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In order to ensure that The Society was administered correctly and in accordance with the wishes of the Members, a constitution was drawn up. This is shown below.
HMS COURAGEOUS SOCIETY
The Constitution
1. The Society: will be known as the HMS COURAGEOUS SOCIETY, (hereinafter referred to as The Society).
2. The Society's Objectives:
a. To renew and foster friendship among those who served in HMS COURAGEOUS.
b. To act as a point of contact for any person who served in HMS COURAGEOUS and to make every effort to bring friends and crewmates together.
c. To promote the image of HMS COURAGEOUS and to provide information, in relation to the submarine, to those who seek it.
d. To organise and hold reunions as required by the membership.
3. The Society's Members: shall elect an Executive Committee, (hereinafter referred to as The Committee), to administer the Society on their behalf.
4. The Society's Committee:
a. The Society will be run by The Committee, which will be elected by the Membership at General Meetings.
b. The Committee will consist of the following: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Website Manager and the next Reunion organiser.
c. The Committee has the power to deal with any matter affecting the Society; either in accordance with The Constitution where the Constitution deals with the matter to hand or as the Committee shall discuss and agree with regard to any matter that is not covered specifically by the Constitution. A committee Quorum shall consist of three members.
5. The Constitution: may only be altered or amended by way of a vote at a General Meeting of the members, all members present being allowed an equal vote.
6. General Meetings: will be held at The Society's Reunions.
7. Society Membership categories are:
a. Full Membership - Any person who served as crew in HMS COURAGEOUS and including those who were attached for training or in ancillary roles such as ship's manager.
b. Associate Membership - Any person who, although they did not serve in HMS COURAGEOUS or carry out attached duties, nevertheless has a strong association with the submarine. This will include those who built the submarine, the patron, those whose father served in COURAGEOUS and those who have a strong link with the submarine.
c. Honorary Membership - Awarded by the Society to any person who it is felt has performed outstanding service to the submarine, its crew, the Courageous Exhibit at Devonport or the Courageous Society. No fee is payable for Honorary Membership and is automatically awarded to any person who currently acts as a Courageous Volunteer Guide.
d. Honorary Life Membership - Awarded to the widows or next of kin of those who served in the submarine and who are now deceased. No membership fee payable.
e. Full and Associate Membership will be by way of annual subscription to be paid to the Treasurer; in accordance with the rates to be published in the Minutes of the General Meeting.
8. The Society's Finances:
a. The Society's Financial Year End Date is 31st March.
b. The Society will maintain a bank account or accounts, which will be managed by The Treasurer
c. These accounts must be audited annually by an independent body by the 1stJune. The results of that audit must be made available to the members via the News Letter and at the next General Meeting.
d. All drawings or commitments made against the Society's financial worth, whether by way of a cheque drawn against the Society's Bank Account or by any other method, shall be done only against the written approval, (indicated by signature), of any two of the following;
Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Website Manager.
e. The Committee is always to be fully aware of any commitments made.
f. All cheques drawn against the Society Accounts are to be counter signed by two designated signatories.
This constitution was agreed by the elected committee and was agreed at a General Meeting of the members. Thge constitution therefore stands as the basis for the operation of The Society
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