeting (SGM) may be held if 20 members (except as in 6(1)(b)) write to the Chairperson asking for one. The Chairperson must call such an SGM within 21 days of receiving such a request. At an SGM the agenda would be the same as at an AGM. New members of the Executive Committee - as in 3(e) - may be ratified at an SGM.
   
   
5. Chairperson
   The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings, and their ruling shall be final unless formally challenged by not less than fifty percent of the Executive Committee. Upon Such a challenge, it shall take precedence over all other business and a vote on the Chairpersons ruling shall be taken. If a majority of the Executive Committee vote against the ruling, then it shall be overturned, except in such cases where this would contravene the Constitution and Rules of The McGuffin Group. The Chairperson shall have both a deliberative and a casting vote.
   
   
6. Affiliates
   The McGuffin Group shall consist of two independent and autonomous affiliates. Neither affiliate, nor The McGuffin Group itself, shall be wound up except by an affirmative vote of not less than six members of the Executive, who shall then decide upon disposal of assets. The said affiliates shall be:
   
   
1. The McGuffin Film & TV Society, ("The Society") who shall be responsible for the actual programming and presentation of 35mm cinematograph films. Such films may be obtained by the Film Co-ordination Officer (or authorised deputy) only, and on behalf of The Executive. Membership may be offered at the discretion of the Executive to any person over the age of 16. Eligibility: Membership and participation in the Society shall be open to all members of the community who are in agreement with our stated aims and objectives, upon payment of the appropriate subscription. Equal opportunities: McGuffin's welcomes participation by all members of the community irrespective of nationality, physical appearance, cultural background, age, gender, sexuality, disability and political or religious beliefs.
   
   
1. Household membership shall cost £5.00 (£3.00 concessions) and shall include all persons generally residing within any residency (not including multiple-occupancy dwellings) whose names are notified to the Society. Membership shall commence on the date of confirmed payment, and shall last for one calendar year unless otherwise decided by the Executive Committee. Only one person in each household shall have the right to vote at a General Meeting. Such members shall be known as Full Members.
2. Temporary Membership shall cost £0.50 and shall be valid for twenty-four hours from time of acceptance.
   
   
1. Members (except as in 6(1) (b) above) shall be entitled to sign in up to two guests, who shall be personally known to the member. The introducing member shall be personally responsible for the conduct of their guests while on theatre premises and during film presentations.
2. Members shall only be granted admission to the theatre on production of a valid membership card. No member or guest under the age of 18 shall be admitted to the theatre when the programme includes an '18' certificated film.
3. Members shall purchase tickets for their guests. No tickets shall be sold to non-members.
4. Full members shall be entitled to such additional benefits as may be decided by the Executive on occasion.
5. Membership of The McGuffin Film & TV Society shall be terminated in the following circumstances:
   
   
1. upon non-payment of membership fees
2. When in the opinion of two-thirds of the Executive Committee, conduct of any member renders termination of their membership desirable. Such members shall be informed of the decision in writing and shall have right of appeal to an AGM or SGM with the written support of not less than ten members (except as in 6(1) (b)). Persons removed from membership shall not again be accepted as members unless agreed by two-thirds of the Executive, and shall forfeit subscription fees with the exception of advance ticket Payments.
   
   
6. The McGuffin Film & TV Society shall be non-political (i.e. it shall not espouse the cause of any political party).
7. The McGuffin Film & TV Society shall not be run for the private profit of any member. Any financial assets at the end of the year shall be carried over and devoted to the Objectives of The McGuffin Group. No member shall receive financial payment either directly or indirectly for their services, other than legitimate expenses incurred in the furtherance of McGuffin Group Objectives. Committee members deemed to hold a financial or vested interest in any matter under review or discussion by the Committee shall not vote or attempt to unduly influence the Committee decision on said matter.
   
   
2. McGuffin Events, whose sole purpose shall be the promotion of the McGuffin name by means generally - although not exclusively - other than the presentation of 35mm Cinematograph films, plus the raising of funds for the benefit of The McGuffin Film & TV Society. Such events to be controlled and co- ordinated by the Events Co-ordination Officer of The McGuffin Group, plus any persons appointed by said Officer.
   
   
7. Alterations to Rules and Constitution
   Any proposal to amend or alter Clause 4 (except (e)), Clause 6 (1) or Clause 2 only of The Constitution or Rules of The McGuffin Group shall be permitted only at an Annual General Meeting, and must be presented in writing to the Chairperson not less than 7 days prior to the date of the meeting (except in such circumstances deemed an emergency by not less than two-thirds of the Executive Committee, whereupon such alterations shall be permitted at any time, and with immediate effect). Two-thirds of the Executive shall vote in favour of any alteration or amendment in order for it to take effect. Amendments or alterations to any other clause(s) shall not be permitted except if desired by not less than two-thirds of the full Executive.