The Madeleine Foundation
(D R A F T) C O N S T I T U T I O N – ADOPTED 27 JANUARY 2008

Name

1. The Madeleine Foundation shall be an unincorporated association.

Aims and Objects

2. The aims and objects of The Madeleine Foundation shall be:

a) to change the law in whatever way is needed in order to send out a clear message to all parents that leaving young children on their own is never acceptable, and to strive for the adoption of a new law with its key provisions ensuring that parents “Never leave young children on their own”
b) to pursue - in conjunction with others - the truth about Madeleine McCann’s disappearance on 3 May 2007
c) to investigate the facts behind the extent of British government involvement in this case and the reasons for it
d) to ensure that the media, in particular the British media, report this case accurately and give due weight to all viewpoints on Madeleine’s disappearance
e) to generally promote the welfare of children, in particular by ensuring that parents are aware of the psychological needs of their children and ensuring that the relevant authorities take appropriate action to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

Co-operation with others

3. To co-operate with all other organisations and individuals, both official and private, who share all or most of our objectives and have a genuine commitment to establish the truth about Madeleine’s disappearance.

Powers

4. The Madeleine Foundation shall for the purpose of advancing its aims and objects have all such powers as its Board of Directors or its General Meetings shall from time to time decide. See also Paragraph 16.

Membership

5. (a) Membership shall be open to all those aged 16 or over who support the aims and objects of The Madeleine Foundation as set out in Paragraph 2 above.
(b) Membership shall be open to anyone in the world wherever they live

Power to refuse or terminate membership

6. The Board of Directors shall have power to decline membership to an individual without giving a reason, and shall have the power to withdraw a person’s membership for conduct which brings or tends to bring The Madeleine Foundation into disrepute. A person whose membership is withdrawn shall have the right of appeal to the Board of Directors.

Membership fees

7. (a) The initial membership fee shall be £____ , which shall entitle the member to membership of The Madeleine Foundation until further notice.
(b) membership fees shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors

8. The Board of Directors reserves the right, however, to call on members for further membership fees should that prove necessary.

The Board of Directors

9. The members shall at their first meeting elect a Board of Directors of at least four and no more than twelve members to run The Madeleine Foundation.

10. At each Annual General Meeting, a Board of Directors of up to twelve members shall be elected. Postal or e-mail voting will be accepted in the case of those who for whatever reason who are unable to attend the Annual General Meeting.

11. The Board of Directors shall have the power to co-opt up to four additional members of the board, with full voting powers, whose terms of office will last until the next Annual General Meeting.

12. The Board of Directors shall appoint from within their number the following officers:

a) Chairman
b) Vice-Chairman
c) Secretary
d) Treasurer
e) Minutes Secretary
f) Media Relations Officer
g) Webmaster

13. The Board of Directors shall have the following powers:

to replace any officer or member of the Board of Directors if the post or position becomes vacant for whatever reason

to dismiss an officer or member of the Board of Directors for conduct which brings or tends to bring The Madeleine Foundation into disrepute

to co-opt up to four additional members to the Board, with full voting powers, whose terms of office will last until the next Annual General Meeting.

14. The quorum for the Board of Directors shall be three members.

15. Decisions of the Board of Directors will be by majority vote, with the Chairman, or acting Chairman, of the Board having a casting vote, which s/he must exercise in favour of the status quo where applicable.

16. The Board of Directors shall have the power to pay expenses, employ staff, open bank or building society accounts, buy or rent accommodation, appoint trustees and form sub-committees.

Annual and Special General Meetings

17. (a) the first Annual General Meeting shall be held on or before 31 December 2009
(b) Annual General Meetings shall be held annually thereafter.
(c) the date of the Annual General Meeting shall be decided by the Board of Directors
(d) the Secretary of the Board shall give all members at least 21 days’ notice of the time and place of the Annual General Meeting.

18. Any member may move any resolution at the Annual or at a Special General Meeting. Priority shall be given to those who submit resolutions at least 21 days in advance of an Annual or Special General Meeting.

19. The Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Media Relations Officer and Webmaster shall present reports at the Annual General Meeting.

20. One tenth of the membership, or the Board of Directors, may requisition a Special General Meeting, giving the reason they wish to hold such a meeting, again giving 21 days’ notice (in the case of one tenth of the membership, such notice to be given to the Secretary).

21. All decisions at General Meetings, including any motion to amend this Constitution, shall be by simple majority vote, with the Chairman or acting Chairman of the Meeting having a casting vote which s/he must exercise in favour of the status quo where appropriate.

Dissolution

22. The Madeleine Foundation may only be dissolved following the proper calling of a Special General Meeting for that purpose.

23. Should The Madeleine Foundation be dissolved for whatever reason, the Board of Directors shall pay any remaining funds into any other organisation which is actively and successfully working for the better care of children by their parents.

This Constitution was adopted on 27 Janury 2008

Constitution originally drafted by T. Bennett, 18 January 2008