Help Animals UK Constitution

1) Name.

The name of the Group shall be Help Animals UK (formally One Voice for Animals UK)

2) Aims

Our Vision

A future where every animal that needs rescue, rehabilitation or rehoming - gets that chance.

Our Mission

For UK small sized and regional Animal Welfare Establishments to:

* Be recognised and valued for what they do for UK Animal Welfare

* Have the tools they need to thrive in a digital age

* Have the support they need to meet legislative requirements and ethical welfare standards

* Have the funds they need to operate

* Be part of a supportive network

* Have a platform to campaign on issues that cause harm to animals

For the Public to:

* Have a place to go to find rescues who need support near them - our website

https://www.helpanimals.co.uk/local

3) Powers

In order to achieve its aims the Group may:

Promote the organisations on the Help Animals UK Database at www.helpanimals.co.uk to the public.

Invite the public to use the database to find and support local rescues, and encourage the public to donate to those organizations

Source and provide business support and education opportunities to members that enhance their ability to run as efficient effective organisations.
Source and provide education opportunities that benefit the well-being and welfare of all UK Wildlife, Domestic animals and Pets.
Campaign for changes in the law that benefit UK animal welfare.
Invite and receive contributions and raise funds where appropriate, to finance the work of the group, and to open a bank account to manage such funds.
Publicise and promote the work and aims of the group by utilising social media and press campaigns
Work with groups of a similar nature and exchange information advice and knowledge with them, including cooperation with other voluntary bodies, charities, statutory and non-statutory organisations.
Take any form of action that is lawful, and which is necessary to achieve the objectives of the group

4) Membership.

a) Membership of the Group is defined as the management teams of any organisation on the Help Animals UK database, and members of the Help Animals UK Facebook group

5) Management.

a) The Group shall be administered by a Management Committee of not less than three and not more than six individuals elected at the Group’s Annual General Meeting (A.G.M.).

b) The Officers of the Management Committee shall be: the Chairperson and committee members

c) The Management Committee may co-opt onto the Committee, up to three individuals, in an advisory and non-voting capacity that it feels will help to fulfil the aim of the Group.

d) The Management Committee shall meet at least two times a year.

e) At least three Management Committee members must be present for a Management Committee meeting to take place. Meetings can take place virtually

f) Voting at Management Committee meetings shall be by a show of hands. If there is a tied vote then the Chairperson shall have a second vote.

g) The Management Committee shall have the power to remove any member of the Committee for good and proper reason.

h) The Management Committee may appoint any other member of the Group as a Committee member to fill a vacancy, provided that the maximum prescribed is not exceeded.

6) The Duties of the Officers.

a) The duties of the Chairperson shall be to:

• Chair meetings of the Committee and the Group

• Represent the Group at functions/meetings that the Group has been invited to

• Act as the spokesperson of the Group when necessary.

• Supervise the financial affairs of the Group

• Keep proper accounts that show all monies received and paid out by the Group.

b) The duties of the Committee members shall be to:

• Represent the group at functions, meetings the group has been invited to.

Attend and contribute to meetings

• Prepare in consultation with the Chairperson the agenda for meetings of the Committee and the Group

• Maintain and update the group Action log

• Collect and circulate any relevant information within the Group.

7) Finance.

a) All monies received by or on behalf of the Group shall be applied to further the aim of the Group and for no other purpose.

b) Any bank accounts opened for the Group shall be in the name of the Group.

c) The Group shall ensure that its accounts are audited or independently examined every year.

8) Annual General Meeting.

a) The Group shall hold an Annual General Meeting (A.G.M.) annually

b) All committee members shall be given at least Seven days’ notice of the A.G.M. and shall be entitled to attend and vote.

c) The business of the A.G.M. shall include:

􀂉 receiving a report from the Chairperson on the Group’s activities over the year

􀂉 electing a new Management Committee and

􀂉 considering any other matter as may be decided.

d) At least 3 members must be present for the Annual General Meeting and any other General Meeting to take place

9) General Meetings.

a) There shall be 1 General Meetings (excluding the A.G.M) each year.

b) All committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote.

10) Alterations to the Constitution.

Any changes to this constitution must be agreed by at least two-thirds of those members present and voting at any General Meeting.

11) Dissolution.

The Group may be wound up at any time if agreed by two-thirds of those members present and voting at any General Meeting. In the event of winding up any assets remaining after all debts have been paid shall be given to another Group with a similar aim.

This constitution was adopted at a General meeting of the group on 20th August 2020, refreshed at the AGM dated 18th February 2023 and on 1st January 2025 to record a name Change from One Voice for Animals UK to Help Animals UK

Signed by

Val Green. Chairperson & treasirer

Kimberley O'Neill. Secretary

Becky Bull. Committee

Susan Whitaker. Committee

Lea Facey. Committee

Angela Horton. Committee

Lucy Steele. Committee