Constitution

CONSTITUTION FOR THE

MEARNS ACADEMY COMMUNITY GROUP

17^th September 2009

1.    This is the constitution of the Mearns Academy Community Group (MACG).

2.    The objectives of the MACG are:

• To work in partnership with the school to create a welcoming school for all
• To promote partnership between the staff, pupils, parents and the wider community
• To develop and engage in activities which support the education and welfare of the pupils
• To identify and represent the views of parents on the education provided by the school and other matters affecting the education and welfare of pupils.

3.    The members of the MACG will be 12 parents of children attending the school.  Also invited to attend the meetings will be 6 pupils (one from each year group, serving on the Pupil Representative Council), the Rector (in an advisory capacity), 2 members of staff. Representatives of the local community may be co-opted onto the Community Group for a fixed period of time as deemed necessary by the members.  Local councillors and Community Council representative will be welcome as ex officio members of the Community Group.

In the event of the 12 parent member places being under-subscribed, a minimum of 8 places will be accepted. Should there be insufficient parents to fill the minimum number of places, the MACG shall cease to exist for that school year. The school will make an attempt each year thereafter at the Parent Forum AGM to re-establish the MACG.

4.    Parent members will be selected for a period of up to 2 years with 6 parents serving alternate terms, thus affording continuity. After 2 years, parent members may put themselves up for re-selection if they wish.

In the event that the number of parents wishing to serve on the MACG exceeds 12, members will be selected by ballot. All parents attending the Parent Forum in September will be eligible to vote for the parent members. In the event of a tie, and neither parent wishing to stand down, the Parent Forum will be asked to vote again between the two candidates. If the vote again is tied, a coin will be tossed.

5.    A quorum for any meeting of the MACG shall be a minimum of 5 parents.

6.    The MACG may co-opt up to 4 representatives for a fixed period of time, not exceeding 2 years, to assist it in carrying out its objectives.

7.    The Office Bearers of the MACG will be Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. The Office Bearers will be agreed by the MACG every school year, immediately following its formation. Terms for office bearers will normally be 2 years, or longer if agreed by parent members.

The MACG will be chaired by a parent member. If the child of the Chair ceases to be a pupil, be default the Chair ceases to be a member of the MACG, and a new Chair will be agreed at the next meeting

8.    The MACG is accountable to the Parent Forum for Mearns Academy.  The MACG will make a report on its activities on behalf of all the parents to the Parent Forum at least once a year.

If more than 50% of members of the MACG request a special general meeting to discuss issues falling within the group’s remit, the Secretary shall arrange this at the earliest convenient time. The Secretary shall give all members and attendees of the MACG at least 2 weeks notice of the meeting and, at the same time, circulate notice of the matter, or matters, to be discussed at the meeting.

9     The Annual Meeting will be held in September of each year. A notice of the meeting, including date, time, and place will be sent to all members of the Parent Forum at least 2 weeks in advance. The meeting will include:

• a report on the work of the MACG and its committees
• selection of parent members for the new MACG
• discussion of issues that members of the MACG may wish to raise
• approval of the accounts and appointment of the auditor.

10.  The MACG will meet at least once every school term.

Should a vote be necessary to make a decision, each parent member at the meeting will have one vote, with the Chair having a casting vote in the event of a tie.

If a MACG member acts in a way that is considered by other members to undermine the objectives of the MACG, their membership of the MACG shall be terminated if the majority of parent members agree.  Termination of membership will be confirmed in writing to the member.

11.  Copies of the minutes of all meetings will be available to all parents of children at Mearns Academy and to all teachers at the school.  Copies will be available from the Secretary of the MACG and from the school office.

12.  Meetings of the MACG shall be open to any member of the parent forum unless the MACG is discussing an issue which it considers should be dealt with on a confidential basis.  In such circumstances, only members of the MACG and the Rector, or his or her representative, can attend.

The MACG shall not discuss issues of a personal nature concerning individual school pupils or members of school staff.  The MACG may be invited by the Rector to provide a representative on an interview panel, for example for a senior staff vacancy.  This will not involve discussion by the MACG of issues of a personal nature.  Discussion may involve items such as job requirements related to specific individuals.

13.  The Treasurer will open a bank or building society account in the name of the MACG for all MACG funds.  Withdrawals will require the signatures of two of the four Office Bearers.

       The Treasurer will keep an accurate record of all income and expenditure, and will provide a summary of this for each MACG meeting and a full account for the Annual Meeting.

       The MACG shall be responsible for ensuring that all monies are used in accordance with the objectives of the MACG.

14.  The MACG may change its constitution after obtaining consent from members of the Parent Forum.  Members of the Parent Forum will be sent a copy of any proposed amendment and given reasonable time to respond to the proposal.

15.  Should the MACG cease to exist, the Parent Forum AGM will decide the disposition of any remaining funds.  The Parent Forum AGM will appoint a minimum of two and a maximum of four office bearers to administer the funds in accordance with the decision on disposition.  The office bearers will be appointed by majority vote of the Parents Forum AGM.  The responsibilities and authority of the appointed office bearers shall be the same as defined for MACG Office Bearers in respect of administration of funds.