Our Constitution
The Birkbeck Film Society is run according to our constitution:
Birkbeck Film Society Constitution
1. Name
The Society shall be known as Birkbeck Film Society, referred to here as ‘The Society’
2. Objects
The objects of the Society are:
a) To advance the education of the public in the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of film (and allied visual techniques).
b) To encourage interest in film as an art form and as a medium for public education and for the distribution of information, by means of the exhibition of films of artistic, cultural or scientific character.
c) To promote the study and appreciation of films by such means as lectures, discussions and exhibitions.
d) To benefit from and encourage interest from the Birkbeck community and the Birkbeck environment
3. Membership
a) Membership of the Society is open to anyone over the age of eighteen, on payment of the current fee and at the discretion of the committee.
b) The Annual Subscription shall be set by a proposal at the Annual General Meeting.
c) Membership of the Society shall entitle the holder to attendance at all film screenings and other meetings subject to availability and payment of related fees.
d) Membership of the Society shall entitle the holder to priority booking for any other events for which an additional charge may be made.
e) Membership of the Society shall entitle the holder to one vote at Annual or other General meetings.
f) “Patrons” from Birkbeck’s academic community may be invited to be honorary members for which no subscription is required.
4. Management
a) The business of the Society shall be managed by a Committee of at least 3 members and no more than 10. The Committee shall consist of a President, a Treasurer, a Secretary and such other Officers as may, from time to time, be appointed.
b) The Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting and hold office until their successors are elected at the next AGM.
c) The quorum for a Committee meeting shall be 3 members and there shall be at least 3 such meetings in a year.
d) A member of the Committee can be removed by a vote of no confidence during a Committee meeting, requiring a quorate of three quarters majority of Committee members
e) The Society shall hold a General Meeting at least once a year. A Special General Meeting may be called at any time by the Committee or upon written request being made of the Committee signed by at least 20 members.
f) The quorum for General Meetings shall be 20 Members and for Committee Meetings, 3 members.
g) The Society shall be non-political, i.e. it shall not espouse the cause of any political party.
h) The Society will be run on a not-for-profit basis. The Society shall not be run for the private profit of a Members or Members. Any balance at the end of the year shall be carried over and devoted to the Objects of The Society.
i) No Members or Committee Members shall receive payment directly or indirectly for their services or for anything other than legitimate expenses incurred in work for The Society.
j) Accounts will be produced annually and inspected by an independent person.
k) The Society shall not be wound up except by a resolution of 75% of those present at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose. In the event of a winding up, the remaining funds of the Society shall not be distributed among the Members but be passed to a non-profit making organisation or organisations with objects similar to those of The Society. Such organisations shall be chosen by the Committee in consultation with the British Federation of Film Societies or a like organisation.
5. Events
a) Members and Committee members can organise and curate special events which may complement Society objects and utilise members’ creativity
b) The Society will not organise events that puts the Society at discernable level of financial risk
c) All special events must be either self-sustaining or be paid out of surplus funds as agreed by the Committee
d) All special events may be proposed by any member, and will be considered and scheduled by the Committee
e) Joint events with other organisations are encouraged
6. Alteration of Constitution
a) No alteration of the Constitution shall be made except by a resolution of 67% of those present at a General
Meeting or by 51% response rate from email survey from all members.
b) No amendment shall be made which would cause the Society to cease to be a not-for-profit organisation.