Constitution

December 2014

1. Title The Society shall be known as the Kingswood History Society
2. Aims and Objectives

The aims and objectives of the Society shall be to undertake meeting at monthly interyals from

1. March to December, and to arrange and present a programme of talks on subjects likely to be of interest to members. Visits shall be made from time to time to places of interest to members.
2. A website to be established and kept up to date and further developed to reflect the news and interests of the Society.
3. Membership Shall be open to any person who is interested in the aims of the Society.
4. Subscriptions Members shall pay an annual subscription of an amount to be decided the committee.

5 . Officers The members of the Society shall elect a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer at each Annual General Meeting or whenever special circumstances require.

6. Committee The committee shall comprise of the elected Officers and not more than three members. The Committee shall retire at each Annual General Meeting and the members shall be eligible for re-election. The Committee shall have powers to co-opt further member if it considers such desirable but such co-opted member shall serve only for a given purpose, or a given period and shall retire when the committee retires. Members under the age of 16 shall not be eligible to serve on the committee
7. Accounts Checker shall be elected who may be from among those member who are not officers of the Society nor Committee member. He/she shall retire at the Annual General Meeting but shall be eligible for re-election.
8. Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting shall be held at the December meeting.
9. Special General Meeting A Special General Meeting may be called by the committee at any time and shall be called by the Secretary within 21 days of receipt by him/her of a written request for such a meeting, signed by not less than five members of the Society,
10. Quorum The Quorum for a Committee meeting shall be three and for a General meeting one third of the

total membership or ten, whichever is the less.

11. Accounts and Funds The Treasurer shall open and maintain such account(s) in the name of the Society as is thought necessary by the Committee with a suitable bank or building society. Withdrawals therefrom whether by cheque of otherwise shall be signed by two out of the three officers of the Society. The Treasurer shall operate a float of £10. The Treasurer shall prepare and present a Statement of Accounts to be signed by himself or herself and the Accounts Checker to the members at each Annual General Meeting.
12. Disbandment of Society In the event of a decision being taken to cease the activities of the Society, the Acting Chairman and Secretary, together with any remaining Committee members shall in keeping with the historical and environmental aims of the Society, ensure that any monies remaining to the credit of the Society are donated to a similar local organisation.

Equal Opportunities and Managing Diversity Statement

Our Society is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. This commitment extends to our members and volunteers within the membership.

We welcome everyone from our community as a member.

We will not discriminate against our members or volunteers within the membership on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origin, trade union activity, HIV or marital status, religion, belief or similar bases.

We also recognise that many potential members have criminal records and may be reluctant to apply for membership where they would be required to disclose details of their record. Having a criminal record is not necessarily a bar to anyone from joining our society.

Furthermore, we value difference and recognise the value that the different backgrounds , skills, outlooks and experiences of our membership bring to the Society.

We will not tolerate behaviour that contradicts the letter or spirit of this statement policy.

Safeguarding Children , Young People, and Adults at Risk Policy

KINGSWOOD HISTORY SOCIETY provides the following activities;

Whilst these may not include direct services for children, young people and

adults at risk KINGSWOOD HISTORY SOCIETY recognises that safeguarding

those members of society is everyone’s business and that all may become

vulnerable at many stages in their lives.

KINGSWOOD HISTORY SOCIETY is committed therefore to ensuring that

the Management Committee, Volunteers and those who participate in Activities

run by the Society , K.H.S. have an understanding of Safeguarding Children

Young People and Adults at risk and what forms Abuse may take and that they

know where to raise concerns if abuse is Suspected or Reported.

This policy therefore applies to all Elected Committee Members and any

Member Co-opted for the aforesaid Activities and anyone working on behalf of

K.H.S. to safeguard Children, Young People and Adult at risk.

IF A CONCERN IS RAISED THIS SHOULD BE DOCUMENTED and SENT THROUGH TO THE NAMED COMMITEE MEMBERS OF THE KINGSWOOD HISTORY SOCIETY.

Officers to whom concerns should be raised.

Mr Ray Parker ( Chairman K.H.S.)

Mr Dale Blackwell (Secretary K.H.S.)

EMAIL ADDRESS – roy.barker2023@yahoo.com

Any allegation will be fully investigated and KINGSWOOD HISTORY

SOCIETY will support Members Volunteers during this process. It is

important that allegations are thoroughly investigated through the safeguarding

process so that the Allegation can either be proved or disproved for the

protection of the child(ren) adult(s) at risk and staff

All allegations should be reported within one working day to the either of the

named officers of the KINGSWOOD HISTORY SOCIETY.

Any allegation related to any member of the Kingswood History Society

working with young people and adults must be reported to the Chairman of the

Kingswood History Society on 07468347865.

It is important to remember that abuse is defined by the impact on the

individual not the intention of the abuser. In other words if someone does not

have their needs cared for this can be just as damaging whether it is done

deliberately or because a carer can no longer manage.

People who behave abusively come from all backgrounds and walks of life.

They may be Doctors, Nurses, Social Workers, advocates, staff members,

volunteers, or others in positions of trust. They may also be relatives, friends,

neighbours or people who use the same services as the person experiencing

abuse.

KINGSWOOD HISTORY SOCIETY will ensure, all who are arranging events

on their behalf , are made aware of this policy.

Safeguarding adults at risk.

Safeguarding is aimed at people with care and support needs, who may be in

vulnerable circumstances and at risk of abuse or neglect. In these cases , local

services must work together to spot those at risk and take steps to protect them.

(The Care Act 2014).

Safeguarding means protecting an adults right to live in safety, free from abuse

and neglect. It is about people and organisations working together to prevent

and stop both the risks and experience of abuse and neglect, while at the same

time, making sure that the adult’s well being is promoted including, where

appropriate, having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in

deciding on any action. This must recognise that adults sometimes have

complex interpersonal relationships and may be ambivalent, unclear or

unrealistic about their personal circumstances.

The following six key principles underpin all adult safeguarding work

1 Empowerment: people being supported and encouraged to make their own

decisions and give informed consent.

2 Prevention : It is better to take action before harm occurs.

3 Proportionality : The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented

4 Protection: support and representation for those in greater need.

5 Partnership: Local solutions through services working with their communities

communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect

and abuse.

6 Accountability: accountability and transparency in safeguarding practice.

Definition of Adults at Risk

An adult who :

* has needs for care and support ( whether or not the local authority is meeting

any of those needs)

is meeting , or at risk of abuse or neglect

* as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves

from either the risk of, or the experience of, abuse or neglect.

 

The Care Act also recognises the key role of carers in relation to safeguarding

For example a carer may witness or report abuse or neglect; experience

intentional or unintentional harm from the adult they are trying to support or a

carer may ( unintentionally or intentionally ) harm or neglect the adult they

support. It is important to view the situation holistically and look at the safety

and well being of both. The Act makes it clear throughout the need for

preventing abuse and neglect wherever possible. Observant professionals and

other staff making early, positive interventions with individuals and families

can make a huge difference to their lives , preventing the deterioration of a

situation or breakdown of a support network.

ABUSE INCLUDES

The following is a list of the types of abuse and neglect that can occur.

* Physical abuse : hitting, slapping, punching, burning

* Domestic violence and abuse : including psychological, physical, sexual

financial, emotional abuse.

* Sexual abuse: rape, indecent assault, inappropriate touching

* Psychological abuse and emotional abuse: threats of harm or abandonment

deprivation of contact, humiliation , blaming, controlling, intimidation

coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, cyber bullying, isolation,

*Financial or material abuse, stealing, selling assets.

*Discriminatory abuse: Including racist, sexist, based on a persons disability

and other forms of harassment.

People may make the choice to remain in abusive situations and if they have the

mental capacity to make that decision that may be appropriate, however the

decision about mental capacity is a complex one and it is important that the

correct assessment of capacity is undertaken within the safeguarding process.