Constitution v1.0
Adopted 6th September 2020
1 Name
The charity’s name is the British Sauna Society.
2 The purposes of the charity are
Promote sauna culture in the UK
Provide standards and guidance on building, operating and using a sauna
Engage with and expand the sauna community
The British Sauna Society is the home of experts and enthusiasts of sauna* cultures. We establish and promote a new wave of sauna practice in the UK that draws from different international sauna traditions, with a mission to support sauna quality in the UK.
Sauna*: An enclosed room heated with a stove, where steam is created through pouring water on hot stones. Sauna bathing promotes the wellbeing of the individual and the community as whole.
3 Trustees
The charity shall be managed by a committee of trustees who are appointed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the charity.
4 Carrying out the purposes
In order to carry out the charitable purposes, the trustees have the power to:
Raise funds, receive grants and donations
Apply funds to carry out the work of the charity
Co-operate with and support other charities with similar purposes
Do anything which is lawful and necessary to achieve the purposes
5 Membership
The charity shall have a membership. People who support the work of the charity and are aged 18 or over, can apply to the trustees to become a member. Once accepted by the trustees, membership lasts for 1 year and may be renewed. The trustees will keep an up-to-date membership list. Members are subject to a yearly membership fee, which is defined by the trustees.
The trustees may remove a person’s membership if they believe it is in the best interests of the charity. The member has the right to be heard by the trustees before the decision is made and can be accompanied by a friend.
Members can volunteer for officer roles, which lead and execute specific projects for the organisation. They are appointed to their role upon being approved by a minimum of 3 trustees. The responsibilities and duration of the officer’s role are subject to trustee approval.
6 Annual General Meeting - AGM
The AGM must be held every year, with 14 days notice given to all members telling them what is on the agenda. Minutes must be kept of the AGM.
There must be at least 11 members present at the AGM.
Every member has one vote.
The trustees and officers shall present the annual report and accounts.
Any member may stand for election as a trustee.
Every two years, members shall elect between 3 and 10 trustees to serve for the next 2 years. They will retire at the end of the 2 year term, but may stand for re-election to the maximum of 3 consecutive elections.
7 Trustee meetings
Trustees must hold at least 2 meetings each year. At their first meeting after the AGM they will elect a Chair, a Deputy Chair, a Treasurer and a Secretary. Trustees may act by majority decision. In case of even votes, the Chair has the final decision.
All trustees must be present at the meeting to be able to make decisions. Minutes shall be kept for every meeting.
If trustees have a conflict of interest they must declare it and leave the meeting while this matter is being discussed or decided.
The trustees may make reasonable additional rules to help run the charity. These rules must not conflict with this constitution or the law.
8 Money and property
Money and property must only be used for the charity’s purposes.
Trustees must keep accounts. The most recent annual accounts can be seen by anybody on request.
Trustees cannot receive any money or property from the charity, except to refund reasonable out of pocket expenses.
Money must be held in the charity’s bank account. All payments must be approved by 2 trustees, including the treasurer.
9 General meetings
If the Trustees consider it is necessary to change the constitution, or wind up the charity, they must call a General Meeting so that the membership can make the decision. Trustees must also call a General Meeting if they receive a written request from the majority of members. All members must be given 14 days notice and told the reason for the meeting. All decisions require a two thirds majority. Minutes must be kept.
Winding up - any money or property remaining after payment of debts must be given to a charity with similar purposes to this one.
Changes to the Constitution - can be made at AGMs or General Meetings. No change can be made that would make the organisation no longer a charity.
General Meeting - called on a written request from a majority of members.
Trustees may also call a General Meeting to consult the membership.
The trustees and officers shall present the annual report and accounts.
Any member may stand for election as a trustee.
Every two years, members shall elect between 3 and 10 trustees to serve for the next 2 years. They will retire at the end of the 2 year term, but may stand for re-election to the maximum of 3 consecutive elections.
10 Setting up the charity
This constitution was adopted on 06 September 2020 by the people whose signatures appear below. They are the first members of the charity and will be the trustees until the AGM, which must be held within one year of this date.