The Constitution of C.C.A.D.S (Corpus Christi Amateur Dramatic Society)

• As Defined March 2006

• Company Name:

The company shall be known and promoted as C.C.A.D.S (Corpus Christi Amateur Dramatic Society).

The Committee:

• a) A committee consisting of seven members shall be elected annually by the company from a list of nominees given, the vote being by secret ballot, this committee to represent all members and to run the company
• b) Members will be given an opportunity before elections to indicate whether or not they wish to stand for election.
• c) Any member of 18 years or over may stand for election.
• d) The committee shall then elect from their number: a chairman, a secretary and an
  executive committee of 5 members (2 of which may be the Patrons Rep and Publicity
  Officer).

• e) There will be an honorary position of Treasurer.
• f) Each member of the committee, except the Chairman, shall have one vote each at
  committee meetings and the Chairman a casting vote only where necessary.
• g) There shall be no restriction on re-election of standing committee members.
• h) If no more than seven members stand for election, it will be considered that those
• seven are automatically elected.
• i) In a case where deadlock occurs during an incident of voting, or for any vote
• deemed to be of sufficient importance, the vote shall be deferred until the chairman is
• present.

• Committee Meetings:

• a) An Annual General Meeting shall be held in order to elect a new committee.
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• b) Committee meetings shall normally be held monthly, with extra meetings if and when necessary.
• c) Committee meetings shall be open to all members of the company who wish to
  attend except in extraordinary circumstances.
• d) The secretary shall keep minutes of all committee meetings. The previous year’s
  AGM minutes shall be provided to all members one month before the AGM.
• e) For the purposes of the AGM, a member i.e. someone who is able to vote, is deemed to be one that has paid subs to C.C.A.D.S within the last 12 months or who

• has assisted off stage within the last 12 months i.e. costume, set, stage management

• f) If a member (as defined above) wishes to vote by proxy they must do so by phonhij or sending their vote, sealed, to either the Chairman or Secretary.’

• Banking:

A bank account shall be kept in the name of the company, the signatories to which shall be both the Treasurer and one named other.
(NB: The treasurer and the named other shall be 18 years or over, in accordance with bank regulations).

Subscriptions:

For each production, each cast member shall pay a Standard Production Fee of £20 for plays, £25 for musicals and £10 for children. Family rates can be agreed per production. An additional Production Fee commensurate with the cost of each individual production may be levied if necessary from each cast member. If a performer is asked to take over a role at a late stage the production fee will be charged at the committee’s discretion.

Aims:

The company’s aims and objectives, as agreed, shall be as follows (not necessarily in order of importance).

• a) To produce high quality theatre.
• b) To enhance the performing skills of members.
• c) To make theatre available to those who would not otherwise experience it.
• d) To actively support charitable causes where possible.

Membership Criteria:

• a) Definition of a member is laid out above
• b) Entry to the company may or may not be by audition according to the discretion of
  the artistic director.
• c) CCADS is committed to a policy of equality and diversity with respect to its artistic activities. CCADS will strive to ensure that its members are given the same artistic opportunities irrespective of their, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnic origins, religious beliefs or disabilities
• d) Prospective members shall be invited to attend a company rehearsal and to read and approve a copy of the company’s constitution.

• Commitment:

• a) Each member shall, on joining or when appropriate, receive a copy of the
  constitution, read it and sign a declaration indicating that they will act in accordance
  with it.
• b) With regard to commitment to rehearsal attendance: anyone demonstrating a
  pronounced lack of commitment in this area will be warned by the director and/or the
  Chairman and, if the situation does not improve, eventually replaced, in order to
  ensure the smooth running of the production and to avoid further annoyance and
  inconvenience to the other members of the cast and production team.

Show Decorum:

Acohol and drugs must not be consumed before or during a performance. Anyone contravening this rule is liable to being replaced.

Direction, Selection of shows, Casting, Selection of backstage personnel:

• a) The resident Director shall be John-Paul McCrohon, who shall have full artistic
  control over shows in full consultation with the committee.
• b) The number of performing cast members shall be at the discretion of the Director
  to fit with the requirements of each production and/or venue.
• c) A selection of shows will be chosen by the Director and put forward to the committee.  The committee must be provided with a synopsis and script before voting.put to the committee who
• c) Casting shall be at the discretion of the director with or without audition. If
  auditions are used then the audition panel will consist of any relevant persons
  approved by the Director and committee.
• d) Selection of backstage personnel shall be decided by the committee and the
  Director in due consultation.
• f) The company shall attempt two productions per year in which it shall
  make provision for all members who wish to be included as performers. Other smaller
  cast shows may be performed at the discretion of the Director in full consultation with
  the committee. (NB Other directors may, at times, be approved by the committee).

• A child is defined as any person up to and including the age of 16 years who is still Children performing in C.C.A.D.S productions:

• a)
  attending compulsory education.
• b) All children involved in a C.C.A.D.S production will be licenced in accordance
  with rules set out by Portsmouth Education Welfare.
• c) The appropriate number of licenced matrons will be present throughout production
  week to fully supervise all children involved in a production
• d) Matrons must be licenced in accordance with rules set out by the Portsmouth
  Education Welfare. 
• e) Separate dressing areas must be provided when male and female children are
  performing in a production. Review of Constitution:

• Review of Constitution

The Constitution shall be reviewed at least annually at the company’s AGM, but, since the Constitution exists for the benefit of the company, the committee may amend it at any time as and when necessary