Lower Earn Trust - who we are
The Lower Earn Trust is a charity registered in Scotland No SC052869 and is operated by a Board of Trustees and aims to develop a Membership representative of the area and the activities that take place within it. The Lower Earn Trust is regulated by its constitution which has been approved by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).
The Constitution of the Lower Earn Trust is attached.
(Abridged extract from the Constitution)
Qualifications for Membership
Membership is open to any individual aged 16 or over who resides in the geographic area of the Lower Earn community (see map) as at the date of inception 2023, or, has a legitimate interest in the community.
Employees of the SCIO/Trust are not eligible for Membership; and a person who becomes an employee of the SCIO/Trust after admission to Membership will automatically cease to be a Member.
Application for Membership
Any person who wishes to become a Member must submit an application for Membership (in writing or by email); the application will then be considered by the Board at its next Board meeting.
The Board may, at its discretion, refuse to admit any person to Membership.
The Board will notify each applicant promptly (in writing or by email) of its decision on whether or not to admit them to Membership.
Members’ Meetings
The Board is required to arrange a meeting of Members (an Annual General Meeting or AGM) in each calendar year. The gap between one AGM and the next must not be longer than 15 months.
The business of each AGM must include:
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Consideration and approval of the Annual Report by the Chairperson on the activities of the Trust.
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Consideration and approval by Proposer and Seconder of the minutes of the previous AGM
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Consideration and approval by Proposer and Seconder of the annual accounts of the Trust.
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The election/re-election of Charity Trustees.
The Board may arrange a special Members' meeting at any time.
Notice
At least 14 clear days’ notice must be given of any AGM or any special Members' meeting. The notice calling a Members' meeting must specify in general terms what business is to be dealt with at the meeting.
Minutes
The Board must ensure that proper minutes are kept in relation to all Members' meetings, and that a proper record is kept of all resolutions agreed to in writing or by email. Minutes of Members' meetings must include the names of those present; and, so far as possible, should be signed by the Chairperson of the meeting. The records of resolutions kept must include confirmation that all Members agreed to the resolution; and should be signed by the Chairperson of the SCIO/Trust.
Membership
Board of Charity Trustees
(Abridged extract from the Constitution)
The Lower Earn Trust is operated by a Board of elected charity trustees principally drawn from the membership and representative of the area covered by the Lower Earn Trust. They contribute their expertise and experience to ensure that the Trust is well-regulated and delivers its purposes. Certain individuals may be coopted because of their specific skill-sets and may be from elsewhere. They all contribute their time voluntarily.
Number of Charity Trustees
The maximum number of Charity Trustees is eleven (11) out of that:
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No more than seven (7) shall be Charity Trustees who were elected/appointed under clauses 73 to 76 (or deemed to have been appointed by the Members under clause 73 of the Constitution;
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No more than four (4) shall be Charity Trustees who were co-opted by the Board under the provisions of clauses 77 and 78 of the Constitution.
The minimum number of Charity Trustees is four (4).
Eligibility
A person shall not be eligible for election/appointment to the Board under clauses 73 to 76 of the Constitution unless they are a Member of the Trust. A person will not be eligible for election or appointment to the Board if they are:
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Disqualified from being a Charity Trustee under the Scottish Charities Act; or
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An employee of the Trust.
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Related to more than two other Board Members such as:
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Members of the same family, (within first cousins, or partners or married thereto).
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Officers of the same membership organisation, umbrella / holding or subsidiary.
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Officers of the same recognised body, e.g. club, association, or faith group.
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Directors of the same firm, holding company and / or subsidiaries.
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Trustees of the same Trust.
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Rules for managing such a Conflict among the Trustees are covered in the Constitution.
Office holders
The Trust’s Office Holders shall include:
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Chair
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Vice-Chair
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Secretary
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Treasurer
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Fund-Raising Coordinator
Current Board members
John Bruce
CHAIR
Dron
Joanna Mckenzie
BOARD MEMBER
Bridge of Earn
Vacant
SECRETARY
.
Alan Miller
VICE CHAIR
Craigend
Janice Sloan
BOARD MEMBER
Bridge of Earn
Emma Law
TREASURER
Forgandenny
Mike Beale
BOARD MEMBER
Bridge of Earn
Anne Marie Losty
BOARD MEMBER
Forteviot
Tim Kearns
BOARD MEMBER
Oudenarde
The Board’s functions
The Board’s functions are as follows:
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To secure funds from any available funding body to enable it to make grants to any eligible organisation or individual which further the purposes of the Lower Earn Trust.
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To communicate to funding bodies, its membership and those organisations or individuals who are potential beneficiaries of the Lower Earn Trust the activities of the Trust so that it can meet its mission.
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To evaluate requests for grants received from any organisation or individual that qualifies for support across the area of the Lower Earn Trust.
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At the total discretion of the Trustees, to disperse available funds to organisations and individuals to meet the purposes of the Trust.
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To report annually on its activities, demonstrating how the Trust is contributing towards meeting its Mission.
LET TRUSTEES
FUNDERS
BENEFICIARIES
LET MEMBERS
