NOTICE OF AN EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING Thurs 16th Jan 7.30

RIDING MILL DRAMA CLUB

NOTICE OF AN EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING

An Extraordinary General Meeting of Riding Mill Drama Club will be hold on Thursday,

16th January 2020 at 7.30pm in the Methodist Chapel Broomhaugh to consider the following resolution

“That the Committee be authorised to forthwith apply to the Charity Commission to convert its structure to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Association type) with the following objects:

The presentation of dramatic entertainment and the promotion of appreciation of dramatic art and community spirit in the Parish of Broomhaugh and Riding Mill.

Memo to members of RMDC

Since its establishment 70 years ago Riding Mill Drama Club (RMDC) has operated as an unincorporated association under a constitution that was last reviewed in 2005. This structure causes difficulties in managing the finances of the club, renders it liable to income tax and gives the members of the Committee no protection against personal liability.

These problems would all be avoided if RMDC were to incorporate with charitable status under the Charity Commission. Additionally, RMDC would become able to apply for grant funding that is not available to non-charitable associations.

The options available are

(1) to form a charitable company which would involve registration with Companies’ House and associated compliance as well with as the Charity Commission or

(2) reconstitute RMDC as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Association) with all RMDC members becoming members of the CIO and the committee members becoming trustees of it.

Your committee has discussed this and is in favour of the second option but under the existing constitution changes can only be made by a two-thirds majority of members attending a general meeting. As it would be prudent to make any change before the next AGM, notice of an Extraordinary General Meeting is attached.

Anyone requiring further information beforehand should contact Mike Smith