As amended at the Annual General Meeting 29th May 2020
The Society shall be called the RAY SOCIETY.
The object of the Society shall be to publish works primarily, but not exclusively, concerned with the Natural History of the British Isles.
The annual subscription to the Society shall be as determined by the Council and due on the first of January. All members of the Society, who have not signified their intention in writing to withdraw from the Society before that date, shall be liable for that year’s subscription.
Members of the Society shall be entitled to purchase one copy of every new work published by the Society at a special concessionary price. In addition, they shall have the privilege of purchasing, subject to the state of stock, at a reduced price, one copy of each work previously published by the Society.
The business of the Society shall be conducted by a Council, which shall consist of a President, two Vice-Presidents, to deputise for the President on official Society business when required, an Honorary Treasurer, an Honorary Secretary and sixteen other Councillors. The President, Vice-Presidents and the Councillors shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. The term of office for the President is three years and they shall not be eligible for re-election for that office until at least one year has elapsed. Similarly, the term of office for the Vice-Presidents is three years and they shall not be eligible for re-election for that office until at least one year has elapsed. The term of office for a member of the Council is three years, at the end of which the position must be made available for election at the Annual General Meeting. The Honorary Treasurer and the Honorary Secretary shall be elected or re-elected each year at the Annual General Meeting. The Council shall meet twice a year, but further meetings may be called by the Honorary Secretary at the request of the President, or of five or more members of the Society. Incidental vacancies may, if desired, be filled by the Council, by co-optation. The Council may, if they think fit, appoint an Assistant Secretary, who shall not be a member of the Council, but may be invited to attend the Council meetings. The Council may appoint advisors to the Council to provide specific expertise and advice. An advisor is not a member of the Council, but may be invited to attend Council meetings.
All elected members of the Council are Trustees of the Ray Society as required and defined by the Charities Act 1993.
Persons who have rendered conspicuous service to the Society may be recommended by the Council for appointment as Honorary Vice-Presidents at the Annual General Meeting. They can attend Council meetings, but, as they are unelected, they may not vote or act as Trustees of the Ray Society. They have full rights and privileges as members of the Society, but do not have to pay the annual subscription.
The Annual General Meeting shall be held within the first three months of each year or as close as is practical. The Accounts of the Society shall be made up to the 31st of December of each year. For their examination, an independent examiner, or examiners, shall be appointed annually by the Council. The statement of the Accounts shall be available, either printed or in electronic format.
No works shall be accepted for publication by the Society unless copyright be vested in the Society, except by special agreement with the author. Authors shall be entitled, free of charge, to ten copies of their works published by the Society.
Voting at meetings shall be by a show of hands unless a ballot shall be requested by a majority of those present. No person shall have more than one vote.
Three of the Trustees shall be jointly responsible for the investments of the Society. They shall be appointed by the Council for three years at the end of which they may be re-appointed.
No alteration in these Laws shall be made except at the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose.