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Draft Constitution

The name of the community group is Borrow Not Buy Ltd, T/A DIY-Library. Hereafter referred to as DIY-Library.

1. OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Group are:

      1. To encourage all residents throughout our community area to borrow, not buy, DIY tools to support the environment and reduce global warming
      2. To relieve poverty by providing the loan, not purchase, of tools and equipment inclusively to any member of the community
      3. To inspire and support other communities to create tool lending libraries both locally and further afield
      4. To provide an efficient and cost effective service to the community without compromising best environmental practices and guidance

2.POWERS

In furtherance of the objectives, but not otherwise, the Management Committee may exercise the power to:

      1. Promote the concept to local people and the wider community by providing access to ecological alternatives and cooperative purchases.
      2. Promote and encourage local people on carbon reduction working in partnership with similar groups and organisations as a coming together of like minded communities.
      3. Invite and receive contributions and raise funds where appropriate, to finance the work of the Groups  bank account to manage such funds.
      4. Publicise and promote the work of the DIY-Libray Community to extend the reach of our communities objectives.
      5. Work with groups of a similarnature and exchange information, advice and knowledge with them, including cooperation with other voluntary bodies, charities, statutory and non-statutory organisations.
      6. Employ staff, recruit volunteers and buy services as are necessary to conduct activities to meet the objects.
      7. Take any form of action that is lawful and affordable, which is necessary to achieve the objects of the Group.

3. CLUB MEMBERSHIP

      1. Club Membership shall be open to anyone who has an interest in assisting the Group to achieve its aim, contributes towards the group whether financial or otherwise and is willing to adhere to the rules of the Group, subject to approval by the management committee.
      2. Where it is considered a person’s membership would be detrimental to the aims and activities of the Community Group, the Management Committee shall have the power to refuse membership, or may terminate or suspend any member by resolution passed at a committee meeting.
      3. Club Members have no voting rights, only feedback and engagement in opinion polls. Any response and results of opinion polls will be made public by the Management Committee in the public domain

4.MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

      1. The Group shall be administered by a management committee of no fewer than three (3) people and no more than eight (8), who must be at least 18 years of age. Members will be elected by the Management Committee for a period of up to three years, but may be re-elected at the Group’s AGM. The Management Committee has the power to co-opt members where appropriate during the course of the year.

5. OFFICERS

The Group shall have the following officers consisting of:

The Chairperson

The Treasurer

The Secretary

and any additional officers co-opted onto the committee deemed necessary at a management committee meeting required to carry out the activities.

6. MEETINGS

      1. The committee shall meet at least three times a year, physically or through conference calls. Meetings shall enable the Group to discuss actions and monitor progress to date, and to consider future developments.
      2. The quorum shall be a minimum of two committee members including one officer present in order for a meeting to take place.
      3. The AGM shall take place no later than three months after the end of the financial year and its minutes be made available at its overarching public domain, diy-library.org.uk

7. FINANCE

      1. Any money acquired by the Group, including donations, contributions and bequests, shall be paid into an account operated by the Management Committee in the name of Borrow Not Buy Ltd.
      2. All funds must be applied to the objectives of the Group and for no other purpose.
      3. Bank accounts shall be opened in the name of the Group. Any deeds, cheques etc relating to the Group’s bank account shall be signed by at least two (2) of the following committee members: Chairperson; Treasurer; Secretary.
      4. Any income/expenditure shall be the responsibility of the Treasurer who will be accountable to ensure funds are utilised effectively and that the Group stays within budget. Official accounts shall be maintained, and will be examined annually by an independent person, who has been agreed at the AGM. An annual financial report shall be presented at the AGM and available in the public domain.

8. ALTERATION OF THE CONSTITUTION

      1. Any changes to this constitution must be agreed by a majority vote at an AGM or special general meeting.
      2. Proposals for amendments to this constitution or dissolution of the Group must be conveyed to the Secretary formally in writing. The Secretary and other officers shall then decide on the date of a special general meeting to discuss such proposals, giving trustees (14 days) notice.

9. DISSOLUTION

The Group may be dissolved if deemed necessary by the members in a two thirds majority vote at a special meeting. Distribution of any funds to be decided by the management committee, with any and excess funds distributed to 1 or more community groups with similar aims.

Management Committee:

Signed …………………………..Chair               Name   Terry Howell

Signed ………………………… Treasurer        Name Adrian Walker

Signed ………………………….. Secretary      Name Darrell Trevor-Lake