Constitution
Gloucestershire - Herefordshire - Somerset - Wiltshire - Worcestershire

2. Aims & Objectives
(a) To raise the standard of all Bands within the Association.
(b) To foster the spirit of good fellowship amongst its members and a greater degree of co-operation between Bands in the Association.
(c) To increase facilities for the musical advancement of Bands and Bandspersons and to stimulate local interest in the musical and cultural development of the Bands.
(d) To afford an opportunity for the exchange of views on matters of local or wider interest concerning the Brass Band Movement.
(e) To assist in the organisation of local educational and training schemes for Bandspersons.

3. Membership
Subject to the approval of the GBBA Executive Committee the following shall be eligible for membership:-
(a) Any Brass Band with headquarters within the counties of: Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and any regions adjacent to the above areas.
(b) The GBBA Executive Committee shall have the absolute right to accept or refuse membership to any applicant.
(c) Application shall be made in writing to the General Secretary. No application shall be valid unless it includes the fees as agreed under Rule 7 (a). Should the application be refused this fee will be refunded.
(d) A Member Band of the Association will incorporate any:- Band Officer, Player, Conductor, Supporter or any borrowed player on day transfer.

4. Discipline
Any members of the Association, concerned in any act which in the opinion of the GBBA Executive Committee, is derogatory to the proper conduct of the Association, may be fined, suspended or expelled from the Association under the powers that the GBBA Executive Committee has contained in these rules. They shall not be eligible to participate in any Association activity. When the GBBA Executive Committee are satisfied that the member responsible for the offence has made amends, only then, may the suspension of the penalty imposed be considered.

5. Officers
The following officers shall be elected at the AGM.
Chairman, General Secretary, Treasurer, along with any other officers required to ensure satisfactory organisation of the Association.

6. GBBA Executive Committee
(a) The GBBA Executive Committee shall consist of the Association Officers plus a number of extra members elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Association.
(b) The GBBA Executive Committee shall have the authority to transact the business of the Association at all times during its period of office.
(c) The GBBA Executive shall meet to carry out the business of the Association on at least six occasions during their year in office. Meetings shall be convened at a time and place decided by the GBBA Executive Committee members. Five members with voting rights shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the GBBA Executive Committee. The Chairman shall, in all cases of equal division, have a casting vote.
(d) All Officers and members of the GBBA Executive Committee have full voting rights at GBBA Executive meetings, AGM and EGM's.
(e) The GBBA Executive Committee shall have the power to invite persons interested in the Brass Band Movement to become Honary President or Vice Presidents of the Association.

7. Application Fee For Membership And Annual Subscription
Each band designated under Rule 3 shall pay:-
(a) On application for membership, an agreed entrance fee.
(b) On acceptance into membership of the Association, an annual subscription to the amount agreed at the previous AGM. Payment of the annual subscription being due on the 1st January.
(c) Any member whose subscription is in arrears at the 1st March shall automatically cease to be a member of the Association.
(d) No member band, or member of that band, shall take part in any festival, competition, or event, organised by the Association or by any promoter organising a competition under the Association rules, so long as any annual subscription, or part thereof remains unpaid.

8. Annual General and Extraordinary Meetings
(a) Annual General Meetings (AGM) of members for the purpose of passing the accounts and the election of officers shall be held as soon as possible after the 1st March each year. The GBBA Executive shall decide the date, time and place where such a meeting shall be held.
(b) Extraordinary General Meetings (EGM) shall be convened by the GBBA Executive Committee at any time during the year, or by the General Secretary on receipt of written application for such a meeting signed by at least 15 member bands. The notice convening such a meeting shall state the business to be transacted.
(c) Not less than 21 clear days notice shall be given to each member entitled to be present at any AGM or EGM. This shall specify the date, time and venue for the meeting and include a copy of the agenda.
(d) In all cases of equality of votes on any issue, the Chairman has the right to a casting vote.
(e) An attendance of 7 or more appointed representatives of member bands shall constitute a quorum for the AGM or EGM.
(f) Each band in the membership with the Association shall be entitled to appoint two representatives to attend any AGM or EGM. They must be vested with the authority to vote on behalf of the band concerned. Each band however shall have the right to exercise only one vote on any division taken at the meeting.

9. Accounts
(a) Proper accounts shall be kept of all monies received and expended by the Association, such accounts to be audited annually by the auditor appointed by the GBBA Executive Committee.
(b) The audited accounts to be submitted to members attending the AGM for their approval.
(c) Cheques drawn on the Association's Banker shall be signed by any two of the following officers:- Chairman, General Secretary, or Treasurer.

10. Procedure for Amending the Constitution
These rules subject to approval by the GBBA Executive Committee, may be added to, repealed, amended, or replaced by means of an AGM or EGM, where 75% of the delegates voting are in favour of the resolution.

11. Dissolution of the Association
(a) A decision to proceed with the dissolution of the Association may only be agreed at an EGM convened in accordance with Rule 8 (b).
(b) The Association's assets shall be disposed of in such a manner as the Association members, attending and EGM convened for "The dissolution of the Association" shall decide.

Revised 4.3.2001