1       Name
The name of the group shall be North Manchester and Bury Myeloma Support Group.

2       Aims
The aims of the group shall be:
 ·         To establish networks for people with Myeloma, their families and carers
 ·         To gain support for group members from each other and provide mutual support and assistance
 ·         To enhance knowledge and understanding of myeloma by receiving talks and demonstrations on topics of relevance and
        interest
 ·        To have a more up to date knowledge of myeloma and how to cope with the impact of living with the condition and the physical
        and psychological effect it has upon people with Myeloma, their families and carers
 ·         To respect confidentiality at all times

3      Powers
In furtherance of the aims, but not otherwise, the committee shall have the following powers:

a)     power to raise funds and to invite and receive contributions, provided that in raising funds the committee shall not undertake any substantial trading activities and shall conform to any relevant requirements of the law.

b)     power to do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of the aims.

4      Membership.
a)     Membership of the group shall be open to any patient receiving treatment for myeloma at North Manchester or Bury Hospitals
      and their families, their carers and their friends, interested in helping the group to achieve its aims and willing to abide by the
      rules of the group.

b)     Every member shall have one vote at General Meetings.

c)     The membership of any member may be terminated for good reason, including any breach of confidentiality, by the Management Committee.

5      Management.
a)     The group shall be administered by a Management Committee of not less than three and not more than five members elected at
      the group’s Annual General Meeting.

b)     The management committee shall meet at least twice a year.

c)     The chairperson shall chair all meetings of the group.  If the chair is absent from any meeting, the secretary shall chair the meeting.  In the absence of both the chairperson and the secretary the members of the committee present will choose one of their number to chair the meeting before any other business is transacted.

d)     The Officers of the Management Committee shall be the Chairperson, the Treasurer and the Secretary.  The Clinical Haematology Nurse shall be an ex-officio member of the committee.

e)     The quorum for Management Committee meetings shall be three.

f)     Voting at Management Committee meetings shall be by a show of hands.  If there is a tied vote then the Chairperson shall have a second vote.

6     The Duties of the Officers.
           a)     The duties of the Chairperson shall be:
                     1)     to chair meetings of the Committee and the support group
                     2)    as may be required by the Committee to act as the principal spokesperson on public occasions or when representations are
                           being made on behalf of the organisation to public bodies.

b)     The duties of the Secretary shall be:
  1)     to prepare in consultation with the Chairperson the agenda for the meetings of the Committee
  2)    to take minutes of all meetings
  3)    to deputise in the absence of the Chairperson
  4)    to deal with all correspondence relating to the group, e.g. room bookings, arrangements with speakers etc.

c)     The duties of the Treasurer shall be:
1)     to supervise the financial affairs of the organisation
2)    to ensure that proper accounts are kept with regards to all monies received and paid out by the organisation.

7     Finance
             a)     Any money obtained by the group shall only be used to further the group’s aims.
             b)   Any bank accounts opened for the group shall be in the name of the group.
             c)     Any cheques raised from the account will be by a nominated signatory and reported to the next meeting of the committee.

8     Annual General Meeting
             a)     The group shall hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the month of January.
             b)     All members shall be given at least 7 days notice of the AGM and shall be entitled to attend and vote.
             c)     The business of the AGM shall include:  
                     ·         receiving a report from the Chairperson on the group’s activities over the year
                     ·         receiving a report from the Treasurer on the finances of the group
                     ·         electing a new Management Committee, and
                     ·         considering any other matters as may be decided.
              d)     The quorum for the Annual General Meeting and any General Meeting shall be four.

9 Special General Meeting
             A Special General Meeting may be called by the Management Committee or members to discuss an urgent matter.  The
             Secretary shall give all members fourteen days notice of any Special General Meeting together with notice of the
             business to be discussed.

10 Alterations to the Constitution.
 Any changes to this Constitution must be agreed by at least two-thirds of those members present and voting at any General 
 Meeting.

11     Dissolution.
The group may be wound up at any time if agreed by two-thirds of those members present and voting at any General Meeting.  In the event of winding up any assets remaining after all debts have been paid shall be given to another group with similar aims.

This constitution was adopted June 2007. 
The first amendment was on 14 January 2008 to change the A.G.M date to January.