Constitution

The organisation shall be called the Federation of Stedfast Associations: United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It shall operate within the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

To further the Objects of The Boys' Brigade
To foster the spirit of comradeship between Stedfast Associations, Past Members Associations and supporters of the work of The Boys' Brigade.
To render service to others.
To develop and promote links with Stedfast Associations, Past Members Associations and supporters of the work of The Boys' Brigade worldwide.

Any Stedfast Association or similar member group within the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland may affiliate to the Federation provided it agrees to accept the objects of the Federation.
Former members and supporters of The Boys' Brigade who, for one reason or another are unable to join an affiliated Stedfast Association, may apply to become Associate Members of the Federation. Associate Members will not have a vote at Annual or Special Council Meetings.
In the event of any dispute over membership of the Federation or whether any affiliated association is acting against the spirit of the objectives of the Federation, a panel of not less than five people representing different associations shall meet to determine the outcome.

The Federation shall have the power to raise an annual fee from its Affiliated Associations, Groups and Associate Members. Such fee will be decided each year at the Annual Council Meeting, and be effective from the start of the financial year following the Annual Council Meeting, i.e. from 1 January.
The Management Committee shall have the power to raise additional funds to further the Federation's activities.
The Federation shall publish annual accounts, which shall be independently examined by a person considered suitable but who is not a member of the Management Committee. The Management Committee shall appoint this person
The financial year of the Federation shall run from 1 January until 31 December annually.

An Annual Council Meeting shall be held each year, preferably in April or May. This meeting will include provision for the election of Office Bearers and the approval of the Annual Accounts.
The Federation shall elect from among its Members a Management Committee comprising: a Chairman, a Vice Chairman, a Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, a Treasurer, an Editor/Publicity Officer and an Extension Officer. The Management Committee shall have power to make additional appointments, including the co-option of members, as is deemed necessary.
The appointment of the Chairman and Vice Chairman shall be made for a period of two years, and the holders will not be eligible for re-election after their term of office is complete. All other appointments shall be made for a period of one year unless otherwise agreed, and these office bearers will be eligible for re-election each year.
The Management Committee shall have the power to recommend to the Annual Council Meeting the appointment of an Honorary President and Honorary Vice Presidents. There shall be one Honorary President and any number of Honorary Vice Presidents at one time. These shall be life-time appointments at the discretion of the holder.

Each Member Association shall have one vote. Members of the Management Committee may only vote if they are part of the Voting College. The Chairman of the meeting may use a casting Vote if this becomes necessary, but shall not have a Substantive Vote.
A Ballot at both meetings will normally be by a show of hands. However, the Chairman or any voting member can call for a paper vote at any time during the discussion.
All Constitutional Motions shall require a two-thirds majority of the Associations eligible to vote. All Non Constitutional Motions shall require a simple majority of the Associations eligible to vote.
If an Association cannot be represented at a meeting by one of it's own members, the Association may appoint in writing a member of another Association or the Chairman of the meeting to act as a proxy and to vote on the Association's behalf. The Secretary shall be advised of the identity of such proxy voters prior to the meeting.

These can be called by the Management Committee or by a minimum of six Member Associations.
Any request for such a meeting to be convened must state the item(s) to be discussed at the meeting. If a request is made, the Secretary will make arrangements for the meeting to be held within three months of the request being made.

Notice of a motion to amend the Constitution must be sent in writing to the Secretary not later than 9.00am on the last Saturday in December. A resolution to amend the Constitution must be either in the name of the Management Committee or in the name of a member Association and be both proposed and seconded at the meeting. The resolution must be proposed and seconded by different Associations. These resolutions require a two-thirds majority of the Associations eligible to vote.
The terms of such a motion and the name of the proposer shall be circulated to the Associations by 31 January.
Any resolution to alter this constitution shall require a majority of two thirds of the Associations eligible to vote. These votes must be cast in person or by proxy.

In the event of dissolution of the Federation, all assets shall be given to The Boys' Brigade, Charity Registration Number 305969

Approved at the Federation Annual Council in Manchester, June 2008.