Constitution
1. Name –
The organisation shall be known as Birding For All (re-named in 2010 – formerly known as the disabled birders association).
2. Mission Statement –
Birding For All is established to promote sensitivity towards disabled birders special needs, by able-bodied birders, parks and reserves, birding and ornithology organisations, and equipment and service providers. It will not press for such facilities if it can be shown that to do so would adversely affect wildlife.
3. Aims & Objectives –
The object of Birding For All is to relieve disabled persons by promoting and improving their access to the countryside and wildlife, and in particular the activity of birdwatching.
4. Powers –
In furtherance of the objects but not otherwise the Executive committee may exercise the following powers:
a. Power to raise funds and invite and receive contributions provided that in raising funds the Executive Committee shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities and shall conform to any relevant requirements of the law
b. Power to buy, take on lease or in exchange any property necessary fro the achievement of the objects and to maintain and equip it for use
c. Power to cooperate with other charities, voluntary bodies and statutory authorities operating in the furtherance of the objects or of similar charitable purposes and to exchange information and advice with them
d. Power to publicise all access problems
e. Power to lobby any membership organisation for birders & ornithologists to respect the needs of disabled birders
f. Power to report access problems in parks and reserves to Birding For All, the reserves & parks owners, managers or operators, and parent organisations & local authorities
g. Power to press for commerce to make provision for those with special needs including design of equipment
h. Power to make a positive contribution to our pastime thus demonstrating that disabled birders have much to offer
i. Power to organise trips, outings and holidays for members
j. Power to do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of the objects.
5. Equal Opportunities –
Birding For All membership will be open to all irrespective of gender, race, sexual orientation, class, religion, caste or culture. Birding For All members are expected to uphold the rights of all people not just those with special needs.
6. Country Code –
Birding For All members will respect the countryside and country code under the dictum “bring nothing but wonder, leave nothing but footprints (or wheeltracks), take nothing but photographs”. They will adhere to good birding practice as set out by birding organisations and so always put the interest of birds above their own.
7. Membership
a. Special Needs – membership will be open to all birders with special needs
b. Supporters – membership will be open to all those who have an interest in promoting the special needs of disabled birders
c. Organisations – membership is open to all international, national, regional & local birders organisations, clubs and associations [they may be asked for payment of an affiliation fee].Commercial – membership is open to all commercial companies producing equipment for birders or providing services to birders on payment of an affiliation fee or any company giving sponsorship to Birding For All.
8. Membership Fees –
until otherwise decided no fee will be charged to members of Birding For All but those wishing to [who can afford to do so] may make donations.
9. Donations & Fundraising –
Birding For All may collect donations and raise funds to cover its administration and activities costs. Accounts will be published on the WWW and, when levels of income or expenditure are reached according to which (under English law) they need to do so accounts will be audited.
10. Legal Status –
Until & unless the association is awarded charitable status, Birding For All will be recognised as an “unincorporated association” (under English law).
11. International Ambit –
Membership is open to anyone (as described above) from any nation. Birding For All sees itself as an organisation open to all people as its aims and objectives are not narrow nationalistic concerns.
12. Activities –
Birding For All will have the power to take part in or organise activities for and/or by birders with special needs. It (and its members individually) may lobby, provide information, advise and otherwise seek to influence anything, which affects birders with special needs. It may also organise (or take part in) activities that are provided to cater for those special needs.
13. Officer Holders –
Birding For All may appoint an Executive Committee and/or office holders, annually, or otherwise delegate named members, to act on its behalf. Office holders shall act as “trustees” of the association and be its Executive Committee.
a. Birding For All will have the following office holders but may appoint other offices as it sees fit. Treasurer, Chair, Membership Secretary, Access Officer, Newsletter editor.
b. The Treasurer will ensure that accounts are kept and presented annually.
c. Newsletters will be sent to all members who do not have internet access – otherwise a website will be maintained.
14. Meetings –
“Meetings” of the association may be of two types:
a. Ordinarily the dba officers will consult members via an internet mailing group to which all members (who have the facility) will be automatically subscribed. The officers will communicate by email. Those not “on-line” may be consulted by post or telephone.
b. Extraordinary meetings may be called by a simply majority of officers or by at least 30 ordinary members acting together. Such extraordinary meetings must notify ALL members of the meeting and give notice of resolutions, which can be voted upon electronically, by post, or at the meeting. Ballots may also be organised electronically by 30 members acting together if officers requested to organise such ballots fail to do so.
15. Alterations to the Constitution –
Subject to the following provisions of this clause the constitution may be altered by a resolution passed by not less than two thirds of the members present and voting at a general meeting. The notice of the general meeting must include notice of the resolution, setting out the terms of the alteration proposed.
a. No amendment may be made to clause 1, clause 3, clause 15 or this clause without the prior consent in writing of the Commissioners
b. No amendment may be made which would have the effect of making the charity cease to be a charity at law.
c. The officers should promptly send to the Commission a copy of any amendment made under this clause
16. Dissolution –
If the officers of Birding For All decides that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the charity it shall call a meeting of all members of the charity, of which not less than 21 days notice (stating the terms of the resolution to be proposed) shall be given. If the proposal is confirmed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting the officers shall have power to realise any assets held by or on behalf of the charity. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institution or institutions having objects similar to the objects of the charity as the members of the charity may determine or failing that shall be applied for some other charitable purpose. A copy of the statement of accounts, or account and statement, for the final accounting period of the charity must be sent to the Commission.
For more about birding for all read our About Page