Constitution of the Cornish Language Fellowship

(fifth revision, December 1997)

1. Name

The name of the society shall be Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek.

 2. Objects

The objects of the Kowethas are to advance the education of the public in the Cornish language through promoting, encouraging and fostering its use. The Kowethas shall be non-party political.

3. Membership

The membership of the Kowethas shall consist of such persons who having been admitted to membership, shall pay the subscription fixed as provided for by paragraph 15. The Council of the Kowethas may authorise the admission of members without proposal or election, but may decline or terminate the membership of any person whose membership would in its opinion prejudice the interests or objectives of the Kowethas. Any General Meeting, as defined below, is empowered to hear a report on a declined application or a terminated membership and to reverse a Council decision on a membership matter of these kinds.

4. Council

The management of the Kowethas shall be vested in a Council consisting of (a) the Chair, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Membership Officer and the Publications Officer (hereafter referred to as the Officers), (b) six members elected by the Annual General Meeting. The editor of 'An Gannas' shall be a member ex officio. The council shall have the power to co-opt up to two other members.

5. Elections

The Officers and six members of the Council shall be elected annually by the Annual General Meeting. Nominations for election shall be in writing, duly seconded and received by the Secretary with the consent of the person nominated before the Annual General Meeting. If no nomination is received for a position, the Annual General Meeting may elect any member of the Kowethas to that position.

6. Casual Vacancies

The Council may appoint any member of the Kowethas to fill any casual vacancy which may occur among the Officers or members of the Council and any person so appointed shall hold office until the next Annual General Meeting.

7. Kesva An Taves Kernewek (The Cornish Language Board)

The Kowethas through its Council shall make such arrangements as shall be necessary for the election of members of Kesva an Taves Kernewek.

8. Chairman/Chairwoman

The Chairman/Chairwoman, if present, shall take the chair at all  General Meetings and at meetings of the Council. In the absence of the Chairman/Chairwoman the meeting shall elect a  Chairman/Chairwoman. In an equality of votes, the Chairman/Chairwoman shall have a second or casting vote.

9. General Meetings

The Secretary shall send written notice of all General Meetings to all members of the Kowethas at least twenty-one days before the date of the Meeting. The quorum at General Meetings shall be fifteen members present.

10. Annual General Meetings

The business at the Annual General Meeting shall include the election of Officers and members of the Council as provided for by paragraphs 4 and 5, the election of an Auditor, the presentation of accounts for the previous financial year and of  reports on the activities of the Kowethas and the fixing of the annual subscription.

11. Special General Meetings

A Special General Meeting shall be called if directed by the Chairman/Chairwoman or the Council or upon the written order of at least fifteen members of the Kowethas to discuss specific business. The notice of a Special General Meeting shall state the purpose for which it is called, and no other business shall be transacted.

12. Council Meetings

The Secretary shall give notice of all Council Meetings to all members of the Council at least seven days before the date of the Meeting. A quorum at Council Meetings shall be four members present. A Meeting of the Council shall be called by the Chairman/Chairwoman, or upon written requisition of at least four members of the Council to discuss specific business. The Council shall meet at least four times a year.

13. Emergency Action

If circumstances shall require immediate action to be protect the interests or to promote the objectives of the Kowethas, then Officers or any one of them may act in the name of the Kowethas, but shall report any action to the next meeting of the Council.

14. Subscription

The annual subscription shall be payable in advance by all members of the Kowethas. The amount of the subscription shall be decided by the Annual General Meeting. The membership of any member whose subscription is in arrears shall be suspended until all arrears are paid, provided that a written reminder has been sent to the last known address of such member.

15. Accounts

The Treasurer shall make up the accounts of the Kowethas to a date in each year to be determined by the Council, and shall present to the Annual General Meeting next following the end of each financial year. The accounts shall be examined and certified by an Auditor (who shall not be a member of the Council) appointed annually by the Annual General Meeting.

16. Change Of Rules

a)        Subject to the following provisions of this clause the Constitution may be altered by a resolution passed by not less than two thirds of the members present and voting as a General Meeting. The notice of the General Meeting must include notice of the resolution, setting out the terms of the alteration proposed.

b)     No amendment may be made to clause 2 Objects, clause 4 Council, clause 17 Dissolution or this clause without the prior consent in writing of the Commissioners.

c)     No amendment may be made which would have the effect of making the Charity cease to be a charity at law.

d)     The Executive Committee should promptly send to the Commissioners a copy of any amendment made under this clause.

17. Dissolution

If the Executive Committee decides that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Charity it shall call a Meeting of all members of the Charity, of which not less than 21 days notice shall be given. If the proposal is comfirmed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting, the Executive shall have power to realise any assets held by or on behalf of the Charity. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to other charitable institutions having objects similar to the objects of the Charity as the members of the Charity may determine or failing that shall be applied for some other charitable purpose. A copy of statement of accounts, or account and statement, for the final accounting period of the Charity must be sent to the Commissioners.