Rules of Press For Change

1. Name | 2. Aims | 3. Membership | 4. Key activists | 5. Vice Presidents | 6. Procedures | 7. Finance | 8. Amendments to the rules | 9. Amendments to date

1. Name

The organisation will be known as Press for Change.

2. Aims

2.1 Press for Change exists to educate, inform and campaign to achieve equal civil rights and liberties, and freedom from prejudice and discrimination, for transsexual and transgendered people in the U.K., through legislation and social change.

2.2 Press for Change will campaign for the rights and liberties of all transsexual and transgendered people, regardless of gender and of whether they have received any medical or surgical treatment.

2.3 Press for Change may also offer support and advice to individual transsexual and transgendered people whose natural rights and liberties are challenged or denied within society or by current repressive legislation.

2.4 Press for Change may seek to achieve these aims alone or in association with individuals or other organizations supporting the aims.

2.5 In furtherance of these aims, Press for Change may exercise the following:

• POWERS to raise funds and invite and receive contributions, provided that in so doing the organisation shall conform to any statutory regulations.
• POWERS to take any legal action in furtherance of the aims.

3. Membership

3.1 Membership of Press for Change is open to all transsexual and transgendered people and any member of the public who wishes to support the aims and work of the organisation.

3.2 No membership fee will be charged.

3.3 Ordinary members have no vote at Annual General Meetings or in the affairs of Press for Change.

3.4 A person may resign their membership at any time.

4. Key activists

4.1 Any member may take on additional responsibilities as a “Key Activist”.  These members agree to take responsibility for co-ordinating one or more aspects of the work of the organisation.

4.2 A member will be granted the status of a Key Activist if:

• their appointment is approved by a majority of the Vice Presidents

and:

• on the basis that an applicant states that: “I have read and understand and accept:
  • The Press for Change Statement of Aims and Objectives
  • The Press for Change Financial Policy & Procedures
  • I agree to observe Press for Change policy when representing Press for Change.”

4.3 There is no limit on the number of Key Activists who may be appointed.

4.4 The status of Key Activist will lapse if a person ceases to be actively involved with the work of the organisation for a period of one year or more.

4.5 Key Activists have one vote each in the election and re-election of Vice Presidents.

5. Vice Presidents

5.1 The governing body of Press for Change will consist of seven “Vice Presidents” who will have equal status and who will take full responsibility for the organisation.  They will ensure that work carried out by members and Key Activists is in accordance with the Aims and Objectives of Press for Change and that financial policy and procedures are observed.

5.2 A majority of the Vice Presidents at any time must be transsexual or transgendered people.

5.3 Vice Presidents may hold office for between three and six years, and may be re-elected for further periods.  At least two of the seven should stand for re-election each year.

5.4 Vice Presidents have one vote each at Annual General Meetings.

5.5 If a Vice President stands down, a new Vice President must be elected.  Nominations will be invited from any current Key Activists and Vice Presidents.  All candidates must give their consent and must be nominated and seconded in writing by two people eligible to vote.  The nominee must have at least two years experience as a Key Activist, and must be acceptable to the current Vice Presidents.  Should more nominations be received than there are places available on the governing body, a ballot will be held.  In such a ballot, current Vice Presidents and current Key Activists will each have one vote.

6. Procedures

6.1 An annual general meeting will be held at least once each year, and not more than 15 months after the previous meeting.  All members will be notified of the Annual General Meeting, giving at least one calender month’s notice in writing, and any member may attend.

6.2 Only Key Activists and Vice Presidents will be entitled to speak at the meeting.

6.3 The purpose of the meeting is:-

• To elect or re-elect Vice Presidents.
• To appoint Key Activists.
• To remove Key Activists who have cased to take an active role
• To appoint the Auditors for the organisation
• To approve the annual accounts.
• To approve any changes to the Rules or policies of Press for Change.

6.4 With the exception of the election of Vice Presidents (see above), any disagreement which cannot be resolved by discussion will be resolved by a ballot of the Vice Presidents, the majority view being carried.

6.5 An annual general meeting is quorate if a majority of the current Vice Presidents are in attendance.

6.6 The minutes of the annual general meeting will be published in the Press for Change newsletter and available on request.

7. Finance

7.1 The income and property of the organisation shall be applied solely towards the promotion of its aims.

7.2 The Vice Presidents will elect an Honorary Treasurer from amongst themselves.

7.3 Written accounts of all income and expenditure will be kept by the Hon. Treasurer, audited and presented to the Annual General Meeting.  The annual balance sheet will be published through the Press for Change newsletter and on request.

7.4 Two signatures (the Hon. Treasurer and another Vice President) must be required on any bank account in the name of Press for Change.

7.5 Press for Change will not accept funding from any agency which seeks in exchange to exert an undue influence over the direction of the organisation, or which is known to discriminate in any way against minority groups, especially transgendered people.

7.6 Whilst it will where possible provide publicity, campaigning materials and news of the campaign free of charge to members and supporters, Press for Change may at discretion make a reasonable charge, any profits from which are to go to the campaign.  Such materials are to be copyright free wherever possible.  All profits from publications under the Press for Change logo must be returned to the campaign.

7.7 Where any member acts as a representative of Press for Change, for example as a trainer or speaker, a reasonable proportion of any fee paid (at least 25% after expenses) should be returned to the campaign.

7.8 Where any member acts for Press for Change in a professional capacity, they may make an appropriate charge to the campaign for their services.  Any reduction in the fee may be recorded as a donation.

7.9 In the event that Press for Change is dissolved, any funds or assets remaining will be donated to one or more organisations which exist to benefit transsexual and transgendered people.

8. Amendments to the rules

8.1 Changes to these Rules may be made only through the Annual General Meeting and with the agreement of a majority of the current Vice Presidents.

8.2 No changes may be made to the Rules which would alter the fundamental aims of Press for Change.  In particular that:-

• Press for Change exists to benefit transsexual and transgendered people.
• Control of Press for Change must remain in the hands of transsexual and transgendered people.
• Press for Change may not appoint shareholders nor pass any profits to its members or governing body, and all funds raised must be applied for the benefit of transsexual and transgendered people.
• Press for Change may not engage in illegal activities, nor become involved with activities which could bring the organisation or its members into disrepute, nor which could be to the detriment of transsexual or transgendered people.

August 1997

9. Amendments to date

9.1 First Amendment to Press for Change Rules: 3rd October 1999:

It was agreed at the AGM formally to adopt the Press for Change Code of Conduct as part of the Rules.