Annex A: Terms of Reference for

CHAIR

References:

A.      WCO Constitution dated 26th September 2005
B.      Charity Commission Pamphlet CC3: Responsibilities of Charity Trustees
C.      Making Music Information Sheet No 34: The Role of the Making Music Representative.
D.      Charities Act 1993

The purpose of these Terms of Reference is to provide a brief overview of the main role, responsibilities and rights of the office of Chair, as laid down in the Constitution and in various publications issued by the Charity Commission for England & Wales.  You are to be familiar with References A, B & C, and be aware of Reference D.  The information in those documents, if different from that contained in these Terms of Reference, takes precedence.

1.         Definition.     The Chair is the presiding officer of the Committee responsible under the charityÕs governing document [the Constitution] for controlling the management and administration of the Society (Ref D Section 97(1)). The Committee, legally the Charity Trustees, comprises the officers Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Librarian and ex officio officers Musical Director and Leader (Ref A sub-paragraphs 5.1-5.2).

2.         Appointment & Term.         The Chair will be elected from the membership at an AGM and hold office for two years (Ref A sub-sub-paragraph 5.3.1).

3.         Rights & Responsibilities.  In addition to your general role in helping the Society pursue its objects in the best way possible, you have the following specific rights and responsibilities:

a.       You are to ensure that no Committee Officer is disqualified by law from acting as a charity trustee (Ref B paragraphs 8-15).  You are to ensure that all Committee Officers of the Society conduct their activities within the guidelines and limitations stipulated in Ref A, their own Terms of Reference, and the further requirements of Ref B.  In particular, to ensure that the objects of the Society (Ref A paragraph 2) are met and the powers of the Committee (Ref A paragraph 6) are not exceeded.

b.          In addition to the 3 ordinary meetings of the Committee required each year, you may call a special meeting at any other time on 7 days notice (Ref A sub-paragraph 7.1).  At all meetings at which you are present you will act as chair, and in the event of an equality of votes, you will have a second, ÔcastingÕ vote.

c.          You have the authority to be one of the two officers required to sign Society cheques.

d.          You may commit the Society to expenditure of up to £100 between Committee meetings without reference to the Committee.

e.          You are to be the official ÔMaking Music RepresentativeÕ in accordance with the requirements laid out in Ref C.

f.           You are to periodically review your Terms of Reference and submit any suggestions for changes to the Committee.

g.          You have the right to be re-elected (Ref A sub-paragraph 5.6).

You have the right to resign from the office of Chair at any time after giving a period of notice of not less than 3 months (Ref A sub-sub-paragraph 5.4.3).