The Constitution of Baby and Me

1. Name

The group shall be called Baby and Me

Objects

The objects of the group are:

• To be a non-profit making voluntary organization

• To provide a safe meeting space for parents, carers, babies and siblings in Cambourne and the surrounding areas

• To be primarily aimed at parents and carers with babies who are 12 months and under although siblings will be welcome

• Other carers are welcome to attend.

• To provide a social and educational environment for mums, carers and babies to meet in

• Babies are to be accompanied and supervised by their carers at all times.

Membership

Membership shall be open to all parents and carers from Cambourne and the surrounding areas who have babies less than 12 months in age or who are expecting a baby.

Membership of the group will be free. An attendance fee of £1.50 per family is to be paid on each and every time of attendance at the group to cover operating costs.

Membership is dependant on babies and siblings being accompanied by their parents or carers at all times. Parents and carers are responsible for the safety and welfare of their babies at all times.

Committee Members and Government

The Committee shall consist of President, Treasurer, Friday Leaders and such other officers as the membership deems necessary. Meetings of the committee will be held when required but no less than 4 times a year. The quorum for each meeting will be at least three members

Financial Records

Shall be kept by the Treasurer and made available for inspection by any member of the group if so required. These records will include minutes of any meetings, minutes of the AGM, payment records, receipts and invoices and the Annual Report if required. The group will hold a community account and no less than 2 signatories will be required to make payments and withdrawals.

Annual General Meeting

This meeting shall be held in the first four weeks of the first term of each year. Not less than fourteen clear day’s notice of the AGM shall be given by being displayed throughout the period on the relevant notice boards in Cambourne.

General Meetings and Amendments to the Constitution

These shall be called at the discretion of the committee or at the written request of not less than six members of the group with at least 3 days notice being given of such a meeting occurring.

Health and Safety Policy

Members of the group are responsible for the health, safety and well being of the babies and children in their care. Baby and Me is not a crèche facility and as such accepts no responsibility for members or their babies whilst attending any Baby and Me session.

Baby and Me have Public Liability Insurance available for inspection by any member requesting it.

First Aid will not be administered by Baby and Me committee representatives. Friday Leaders will carry charged mobile phones that will be used to contact the emergency services should the need arise. Parents and carers are reminded that they are responsible for children and babies in their care at all times. There is also an emergency phone located in the entrance corridor of the Hub.

When outside speakers are being used by Baby and Me, the committee will seek assurances that they carry their own first aid qualifications if the event requires it i.e. Tumble Tots Taster session.

Members are to be made aware that any hot drinks are their responsibility especially with regard to the safety of babies and other children present.

The First Aid box and accident book is located in the disabled toilet in the entrance corridor.

Child Protection Policy

Baby and Me do not require committee members or members of Baby and Me to be CRB checked. This is because Baby and Me is not a crèche facility and babies and children are not to be left at the Group without their Parents or Carers at any time. Parents and Carers are at all times responsible for the care of their babies and children. All outside speakers or organizations will be required to provide (if they are to have contact with the children or babies) a current CRB check which must be made available to the Friday Leader. If this is not made available entry can be refused if appropriate.

This constitution shall be made available to all members of the society on request.

Version Two dated May1st 2007

Checked and agreed by new committee 16^th February 2009.