Constitution of the Oslo Welsh Society

1. Name of the Society.
The name of the Society is :
Cymdeithas Cymry Oslo / Oslo Welsh Society.

2. Object of the Society.
The object of the Society is to
        - provide a focal point for, and to further, Welsh activities in Norway.
        - promote cultural relations between Wales and Norway.

 The activities of the Society will at all times be consistent with the laws of Norway.

3. Membership.
Membership of the Society consists of:
        - Ordinary members.
        - Overseas members.
        - Honorary members.
        - Honorary life members.
 and membership year shall be from 1st January to 31st December.
 All members shall pay any entrance fee required at Society meetings which they attend.

 The Committee may terminate a person’s membership if it considers such action to be in the  best interests of the Society.

4. Ordinary members.
Ordinary membership is open to:
        - anyone who is Welsh or of Welsh parentage or descent.
        - persons of other nationality with close Welsh connections and/or significant interest in Wales or Welsh matters.
 The Committee shall consider all applications, and has the power to approve or refuse them.

5. Overseas members.
Overseas membership is open under the same categories of persons as is ordinary membership. Overseas members may not vote at Annual or Extraordinary General Meetings unless attending in person. The annual subscription need not be the same for ordinary and overseas members.

6. Honorary members.
Honorary members may be invited to membership of the Society at the discretion of the  Committee. Such members shall not be eligible for nomination to any elected office of the  Society nor to vote at any meetings of the Society.

7. Honorary life members.
The Society may bestow the distinction of Honorary Member upon any person who has  contributed significantly to the furtherance of the Society and it’s aims.
 Proposals for Honorary membership may be made either by the Committee itself or by at least 5  (five) members of the Society and must be approved at a General Meeting of the Society.

8. Committee.
The Committee is responsible to the Annual General Meeting for the administration of the  Society.
The Committee consists of the following officers:
      Chairperson - Responsible for the work of the Committee, thereunder delegation of  ad-hoc responsibilities, and the general running of the Society.
      Vice-Chairperson - Responsible for publicity and recruitment. Performs the duties of the chairperson should he/she be indisposed or absent.
      Secretary - Responsible for the minutes of Committee and general meetings, and for ensuring that all members of the Committee and the Society
   affected by decisions of  the Committee are informed.
      Activities Secretary - Responsible for that all members are informed of the Society’s meetings and other activities in good time.
      Treasurer - Responsible for the Society’s accounts, for the collection of  Annual Membership and meetings fees, and for keeping the Society’s
   membership list up to date.
      Activities Co-ordinator - Responsible for ensuring that any equipment, refreshments etc. required at meetings and other activities are procured.

Election shall be for a period of two years. The Chairperson, Secretary and Activities Co- ordinator shall be elected in odd-numbered years. The
Vice-Chairperson, Activities Secretary  and Treasurer shall be elected in even-numbered years.

The Committee may co-opt a replacement for any post which becomes vacant in mid-term.

The Committee must have a quorum of 4 (four). In the event of a stalemate the Chairperson  shall have a casting vote.

9. Election Committee.
The election committee shall consist of two members to be elected annually at the Annual  General Meeting. The sole function of the election committee is to identify members willing to  stand for office at the following Annual General Meeting.

10. Annual General Meeting.
The Annual General Meeting shall normally take place in February. The agenda shall normally  consist of the following:
        - Annual Report for the previous calendar year.
        - Financial Report for the previous calendar year.
        - Annual Membership Subscription.
        - Election of officers.
        - Election of auditor.
        - Election of election committee.
        - Any Other Business.

Prior notice of the Annual General Meeting shall be given to members no later than 4 (four)  weeks beforehand. Matters for discussion at the meeting must be received by the Secretary no  later than 3 (three) weeks before the meeting. All necessary paperwork shall be distributed no  later than 2 (two) weeks before the meeting.

Only members who have paid their membership subscription may speak/vote at the Annual  General Meeting.

11. Extraordinary General Meeting.
An Extraordinary General Meeting may, at any time, be called by the Committee either at it’s  own requirement or on the basis of a written request signed by at least 10 (ten) members.  Only members who have paid their membership subscription may speak/vote at an  Extraordinary General Meeting.

12: Changes to the Constitution.
Proposals for changes to the Constitution must be signed by at least 5 (five) members and  forwarded in writing to the secretary three weeks before a General Meeting.

Such changes must be ratified by two thirds of the voting membership either at the General  Meeting or by post prior to the meeting.

13. Activities.
The Society shall endeavour to hold regular activities on a monthly basis from January to  June and from September to December every year.

14. Termination of Society.

In the event of the Society being disbanded, the Society’s capital shall be donated to the  Leukaemia Fund, Wrexham, North Wales.