As amended on 16th October 2023

1. Name

The name of the Charity shall be Charlbury Refugee Action Group (CRAG).

2. Objects

The Objects of the Charity are, for the public benefit, The relief and assistance of refugees and those seeking asylum who are victims of war, natural disaster, trouble or catastrophe, primarily by providing grants or donations to such charities or charitable bodies as the trustees shall determine.

3. Activities to promote the Objects of the Charity

In order to carry out the charitable objectives, the trustees will:

1. Raise funds and receive grants and donations;

1. Apply funds to carry out the work of the Charity;

1. Cooperate with other charities and humanitarian and development organisations;

1. Support individuals and organisations to engage with meeting the needs of those the Charity seeks to serve;

1. Disseminate information on refugee-related subjects through means including publications, talks and public meetings; 

1. Carry out any other activities which in the opinion of the Trustees will promote the Objects of the Charity and are for the public benefit.

4. Fundraising activities

The Trustees will raise funds through means including direct requests and appeals to grant-making bodies and individuals, sales and community events. 

5. Application of income and property

1. The income and property of the Charity shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the Objects. 

1. None of the property or income of the Charity may be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus, profit or otherwise to any member of the Charity. This does not prevent a member who is not also a Charity Trustee from receiving: 

1. A benefit in the capacity of beneficiary of the Charity;
2. Reasonable and proper remuneration for any goods or services supplied to the Charity. 

1. Any bank accounts opened for the Charity shall be in the name of the Charity.

1. Any two of three nominated officers may issue and sign cheques, and authorise bank transfers.

The Charity’s accounts shall be drawn up to 31st August each year and will be subject to Independent Examination.

6. Trustees’ benefits

1. The Trustees shall not benefit personally from the assets or activities of the Charity.

1. No Trustee or connected person may buy or receive any goods or services from the Charity on terms preferential to those applicable to members of the public; sell goods, services or any interest in land to the Charity; be employed by or receive any remuneration from the Charity. 

1. Reasonable expenses may be claimed from the Charity to reimburse Trustees for costs directly incurred in carrying out their duties.

1. If a Trustee has a personal interest in a decision or issue, they must declare their interest and must absent themselves from any discussion and any vote on the issue. 

7. Trustees

1. The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the Charity. It comprises the Officers (including a Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary, and other officers agreed by the Trustees) and no more than eight other members elected or re-elected at the Charity’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) or co-opted.

1. The Trustees will meet at least 4 times a year, physically or electronically, and will maintain a record of all decisions. The quorum for meetings is 5 Trustees. The Chairperson will normally chair all meetings of the Charity; in their absence Trustees may elect another member of the Board to chair the meeting. Voting is by show of hands; the Chairperson will have a casting vote in case of a tied vote. 

1. The Board may appoint additional Trustees.

1. The Board may by a two-thirds majority vote and for a good and proper reason remove any Trustee, provided that person has the right to be heard before a final decision is made.

1. The Board may constitute sub-committees as required.

8. Membership

1. Membership of the Charity shall be open to any person over 16 who is interested in helping the Charity to achieve its aims and willing to abide by its rules; and who applies to the Secretary for membership. 

1. A subscription will be payable if the Board levies one.

1. The benefits of membership shall apply without discrimination on grounds including race, nationality, age, disability, gender, sexuality, religion or belief.

1. Members are entitled to attend and vote at General Meetings.

1. The membership of any member may be terminated for good and sufficient reason by the Board, but the member has a right to be heard by the Board before a final decision is made.

9. Annual General Meeting

1. The Charity shall hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) within 3 months of the year end, which may be held physically or electronically.

• All members shall be given at least fourteen days’ notice of the AGM and shall be entitled to attend and vote. The quorum for an AGM shall be at least six members.

• The business of the AGM will include a report from the Chairperson on the Charity’s activities over the year; a financial report from the Treasurer; the election of Trustees to serve for the year; and consideration of any other matter as may be decided.

10. Special General Meeting

A Special General Meeting, which may be physical or electronic, may be called by the Board or by any six members to discuss an urgent matter. The Secretary shall give all members fourteen days’ notice of any Special General Meeting together with notice of the business to be discussed. All members are entitled to attend and vote. The quorum for an SGM shall be at least six members.

11. Dissolution

1. The Charity may be dissolved by resolution of two-thirds of members present and voting at any General Meeting.
2.  If the members resolve to dissolve the Charity, the Trustees will remain in office as Charity Trustees and be responsible for winding up the affairs of the Charity in accordance with this clause.
3.  The Trustees must collect in all the Charity’s assets, pay or make provision for payment of the Charity’s liabilities, and apply any remaining property or money: 

1. directly for the Objects;
2. by transfer to any charity or charities for purposes the same or similar to those of the Charity; or
3. in such other manner as the Charity Commission for England and Wales may approve in writing in advance. 

12. Amendments to the Constitution

The Charity may, by vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting at any General Meeting, amend any provision in this Constitution provided that:

1. No amendment may be made that would have the effect of making the Charity cease to be a Charity at law;
2. No amendment may be made to the Objects that would undermine or work against the previous Objects of the Charity;
3. No amendment may be made to Clauses 2 (Objects), 5 (Application of income and property), 6 (Trustees’ benefits), 11 (Dissolution) or this clause without the prior consent in writing of the Charity Commission;
4. A copy of any resolution amending the Constitution is sent to the Charity Commission within 21 days of its being passed. 

This amended constitution was adopted at the Charity’s AGM on 16th October 2023.