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5. ORGANISATIONAL BASIS

5.1 The Steering Committee consists of the initiating members. They agree the appointment of members to the first committee; signatories to any sterling bank account and the name of the bank used; the name and value of the LETS unit; adoption of the Rules and Constitution; and will arrange and publicise to all members a first Annual General Meeting within twelve months of their first meeting. They undertake the role of the Core Group until that time, and are then dissolved.

5.2 The rights and authority of the LETS is vested in all members, who delegate that authority to a Core Group who are responsible for ensuring that the tasks of running the scheme are effectively carried out at the administrative and social levels. It is normally comprised of members, but may co-opt or appoint non-members for specific tasks when required. The Core Group includes all those who have taken on the tasks of running the scheme. In addition to dividing up central tasks amongst their number, they will appoint local co-ordinators, and project administrators to carry out specific tasks under their direction.

5.3 An Advisory Group, consisting of members other than those involved in the day-to-day management of the scheme, may be initiated by the Core Group drawing from the existing membership, and also by inviting well-connected persons of good standing in the community to join the scheme. Its functions are: (a) to advise on the management, organisation and direction of the scheme. (b) To act as a member liaison and support group, presenting the proposals, opinions, advice and complaints of any members who may feel unable to speak directly to the Core Group. (c) At least one Advisory Group member will normally attend regular Core Group meetings, and report to other members of the group any matters of concern. (d) The Advisory group will also advise on outreach to local and national organisations, and ensure that strong connections are maintained with LETSlink UK.

5.4 A Mediation Group will be set up as an when it is needed to adjudicate in any cases of dispute between members, or between members and the Core Group. The group consists of at least two (ideally three) people. They will meet from time to time as necessary. Core Group meetings will also normally be attended by one member of the Mediation Group.

5.5 Local Organisers may be appointed by the Core Group in order to delegate some of the work of membership across a wider geographical area. These individuals will report to the Core Group, with a multi-tasking job description, and in turn they may be authorised to form a working group around them to delegate tasks, as the volume of membership grows.

5.6 Project Administrators may be appointed by the Core Group in order to manage particular areas of activity, and supervise the disbursement of local currency to reward voluntary activity on the project. These individuals will report to the Core Group at regular intervals, and in turn they may be authorised to form a working group around them to delegate tasks, as the project develops.

7.FUNCTIONS OF THE Core Group

7.1 The Core Group undertakes the executive management of the scheme, apportioning such roles and functions amongst its membership or to administrative staff as are necessary to maintain the scheme in the interests of the membership as a whole including: (a) Maintaining an up-to-date list of all members, (b) Recording accurately members' transactions and supplying accounts. (c) Publishing directories. (d) Communicating with the membership and taking note of their opinions. (e) Ensuring that all members have sufficient assistance and/or computer access to manage their own accounts. (f) Liaising as appropriate with administrative staff who cover particular functions, obtaining regular reports from them, and providing appropriate guidance. (g) Organsing social events for members, plus public meetings and other outreach efforts to ensure continued accessibility of the scheme to the local community. (h) Maintaining the financial viability of the organisation in terms of both national and local currency, and using appropriate tools, including software to maintain maximum efficiency in carrying out the above tasks.


8. Core Group MEETINGS

8.1 The Core Group shall arrange and determine the timing and frequency of its meetings. This will normally be at least every three months, and more frequently at the outset.
8.2 The Group shall publicise its meetings in advance to all members.
8.3 The Group shall keep a record of all its meetings, and make these available to all members.
8.4 Group meetings are open for any member to attend and make a contribution.
8.5 The quorum shall be a majority or five members of the Group, whichever is larger.
8.6 Any Group member who is absent from three consecutive meetings without good reason or notice will be deemed to have resigned their position, and if so deemed, shall be notified to that effect.
8.7 The Group may co-opt new members onto the Group, given the consent by majority vote of the group. Members so appointed hold office only until the following AGM, but are eligible for re-election at the meeting. Members may also be appointed for a shorter trial period.
8.8 Any Group member may be dismissed by a three-quarters majority vote of the entire Group, for reasons of mismanagement or gross misconduct.
8.9 At least one member of the Advisory Group and one Mediator shall also normally be present and empowered to vote at Group meetings.

9. WINDING UP

9.1 Given that the LETS includes an accounting procedure to record trading amongst members, which represent accumulated value intended to continue into the future, winding up will only be considered as a last resort. In the first instance, support and advice will be sought from neighbouring groups, directly or via the regional or national network.

9.2 If after these measures have been taken, difficulties are still being experienced, the organisation can only be wound up after a democratic consultation process with all the members. A questionnaire will firstly be circulated to all members inviting feedback, and nominations for the various management roles, a copy of which will be submitted to LETSlink UK. At least one month thereafter, a notice of an extraordinary general meeting will be sent to all members and LETSlink UK at least three weeks before it is held. The notice will invite all members to attend to discuss ways of enabling the scheme to continue, and encourage members to come forward as candidates for the various management roles.

9.2 Following the extraordinary general meeting, voting papers will be sent to all members to decide the future of the scheme, which can only be wound up by a two thirds majority vote of the membership by ballot, the results of which shall be available at a further extraordinary general meeting. At least two thirds of the management committee and five other members shall attend. A notice giving full details will have been posted to all members at least fourteen days before the meeting, and also copied to LETSlink UK.

9.3 If The scheme is to be wound up, those members with accounts in debit to a significant extent (the amount to be decided by consensus at the meeting) will be given a reasonable period of time in which to repay the bulk of their debit to the membership. Members whose balances are significantly in credit will be identified and efforts made to assist them in balancing their accounts. At the end of this period, the names of any members with large outstanding debits will be made known to the members.

9.4 Details of all individual account-holders and their remaining balances will then be provided to LETSlink UK, who will transfer them to neighbouring schemes according to members' individual choices, as long as consent is given by the chosen schemes, failing which the members details and balances of account will be held them in a regional membership pool, pending a new scheme being established under the auspices of LETSlink UK.

9.5 After settling all sterling debts and obligations, any remaining property shall be transferred in proportion to the organisations which are accepting the transferred accounts, otherwise to LETSlink UK, or to its successor organisation, failing which another organisation with similar aims, agreed by a majority of the members at the general meeting.