1. Mission Statement
1.1 The Association shall be called the British Schools Orienteering Association. It shall exist to advance the education of young people of all abilities under the age of nineteen years through the promotion of all forms of orienteering activity.
1.2 It shall exist to provide or assist in the provision of facilities or opportunities for orienteering for such young people, and thereby to assist in ensuring that due attention is given to the physical education and development of such people as well as to the development and occupation of their minds.
1.3 It shall at all times encourage, promote and control the sport of orienteering in accordance with and as defined in the constitution, rules of competition and council decisions of the British Orienteering Federation.

2. Furtherance Powers
In furtherance of the objects of the Association but not otherwise the Executive Committee (as constituted under Section 4 below) may exercise the following powers:
2.1 The promotion of healthy enjoyable orienteering competition for young people commensurate with age and ability.
2.2 The fostering of links between schools and the British Orienteering Federation at club, regional and national levels so as to facilitate progression from school to mainstream competition within the BOF system.
2.3 The formulation of a BSOA structure and development plan seeking to provide children and teachers with opportunities for as many varieties of orienteering experience as possible and to promote excellence.
2.4 The dissemination of information and ideas throughout the educational system including independent and special schools and the promotion and provision of support for teachers both in initial teacher training and through 'in service' courses.
2.5 The co-ordination of schools' orienteering activity and its promotion within the school curriculum.
2.6 Any competition proposed or organised shall always be subject to the agreement of the Regional Association within whose area it is to be held and subject to (1.3) above; which agreement will in general be gained through the co-operation of BSOA with the local club.
2.7 The promotion and development of navigational skills training within and outside the curriculum so that young people are encouraged to explore the countryside with self reliance, confidence and safety.
2.8 The encouragement of a love and respect for the environment amongst young people.
2.9 To raise funds and to invite contributions provided that in raising funds the Executive Committee shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities and shall conform to any relevant requirements of the law;
2.10 to buy, take on lease or in exchange any property necessary for the achievement of the objects and to maintain and equip it for use;
2.11 subject to any consents required by law to sell, lease or dispose of all or any part of the property of the Charity
2.12 subject to any consents required by law to borrow money and to charge all or any part of the property of the Charity with repayment of the money so borrowed;
2.13 to employ such staff (who shall not be members of the Executive Committee) as are necessary for the proper pursuit of the objects and to make all reasonable and necessary provision for the payment of pensions and superannuation for staff and their dependents;
2.14 to co-operate with other charities, voluntary bodies, statutory authorities and others operating in furtherance of the objects or of similar charitable purposes, to exchange information and advice with them and to invite persons who may not be BSOA members to its meetings or other meetings of the BSOA in a non-voting capacity;
2.15 to establish or support any charitable trusts, associations or institutions formed for all or any of the objects
2.16 to appoint and constitute such advisory committees and sub committees as the Executive Committee may think fit provided that all acts and proceedings shall be reported to the main committee as soon as possible and provided that no such advisory or sub committee shall expend funds of the BSOA otherwise than in accordance with a budget agreed by the main committee.
2.17 to do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of the objects and providing that the committee members act in a reasonable and lawful manner they shall not be held jointly or severally liable for debts or liabilities incurred in the name of the BSOA.
2.18 The Association shall at all times abide by the BOF regulations concerning the use of and testing for drugs.

3. Membership and Subscriptions
3.1.1 Full membership shall be open to schools, colleges of Further Education and outdoor education centres providing education for young people as defined in the mission statement.
3.1.2 Associate Membership shall also be available to individuals sharing BSOA aims.
3.2 Affiliation fees for all categories shall be determined at an Annual General Meeting or Special Meeting at which each full member and each Associate member shall be entitled to one vote each.
3.3.1 The AGM shall be held before end of June each year. The secretary shall give members at least two weeks notice in writing of the date of the meeting. The chair at the AGM will be taken by the Chairman or in his or her absence by the Vice Chairman or any other officer available.
3.3.2 The A.G.M. shall
a) approve the previous year's accounts.
b) elect the committee members.
c) set subscription levels.
d) appoint a person to audit the accounts.
e) receive reports from the auditors.
3.4 Affiliation fees for full members shall be kept as low as possible and based on a sliding scale according to school roll numbers. On payment of the requisite fee by 31st January of the subscription year, each full member of the BSOA becomes entitled to all the benefits, which this confers.
3.4.1 If a school is a member of a local Schools' League or Association it may deduct the league fee from the BSOA fee up to a maximum of 50% of BSOA fee.
3.5 The Subscription and Financial year shall run from l January - 31 December. Institutions or Individuals joining for the first time may do so at any time of year on a pro rata basis.
3.6 The quorum at a General Meeting shall be 12 full members. Any 12 full members of the BSOA may call a Special General Meeting for a specific purpose by giving notice in writing to the General Secretary, who shall convene a meeting within 30 days of receiving such notice, giving all members date and purpose of the meeting in writing. No proxy or postal votes shall be allowed at any AGM or Special Meeting.

3.7 The Executive Committee of the BSOA shall have the power to invite other persons to attend the AGM or Special General Meeting. They may speak but not vote.
3.8 Written submissions from full or associate members may be considered.
3.9 No proxy or postal votes shall be allowed at any AGM or Special Meeting

4. Executive Committee
4.1 The management of the Association shall be vested in a committee consisting of the following officers:-
4.1.1 Chairman
4.1.2 Vice Chairman
4.1.3 General Secretary
4.1.4 Treasurer
4.1.5 Together with a minimum of four other members which shall include one BOF representative, as voting members.
4.2 Specific responsibilities may be designated to committee Members as circumstances dictate.
4.3 Committee members may submit themselves for re-election, subject to paragraph 4.9.
4.4 A quorum shall consist of not less than one third of voting committee members.
4.5 Each committee member shall have a single vote except the Chair who shall have both a deliberate and casting vote at all meetings of the BSOA and its executive committee.
4.7 The committee shall have the power to co-opt a maximum of four additional voting or non-voting committee members (which should include the BOF Schools Development Officer and BSOA Newsletter Editor), and to fill vacancies amongst officers until the next AGM.
4.8 Nominations for committee posts shall be proposed and seconded by members of the BSOA and should have the consent of the nominee.
4.9 Nominations may be made at any time prior to the commencement of the Annual General Meeting.
4.10 No person shall hold the office of Chair or Vice Chair for more than three consecutive years, or any other committee post for more than five years and shall not be eligible for re election to the same post in under twelve months.
4.11 Committee meetings shall be held at least three times per year.

5. President and Life members
5.1 The AGM may elect a President. This post shall be honorary and shall confer no obligations, authority or responsibility on the holder. The President will not be required to pay a membership subscription. The President has the option of opening and presiding over the AGM but may waive this in favour of the outgoing Chairman at any time during the proceedings. The AGM may also appoint Vice Presidents in recognition of services rendered. Vice Presidency shall not automatically confer membership for voting or other purposes.
5.2 The AGM may appoint Life Members. This position is intended as recognition of exceptional service to the BSOA. A Life Member is an honorary position and shall not automatically confer membership for voting or other purposes

6. Finance
6.1 The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping account of all Income and Expenditure and shall present a financial report at all committee meetings.
6.2 The accounts of BSOA shall be balanced by 31st March each year and submitted after independent audit to the Annual General Meeting for approval of the members.
6.3 Should the accounts not be approved by the AGM a Review Committee shall be appointed by the AGM and the corrected/investigated accounts shall be presented by the Review Committee for approval at a specially convened S.G.M. within 84 days of the A. G. M.
6.4 An independent person who is not a committee member shall be appointed annually at the AGM to audit the accounts of the Association.
6.5 The funds of the BSOA shall be kept in a Bank or Building Society account or accounts in the name of the BSOA. Withdrawals shall only be made on the signature of any two officers of the association.
6.6 Any matter not provided for in the constitution and concerning the organisation and activities of the Association shall be dealt with by the committee whose decision will be final.

7. Changes to the Constitution
7.1 Amendments to the Constitution of the BSOA shall require the assent of two thirds of the members present and voting at an AGM or Special General Meeting called for that purpose, provided that no amendment shall be made, the effect of which would cause the BSOA to cease to qualify as a Charity in law.
7.2 Any resolution calling for such an amendment will be submitted in writing to the secretary at least six weeks before the meeting at which it is to be voted on.
7.3 The Secretary shall give members written notice of such a resolution of at least two weeks in the case of an AGM and of at least four weeks in the case of a Special General Meeting

8. Dissolution
8.1 The Association may be dissolved by a resolution presented at a Special General Meeting called for this purpose.
8.2 The resolution must have the assent of two thirds of those present and voting.
8.3 Such a resolution may give instructions for the disposal of any assets remaining after satisfying any outstanding debts and liabilities.
8.4 Assets shall not be distributed among the members but shall be given or transferred to some other charitable organisation or organisations having similar objectives.

Adopted at a General Meeting of school representatives on September 30th 1995

Signed




Chairman      Vice Chairman      Secretary      Treasurer

Amended 17th May 2008 at the Annual General Meeting