Liberal Democrat Christmas Draw Society Constitution

  1. Purpose
    The purpose of the society is to raise funds for the Liberal Democrats and associated organisations.
  2. Terms
    In this constitution
    1. "the Society" refers to The Liberal Democrat Christmas Draw Society
    2. "Participants" refers to the Associated Organisations of the Liberal Democrats who participate in the Liberal Democrat Christmas Draw in accordance with the "Rules of Participation" that may be decided by the members from time to time.
    3. "Associated Organisation" refers to any Local Party, Specified Associated Organisation or other Associated Organisation of The Liberal Democrats as defined by the federal constitution of The Liberal Democrats..
  3. Membership
    1. Membership of the society is open to any associated organisation of the Liberal Democrats incorporated in Great Britain subject to the approval of existing members of the Society. Member organisations shall appoint two representatives to serve the society and act as their representatives.
    2. However, if a representative is subsequently elected to serve as an officer of the Society, the member organisation will be required to furnish an replacement.
    3. Member organisations shall make an interest free loan at the beginning of March in any year. The loan will be repaid at the end of the following February.
    4. All repesentatives or thier substitutes must take an active part in the processes of the Society and participate in an equitable amount of the work involved.
    5. In the event that a representative is unable to participate in the work of the draw at any time, the representative, or failing them, an officer of their organisation, shall find a member of the Liberal Democrats to act as substitute
  4. Elections
    Officers of the society are elected by the membership in February of each year. Elected officers take up their posts at the beginning of the following March and serve for 12 months. The elected posts are:
    • Promoter
    • Three other officers
    The promoter shall fulfil the role of promoter as defined by the Gaming Board for Great Britain.
  5. Party President
    The President of the Federal Party of the Liberal Democrats, or his nominated representative is entitled to attend and to vote at meetings.
  6. Meetings
    1. All members and officers are entitled to attend meetings, which must be announced by post at least one week in advance.
    2. All members and officers are entitled to vote at meetings.
    3. No irreversible decisions shall be made between meetings unless absolutely necessary. Any decisions made between meetings must be reported to the next meeting where they may be ratified or overturned.
  7. Appeals
    In the event of a disagreement, the decision of the Promoter shall be final. If the Promoter determines that the matter is not within the jurisdiction of the rules of the Gaming Board for Great Britain, he shall refer the mater to the President's Representative. In that case, if no satisfactory conclusion can be reached then the matter shall be refered to the appeals procedure of the Federal Party of the Liberal Democrats.
  8. Winding Up
    In the event that the Society is wound up, the residual funds of the society (after the payment of all debts) shall be divided equally among the participants of the immediately preceding draw.
  9. Rules
    Any rules drawn up by the Society shall be compatible with those of the Gaming Board for Great Britain and those of the Liberal Democrats. In the event of conflict between the requirements of these organisations, the rules of the Gaming Board for Great Britain shall prevail.
  10. Accounts
    The accounts of the Society shall run from the 1st March in any year to end of February in the following year. Independent qualified person will be appointed to certify annual accounts accounts of the Society’s activities shall be presented to the Society within nine months of the end of the year accounted for.
Date of Acceptance: 20th October 2003