COS RULES

Cuffley Operatic Society
(COS)
Rules (updated 2010)

1. COS shall be called Cuffley Operatic Society, hereinafter referred to as (COS).
2. The objects of COS are to perform musical theatre and similar works and to promote interest in the Arts, particularly in music, dance and drama.
3. COS shall consist of a President or Joint Presidents, Vice Presidents, Full and Junior (aged 16 – 18 and student) members and Friends of COS. Honorary Members may be elected By COS, having rendered special services to COS and have all the privileges of full membership.
4. Membership of COS shall be dealt with by the Committee. Prospective Full members and Junior members shall give an audition or in exceptional circumstances otherwise satisfy the Committee as to their talent or ability. Friends of COS shall not be eligible to perform in any production but in all other respects they shall have the same privileges as Full members except voting rights.
5. The Annual Subscription is due immediately on joining and thereafter on 1st August annually. This shall be determined by the Committee. Notification of the subscription for the ensuing year shall be advised to members before the end of the current financial year. Payments should commence within the first three months of the financial year or on joining. At the discretion of the Committee, a pro-rata subscription may be payable if a member joins COS after 6 months of the financial year have elapsed. No person whose subscription is in arrears shall be entitled to the privileges of membership
6. In addition to the annual subscription, all participants in any production of COS are required to pay a show fee, which will be determined by the Committee for each show.
7. Members are required to attend rehearsals when required by the Musical Director, Producer or Choreographer. Unpunctuality or unexplained absence could result in exclusion from the Production. No absence during the three weeks immediately prior to the performance of a current production is permitted unless with the specific agreement of the Producer and Musical Director.
8. Cast members will also be required to assist with set building, set – up and striking of scenery etc.for the current production. Dates will be built in to rehearsal and performance schedules.
9. COS is managed by an Executive Committee constituted as follows:
• Chairperson, Hon. Secretary, Hon Treasurer, Hon. Business manager, Chairperson of the Publicity sub-committee and two other full members of COS to assist the Committee as necessary.
• The Executive Committee shall have power to appoint sub-committees, to fill casual vacancies and to co-opt to their numbers as may be necessary.
• The Chairperson shall retire annually, but may offer him/herself for re-election for a further year.
• One officer and one member shall retire annually, but may offer themselves for re-election for a further two years. Officers not seeking re-election must give at least six weeks notice, in writing, to the Secretary in order that nominations may be sought. Those to retire in any one year will be those who have been longest in office.
• At a meeting of any Committee not less than four members and at a General Meeting not less than one third of full members shall forma quorum.
10. Decisions shall be by a majority vote, the Chairperson having the casting vote.
11. There shall be a Social sub-committee fro COS. The number on this committee should be left to the discretion of the Social Secretary.
12. The Committee can appoint and dissolve Sub-Committees. The Committee shall have voting power over all Sub-Committees.
13. No expenditure shall be incurred by individuals or Sub-Committees without the prior approval of the Executive Committee.
14. The audition panel will comprise the following:
• The Producer and Choreographer
• The Musical Director
• One member of the Executive Committee, elected by that committee who will chair the panel.
• One other Full Member of the COS who need not be a member of the Executive Committee, elected by Full Members.
• One person from outside COS who has the relevant experience.
The President of COS may attend auditions in an ex-officio, non-voting capacity. However in the event that all members of the Executive Committee wish to audition, the President will chair the Audition Panel and have a vote.
15. Three rounds of auditions will be scheduled, but if the second and/or third auditions become unnecessary, they will be cancelled and may be replaced by rehearsals
The first and second auditions will be open only to fully paid-up members of COS. Subsequent auditions will be open to anyone.
After each audition, all auditionees will be notified by a designated member of the Executive Committee and informed of parts cast and of any parts which are to be re-auditioned.
Roles which remain uncast after the third audition will be dealt with as the Executive Committee sees fit.
No member of the audition panel shall be an auditionee on the same day that he or she is a member of that panel.
Guidance notes for auditions will be given to Full members, prior to auditions and to the Audition panel on the audition day. These will have been prepared by the Producer and MD and will give a brief outline of how each character should be portrayed, age, vocal range etc.
16. An Annual General Meeting shall be held once in each calendar year and not more than fifteen months after the date of the Previous Annual General Meeting.
Notice of the Annual General Meeting shall not be given less than one month in advance. The Financial Year shall extend from 1st August to 31st July and the Financial Statement shall be presented annually at the Annual General Meeting.
17. An Extra-ordinary General Meeting may be called at any time within twenty one days of the receipt by the Secretary of a request in writing signed by at least twelve full members of COS. Any such request must be accompanied by reasons for calling such a meeting.
18. These rules may be amended only at a General Meeting of Members, provided the amendment has been circulated to the Members prior to the meeting, any such amendment to have an immediate effect.
19. In the event of dissolution of COS. The remaining funds of COS shall be devoted to objects similar to those of COS. In the event of a deficit, this shall be repaid by equal contributions from all members.