Guild Constitution

1.  TITLE

The society shall be called The Chester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers.

2.  OBJECTS

The objects of the Guild shall be:

  1. To promote the recognition of Ringers as servants and Officials of the Church.

  2. To encourage and cultivate the Art of Change Ringing.

  3. To assist in every way possible co-operation with the Clergy in all matters relating to ringing.

  4. To encourage interest in the Preservation and Restoration of bells and fittings, including any which are redundant.

3.  AREA

The Guild shall operate in the Diocese of Chester and such neighbouring Parishes as may be deemed desirable by the Guild and the Parishes concerned.

A tower is said to be 'in union' with the Guild if it has a ring of bells hung for full circle ringing and has at least one fully paid up member of the Guild in its ringers.

4.  MEMBERSHIP

The Guild shall consist of:

  1. Vice Presidents

  2. Honorary Life Members

  3. Associate Members

  4. Members

  5. Non Resident Life Members

5.  EX-OFFICIO MEMBERSHIP

  1. The Bishop of Chester shall be ex-officio President, the Suffragan Bishops, the Archdeacons of the Diocese and the Dean of Chester shall be ex-officio Vice Presidents.

  2. The Clergy at churches which have bells shall be ex-officio Associate Members.

6.  ELECTION OF MEMBERS

  1. The Annual General Meeting shall have the power to elect Vice Presidents and Honorary Life Members.

  2. Members may be admitted to the Guild at any Branch Meeting.

  3. Members may also be elected by two resident members of the Guild before starting a peal, providing that the appropriate subscription be paid at the time. Such elections shall be ratified at a Guild or Branch meeting. (1995)

7.  ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

An Annual General Meeting shall be held for the purpose of :

  1. Electing Officers for the ensuing year.

  2. Receiving a Report of the activities of the previous year.

  3. Receiving and adopting the Accounts and fixing the subscriptions and peal booking fee for the ensuing year.

  4. Transacting any other business approved by the Executive Committee.

  5. Transacting any urgent business as may be deemed desirable by the Master.

  6. Taking part in united worship and practice in Change Ringing.

8.  EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETINGS

These shall be called at any time by the Secretary at the request of two or more officers, or of ten members.

9.  THE OFFICERS

  1. The Officers of the Guild shall be :

    1. The Master

    2. The Secretary

    3. The Treasurer

    4. The Report Secretary

    5. The Peal Recorder

    6. The Central Council Representatives

    7. The Bell Restoration Officer

    8. The Press Officer

    9. The Librarian

    10. The Webmaster

  2. The Master shall be a person skilled in the art of Change Ringing and capable of forwarding the cause of Change Ringing in the Diocese.

  3. The Officers shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting, with the exception of the Central Council Representatives who shall hold office for the duration of the Council triennial period, or part thereof.

  4. The Master shall not be eligible for immediate re-election after serving for three consecutive years in that office.

10.  THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The government of the Guild shall be vested in the Executive Committee which shall consist of :

  1. The Officers

  2. The Branch Secretaries and two representatives appointed by each Branch

  3. The Ringing Master of Chester Cathedral.

11.  THE TRUSTEES

The Custodian Trustees are the Diocesan Board of Finance (a registered Charity). The Managing Trustees are the Executive Committee.

12.  EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS

    1. The Master shall take the Chair. In the absence of the Master the meeting shall appoint its own Chairman.

    2. Eight persons shall form a quorum, provided that representatives from at least four branches are present.

13.  THE CENTRAL COUNCIL

The Guild shall be affiliated to the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, and shall abide by its rules and decisions.

14.  LOCAL BRANCHES

For the more effectual advancement of the objects of the Guild, local Branches shall be formed as opportunity offers and as the Executive Committee shall deem advisable. They shall be administered as hereafter provided.

15.  ALTERATIONS IN CONSTITUTION

The Constitution may be amended by a two thirds majority of members present and voting at an Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting called for this purpose.