MEMBERS
1. The first Members of the Co-operative will be the Founder Members. The
Co-operative may admit to membership any individual, corporate body or nominee of an unincorporated body, firm or partnership that wishes to use the services of the Co-operative and has paid or agreed to pay any subscription or other sum due in respect of membership or the use of the Co-operative’s services.
2. The Co-operative intends to apply for mutual trading status and in accordance with its requirements all users must be Members of the Co-operative.
3. In accordance with the Co-operative Principle of voluntary and open membership, whilst the Co-operative shall undertake to encourage its stakeholders to become Members, membership must be voluntary and as a result cannot be a condition of employment.
Applications for Membership
4. No natural person shall be admitted into membership of the Co-operative unless they have attained the age of 18. All those wishing to become a Member must support the objects of the Co-operative and complete an application for membership which shall include an application for at least one share in the Co-operative. Such an application form must be approved by the Directors and the Directors may choose to accept or refuse any membership application and do not have to give reasons for its decision.
5. A corporate body which is a Member shall by resolution of its governing body appoint a representative who may during the continuance of her/his appointment be entitled to exercise all such rights and powers as the corporate body would exercise if it were an individual person. Each such corporate body Member shall supply notification in Writing to the Co-operative of its choice of representative.
6. Each member will be required, upon joining, to purchase a share in the Co-operative. Each share will have a nominal value of £1.
7. Each member is required to pay an annual subscription fee. The level of the subscription will be decided by the management committee annually and will be notified to members by 30 June. The subscription is then payable by each member by 1 August annually. Members will not be able to purchase Fanfest tickets until the annual subscription has been paid.
Member Commitment and conduct
8. All Members agree to attend general meetings and take an active interest in the operation and development of the Co-operative and its business. Members have a duty to respect the confidential nature of the business decisions of the Co-operative.
9. In accordance with the Co-operative Principle of education, training and information, the Co-operative shall provide potential Members with information about what the role of a Member is within the Co-operative and will provide training in the skills required to be a Member and to participate in the operation of the Co-operative.
10. The Co-operative shall provide ongoing education and training in co-operative values and principles and associated topics. The Co-operative shall support its Members by ensuring that general meetings are accessible and encourage participation.
11. All subscribing members are guaranteed access to either facility (Green Taverners Suite or Supporters Bar).
12. If a member reserves a ticket but fails to attend the Fanfest on three occasions in any one season they will not be guaranteed further Fanfest tickets in that season.
13. Membership cards must be presented upon request at all Fanfest events and entry can be refused if a card is not available.
14. All non-member guests must be signed into a Fanfest by a current member.
15. All members agree to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all Green Taverner events and will not use foul and abusive language, use aggressive behaviour or conduct themselves in any manner deemed inappropriate by staff or the management committee.
16. Any member deemed guilty of misconduct by staff, will be asked to leave the event and may, at the discretion of the management committee, have their membership.
Termination of Membership
17. A Member shall cease to be a Member of the Co-operative immediately that they:
(a) Are no longer eligible for membership; or
(b) Fail to pay the annual subscription within 3 months of it falling due; or
(c) Are found guilty of misconduct at an event; or
(d) Fail to hold the minimum shareholding; or
(e) Resign in Writing to the Secretary; or
(f) Are expelled from membership in accordance with these Rules; or
(g) Die, are wound up or go into liquidation.
Expulsion from Membership
18. A Member may be expelled for conduct prejudicial to the Co-operative by a resolution of the Directors at a duly convened Board meeting, provided that the grounds for expulsion have been specified in the notices calling the meeting and that the Member whose expulsion is to be considered shall be given the opportunity to make representations to the meeting or, at the option of the Member, an individual who is there to represent them (who need not be a Member of the Co-operative) has been allowed to make representations to the Board meeting.
19. If on due notice having been served the Member fails to attend the meeting the meeting may proceed in the Member’s absence.
(a) An expelled Member shall be paid the nominal value of shares held by them at the time of expulsion.
(b) No Member expelled from membership shall be re-admitted except by an Extraordinary Resolution.
(c) The decision of the management committee will be final.
Note; These rules have been summarised from the full document below.