The Loners Group

THE RULES OF THE LONERS GROUP - A Shared Understanding.

1)  The name of the group shall be The Loners Group.

2)  Membership shall be confined to single basis either by bereavement, divorce, separation, or status of bachelor or spinster.These rules were written nearly 40 years ago when the word ‘single’ meant that a person was not one of a couple because they had not entered into a marriage contract. Then, cohabitation was not considered socially acceptable behaviour and being someone’s “partner” indicated the existence of a commercial business relationship.Times change and nowadays people refer to themselves as single if they don’t have a boy or girl friend and they are ‘unattached’. So although people can legitimately refer to themselves as ‘single’ (i.e. not married), those members who together behave as if they are not single would be considered in contravention of Rule 2.Several members have made it clear that although they live alone, they have a close relationship with a person who is not a member of the LG. This is a private matter and is not relevant to either their membership or their standing within the LG.

3)  The object of the Group is to promote and foster a spirit of friendship between all members by way of caravanning and other activities.Members need to assist the integration of new members into the Group and to ensure that everyone attending meets and rallies has the opportunity of joining in outings and activities.Unacceptable behaviours will not be tolerated e.g. the use of offensive language, aggressive or abusive behaviours etc.

4) Any member on reaching the age of 90 years after a continuous membership of at least 10 years shall be granted Life Membership of the Group from which date such member shall be relieved of payment of any further subscriptions but shall be entitled to all the benefits and subject to the responsibilities of membership of the Group.

5)   The annual subscription of each member shall be determined by the Annual General Meeting. The membership year shall also be determined by the AGM.

6)  The management of the Group shall be vested in a General Committee plus Regional Representatives Members to be elected annually at the AGM.Working within the framework of Committee Standing Orders

7) A General Meeting shall be held once a year as determined at the previous AGM.

8) An extra-ordinary General Meeting may be called at any time by the Committee as considered necessary, or by an application signed by not less than ten members meeting and give the General Committee 28 days notice, which must state the reason for calling the meeting.

9)  The Group accounts to be audited annually by an Honorary Auditor to be elected annually at the AGM

10) In the event of any question arising which is not provided for in the rules, or in the event of any dispute between members of the group concerned with Group matters or rules, the General Committee shall have full powers to make a decision.

11) No new rules shall be made, nor shall any of the rules herein be altered, amended or rescinded, without the consent of the General Meeting.

12) Members of the same sex may share a van for the sole purpose of attending the AGM with the permission of the Committee, and not on any other occasion.

13) The Committee shall have the right to refuse or cancel membership of the Group with right of appeal to a sub committee elected for the purpose.Situations may arise which require such a sub-committee to be set up. The Committee will establish a list of 2 or 3 people from each region who may be called upon to meet with the Chairman to deal with any such matters.

14) Membership of the Group shall be deemed to have lapsed if subscriptions are not paid within 30 days of the date requested. The enrolment fee will then apply.

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