Suffolk Naturalists' Society
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The Suffolk Naturalists' Society was founded in 1929 to promote interest in Suffolk's natural history. The Society's goals are to study, record and stimulate research into the county's flora, fauna and geology. Since its formation, recording has become a major component of the Society's work. Member's observations are forwarded to specialist
recorders who log the data with the Suffolk Biological Records Centre, based at Ipswich Borough Council Museum. The data is then processed into meaningful maps and data sets which are used to monitor the condition of Suffolk's natural heritage - a continuous, ongoing and vital process. The Society produces two excellent and award winning annual publications - Suffolk Natural History and Suffolk Birds. In addition to these, members receive our regular newsletter White Admiral which is packed with informative and lively articles. All three publications are issued free to members.Experienced naturalists lead an interesting and varied programme of field meetings. We also hold an annual conference on a wide variety of natural history subjects. This attracts distinguished speakers from all over the country and is an excellent opportunity to consider Suffolk's biodiversity in a wider context. To attend the conference you need not necessarily be a member, all are welcome. As an added bonus, when members join both the Suffolk Naturalists' Society (SNS) and the
Suffolk Ornithologists' Group (SOG), subscriptions are offered at a reduced rate. Joint members receive the benefits of publications and can attend the meetings of both Societies.|
SNS |
SNS/SOG |
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Individual |
£15.00 |
£26.00 |
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Family |
£17.00 |
£30.00 |
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Junior (under 18) |
na |
£14.00 |
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Corporate |
£17.00 |
n/a |
CONSTITUTION
1. The title shall be THE SUFFOLK NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY.
2. The objects of the Society shall be:
2.1 To study and record the fauna, flora and geology of the County.
2.2 To publish Suffolk Natural History, Suffolk Birds and White Admiral. These publications shall be free to members except those whose annual subscriptions are in arrears.
2.3 To liase with other natural history societies and conservation bodies in the County.
2.4 To promote interest in natural history and the activities of the Society.
3. Council:
3.1 The Society shall be governed by a Council which shall meet at least four times a year, a quorum of one third of its membership being necessary to conduct business.
3.2 The Council shall consist of the Officers of the Society, viz. Chairman, Honorary Treasurer and Honorary Secretary with the editors of the Society’s regular publications (Suffolk Natural History, Suffolk Birds and White Admiral), the Suffolk Biological Records Officer, Programme Secretary and eight elected members. Ex officio members of Council may not also be elected members.
3.3 The Chairman shall hold office for four years and not be eligible for immediate re-election. Each year two of the eight elected members shall retire in turn and not be eligible for immediate re-election. unless they were originally elected to serve for less than two years following the early resignation of another Council member
3.4 The Officers of the Society and elected members of Council shall be elected at an Annual General Meeting. Nominees must be proposed by a fully paid up member of the Society and duly seconded by another fully paid up member. The nomination shall be given to the Honorary Secretary in writing before January 31st.
3.5 The Council shall have the power to co-opt up to two additional members for a specified time but not longer than to the next Annual General Meeting. The Council shall, as necessary, appoint the editors and the Programme Secretary.
3.6 The Trustees nominated for contact with the Charity Commissioners shall be the holders of the posts of Chairman, Honorary Treasurer, and Honorary Secretary.
3.7 Any elected member of Council who fails to attend a Council meeting over a period of 12 months shall stand down at the earliest Annual General Meeting, unless there are exceptional circumstances as determined by Council.
3.8
Council shall be entitled to appoint a sub-committee to deal with any matter. The chairman of a sub-committee must be an ex-officio or elected member of the Council. Council shall agree the terms of reference for each sub-committee.4. Membership:
4.1 The Society shall have the following categories of membership: Individual, Family, Corporate and Honorary.
4.2 Alteration of all or any of the annual subscriptions shall be made only at an Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting summoned in accordance with 7 below.
4.3 Members who have given valuable service to the Society may be approved as Honorary Life Members by Council. In exceptional circumstances nominees may be awarded a Rivis Vice-Presidency. In addition to honorary life membership, Rivis Vice-Presidents may attend all Council Meetings, as observers, and may receive copies of the associated papers.
4.4 There shall be no more than five Rivis Vice-Presidents at any one time. A Vice-President shall not be prohibited from becoming an elected member of Council or Officer of the Society.
4.5 There shall be an Honorary President appointed by Council. The President shall hold office for four years and will be eligible for immediate re-appointment. The President may attend all Council meetings, as an observer, and will receive copies of all Council papers.
4.6 There shall be a Patron who will be appointed, as necessary, by Council. The Patron may receive copies of the Council minutes and his/her comments and advice will be heard by Council.
5. Finance:
5.1 The funds of the Society shall be held in a General Account. Those requiring investment shall stand in the name of the Official Custodian for Charities, but investment shall be in such securities as the Council shall think fit. Both capital and interest may be spent in furtherance of the Society’s objectives at the discretion of the Council.
5.2 Council may establish such Special Accounts as it thinks necessary. Funds in Special Accounts requiring investment shall stand in the name of the Officers of the Society and both capital and interest may be spent at the discretion of the Council.
5.3 A statement of Accounts shall be presented, duly audited, to the Annual General Meeting by the Honorary Treasurer.
5.4 During the continuance of the Society no part of its funds shall be distributed among the members generally, but this rule shall not preclude the Council from making grants to individual members in furtherance of the objectives of the Society.
6. The Annual General Meeting:
6.1 The Annual General Meeting shall be held in April. At this meeting affairs of the preceding calendar year shall terminate.
6.2 Motions for discussion at the Annual General Meeting shall be submitted in writing to the Honorary Secretary by January 31st.
6.3 Notice of the Annual General Meeting and of the business to be transacted thereat shall be sent to all members at least fourteen days in advance of the meeting.
7. An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called by the Chairman or by a minimum of 25 fully paid up members or five per cent of the fully paid up membership, whichever is the higher, submitting a written request specifying the proposed motion to the Chairman. Notice of an Extraordinary General Meeting and of the business to be transacted thereat, shall be sent to all members at least fourteen days in advance of the meeting.
8. On the dissolution of the Society its remaining funds and assets shall be transferred by the trustees to such other charitable societies or institutions whose objects include the study or protection of the fauna, flora and geology of the County or England generally as the Council may think fit, or be applied by them as the Charity Commissioners may direct, but no part of the said funds and assets shall be distributed amongst the members.
9. If any question or dispute shall arise as to the correct interpretation of any part of this constitution the Council shall give a ruling which shall be deemed for all purposes to state the true interpretation and meaning thereof.
10. No alteration to this constitution shall be made except by resolution, notice of which shall be given to the Honorary Secretary in writing before January 31st, passed at the Annual General Meeting of the Society. No alteration to 5.4 and 8 shall be made without the express permission of the Charity Commissioners.
11. A copy of this constitution and any subsequent revisions and interpretations shall be given to all members.
April 2000
