Our Constitution

Date of Last Review: October 2019

The Friends is a committee of parents, carers, teaching and non-teaching staff with a common goal of enriching the educational experience for the children attending the Crowthorne C of E Primary. We are an open committee that embraces all views and ideas in return for commitment and passion to fund-raising to support Crowthorne C of E Primary.

Aims

  • To agree a set of clear targets with the Headteacher that enriches the children's' experience attending the Crowthorne C of E Primary.

  • To create, plan and deliver events that generate income.

  • To support each other in the committee with positive encouragement, personal commitment to actions and a no-blame culture.

Number of Committee Members

There are a minimum of ten Office Bearer roles that are appointed.

There are Four Office Bearer roles that hold a two-year tenure:

  • Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary.

    • These roles are proposed, seconded and voted for by members of the committee

    • These roles are reviewed at the AGM.

There are a minimum of seven Office Bearer roles that hold a one-year tenure:

  • Seven class representatives, one per school year.

    • There can be more than one class representative per year

    • These roles may be appointed, however they are typically volunteered for

    • These roles are reviewed at the AGM

Every parent and carer of a child who attends Crowthorne C of E is automatically a committee member and as such there is no limit to the size of the committee. Committee members are encouraged to attend meetings regularly.

NB: Minimum quorum of four Office Bearers is required at every meeting held, including the AGM.

Powers

Each member of the committee shall have one vote.

Resolutions shall be passed by a simple majority vote of those present. The Chair shall have a casting vote, which shall only be used in a tie.

Meetings

  • It is the intention that the committee will meet at least once every half term.

  • The meetings will be communicated in a timely fashion to all parents and carers via the school's ParentMail system and The Friends socials pages.

  • All teaching staff are invited.

  • Everyone is welcome.

  • All meetings will have an agenda and will be recorded with minutes by the Secretary.

  • The minutes will be communicated to all attendees, parents and carers within a reasonable timeframe after each meeting, using the ParentMail by the Secretary.

Annual General Meetings (AGM)

This will be held during the Autumn term of each new academic year. This will be communicated with at least two weeks notice to all teaching staff, parents and carers.

The meeting will have an agenda and be recorded with minutes by the Secretary.

The order of business will include, but not be limited to:

  • Chairman's Report (to cover the previous academic year)

  • Treasurer's Report (to cover the previous academic year)

  • Review of Office Bearer tenures/re-elections

  • The minutes will be communicated to all attendees, parents and carers within a reasonable timeframe by the Secretary.

Finance

The funds of the PTA will be lodged in a bank, building society or other account in the name of "Friends of Crowthorne C of E School".

Cheques shall be drawn or withdrawals made against the signatures of at least two Office Bearers or via online dual authorisation.

The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping accurate records of the financial transactions of the PTA.

All committee members are responsible for ensuring that all property/money received shall be applied for the aims of the PTA.

Changes to the Constitution

  • Changes or additions must be made at the AGM.

  • The proposed change will be an agenda item.

  • Resolution will be subject to a majority vote of those present.

  • Changes to the Constitution will be approved by the Charity Commission.

Dissolution

In the event that the Friends ceases to exist, any remaining funds will be issued as a cheque in the name of the school and given to the school's Bursar.