Constitution

NAME
The name of the Group is Cheshire Farm Accommodation Group ("the Group")

OBJECTS
To promote farm tourism and farm holidays in Cheshire by such means as advertising and contacts with the travel industry.
To maintain and improve the standard of farm accommodation offered in the area.
To protect and further the interests of members of the Group by contacts with local authorities and other bodies.
To provide a booking service for and between members.

MEMBERSHIP
Qualifications
Membership shall be offered to those operating a farm in Cheshire, and having a holding number.
Farm Accommodation means accommodation on land which is used for the business of agriculture, horticulture, forestry and or a related enterprise, being a business which is a source of income for that person.
Persons applying for membership should have established the accommodation business for at least six months.
At the discretion of the committee any member who ceases agricultural operations may be allowed to remain in continual membership while at the same address.

ELECTION AND DISQUALIFICATION
Application for membership must be in writing to the group secretary.
All applicants for membership must submit their accommodation for inspection by two members of the Group.
The committee may grant provisional membership but all applications must subsequently be submitted to the Annual General Meeting for confirmation.
All members will be expected to take part, and help with the positions of various responsibilities.
All members are encouraged to also become members of Farm Stay UK, the National organisation who promote farm tourism nationally and internationally.

A member shall cease to be a member
By giving written notice to the Secretary of their resignation, one month prior to the AGM.
If they fail to pay any subscription by the due date of payment.
If the member having committed some act, or been guilty of behaviour inconsistent with membership of the group, the committee may resolve by a majority to terminate membership.
If for any reason they cease to provide accommodation.

MAINTENACE OF STANDARDS
All members should present themselves and their property to the highest standards reflecting the warmth, cleanliness, friendship and personal service associated with farm accommodation.
It is a condition of membership that members register with and maintain standards necessary to retain registration with the North West Tourist Board.
All members must adapt and apply the Tourist Board's Code of Conduct.
All members must be inspected by a Tourist Board, AA or RAC official before confirming full membership.
All members must carry guesthouse insurance which is adequate to indemnify guests against losses incurred from risks normally covered by such insurance.
All properties must be fitted with adequate smoke alarms which are regularly tested.
All members must have completed the Basic Food Hygiene Course.

SUBSCRIPTIONS
The Annual subscription of the Group shall be fixed annually at the Annual General Meeting and is due on that date or within 28 days.
A separate amount for brochure printing is to be paid by members as and when needed.
No advertisement shall appear in any promotional literature on behalf of members unless all monies due to the group are paid in full.
All expenditure is the responsibility of all the members.
The Group shall ensure that its annual subscription and other charges payable by its members are sufficient to meet its needs and liabilities.
The Group runs as a non profit making organisation and should not hold more that £500.00 Five hundred pounds, at the end of any financial year.

OFFICERS
The Officers of the Group shall be a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary, all of whom are members of the Group.
The Officers are to be elected at the Annual General Meeting and will be eligible to serve for no more than three consecutive years. After an interval of one year any member can be re-elected.
The Committee consists of the four officers mentioned above plus the Groups representative to Farm Stay UK, and one other member. Six persons in all. The committee shall have the power to co-opt any group member to the committee to serve until the next AGM.
The quorum of the Committee shall be 4.
Any Officer wishing to retire should give a written notice to the Secretary two weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting.
Any member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the Group without giving a reason acceptable to the committee, shall automatically cease to be a Group member.
Officers of the Group and representative members on group business should claim expenses incurred, while on business for the benefit of all group members.

MEETINGS
An Annual General Meeting will be held each March, to elect Officers, receive the Accounts, receive the Chairman's report, confirm new membership and set the subscription for the following year.
It may also transact any other business brought before it.
Any proposed amendments to the Constitution or Rules of the Group. All members must receive the proposed amendments at least 14 days prior to the meeting.
A special meeting of the group may be called at any time by resolution of the Committee, or by any 5 members who shall request such a meeting in writing to the Chairman.
Any questions put to the vote, shall be decided upon by a show of hands and every member establishment shall have one vote.
The Chairman of the Group shall preside at the meetings or in his absence the Vice Chairman.
At least three other meetings will be held per year, to uphold the standards and objectives of the group.
The Secretary shall send out at least two weeks prior to a meeting, reminder of the meetings, stating the time, date and venue, and the agenda of business to be transacted. Also if possible copies of the minutes of the previous meeting.

COMPLAINTS
In the event of any complaint being received by the group as to the standard of accommodation or service provided by a member, the Secretary will acknowledge it to the client within five days. The committee will meet and take whatever action they think appropriate, Farm Stay UK have a complaints procedure which could be followed. The committee's decision is final.

INDEMNITY
All members undertake to indemnify the Group against any claim arising out of their individual trading or any statement made by an individual member.
The Group does not accept responsibility or liability for any action, statement, advertisement or negligence of any member of the Association.
Debts and liabilities incurred by any member of the Group are the responsibility of the individual and no liability rests on other members of the Group.