Special Meeting Agrees New Constitution

The Rye Conservation Society (RCS) unanimously voted to amend the constitution at a Special Meeting on Thursday evening, February 28.

Details of the proposed changes were printed in the recent Society Newsletter.

The new resolution was put forward by Chairman David Bookless following criticism of the chaotic voting procedure at last year’s AGM where he was elected as

the new Chairman following John Griffiths’ retirement.

Photo Credit: Kenneth Bird, Rye News

David opened the meeting by explaining that last year’s election for the post of Chairman was the first such election the RCS had ever undertaken in its forty year history but it also demonstrated the constitution’s shortcomings.

The changes proposed include the introduction of a secret ballot with printed ballot papers. In addition only fully paid up members will be allowed to vote in the future and new members cannot join on the day of the AGM (except that members who have a lapsed membership can rejoin on the day if their membership has lapsed in the preceding six months).

A copy of the new constitution can be seen HERE.

Other issues that the committee will be reviewing in the coming year include whether to allow postal or proxy voting for those members who cannot attend the AGM. In addition they will continue to discuss whether to hold the AGM in the evening or at a weekend rather than during a working week day.

However for this year the AGM will be held at 11am on Friday 17 May followed by lunch in the Mermaid Inn.