Winston Graham and Poldark Literary Society Membership

Interim Draft Constitution

NAME

To be formally known as 'The Winston Graham & Poldark Literary Society' hereinafter known as The Society.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES OF THE SOCIETY

The Society's aims and objectives are:

1. To actively encourage, promote and support the international publication and dissemination of all Winston Graham's literary works and related topics to all new readers, particularly the young, in schools, universities, libraries and relevant educational establishments.

2. To eventually be able to provide a Winston Graham Literary Centre and public forum in Cornwall for all of his many admirers worldwide to meet, share and discuss his works, life and philosophies.

3. To encourage, promote and support for the benefit of the general public the advancement of the life and works of Winston Graham, in particular via regular meetings, readings, lectures and conferences plus any other means that the Society might deem appropriate over the long term.

4. With the aims and objectives of the foregoing in mind the Society would further seek, initially in Cornwall and the South West, to foster interest in the works of Winston Graham with all university and school drama clubs and suchlike. Additionally to forge long term links with all SW literary, artistic, theatrical and historical societies etc.

5. To promote and encourage all new and existing Cornish academic research programmes into all aspects and levels of Cornwall and Cornish life, in particular Literary, Heritage and Culture, History and Tourism.

6. In order to be able to continue assisting and supporting the long term welfare and all round prosperity of Cornwall which provided so much invaluable artistic and literary inspiration to Winston Graham throughout his life, the headquarters of the Society to be based in Cornwall in perpetuity.

7. To open on behalf of members a special long term UK Savings account called the "New Poldark Series Trust Fund" for the acceptance of donations and legacies etc. This will be held in trust by nominated Trustees hopefully to go part way towards the eventual making in Cornwall of a new TV/ film series of all the 12 Poldark novels. Details of its progress will be posted from time to time on the website's News page.

8. To actively promote and support the creation in North Cornwall of an annual memorial to the life and works of Winston Graham called the "Winston Graham & Poldark Literary Festival". Regardless of the actual duration of the festival itself this would always be held inclusive of the date of 10th July the anniversary of Winston Graham's passing. Details to be posted well in advance.

9. All final proceeds accruing from public events organised for, on behalf of or by the Society to be deposited immediately into the "New Poldark Series Trust Fund".

10. On the occasion of the Society's first official Annual General Meeting it is hereby proposed that once a formal Committee has been duly elected, this Interim Draft Constitution and all other formally proposed and seconded motions concerning the Society and its current and future business shall be properly debated and voted upon by all paid-up members able to attend.

11. In the interim the current Committee reserves the right at all times to add, modify and/ or update any of the above Interim Draft Constitution, as well as all material displayed on the Society's website in full accordance with the Society's overall stated Aims & Objectives. Details of all such additions and updates etc. will be posted as soon as possible on the Society's website.

MEMBERSHIP

Botallack Crowns

1. Open to all in sympathy and agreement with the Aims & Objectives of the Society.

2. Honorary members to be appointed at the discretion of the Committee. (Ex officio).

3. Circulation of names to all members of The Society at regular intervals. Those preferring to remain anonymous must notify the Society on an annual basis.

4. After the initial special preferential offer period has expired full annual membership fees and details to be decided by the Committee.

5. Membership may cease on request, and will be deemed to have lapsed if subscription is more than 12 months overdue.

6. Subscriptions to be as agreed by the Committee and announced at the Annual General Meeting. Renewed subscriptions to run from 1st January to 31st December. For new members joining after the 1st October subscriptions to run until the 31st December of the following year.

7. Membership may be withdrawn at the discretion of the Committee, confirmed by the A.G.M.

8. Membership of the Forum on the Society's official website does not constitute membership of the Society.

OFFICERS & COMMITTEE

1. Officers to be:
Chairman
Vice-chairman
Elected Editor
Meetings Secretary
Membership Secretary
Treasurer

2. Any of these offices may be held in tandem.

3. These officers to be elected at each AGM plus 2 further members to constitute the Committee, all for a term of three years.
4. All shall be eligible for re-election.

5. In the event that any committee member(s) failing to attend 3 consecutive meetings prior to any A.G.M., and in the absence of any apology being received not less than 24 hours beforehand on each occasion, he or she will automatically be deemed to have resigned.

6. A Vice-chairman shall be elected by the Committee from its membership at its first meeting to serve for that year.

OVERSEAS & REGIONAL SECRETARIES

1. There will be such secretaries where this is warranted by the number of members.
2. Secretaries to be approved by Committee and announced at AGM.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

1. To take place on the second Saturday in July annually at a location to be decided in Cornwall, preferably in the surrounding areas of Perranporth given the busy summer season.This would also seek to co-ordinate during the holiday period as many of the above Aims & Objectives as possible in order to stimulate public interest and attract new members. Particularly an annual Winston Graham & Poldark festival.

RECEIPTS & EXPENDITURE

1. All funds to be paid in to The Society's account at Lloyds TSB Bank, 8, Boscawen Street. Perranporth, Cornwall. TR6 0EP
2. Cheques to be signed by 2 out of 3 signatories.
3. Auditors (to be appointed)

ACCOUNTS

1. To run from 1st January - 31st December.
2. To be audited and presented at AGM, copies on request.

ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION

All formally proposed alterations to the Constitution to be notified to the Chair one month before the first official AGM, circulated to membership and passed at this same AGM by at least two-thirds of those present. In the interim any subsequent updates, additions or modifications to the Constitution will be displayed on the website's Membership page.

TERMINATION OF THE SOCIETY

An Emergency General Meeting to be called, with at least one month's notice. If the proposal to terminate is approved, final accounts shall be audited and all balances donated to a relevant and suitable literary or similar Cornish Charity.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

These will be announced from time to time with details and reports on such events etc. being displayed on the website's News page.

MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS

As all our services are entirely voluntary, in order to minimise the Society's administrative and start-up costs as well as avoiding expensive banking charges we regret we can only accept payment in Pounds Sterling. Once cleared a confirmation of safe receipt together with a Society membership number will be sent by return.

Please remember to keep an eye regularly on the News or this Membership page for any further up-dates on joining the Society and when it becomes available.

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Payments in Pounds Sterling Only
By Post
	UK	International
Registered school with pupils from 8 - 18	£8	£11
Individual student (Up to 25 years old)	£8	£11
Individual member	£12	£15
Joint membership	£16	£20
Corporate membership	£20	£25

By Credit and Debit Card
Payment by international credit and debit cards will also be available.

NOTE:

All head of School's signed and dated applications and their annual renewals must be submitted on the school's official headed notepaper and witnessed by the assistant head of school. These must be clearly legible otherwise delays might unfortunately be caused.
All Student applications and their annual renewals must be accompanied by a signed and dated letter from a qualified teacher or tutor and on official headed notepaper. These must be clearly legible otherwise delays might unfortunately be caused.
All Joint applications and their annual renewals are for two named adults residing at the same address only, and must be accompanied by a letter signed and dated by both parties stating this to be the case. These must be clearly legible otherwise delays might unfortunately be caused.
All Corporate applications and their annual renewals must be signed and dated by the Chairman or Director on official headed company notepaper and witnessed by the vice-chairman or Assistant Director. These must be clearly legible otherwise delays might unfortunately be caused.
Finally all applications and their annual renewals regardless must also be accompanied by a colour photocopy of an official ID, preferably a Passport or Driving Licence, clearly showing a photo and the date of birth of each applicant together with their full name. Each photocopy must then be signed and dated on the reverse side by the applicant. Again these must all be clearly legible otherwise delays might unfortunately be caused. (This to prevent for example gatecrashers at future Society organised events such as a Literary Festival or period dress Balls etc.)
Please Note. Applications subsequently discovered - at any time - that for whatever reason did not conform to the above requirements could incur temporary suspension or cancellation of membership.

We very much look forward to welcoming you as a new member of the Winston Graham & Poldark Literary Society together with all its exciting opportunities of meeting many other fans from around the world, and enjoying all of the many potential options and benefits outlined above.

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Our membership application form will be available soon, please check the News page for updates.

Click here for Membership Benefits

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