Constitution

For The National Working Group for Sexually Exploited Children and Young People

1. Name of the group will be constituted as an Unincorporated Association and known as:
   THE NATIONAL WORKING GROUP FOR SEXUALLY EXPLOITED CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE (NWG)
2. Aims
   To provide a forum for projects or organisations concerned with the sexual exploitation of young people
   To provide links into current research, policy and project developments within the field and offer opportunity for examples of good, bad and developing practice to be shared and discussed.
   To encourage co-ordination of different approaches and aim to contribute to the development of UK wide policy and practice
   To encourage child centred practice that recognises and respects diversity.
3. Objects
   To develop an appropriate support network for services working with young people at risk of, or experiencing sexual exploitation.
   To enable the group to be heard as a collective group of projects and organisations working in the field of sexual exploitation
4. Mission Statements
   To assist in eradication of the sexual exploitation of children and young people.
5. Membership
   Membership of the group shall be open to anyone working in the field of Sexually Exploited Young People who is interested in helping the NWG to achieve its aims, willing to abide by its governing documents agreed by the Management Committee.
   Each member will register their organisation (this information will only be used appropriately within the NWG). See appendix one.
   Every registered project or organisation shall have one vote at General Meetings, each individual (not there on behalf of a larger organisation) shall have one vote.
   The membership of any member may be terminated for good reason by the Management Committee
6. Management
   The NWG shall be administered by a Management Committee of not less than 5 or more than 8 members elected at the Group’s Annual General Meeting (AGM)
   The Officers of the Committee shall meet at least 4 times per year.
   The Management Committee shall be:
7. Chairperson
8. Vice Chairperson
9. Secretary
   The quorum for Management Committee meetings shall be (½ plus one)
   Voting at Management Committee meetings shall be by show of hands. If there is a tied vote the Chairman shall have a second vote
   Members may serve as a Committee member for a period of not more than 3 years, but may stand for re-election
   Nominated Members will be responsible for specifically identified tasks i.e, partnership work, web site, etc.
10. Duties of Officers
    See appendix two
11. Annual General Meeting
    The NWG shall hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the month of September.
    All members will be given at least 14 days notice of the AGM and shall be entitled to attend and vote
    The business of the AGM will include:
12. Receiving a report from the Chairperson on the NWG’s activities over the year
13. Electing new Management Committee members
14. Considering any other matter as may be decided
    The quorum for the Annual General Meeting and any General Meeting shall be 25% of the registered projects, organisations or individual members. One vote per project, organisation or individual member.
15. Special General Meetings
    A Special General Meeting may be called by the Management Committee or members to discuss an urgent matter. The Secretary shall give all members 14 days’ notice of the Special General Meeting together with notice of business to be discussed.
16. Alterations to the Constitution
    Any changes to this constitution must be agreed by at least 75% of the registered projects/members. One vote per project, organisation or individual member.
17. Dissolution
    The NWG may be wound up at any time if agreed by 75% of registered members