Objects:
The Society has been formed to strengthen the ties between Ireland and Czech and Slovak Republics, fostering cultural relations with those two countries, by promoting a knowledge of Czech and Slovak literature, art, music, history and folklore in the Czech lands and Slovakia, by encouraging the exchange of visits between Irish and Czech and Slovak families, as well as student exchanges, by arranging reduce rate group travel for Members and by any other means approved by the Members.
The Society shall consist of Members and Honorary Members. There shall be kept a register of the Society, in which shall be entered the names of Members and Honorary Members. Honorary Members will be distinguished individuals, who from their position or experience are enabled to render assistance to the Society.
By virtue of their Office the Ambassadors of the Czech and Slovak Republics to Ireland are the joint Patrons of the Society. They have the right to attend the committee meetings.
The annual subscription shall be Euro15.00 for individual Members, Euro25.00 for family membership, Euro10.00 for corporate membership (charities), students and retired and Euro60.00 for corporate membership (profit making bodies). These figures shall be subject to revision if found necessary.
Annual subscription shall be payable in advance, and are due on and from the date of the Annual General Meeting in each year.
Any Member whose subscription is in arrears beyond 31 March in any given year shall be suspended from membership of the Society, but may retain to membership at the discretion of the Committee if the subscription is paid prior to subsequent Annual General Meeting.
Officers and Committee:
The Society shall be managed by a General Committee consisting of the President, the Vice President, the Honorary Secretary, the Honorary Treasurer and five other Committee Members. The Officers and Committee Members shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting for a one year term of office and shall be eligible for re-election at each subsequent Annual General Meeting. Any Members of the Committee retiring at times other than the Annual General Meeting may be replace by co-option on the part of the Committee, but must offer himself/herself for re-election at the Annual General Meeting following that co-option.
The election of Officers and Committee members will be on the basis of proposals and secondments at the Annual General Meeting. In the event of more than one nomination for any Office or more than five nominations for Committee Member, a ballot will be held. In the event of a tie the casting vote of the President will decide.
Committee meetings will be chaired by the President or, in his/her absence, the Vice President. At all meetings of the Committee, four members shall constitute a quorum. In default of a quorum the Members present shall postpone the meeting for such period as they think proper and if at the end of such time a quorum is not present they shall adjourn the meeting to a suitable date to be decided by them.
The Committee shall have the power to co-opt additional Members to the Committee for the period to the following Annual General Meeting. There shall be provision for the formation of Subcommittees for specialized activities as the need arises.
The Honorary Treasurer shall be responsible for the moneys of the Society and shall lodge all sums received by him/her to the credit of the Society in the banks elected by the Committee. The Honorary Treasurer shall present the accounts of the Society to the Members present at the Annual General Meeting in each year. All cheques drawn on the Society shall be signed by the Honorary Treasurer and one other Member of the Committee.
Notice for every General Meeting of the Society shall be posted to every Member at least seven days before the day of such Meeting.
At any General Meeting twenty members of the Society shall constitute a quorum. All decisions shall be taken by an absolute majority ot those present and voting. In the event of a tie the President shall have a casting vote. In default of a quorum the Members shall postpone such Meeting for such time as to them seems proper, and at the end of such time, if a quorum is not present, shall adjourn the Meeting to a date to be decided by them.