Rules of The Association

Rules of The Association

The "Rules" of an association form the structure within which the association operates.

The St Benedict's, Ealing alumni association is dedicated to building and serving the community of present and future alumni and friends by celebrating traditions of St Benedict's, Ealing and inspiring pride in St Benedict's, Ealing.

The Old Priorian Association was inaugurated 17th October 1927 and The Abbot of Ealing is its Patron.

The "Rules of the Association" set out below were originally adopted at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Association, held on 8th June 1958 and have subsequently been revised to incorporate various amendments – as approved at Annual General Meetings held on 6th May 2003 and 12th November 2005 respectively.


Table of Contents

1. NAME 11. THE COUNCIL
2. DEFINITIONS 12. POWERS OF THE COUNCIL
3. PURPOSES 13. PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL
4. PROPERTY 14. AUDIT
5. ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP 15. SPECIAL BUSINESS
6. CATEGORIES OF MEMBERSHIP 16. ALTERATIONS TO RULES
7. MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS AND OBLIGATIONS 17. NOTICES
8. OFFICERS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS 18. SUBSCRIPTIONS
9. GENERAL MEETING 19. GENERAL
10. PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETING 20. DISSOLUTION

1. NAME

The name of the Association shall be "The Old Priorian Association"


2. DEFINITIONS

2.1. The words standing in the first column of the table next hereinafter contained shall bear the meaning set opposite to them respectively in the second column thereof, if not inconsistent with the subject or context:-

"The Association" – the above named Association

"The Patron" – the Patron of the Association shall be the Abbot of Ealing

"The Council" – the Managing Council for the time being of the Association

"The School" – St Benedict's Ealing, 54 Eaton Rise, London W5 2ES

"The Headmaster" – the Headmaster (or acting Headmaster) of St Benedict's, Ealing


3. PURPOSES

The Association is established:

3.1. To form a centre of union for former pupils of the School and to hold meetings to renew old associations which connect the Members with the School and Ealing Abbey.

3.2. To forward and promote in every practical way the interests of the School, by:

3.2.1. Founding and maintaining fellowships, exhibitions, scholarships, bursaries and studentships at the School or elsewhere.

3.2.2. Awarding each year the Priorian Medal to a pupil at the School upon the recommendation of the Headmaster; and other Association Prizes.

3.2.3. Promoting meetings, lectures, and assemblies to consider, study and discuss the spiritual, moral, cultural and physical welfare of the pupils of the School.

3.2.4. Raising funds to further the objects of the Association by fees, levies, subscriptions, donations, entertainment, social functions, competitions, sports and games.

3.2.5. Purchasing, taking on lease or in exchange, hiring or otherwise acquiring any real or personal property and any rights or privileges which the Association may think necessary or convenient for the promotion of its purposes.

3.2.6. Selling, letting, mortgaging, disposing of or turning to account all or any of the property or assets of the Association as may be thought expedient with a view to the promotion of its purposes.

3.2.7. Borrowing or raising money for the purposes of the Association on such terms and with or without security as may be thought fit.

3.2.8. Investing the moneys of the Association not immediately required for its purposes for its benefit in or upon such investments, securities or property both real and personal as may be thought fit.

3.3. To do all such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects or any of them.


4. PROPERTY

4.1. The income and property of the Association, no matter how derived, shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the purposes of the Association as set forth herein and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly howsoever by way of profit to the members of the Association, provided that nothing herein shall prevent the payment in good faith of reasonable and proper remuneration to any officer or servant of the Association or to any member of the Association in return for any services actually rendered to the Association, nor prevent the payment of interest at a rate not exceeding 5 per cent per annum on money lent by any member to the Association, or reasonable and proper rent for premises demised or let by any member to the Association: nor prevent the payment to any member of the Association of any reasonable cash or other prize won in respect of any game, competition or other prize whatsoever promoted by the Association for the furtherance of the said purposes. Abbey.


 

5. ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP

The following persons shall be eligible for membership of the Association:

5.1. All former pupils of the School.

5.2. Teaching staff of the Senior and Junior Schools.

5.3. Such other persons as may be elected to Membership by the Council.


 

6. CATEGORIES OF MEMBERSHIP

6.1. Honorary Members.

6.1.1. The Headmaster shall be an Honorary Member of the Association, as shall all past Headmasters and all past Junior School Headmasters, members of the monastic community who have been pupils or teachers in the School, and such other persons as may be elected by the Council.

6.1.2. Other candidates for Honorary Membership shall be proposed and seconded by at least two members but shall not become Honorary Members until elected by the Council who shall have a complete discretion to refuse Honorary Membership to any person proposed and seconded under this sub-rule without having to assign any reason for such refusal.

6.2. Ordinary Members.

6.2.1. Subject to the provisions of Rule 12.3.1. former pupils of the School and members of the teaching staff as defined in 5.2 above shall be entitled without election to become ordinary members of the Association upon payment of an annual fee determined by the Council from time to time.

6.3. Life Members.

6.3.1. Any person eligible for membership of the Association may become a Life Member upon payment of the Life Membership fee determined by the Council from time to time, and in such an event shall not thereafter be liable for any subscription to the Association.

6.3.2. Those granted Life Membership before April 2003 will be deemed to be Life Members with immediate effect under this amendment to the Rules.

6.3.3. Ordinary Members with effect from 1st January 2004 who have paid annual subscriptions to a total equivalent to the Life Membership fee shall be deemed Life Members thereafter. Ordinary Members who have not yet paid that total may apply for Life Membership on payment of the difference between the current life membership fee and their total annual payments to that date.

6.3.4 Current pupils may seek Life Membership upon leaving by payment of a lump sum determined by the Council from time to time, or by such a sum being paid in instalments whilst still a pupil.

6.4. Sustaining Members.

Life Members, once established in life, may wish to make a regular additional contribution to the Association to enhance its assistance to the School under Rule 3.2. above. Such Sustaining members shall have additional free entitlement to attend School plays, concerts and other such events.


 

7. MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS AND OBLIGATIONS (Changed at AGM November 2010)

7.1. Ordinary and Life Members shall receive the following benefits:

7.1.1. One copy of each issue of "The Priorian" on request upon publication, at cost plus postage but free to members who have left school within the last four years. This will be sent by post.

7.1.2. The Old Priorian "Newsletter" twice a year. This will be sent by post.

7.1.3. Membership of sports clubs, and access as agreed from time to time to the Playing Fields and Pavilion at Perivale. Access to the Association's Administrator for assistance in correspondence with other individual Old Priorians. Access to the Administrator for assistance in correspondence with potential participants in social or sporting events for Old Priorians not organised by the Association itself.

7.1.4. E-mail of the updates to the Old Priorian Diary of School and Association events.

7.2. All other communication from the Old Priorian Association with its members, including formal notices (those required by the Rules of the Association) will normally be sent by electronic means, either via email or the official OPA Website.

7.3 If the Association does not hold an Email address for a member then formal notices (those required by the Rules of the Association) will be sent by post.

7.4 The Email Address of a member as held in the OPA Database will be deemed valid. It will be deemed the obligation of members to inform the Association of any change in their Email Address.

7.5. All members shall be deemed to have agreed and undertaken to comply with the Rules of the Association upon payment of the appropriate fee.

7.6. A member may by notice in writing to the Honorary Secretary resign from membership of the Association at any time, but will continue to remain liable for any unpaid subscription and levy at the date of such notice. A Life Member who resigns as aforesaid shall not be entitled to the return of any part of the membership fee.


 

8. OFFICERS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

The Chief elected Officers of the Association shall be the President, the Honorary Secretary, the Honorary Treasurer, and the Honorary Social Secretary. The Office of Honorary Secretary shall not be held by the Honorary Treasurer.

8.1. The Chief elected Officers and Council Members shall be members of the Association and shall be elected at an Annual General Meeting.

8.2. The President shall hold office until the conclusion of the subsequent Annual General Meeting and shall always be eligible for re-election for a further term. Any casual vacancy in the office of President shall be filled in accordance with Rule 11.2.

8.3. The Officers (other than the President) and Council Members shall hold office until the Annual General Meeting next after their appointment and shall be eligible for re-election.

8.4. Nominations for the Chief elected Officers and Council Members shall be in writing and duly proposed and seconded by two members of the Association. Such nominations must be sent to the Honorary Secretary so as to reach him seven clear days prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting at which the election is to take place.

8.5. The Council shall appoint any member to fill a casual vacancy from time to time in any of the Offices and the person so appointed shall hold office until the next Annual General Meeting and shall be eligible for re-election.

8.6. The Council will invite the Abbot to appoint a Chaplain to the Association.

8.7. The Headmaster, the Chaplain, the Headmaster of St Benedict's Ealing Junior School, the Representative of the Society of Parents and Friends, the Chair of the Advisory Governing Body, the Bursar of the Trust of St Benedict's School, the Administrator OPA, the Assistant Administrator OPA and the Development Director St Benedict's School are ex-officio members of the Council.


 

9. GENERAL MEETINGS

9.1. The Association shall hold a General Meeting in every calendar year as its Annual General Meeting, at such time and place as the Council shall determine and shall specify the Meeting as such in the notices calling it, provided that each Annual General Meeting shall be held not more than fifteen months after the holding of the last preceding Annual General Meeting.

9.2. All General Meetings other than Annual General Meeting shall be called Extraordinary Meetings.

9.3. The Council may whenever it thinks fit, convene an Extraordinary Meeting and an Extraordinary Meeting shall be convened by the Honorary Secretary on a requisition signed by not fewer than twenty members setting forth the resolution they desire to be considered by an Extraordinary Meeting, such meeting to be held within eight weeks of the receipt of such resolution by the Honorary Secretary.

9.4. Except as provided by Rule 16, fourteen days' notice at the least of every General Meeting (exclusive in every case both of the day on which it is served or deemed to be served and of the day for which it is given) specifying the place, the day and the hour of meeting, and in the case of special business, the general nature of the business, shall be given to all persons entitled to receive such notice.

9.5. The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to, or the non-receipt of such notice by, any person entitled to receive notice thereof shall not invalidate any resolution passed, or proceeding undertaken, at any meeting.


 

10. PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS

10.1. All business shall be deemed special that is transacted at an Extraordinary Meeting, and all that is transacted at an Annual General Meeting shall also be deemed special, with the exception of the consideration of the income and expenditure account and balance sheet and the reports of the Council and of the Auditors, the election or re-election of the Officers and the members of the Council.

10.2. No business shall be transacted at any General Meeting unless a quorum is present when the meeting proceeds to business. Until otherwise decided by a General Meeting, seven members personally present shall be a quorum.

10.3. The President of the Association or, failing the President, one of the Officers shall preside as Chairman at every General Meeting but if at any meeting none of them shall be present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the same, or shall be unwilling to preside, the members present shall choose some other member of the Council, or if no such member be present, or if all the members of the Council decline to take the Chair, the Meeting shall choose some member of the Association present to preside.

10.4. The Chairman of a meeting may, with the consent of any meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting) adjourn a meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than business which might have been transacted at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. Whenever a meeting is adjourned for thirty days or more notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in the same manner as of an original meeting. Save as aforesaid, the members shall not be entitled to any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting.

10.5. At all General Meetings a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands unless a ballot be demanded by the Chairman or by two Members present, in the case of an Extraordinary Resolution by not less than a three-fourths majority, and in the case of an Ordinary Resolution by a majority of the members who being present in person vote and are entitled to vote, and a declaration by the Chairman of the Meeting that a resolution has been carried, or carried unanimously or by a particular majority, or lost, or not carried by a particular majority, and an entry to that effect in the minute book of the Association shall be conclusive evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against that resolution.

10.6. In the case of an equality of votes, on a show of hands the Chairman of the Meeting shall be entitled to a second or casting vote.


 

11. THE COUNCIL

11.1. Until otherwise determined by a General Meeting, the Council shall consist of the Chief elected Officers, the ex-officio members and not less than four elected members. The President shall be eligible for election as Chairman of the Council.

11.2. The Council may from time to time and at any time appoint any member of the Association as a member of the Council either to fill a casual vacancy or by way of addition to the Council. Any member so appointed shall retain office only until the next Annual General Meeting. He or she shall then be eligible for re-election.

11.3. No person who is not a member of the Association shall in any circumstances be eligible to hold office as a member of the Council. The Council shall have power to co-opt any member of the Association who is willing to serve temporarily upon the Council or upon one of its sub-Committees, if and when delegated. No sub-Committee shall have power to co-opt without the sanction of the Council and no co-opted member shall be entitled to vote at any meeting of the Council or of a sub-Committee.

11.4. The Council will appoint an Administrator and Assistant Administrator.

11.5 The Headmaster may appoint other members of the Staff of St Benedict's, Ealing as seems fit to attend Council meetings.


 

12. POWERS OF THE COUNCIL

12.1. The business of the Association shall be managed by the Council who may exercise all such powers of the Association and do on behalf of the Association all such acts as may be exercised and done by the Association, and as are not by these presents required to be exercised or done by the Association in General Meeting.

12.2. The members for the time being of the Council may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body. Provided always that in case the members of the Council shall at any time be reduced in number to less than the minimum number prescribed by or in accordance with these presents, it shall be lawful for them to act as the Council for the purpose of filling up vacancies in their body, or of summoning a General Meeting, but not for any other purpose.

12.3. If any member of the Association refuses or neglects to comply with the provisions of the Rules or conducts himself or herself in a way which in the opinion of the Council is or may be injurious to the Association, the Council may by notice in writing call upon him or her to resign. If such Vice-President, Officer or member (as the case may be) who is called upon to resign does not do so within twenty-eight days of the receipt of the said notice then (provided he or she is first given an opportunity of' being heard by the Association), he or she may forthwith be expelled by the Council after a resolution for this purpose has been passed at a specially convened meeting of the Council. Any person expelled under this sub-Rule shall not save as hereinafter excepted be eligible for membership of the Association except that he or she may be elected to membership by a three-quarters majority at a meeting of the Council convened for that purpose. A Life Member who is expelled under this Rule shall not be entitled to the return of any part of his or her life membership fee.

12.4. Any Officer or member of the Association who is in arrears for six months with any subscription (whether annual or otherwise) or other payment which has become due, may be struck off the list of Ordinary Members by the Council, whereupon he or she shall forthwith cease to be entitled to the benefits thereof.


 

13. PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL

13.1. The Council may meet together for the dispatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings as they think fit, and determine the quorum necessary for the transaction of business. Questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes. In case of any equality of votes the Chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.

13.2. The President may, and on the request of a member of the Council, shall direct the Honorary Secretary at any time to summon a meeting of the Council. Seven days' notice at least of every meeting of the Council (exclusive in every case both of the day on which it is served or deemed to be served and of the day for which it is given) specifying the place, the date and time of meeting shall be given to all persons entitled to receive such notice.

13.3. No business shall be transacted at any Council meeting unless a quorum is present when the meeting proceeds to business. Until otherwise decided by the Council four members personally present shall be a quorum.

13.4. The Council may delegate any of their powers to sub-Committees consisting of such member or members of the Council as they think fit, and any sub-Committee so formed shall, in the execution of the powers so delegated, conform to any regulations imposed on it by the Council. The meetings and proceedings of any such sub-Committee shall be governed by the provisions of these presents for regulating the meetings and the proceedings of the Council so far as applicable and so far as the same shall not be superseded by any regulations made by the Council as aforesaid.

13.5. The Council shall cause proper minutes to be made of all appointments of Officers made by the Council and of the proceedings of all meetings of the Association and of the Council and of sub-Committees and all business transacted at such meetings, and any such minutes of any meeting, if purporting to be signed by the Chairman of such meeting, or by the Chairman of the next succeeding meeting, shall be sufficient evidence without any further proof of the facts therein stated.

13.6. The Council shall cause proper books or accounts to be kept with respect to:

13.6.1. All sums of money received and expended by the Association and the matters in respect of which such receipts and expenditure take place.

13.6.2. All sales and purchases of goods by the Association.

13.6.3. All assets and liabilities of the Association.

13.6.4. The said books or accounts shall be kept by the Administrator at the Association office in the School or shall be kept by the School's Finance Dept., and shall always be open to inspection by members of the Council.

13.6.5. At the Annual General Meeting every year the Council shall lay before the Association a proper income and expenses account of the period since the last preceding account made up to a date not more than three months before such meeting with a proper balance sheet date. All such accounts shall be accompanied by proper reports of the Council.


 

14. AUDIT

14.1 Once at least in every year the accounts of the Association shall be examined and the income and expenses account and balance sheet reported upon by the Honorary Treasurer.

14.2 The accounting year shall be that of the School.


 

15. SPECIAL BUSINESS

When any Proposal to be considered at a General Meeting of the Association is deemed to be Special Business the Notice convening the Meeting to consider such special business shall specify the general nature of that business and such proposal will only become effective if passed by a majority of not less than three-fourths of such Members who are present at the Meeting and vote.


 

16. ALTERATIONS TO RULES

The Association may by Extraordinary Resolution add to, abrogate, vary or modify all or any of the Rules and the notice calling a meeting for this purpose shall specify a date not less than twenty-eight days from the service of such notice and such proposal will only become effective if passed by a majority of not less than three-fourths of such Members who are present at the Meeting and vote.


 

17. NOTICES

17.1. A notice may be served by the Association upon any member, either personally, or by sending it through the post in a prepaid letter, or by e-mail, to such a member at his address as appearing in the register of members.

17.2. Any notice, if served by post, shall be deemed to have been served on the day following that on which the letter containing the same is put into the post.


 

18. SUBSCRIPTIONS

18.1. The Annual subscription shall, until otherwise determined by the Association in General Meeting, be set at the rates and in the manner determined from time to time by Council.


 

19. GENERAL

19.1. The Chaplain of the Association shall say Mass for the welfare of the Members of the Association on the day of the Annual General Meeting, and one Mass for each Member on his or her decease. He shall conduct such Service of Remembrance for those killed in the defence of their country as shall be determined by Council. His stipend shall be fixed by the Council from time to time and paid annually.

19.2. On the decease of any Member of the Association the Honorary Secretary shall notify the Chaplain to say a Mass for the repose of the soul of the deceased and to include a mention in the next newsletter.

19.3. Each Member is earnestly requested to approach the Sacraments for the welfare of the Association on the Sunday preceding the Annual General Meeting.


 

20. DISSOLUTION

If upon the winding up or dissolution of the Association there remains, after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid to or distributed among past or present members of the Association, but shall be given or applied in or towards one or more of the Purposes of the Association referred to in Rule 3.