Constitution and policies
Covid Policy
Nailsea Folk Club Constitution
Background and Objectives:
Nailsea Folk Club was formed in 1987. It was formerly called the Royal Oak Folk Club, (Nailsea) but changed it's name in 1999 when the club moved venues.
It is a non-profit making “non-incorporated voluntary association” which serves to promote quality folk music in Nailsea and support the development of local folk music talent. No one involved in the running of the club receives any payment/ income.
It is affiliated/ linked to both the English Folk Dance and Song Society (Registered Charity number 305999) and the Nailsea Tithe Barn Trust (Registered Charity number 1154686).
To meet its objectives the club runs concerts, musicians and singers nights, a youth folk project and has initiated a number of other projects including music and memories for people with dementia and a community choir (Barley Rye). The club also organises folk based fund-raising events on behalf of local charities particularly Memories at the Barn, a project run by Nailsea Tithe Barn Trust supporting local people living with dementia. Since May 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine it has run projects and raised funds to support Ukrainian refugees living locally. It works closely with Nailsea Town Council, putting on events and promoting the Tithe Barn.
Nailsea Folk Club was very involved in the refurbishment of Nailsea Tithe Barn which took place 20010/ 11 raising funds and advising on and supporting its development as a community resource. The Barn is now the club’s dedicated venue for concerts and events.
Membership and organisation:
The folk club's electronic mailing list which is held on Mailchimp is used to define the club's membership and those on the mailing list are consulted regularly to confirm they wish to remain on the list. They are kept informed about the running of the club and are asked for views about the running of the club. New volunteers and potential officers are also recruited via the mailing list.
As the club has developed over the years it has become a collection of different projects each with lead volunteers. The club operates a simple committee structure which consists of the Folk Club Organiser and Club Treasurer, the lead volunteers for the various projects run by the club and up to three other volunteers who assist with the running of the club (ticketing, bar, publicity etc). There is normally an annual meeting of the committee to discuss the future plans for the club and review and approve the accounts. There may also be additional meetings during the course of the year as required to discuss the running of the club and respond to emergent issues. Any changes to the constitution must be agreed by a majority of the committee. All those involved with the running of the club do so on a voluntary basis and without any remuneration.
The Organiser and Treasurer are chosen and agreed by the committee. There is no limit to their term of office but they can be replaced if a majority of the committee decides so. Either are entrusted to enter into contracts on behalf of the club, operate a bank account on behalf of the club and either can act as signatories for financial matters including cheques.
The role of the Organiser is to principally act as secretary to the club, convene committee meetings as required, develop the programme of activities and agree contracts with performers and venues.
The role of the Treasurer is to manage the bank account, make the necessary payments to ensure the running of the club and maintain financial records. All expenditures must be covered by a receipt.
The policy of the club is to keep physical assets to a minimum and to run with cash assets sufficient to be able to withstand a downturn in revenues. Any increasing surplus generated by the club will be used to reduce future ticket prices or to support local charities.
Major decisions about the club e.g. change of venues, new projects or indeed winding up of the club and dispersal of assets are explained to the membership of the club and their views canvassed by electronic survey. Final decisions rest with the committee taking into account the views expressed by members.
It is the policy of the club that should the club cease and assets need to be dispersed they should go to a recognised charity undertaking aims in lines of those of the club for example the English Folk Dance and Song Society or Halsway Manor National Folk Centre Trust (Charity no. 247230).
Revised May 2024.