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Every community group needs a constitution. We can offer you help and advice in creating one.
A constitution is an important document which should be formally adopted/agreed at the public meeting when you set up your association. It takes into account what your association intends to do during its first year, and makes provision for possible future developments of the association. It is a legal document which, once adopted, requires a formal procedure to alter it.
The constitution states the intentions of your association to work for the benefit of the whole community it represents. It indicates to statutory and voluntary bodies that the association is open, is acting in good faith and intends to work in a clear and business-like way.
Once the decision has been made to form a community association you need a constitution:
You can use and adapt one used by a similar association. SCNI can recommend constitutions for different groups, for example, a women's group, a senior citizens' group, a pre-school playgroup, as well as a community association. This can help groups to draw up a constitution.
A draft community association constitution is available as an example. Alternatively, your group may wish to put together its own unique constitution. Whichever way you decide, your constitution should include:
The SCNI Factsheet "Understanding your Constitution" will give you more information. You can request one from them through their website.