Rulez is rulez and these are our rulez:
Riverside Players – Rules
1. The name of the society shall be RIVERSIDE PLAYERS.
2. The object of the society is to educate the public in the dramatic arts, to further the development of public appreciation and taste in the said arts.
3. The Society shall consist of:
a) Individual members
b) Junior members
c) Senior members
d) Family of two, living at the same address
e) Family of three plus, living at the same address
f) Friends
Junior members are defined as those under 18 or in receipt of full time education at the commencement of the financial year. Senior members are defined as those over the age of 60 at the commencement of the financial year.
Members in categories a) to e) are entitled to vote at any meeting of the society, but those in category b) must be aged 16 and over apart from standing members between the ages of 14-16 who will be allowed to vote throughout until the 2006 AGM when they will be 16.
The subscription rate will be agreed at each annual general meeting of the society. Subscriptions are due on 1st April each year. The committee has discretion to admit members on an honorary basis, i.e. without payment of a subscription. The number of members in each category will be reported to the society at the annual general meeting.
Membership shall incur no liability beyond the amount of the annual subscription.
The name of any candidate for membership must be forwarded to the membership secretary. Acceptance of subscription shall constitute election to the society.
Membership may cease at the discretion of the committee upon:
a) non-payment of appropriate subscription within three months of the due date
b) resignation in writing submitted to the secretary
c) expulsion approved by two thirds of those eligible to vote and attending a meeting called for the purpose.
4. The financial year shall run from 1st April to 31st March.
5. All powers of management shall be vested in the committee who shall be solely responsible for the control of all the affairs of the society.
6. The committee shall consist of nine elected members of the society who will serve initially for a three year term. They are then eligible to re-stand and, if elected, may serve a further consecutive three year term. Following this, they must stand down for one year after which time they are eligible for re-election. There is no limit to the number of terms a member can serve, providing they are duly elected and stand down for one year after each continuous period of six years.
7. The officers of the society shall be a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Membership Secretary and such other officers as the committee deem, from time to time, desirable. The officers will be elected from those members who serve on the committee and by members of the committee.
8. Sub-committees may be formed at the discretion of the committee and may include committee members, society members and society non-members. There shall be at least one committee member sitting on any sub-committee. The sub-committee shall have powers only to report their findings and recommendations to the main committee.
9. A quorum of the committee will be five. The standing orders of any sub-committee shall be subject to approval by the committee.
10. An annual general meeting will be held once a year within three months of the end of the financial year. The following business must be transacted:
a) the election of the committee
b) the presentation of the audited accounts for the previous year
c) the election of the honorary auditor
d) such other business as may have been advised to the members with the notice of the meeting.
11. An extraordinary general meeting may be called following the written request to the Secretary by at least ten members of the society or by a majority decision of the committee. Notice of such a meeting shall be given as in rule 10.
12. These rules may, from time to time, be repealed, amended or added to by agreement of two thirds of those eligible to vote and attending a meeting called for the purpose, provided that no alteration to rule 2 (objects), rule 13 (dissolution) or this rule shall take effect until the approval in writing of the Charity Commissioners or jurisdiction shall be made which would have the effect of causing the society to cease being a charity at law. Notice of such a meeting must be given as in rule 10.
13. The society can be wound up at an annual general meeting or at an extraordinary meeting called for that purpose. A simple majority of those eligible to vote and attending such a meeting is sufficient to confirm the winding up. All assets of the society, after payment of all liabilities, will be given to a registered charity having an object compatible with rule 2 and agreed at the meeting.
and this is our Members code of conduct:
MEMBERS’ CODE OF CONDUCT
This is applicable at all Riverside Players’ auditions, rehearsals, productions, workshops and official functions, for the purpose of the protection and safety of all.
It is not intended that the contents of this code are intrusive, nor do they take away members’ freedoms or responsibilities. It is Riverside Players’ duty to do whatever is possible to ensure the safety of all members while engaged in our activities. Similarly, we recognise the rights and duties of parents towards their children, and while endeavouring to provide a safe environment for them, we acknowledge that this is primarily the province of the parent.
We believe that all members who join Riverside Players are entitled to be treated with respect and politeness at all times. All members should feel that they can enjoy our activities without fear of abuse.
Abuse is generally viewed as physical, emotional or sexual, and includes such actions as shouting, swearing, bullying, striking and inappropriate sexual behaviour. In most cases it is obvious; in others, it is less clear.
A person may feel that they or another member have suffered abuse from another member. This may occur in circumstances where the person complained of had no intention to cause offence, or when the subject of the abuse is not aware of it.
To this end, adult members are politely asked to refrain from unnecessary physical contact with young persons, regardless of gender, as their actions could be misconstrued by the young person, or by others.
Riverside Players has a responsibility to those children who are actively involved in our shows. The children who may or may not be members, if not part a production are the responsibility of the parents.
Adult Members (above 18 years of age)
Any member who feels there has been an incident of abuse should report it immediately to whoever is responsible for the function. In rehearsals this is the director or production secretary of the show, in productions this is the stage manager, in social functions this is the organiser.
The report will be recorded and brought to the attention of the chairperson of Riverside Players, who will raise the matter at committee level. After investigating the complaint, the options include: no further action, informal resolution, admonishment, or holding an EGM for the purpose of expulsion in accordance with Rule 3.
Junior Members (under 18 years of age)
During the course of any production, a Young Persons Mentor for Dressing Rooms may be appointed to supervise the safety and behaviour of all.
The procedure for dealing with complaints about abuse of young persons, while following the process of reporting to the person responsible for the event as for Adult Members above, is necessarily more rigorous, and the actions are as follows:
If the incident is witnessed, the witness should record the details and report to the person responsible for the event. This information is passed to the committee and the parent. If it is not witnessed, it may be reported to any member or to the parent who will then inform the committee. The parent has the right to decide on the course of action.
From the information gathered the options include: no further action or appointment of an arbitrator or investigator who will report and advise as to the appropriate further course of action. This may be any of the above options for adult members. The parent would be informed at all stages of any action by the committee.
Riverside Players Equal Opportunities Policy
Riverside Players welcomes all members regardless of age, race, gender, ability, sexuality, religion, marital status, class or income.
None of the above factors have any bearing on a member’s ability to take part in the group’s activities if they so wish. The only requirement of membership is a desire to share the aims of the group, which are to educate the public in the dramatic arts and to further the development of public appreciation and taste in the said arts. Sharing the aims can be as a supportive ‘Friend of Riverside’ or as an active member.
We make every effort to facilitate attendance by the physically disabled or disadvantaged, such as assistance with transportation and the presence of the St. John Ambulance at all performances. Our regular venue is fitted with a hearing induction loop and has access and sanitary facilities for the chairborne disabled. In order to promote social inclusion, we offer concession price tickets to senior citizens, the unwaged and students, and also special flexible reductions for family tickets.
The performing arts is often considered as a medium in which those who are, or perceive themselves to be, disadvantaged or discriminated against, can find a level playing field. At Riverside Players we endeavour to provide this platform.
Adopted June 2001.