OPU (London branch) constitution

Constitution of the London branch of the Old Portora Union (‘The London OPU’)

1    There shall be an association called ‘The London Branch of the Old Portora Union’ (The London OPU).

    Following the absorption of Portora Royal School into Enniskillen Royal Grammar School in 2016, references to the School and its staff in the present shall apply to Enniskillen Royal Grammar School.

2    The objects of the London OPU shall be:

2.1    to promote friendship between past and present members (‘OPs’) of Portora Royal School (‘The School’), and

2.2    to advance by every means in its power the interests and welfare of the school and its pupils, past and present.

2.3    The primary activity of the London OPU is to hold an annual dinner that is of interest to and is accessible by its members. The London Committee can decide to hold additional events or change the formats of events.

2.4      the objects of the London OPU as above require that the London OPU maintains communication and co-operation with other bodies catering for alumni of Enniskillen Royal Grammar School and its predecessors.

3    All OPs, as well as past and present governors and staff, shall be eligible for membership of the London OPU. The committee may elect any person whose service to the school or the OPU has been of particular merit as an honorary member of the London OPU.

4    Subscriptions: it has been the practice of the OPU London not to have an explicit subscription charge. The society is funded through monies generated by income from the Annual Dinner and through donations from its monies. The OPU London, therefore, will endeavour to show favour to those members who attend or have attended the Annual Dinner. However, the OPU London will endeavour to maintain the wider membership list and combine with the main OPU in communicating with Old Portorans from abroad or elsewhere who may be passing through London at the time of the dinner and who will always be welcome.

5    The Committee

5a    The administration of the affairs of the London OPU shall be the responsibility of the committee, who shall consist of a President, the Vice-President, the Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, the Honorary e-Secretary, and not more than five other persons to be known as ‘ordinary members’ unless determined by the committee. Extended membership of the committee may be desirable from time to time when exceptional or unique circumstances or anniversaries occur.

5b    The president, other officers and the ordinary members of the committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’). All members except the President (who shall serve only one term for two consecutive years with the option to extend the term for a third year, subject to the approval of the Annual General Meeting) shall hold office for one year or until the next AGM, whichever is later. In the event that any office is not filled, the committee may co-opt a member of the London OPU to fill any such vacancy. 

5c    In the event of the death, permanent incapacity, or resignation of any officer or ordinary member, his or her post shall become vacant and may be filled by such member of the London OPU as the officers and committee co-opt. Any such person shall hold his or her post until the next AGM.

5d    The President shall preside as Chairman, or in his or her absence, the Vice-President and then the Honorary Secretary, at all meetings of the committee at the AGM and any Special General Meeting, and shall have a casting vote. The quorum for a meeting of the committee shall be four. Should the President, the Vice-President and Honorary Secretary all become unavailable any protracted period then the Treasurer or other member of the committee will be empowered to convene and Chair a meeting provided a quorum is achieved.

5e    The Vice-President shall deputise for the President in the President’s absence. Normally, the Vice-President will be the person likely to succeed the President.

5f    The Honorary Secretary shall manage the correspondence of the Branch, call committee meetings and general meetings and will provide and circulate agendas and minutes of meetings and reports of Branch activities and events.

5g    The Honorary e-Secretary shall manage the membership data.

5h    The Honorary Treasurer shall manage the financial affairs of the Branch including receiving payments and paying bills, managing the bank account(s), reporting the financial status to the committee meetings, providing a financial report to the AGM and co-operating with any audits or scrutiny.

6    The AGM shall be held in London, or in such place as the committee may decide, on such date between 1 February and 30 June as the committee shall decide. The president for the previous year shall preside at the AGM. The outgoing Honorary Secretary shall present a report of the activities of the London OPU since the last AGM. The outgoing Honorary Treasurer shall present the accounts for the previous year ending 31 December. The committee for the coming year shall be elected at the AGM. 

7    The Honorary Secretary within one month from the receipt of a written Request signed by at least six (6) members of the London OPU shall summon a Special General Meeting for the consideration of such business only as is specified in the request. The notice convening such request shall state the nature of the business to be transacted. Such meetings shall be held in London.

8    The committee is empowered to appoint sub-committee(s) to act for the committee in pursuing specific projects or activities may be decided on by the main committee. The sub-committee should have at least two members of the main committee but may co-opt members to the sub-committee who may have relevant skills or expertise. The activities of any such sub-committee will be discussed by the main committee and any decisions will be ratified by the relevant process as defined in these Rules.

9    The Constitution of the London OPU may only be repealed, altered or added to at the AGM or a Special General Meeting by a two thirds majority of those present and voting, provided also that fourteen (14) days notice shall previously have been given in writing to the Honorary Secretary.

Approved by the OPU (London branch) committee on 17 May 2018.