The following are a list of proposed constitutional changes agreed by the GHRA Committee in the December Committee meeting to be ratified at the AGM on 22nd January.
New Events Liaison Officer post
It is anticipated that this post will allow for a better focus on community events. It will contain the following responsibilities:
- Organise, promote and coordinate the delivery of events (when possible)
- Foster community ‘event leads’ and other helpful event partnerships
- Promote the Events Group and drive its growth and endeavour
- Ensure the committee is delivering all ‘Event communications’ in a timely and effective manner
Events are central to the spirit of any community (especially a growing one!), and we want to acknowledge that via a new Officer position. Anyone who has a passion for bringing people together and who wants to work alongside both committee and community figures alike to make things happen, be sure to apply.
Notification of future AGMs to be increased to a minimum of 21 days
This will provide greater visibility for residents and also allow for longer consideration of standing as a committee member.
Submissions to be a candidate for the committee to be made no later than 10 days before the scheduled AGM.
This will allow for a bigger window for residents to consider and cast their votes for their preferred candidates.
Committee members wishing to hold a vote at meetings need to have motions seconded
Our current constitution allows that committee members may propose a single motion to be voted on by the Committee the next time the Committee meet. We are modifying this to include being seconded by another committee member, as per standard practice.
Incorporation of approved and operational Code of Conduct policy
The following three changes incorporate the Code of Conduct policy that was enacted early in 2025 into the Constitution, and in so doing removes text that was in effect duplicated.
1) Page 2. Section 4 – Normalise inconsistent spacing between paragraphs. This is a cosmetic change only
2) Page 3 Section 5 – Remove and replace text that has been superseded by a more comprehensive “Code of Conduct” document published on the GHRA website since its approval by the committee on 24th January 2025.
Remove the following text:
“All Committee Members will act lawfully, promote transparency and accountability, and that is not discriminatory in any way, in particular based on sex, gender, race, religion, age, pregnancy, marital status, property tenure, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, political affiliation or social status. This includes taking steps to ensure the participation and representation of individuals disadvantaged on any of these grounds in the activities of the Association. Members should be mindful of their comments in person and on official social platforms.”
Replace the removed text with:
“Officers and other committee members must abide by the code of conduct as published on the GHRA website at https://gravenhillra.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ghra-general-code-of-conduct.pdf “
3) Page 3 Section 6 – Add text to take into account the “Code of Conduct” document that has been published on the GHRA website since its approval by the committee on 24th January 2025. This involves adding the following emboldened text: “and the GHRA Code of Conduct” into existing text as shown:
“Any behaviour by a Committee Member that is considered by the Committee to be in breach of the requirements set out in the previous section and the GHRA Code of Conduct may have their membership of the Committee terminated by a 2/3rds majority vote of Committee Members present.”
Graven Hill Residents' Association 