The Constitution

1. The name of the Society shall be “The Walton Society”.

2. Objects

The objects of the Society shall be:

  • To safeguard and enhance the natural beauty of and amenities in the locality, and to encourage the preservation of the best architectural features in Walton-on-Thames (‘the Town’).
  • To foster the proper development of the town and promote high standards of planning and architecture.
  • To promote research into all matters relating to these objects and to publish, where possible, the results.
  • To act as a co-ordinating body and to cooperate with other organisations having objects similar to those of the Society.
  • To represent and advance the views of the Society to local, county and other official bodies.
  • To hold meetings, lectures and exhibitions and give advice and information.
  • To raise funds and to invite contributions from any person whatsoever by way of subscription, donation or otherwise.
  • To do all such things as are necessary for the attainment of the objects of the Society.

3. Membership

Membership shall be open to all persons who live or work in Walton-on-Thames, or who are actively interested in furthering the objects of the Society, on payment of the appropriate subscription.   Only paid-up members 18 years of age and over shall have the right to vote at meetings of the Society. Junior members shall be those under 18 years of age.   The Executive Committee shall be empowered to confer honorary membership on any person where it is considered appropriate to do so.

4. Subscriptions

The Society’s financial year shall commence o 1st April and end on the following 31st March of each year. Any alteration of the subscription shall be proposed by the Executive Committee and approved at an Annual General Meting or Extraordinary Meeting of the Society.  Subscriptions of new members shall become due with the application for membership and, if paid within three months proceeding the 1st April, shall be regarded as covering the period up to the 31st March of the following year.

5. Meetings

An Annual general meeting shall be held in May or June of each year on a date to be fixed by the Committee of which not less than 21 days’ notice shall be given to members. At this meeting, members shall receive the Executive Committee’s report and audited accounts and shall elect officers, members of the Executive Committee and an auditor.  An Extraordinary General Meeting of the Society shall be called at any time by the Executive Committee or upon written request of not less than 40 of the fully paid-up members. Ten days’ notice of any such meeting shall be given to members.  Twenty members personally present at any meeting shall constitute a quorum.

6. Officers

The officers of the Society shall consist of President, one or more Vice-Presidents, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Honorary Secretary, and Honorary Treasurer, all of whom shall relinquish their office every year and shall be eligible for re-election at the A.G.M. The Executive Committee shall have power to fill vacancies occurring amongst the officers of the Society. Nominations for the election of officers shall be submitted in writing to the Honorary Secretariat least fourteen days prior to the A.G.M or may be made at the A.G.M.