CAERA CONSTITUTION

Adopted April 5th 2017

CROSS AVENUE AND ENVIRONS RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION 1.

NAME i.

The name of the organisation shall be the ‘Cross Avenue and Environs Residents’ Association’. ii.

The acronym CAERA may be used to describe the organisation.

2.

STATUS i.

CAERA is a non-party political, non-sectarian, community based voluntary membership organisation. ii.

CAERA shall not field or endorse candidates in Local Authority, Oireachtas or European Parliament Elections.

3.

AREA i.

The area of operation of CAERA shall be defined as that covered by the Specific Local Objective 152 (SLO 152) of the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Development Plan 2016-2022 and such adjoining areas as may be determined by the membership of CAERA. ii.

The areas covered by SLO 152 are as follows: Convent Road, Cross Avenue, Wolfe Tone Avenue, Desmond Avenue, Mills Street, Tivoli Terrace East (northern section - nearest to Cross Avenue), Northcote Avenue (eastern section - nearest to Library Road), Dominick Street, St. Mary's Street, St. Brendan's Terrace, St. Michael’s Terrace, Library Road, Oratory Court, and Rosary Gardens East and West

4.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES i.

To provide a forum for residents to work together in our common interest ii.

To promote pride of place and good neighbour policies and actions iii.

To promote the enhancement of the public realm iv.

To establish and maintain a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in conjunction with An Garda Síochána v.

To support and participate in the Dún Laoghaire Local Policing Forum vi.

To promote community safety issues and initiatives vii.

To participate in the Tidy Districts Initiative viii.

To participate in the County Council's 'Age Friendly County' initiatives ix.

To promote and implement ‘Child Friendly Initiatives’ x.

To campaign against fly-tipping, littering and dog fouling in the area xi.

To work with local County Councillors, Teachtaí Dála and Senators in the furtherance of CAERA objectives xii.

To work with other residents' associations in our common interest xiii.

To organise community events to further CAERA objectives xiv.

To campaign for proper traffic management in the area. xv.

Join the Countywide Public Participation Network (PPN) xvi.

Publish a newsletter and/or have a presence on social media

5.

GOVERNANCE i.

CAERA shall be governed by an Executive Committee comprising of the following officers elected by the residents at the Annual General Meeting, Chair, Vice-Chair, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Publicity Officer and not more than five other officers. ii.

Pending the holding of the first Annual General Meeting in April 2018, a Steering Group of volunteers shall act as the first Executive Committee. iii.

The positions of Chair, Vice-Chair, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer and Publicity Officer may not be held by a Public Representative. iv.

Persons elected to the positions of Chair and Vice-Chair are restricted to term limits of three consecutive years, however, shall be eligible for re-election to such position after a period of two years following the termination of the third term of office.

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Adopted April 5th 2017

v. vi.

vii.

viii. ix.

The Annual General Meeting shall be held in the month of April each year on a date determined by the Executive Committee.

Each household in the areas covered by CAERA shall be entitled to two votes exercisable by the presence of two members of the household at the Annual General Meeting or other General Meetings.

The Executive Committee shall ensure that proper records of all meetings are held and that proper accounts shall be maintained and, in the case of any bank account or Credit Union account, two signatures shall be required for all transactions involving the expenditure of CAERA funds.

All monies received shall be remitted without deduction and all payments shall be made by cheque or by electronic file transfer (EFT).

The Executive Committee shall meet not less than six times each year.

6.

SUB-COMMITTEES i.

The Executive Committee may, from time to time, establish sub-committees to deal with certain issues or functions as determined by the Executive Committee. ii.

The Chair of a Sub-Committee shall be appointed by the Executive Committee. iii.

The Chair of a Sub-committee shall cause proper records of its meetings to be kept and such shall be delivered, without redaction, to the Executive Committee on request. iv.

The Executive Committee shall be empowered to dissolve a sub-committee at any time. v.

All sub-committees are deemed to have stood down at the Annual General Meeting and may only be re-established by the Executive Committee.

7.

MEMBERSHIP i.

Membership of CAERA is open to each household in the areas covered by the organisation on the payment of an Annual Membership Fee. ii.

The Executive Committee shall, from time to time, determine the amount payable by way of an Annual Membership Fee, however, any proposed fee exceeding €20.00 (twenty euro) shall require the endorsement of the Annual General Meeting before it is introduced. iii.

The Executive Committee shall be empowered to waive the Annual Membership Fee in respect of households with special circumstances.

8.

AFFILIATION i.

CAERA shall be a member of the Public Participation Network and The Wheel and other such bodies as may, from time to time, be determined by the Executive Committee. ii.

CAERA may become a member of the Dún Laoghaire Community Association (DLCA) to enhance its opportunities for cooperation and collaboration with other residents’ associations in Dún Laoghaire.

9.

AMENDMENT i.

This Constitution may be amended by a resolution of the Members adopted at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose. ii.

Any resolution to amend this Constitution must receive not less than a two-thirds majority of the Members in attendance at the General Meeting.

10. DISSOLUTION i.

The Executive Committee shall be empowered to determine whether the organisation is financial sustainable and continues to enjoy the support of at least twenty-five present of the households in the area. ii.

Following the determination of the Executive Committee that the organisation shall be dissolved, for whatever reason, all funds, property and assets held by the organisation at the time of dissolution shall, after all liabilities have been discharged, be transferred to a registered charity in the town of Dún Laoghaire.

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