constitution
(A) the name of the group
The name of the group shall be 'The Consortium of UK University Manufacturing and Engineering (COMEH)'.
(B) aims of the consortium
The aims of the Consortium are to promote manufacturing engineering education, training and research within UK Universities. It will also provide a forum for the national and international dissemination of information and debate relating to manufacturing education, training and research
(C) membership
Membership fees will be set at the discretion of the committee. Membership will be open to UK HE establishments that have an interest in manufacturing research and education
Each institution shall be entitled to a corresponding representative who is not necessarily a manufacturing engineering head
Membership will end immediately when a person leaves the establishment they were representing
(D) the committee
The committee shall be drawn (not elected) from the representatives to carry out the work of the representatives and the duties given by the committee
The committee should be made up of chairperson (who may also act as secretary), vice-chairperson, treasurer and general members. All committee members have one vote. The committee should be made up largely of the representatives
Changes to the committee shall be notified to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the consortium, at which representatives shall be invited, and office bearers elected from the new committee thereafter. Office bearers and general members normally stand for three years and can be re-elected for further terms
The committee shall meet no less than twice a year and the quorum at any meeting will be 6 with at least 2 being office bearers
A person's committee membership will automatically lapse if they fail to attend three consecutive committee meetings without giving apologies
It shall be possible to appoint a deputy in a member's absence
(E) annual general meeting (agm)
There shall be an Annual General Meeting within thirteen months of the previous AGM
The secretary will notify all members of the meeting at least 21 days in advance
The quorum for an AGM is chairperson, treasurer, secretary and 4 other committee members
At the Annual General Meeting the committee must appoint two people who have not served on the committee in the past twelve months to audit its accounts
The AGM will outline the activities of the committee, provide a statement of the accounts and determine the committee membership
(F) extraordinary general meeting (egm)
A request for an Extraordinary General Meeting can be made in writing to the secretary and must contain the signatures of at least 12 representative members. It must also state the reason for calling the meeting
The secretary must notify all members of the changes being proposed within 3 weeks of the meeting and give details on the purpose of the meeting
(G) changes to the constitution
Proposals for changes to the constitution can be made by representatives by notifying the secretary 21 days before the next committee meeting
The constitution can be changed at the AGM or an EGM called by the committee regarding this subject
Any changes must be agreed by at least 75% of the representatives present at a quorate meeting
(H) finance
All income raised by the consortium shall be used to facilitate and further the aims of the consortium
The Treasurer shall keep proper accounts of the finances of the group through a bank account and give a financial report at each committee meeting
Cheques written on behalf of the association have to be signed by two office bearers
(I) dissolution of the consortium
The consortium can only end by a special meeting of the consortium regarding this purpose and if members are informed of the meeting at least 21 days in advance
The consortium can only end if voted by 75% of the received votes from representatives and 75% of received votes from members of the committee
Any assets and finances remaining should be distributed among similar groups within the community; any documents shall be disposed of in an appropriate manner
(J) representatives
The secretary will be responsible for maintaining a current list of representatives. Representatives will be informed 21 days prior to a meeting and asked to add items for the agenda. Representatives may attend, but not vote at any committee meeting, by approaching the chair
(K) minutes
Minutes will be taken of committee meetings and distributed to the representatives
(L) adoption
Adopted at the first Annual General Meeting 17th January 2008.