The Constitution of the Caledonian Society of Norway

 (15th April, 1947, and subsequently amended 1958, 1965, 1970, 1985, 1992, 1998, 2000,  2001 and 2004)

 §1.          Name of the Society.

The name of the Society is: The Caledonian Society of Norway.

 §2.          The object of the Society.

The object of the Society is to promote the cultural relationship between Norway and Scotland to be achieved by appropriate lecturers, gatherings, etc. 

§3.          Membership of the Society.

The membership of the Society, confined to males above 18 years of age, to consist of:

(i)                   Ordinary members

(ii)                 Visiting members

(iii)                Temporary members

(iv)               Honorary members

 §4.          Members.

The following may become members, after having been duly sponsored by two members (on a special application form):

(i)                   Scottish nationals

(ii)                 Norwegians with Scottish antecedents or associations.

(iii)                At the discretion of the Committee, Norwegians and other nationals especially interested in Scotland and her culture.

Members pay an Entrance Fee and an Annual membership subscription.

 

§5.          Visiting and Temporary Members.

At the discretion of the Committee the following may become Visiting or Temporary Members:

(i)                   Visiting Members. Members in good standing of other Caledonian or similar Societies and who are visiting Norway for less than one year.

(ii)                 Temporary Members. Those desirous of joining the Society and who know they will be leaving Norway within two years of joining.

Visiting members pay no entrance fee or annual membership subscription. Temporary members pay an entrance fee as decided under §10 together with the appropriate annual membership subscription.

§6.          Honorary Members.

The Committee has the power to bestow upon any person the distinction of Honorary Membership for reasons which commend themselves to the Committee.

Proposals from at least two members for bestowing Honorary Membership upon a person may be handed to the Secretary for consideration by the Committee. Honorary Members pay no fees or subscriptions.

§7.          Termination of Membership.

Membership terminates:

(i)                   From when the annual membership subscription falls due provided the leaving member so notifies the Secretary in writing.

(ii)                 When a member has been warned that his membership subscription is in arrears and still fails to pay his dues.

(iii)                By decision of the Committee when a member has acted against the interests of the Society. This decision may be brought up by the member concerned for final decision at the first Ordinary Meeting.

§8.          The Committee.

The Committee (being elected for office for 2 years) consists of the following Honorary Office-bearers:

(i)                   The President, who is the responsible head of the Society, is to be of Scottish nationality or birth, where possible. Elected in even years, he may serve a maximum of 3 consecutive terms at any one time.

(ii)                 The Vice President (Norwegian). Elected in uneven years, he shall have responsibility for the Society's public relations and may serve for a maximum of 3 consecutive terms at any one time.

(iii)                The Secretary, who shall, together with The President, be responsible for the day-to-day business of the Society. Elected in uneven years he may serve for a maximum of 5 consecutive terms at any one time.

(iv)               The Treasurer, elected in even years, may serve for a maximum of 5 consecutive terms at any one time.

(v)                 The Chairman of the House Committee, elected in uneven years, shall be responsible for the meetings, social events and maintaining the Archives of the Society. He may serve for a maximum of 2 consecutive terms at any one time.

(vi)               The Membership Secretary shall be responsible for all matters concerning membership. Elected in even years, he may serve for a maximum of 5 consecutive terms at any one time.

 When necessary, a Committee Member shall be elected for one year only, to bring elections in step with the above periods. The Committee has the power to fill by co-option any vacancies occurring in the Committee between two Annual General Meetings.

§9.      Election Sub Committee.

An Election Sub Committee comprising two members to be elected for a period of one year.

§10.        Meetings.

The Society will endeavour to have regular meetings on the last Thursday of each month during the period September - April. The Committee should try to arrange a Summer Outing with the Ladies in late May/early June. At the direction of a General Meeting, the November Meeting may be replaced by either a St. Andrew Ball or Dinner Dance. The January Meeting is in Memory of Robert Burns. Members must be in good standing in order to enjoy any of the advantages, financial or otherwise, appertaining to Membership of the Society.

§11.        Fees and Subscriptions.

(i)                   All fees and subscriptions shall be as decreed by the Annual General Meeting of the Society.

(ii)                 The Entrance Fee is due when the member concerned has been notified in writing by the Secretary that his membership has been approved.  The member is however not entitled to attend meetings before his joining fee and/or annual membership fee has been paid.

§12.        General Meetings.

The Annual General Meeting will normally take place at the April meeting. The Agenda will ordinarily comprise:

(i)                   Annual Report

(ii)                 Financial Report

(iii)                Amount of Entrance Fee and Membership Subscription

(iv)               Elections

(v)                 Miscellaneous

Decisions to be carried by majority votes (See §13 below).

Extraordinary General Meetings may be called at any time by the Committee, or on the basis of a written request signed by at least 10 members.

Two members to sign the draft minutes as an accurate record of the proceedings.

§13.        Amendments to the Constitution.

Proposals from members concerning amendments in this Constitution must reach the Secretary, in writing, one calendar month before the announced date of the next General Meeting. The proposals will be brought to the notice of the members in the circular calling the Meeting. Proposals concerning amendments to this Constitution must receive a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at the Meeting, to be carried.

 Back to top