FSA local groups template constitution

Download FSA Local Groups Template Constitution – final May 14

CONSTITUTION FSA [INSERT REGION] – [INSERT DATE]

1)     The Group shall be called “FSA (Forest School Association) [INSERT REGION]” (“the group”).

2)     The key aim of the group is “[INSERT MAIN AIM OR VISION OF GROUP – THIS IS A ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY OF WHAT THE GROUP HOPES TO ACHIEVE]”

3)     The objectives of the group will be to:

[INSERT BULLET POINT LIST OF THE OBJECTIVES OF THE GROUP – THE MAIN REASONS BEHIND WHY THE GROUP IS FORMED AND WHAT IT PLANS TO DO. HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES:

• Promote and support quality Forest School in [INSERT REGION] to enable children, young people and adults to benefit from increased opportunities for high quality and varied educational experiences in the natural world.
• Support the aims and objects of the Forest School Association at a local level and represent member’s relevant issues at a national level by working with the FSA and with other FSA local groups.
• Celebrate and promote local good practice, raise awareness of the FSA Forest School principles and encourage sharing of practice and co-operation between FS practitioners.
• Support all practitioners with an interest in Forest School in [INSERT REGION] through communication, networking opportunities, and events.]

4)     Membership will be open to all members of the Forest School Association. However the group’s activities, funds, meetings and events will solely take place in and be for the benefit of the [INSERT REGION] Forest School community. The group reserves the right to waiver this article in the case of members on the borders of the county.

5)     Members of the FSA can apply to join FSA [INSERT REGION] or be invited via the FSA national website. Members of the FSA [INSERT REGION] committee will administer this system on line.

6)     FSA [INSERT REGION] and all its members shall be bound by the FSA Code of Practice (reproduced below)

7)     The group shall raise money when necessary for carrying on the objectives of the group; funds raised shall be applied for those objectives as the members see fit.

8)     The members will appoint officers to form a committee (“Steering Group”) as are required to discuss the policy and administration of the group and to plan activity. These include an executive of chairperson, vice chairperson, treasurer and secretary, along with up to five other officers (a maximum of 9 committee members). Appointments will be made at the annual general meeting of the group. These members shall lead the day-to-day running of the group, and will be answerable to members during meetings. The Steering Group may co-opt additional members to join during the year to help fulfil the objectives of the group.

9)     The group shall hold meetings open to all members. A quorum for meetings will be 4 members. All members are entitled to vote and decisions will be made democratically by simple majority voting.

10)  The group shall arrange events specifically aimed to further the group’s aim of developing Forest School throughout [INSERT REGION].  All members shall be entitled to attend and events will be publicised in advance. Where there is a charge for such events members will where possible be entitled to discounted rates.

11)  The group shall hold an annual general meeting. A quorum for this meeting will be 6 members. The constitution can be changed (as deemed appropriate by members through majority vote) and adopted each year at the AGM.

12)  Accounts shall be kept by the treasurer and approved at the annual general meeting for members.

13)  A bank account will be maintained by the group whose signatories will be the members of the executive with any two required to sign cheques.

14)  All expenditure will be pre-agreed by a minimum of 3 officers of the Steering Group.

15)  The group will maintain public liability insurance to cover the day to day administrative activities of the group and meetings. When organising practical events, the Steering Group shall ensure that all activities are covered by adequate insurance.  It will ask providers leading training events being hosted by the group to ensure that their activities are fully covered by their own insurance.

16)  If the group shall, by general consent of its members, cease to exist, agreed by two-thirds majority vote at a final meeting, all assets shall pass to the Forest School Association for the benefit of Forest School nationally.

Signed  .…………………………………………..(Chair)

Date      ……..……….……..……………………..

Forest School Association (FSA) Members’ Code of ConductThe purpose of this code is to support our vision of ‘quality Forest School for all’ by empowering our members to participate, share and inspire people through their contact with Forest School. Following this code is one way FSA members support the FSA’s articles of association. 1. Celebrate and promote the Forest School philosophy: 1.1 It is important for clarity that all FSA members have a unified understanding of the Forest School philosophy. Members should define Forest School clearly to others using the definition adopted by the FS community in 2011. 1.2 Members should celebrate and promote quality Forest School work across the UK and beyond. 1.3 Members should work together to improve understanding of Forest School and its benefits to wider audiences. 2. FSA membership responsibilities: 2.1 The FSA as an organisation may be judged by the conduct of individual members, directors and regional groups. All members should conduct themselves in a way that reflects the vision, aims and values of the FSA and which promotes the work of FSA. 2.2 Members should ensure that their Forest School practice is within UK laws at all times, following the good practice guidelines of the Forest School principles and criteria, and does not bring the FSA or Forest School into disrepute. 2.3 The logo of the FSA belongs to the association and should not be used in any way by individual members, unless the member has been given specific permission from the FSA.    2.4 Modified FSA logos can be used by those granted permission to use them, but must only be used in the circumstances prescribed by the FSA. 2.5 Members are encouraged to participate and contribute to the ongoing work of the FSA, for example through consultations, local groups and online services. 2.6 Members should use their membership benefits appropriately for the mutual benefit of all FSA members. Individual members should safeguard the benefits of their membership, and not transfer these benefits, such as their website password, to others. 3. Sustainable practices & care of the environment 3.1 Forest School aims to reconnect people to nature for the mutual benefit of people and the planet. Members should have an awareness of environmental issues and demonstrate a commitment to caring for our environment. 3.2 Members should share ideas and support each other to develop sustainable and ethical practices. Additional It is a requirement of FSA membership to agree to adhere to the code for the duration of an individual’s subscription. A member who, following investigation, is found to be in breach of this code of conduct may, as an ultimate sanction, have their membership revoked.