The Quay Players’ Constitution

September 2001

1. The name of the company shall be "The Quay Player".

2. A President should be recommended by the Committee and accepted by the company.

3. The aims and objectives of the Company shall be the study and practice of theatrical and musical works in order to foster public knowledge and appreciation of such works by means of public performance.

4. Membership may be active or honorary.

a. Active members, in order to assist with the company expenses, shall subscribe to the funds of the Company, a show fee recommended by the Committee. Payable in a lump sum, monthly or weekly. Full-time students shall pay a sum agreed by the Committee.

b. The Committee reserves the right to adjust the subscription in extenuating circumstances.

c. Honorary membership is available to those interested, on payment of annual subscription to be decided by the Committee, and entitlement is advance notification of the Company's activities and two tickets to any one production stage.

d. Honorary Vice Presidents are accepted by virtue of services rendered to the Company and are elected by a major decision of the Committee.

e. Full membership is subject to the Committee's approval.

f. A fee of £3 shall be payable before auditions are held for each show for each active member of the company.

5. Active members will be expected to sell a minimum of 5 tickets, or pay the equivalent amount for all the Company's activities.

6. Members shall not receive payment either directly or indirectly for their services or for other than legitimate expenses.

7. The Financial Year of the Company shall begin on the 1st May and end on 30th April. At the end of each Financial Year, a Balance Sheet shall be drawn up and such Balance Sheet, together with a composite Revenue Account for the year, shall be submitted to the Annual General Meeting for approval.".

8. a. Annual General Meeting shall be held as soon as is convenient after the end of the Company's Financial Year and at least two weeks' notices given to members.

b. An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called at any time either by two members of the committee, or by FIVE members of the Company, giving seven days' notice in writing to the Honorary Secretary.

9. Any members wishing to put forward a resolution at any General Meeting concerning the Company's rules, must give one week's notice in writing to the Honorary Secretary and for a resolution to be adopted, a two thirds majority vote of those present must be obtained.

10. The Stage Director and Musical Director shall be appointed at a General Meeting at a time set by the Committee but not later than two meetings following the previous production. The same persons may be appointed for subsequent productions and desired nominations duly seconded to be handed to the Honorary Secretary as early as possible but not later than seven days before the General Meeting.

a. If there is more than one nomination for either Stage Director or Musical Director then a secret ballot of the active membership will take place. In the event of a tied vote the Chairperson shall have the casting vote.

b. If a Choreographer is required for the forthcoming production, the Committee shall have the power to appoint one after due consultation with the Stage Director.

11. The Officers and Members of the Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. The Committee shall not become functional until a time taking into account the Company's Commitments.

12. The management of the Company shall be vested in this Committee which shall consist of a Chairperson, Honorary Secretary, Treasurer and two other active members of the Company. The Stage Director and the Musical Director are "ex officio" members of the Committee. The Committee will not conduct any business unless a quorum of any three elected members is present. The Committee shall have the power to co-opt to the Committee such person or persons as it shall think fit. Any four Committee members shall be elected by the Committee to become signatories; all four empowered to sign Company cheques.

13. The Committee shall meet as often as deemed necessary but not less than five times a year, and to its jurisdiction shall be left all decisions relating to breaches of the rules and suggestions and complaints lodged by members.

a. Committee meetings shall only be attended by Officers and members of the Committee and other such persons co-opted to the Committee for a specific purpose.

b. A copy of the minutes of all Committee meetings will be available to any members of the Company at the Annual General Meetings.

14. Should the position of one of the officers of the Company become vacant at any time other than at an Annual General Meeting, a successor may be elected by the Committee for the interim period.

15. With the guidance of such persons deemed suitable, the Committee shall recommend to the members a selection of works to be performed by the Company.

16. At the start of each production auditions shall take place under the following rules:

a. Auditions are to be held in private wherever possible.

b. Only the Stage Director and Musical Director and such other persons the Company deems suitable shall be present during the auditions.

c. Auditions are to be held on a regular meeting day of the society.

d. Eligibility to audition for a production will be at the discretion of the Committee.

e. One months notice of the audition date will be given.

f. Persons unable to attend on the date of the auditions should consult the Stage Director and the Musical Director and arrange another agreeable date.