The Visitor Studies Group

1. Name
The name of the group shall be Visitor Studies Group

2. Mission
The mission of the Visitor Studies Group shall be: To share, develop and promote understanding of the visitor experience in natural and cultural heritage settings

3. Aims and Purposes
The Visitor Studies Group seeks to be
3.1 a network of those concerned with visitor studies in natural and cultural heritage settings
3.2 a source of information about study methodology and results
3.3 a body encouraging training and good practice in visitor studies
3.4 an authoritative voice on the benefits of visitor studies
3.5 a promoter of visitor advocacy
3.6 a facilitator of working partnerships in visitor studies
3.7 a partner with other specialist groups to achieve common aims in order to help those involved in running natural and cultural heritage attractions to apply visitor studies to increase the visitor's enjoyment of their physical, educational, intellectual and emotional access to the heritage of museums, galleries, buildings and sites.

4. Membership
4.1 The group shall be an association of individual members whose work or interests lie in the field of visitor studies and who have paid the annual subscription.
4.2 The Committee shall have the right:
(a) to approve or reject applications for membership and,
(b) for good and sufficient reason, to terminate the membership of any individual member provided that the individual member shall have the right to be heard by the said Committee.

5. Subscription
5.1 The subscription shall be reviewed annually and agreed at the Annual General Meeting (thereafter termed ‘AGM') following advice from the Committee.
5.2 The annual subscription is for one annual year and payable in January. New members can join throughout the year.
5.3 Lapsed members will be reminded to renew their membership once by the end of March and then membership may be revoked if membership not subsequently renewed. 

6. Auditors
An auditor shall be appointed as required

7. Committee
The Committee of the Visitor Studies Group will comprise
7.1 the officers, namely, a Chair, Deputy Chair, Membership Secretary and Treasurer and four other elected members;
7.2 the four other elected members should be prepared to undertake specific responsibilities for running aspects of the Visitor Studies Group operations as agreed by the Committee from time to time;
7.3 The Committee shall be elected at the AGM to serve for one year.
7.4 The Committee shall have power to co-opt up to four non-voting helpers;
7.5 a) Individuals can serve on the committee as members for a maximum term
of three years. Former committee members can stand for a further three year term election after a break of at least one year. Committee members are elected by the VSG membership. Proactively seeking new committee members to join by the existing committee is encouraged.
7.5 b) Individuals can serve on the committee as helpers for a maximum term of three years. Former helpers can commit to a further three year term as helpers after a break of at least one year. However, during their first term as a helper they can stand for election
as a full committee member at any time without a necessary break. Helpers are elected by the VSG Committee. Proactively seeking new committee helpers to join by the existing committee is encouraged.
7.6 No person shall be a Committee member who is not a member of the Group. Any Committee member ceasing to be a member of the Group shall at the same time cease to be a Committee member;
7.7 The Committee shall meet at least three times per year.

8. Management
Subject to the decisions of the annual meeting the management of the affairs of the group shall be vested in the Committee. Without prejudicing the generality of the foregoing the Committee shall have the following powers:
8.1 To make such bye-laws and regulations for the management of the group as may be desirable. Such bye-laws and regulations to be specifically ratified at the next annual meeting;
8.2 To enter into deeds, guarantees and agreements in accordance with these rules as agents of the group;
8.3 To appoint such sub-committees with such powers and duties as they may from time to time deem necessary;
8.4 To regulate and oversee membership and to encourage the development of a network and supporting structures;
8.5 Five elected members shall form a quorum for the committee meetings. The quorum must include the Chair or the Chair's nominee.

9. The Treasurer
9.1 The Treasurer shall be responsible for financial matters affecting the group. The Treasurer shall cause proper accounts to be kept to reflect a true and fair view of the Visitor Studies Group's financial position
9.2 The accounts shall be presented to the membership once a year in time for consideration before the annual meeting.
9.3 The accounts shall be available for inspection by any auditor appointed by the Visitor Studies Group
9.4 All moneys obtained for and on behalf of the Visitor Studies Group shall be paid into the bank account of the Group. All drawings to meet costs, expenses and petty cash reimbursements shall be made from moneys that have passed through the bank account.
9.5 The financial year of the VSG shall be from 1^st January to the 31^st December.

10. Annual Report
A report of the Committee shall be made to the full membership at the AGM.

11. Annual General Meeting
An AGM shall be held every year. The purpose of the meeting shall be to:
11.1 receive the Annual Report of the Committee;
11.2 receive the report of the Treasurer and the accounts;
11.3 elect members of the Committee. Any member shall be eligible to stand. They shall be proposed by one and seconded by another member. Only fully paid members may vote, and are entitled to one vote per membership. Voting shall be by simple majority, the Chair holding a second and casting vote in the event of a tie;
11.4 take suggestions on future policy, planning and activities from the floor.

12. Dissolution
If the Committee by a simple majority decide at any time that on the ground of expense or otherwise it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the group, it shall call a meeting of all members of the group who have the power to vote, of which meeting not less that 21 days notice (stating the terms of the Resolution to be proposed thereat) shall be given. If such decision shall be confirmed by a two thirds majority of those present and voting at such meeting the Executive Committee shall have power to dispose of any assets held by or on behalf of the group. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institutions or institutions having objects similar to the objects of the group as the committee may determine.