About The Old Nottinghamians’ Society

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Society uses its funds to serve our Members and to support the good causes which they have decided we should champion.  We are a democratic organisation, whose objective for decades has been ‘the promotion of good fellowship among the Members, and the promotion generally of interest in Nottingham High School.’  Our Members, ultimately, decide everything: what our rules are; what we are called; what our objectives are; who can join us; who represents us; who conducts the business of the Society; who manages our finances; and how we spend our money. The greatest asset that the ONs possess is ONs.  The Society values all the time, energy and care devoted by Members who are involved in providing all the opportunities for fellow ONs and others in our affiliated groups.

Old Nottinghamians' Society Affiliated Groups

- Old Nottinghamians Society Sports & Social Club
- Nottinghamians Rugby Football Club
- Old Nottinghamians Golfing Society
- Old Nottinghamians Rifle Club
- Dame Agnes Mellers Lodge
- Dame Agnes Mellers Charity
- Old Nottinghamians War Memorial Trust

 

 

 

 

 

The parent Society has its roots in a Nottingham High School Old Boys’ Dinner Committee, which was founded in the 1870s and which held several dinners every year in various parts of the country.  In 1902 the headmaster Dr George Sherbrooke Turpin (also a former pupil) formally established the Nottingham High School Old Boys’ Society.  It still held reunion dinners, but also brought former pupils together to take part in a range of sporting activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1961 the Society was renamed the Old Nottinghamians' Society and in 1965 the ONs bought our own sports ground at Adbolton.  The Society has been a member of AROPS - The Schools' Alumni Association since 1983.  Our Officers and Committee members regularly attend AROPS conferences to share experiences and ideas.  Over the decades Society Members have decided to support good causes which benefit boys and girls in the City of Nottingham, pupils at Nottingham High School and fellow ONs.

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Social events, sports and good causes continue to be central to what we are about.  We also encourage our Members to share their professional skills, knowledge and contacts for the benefit of ONs via our Mentoring Programme.  What started as a dining society is now a global fellowship. Because of social media our Members are now able to participate in the Society whether they are in Nottingham or New Zealand!

Any Society Member should feel free to email the President or Secretary about any matter related to their Old Nottinghamians’ Society.

 

 

 

 

CONSTITUTION AND RULES OF THE OLD NOTTINGHAMIANS' SOCIETY

1. NAME

THIS FELLOWSHIP shall be called the Old Nottinghamians’ Society (‘the ONS’).

2. OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the ONS shall be the promotion of good fellowship among the Members, and the promotion generally of interest in Nottingham High School (‘the School’).

3. ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP

3.1.  Every former pupil of the School shall be welcomed as a Life Member of the ONS.

3.2.  Generally, former pupils who were permanently excluded from the School shall not be eligible for Life Membership of the ONS, but such former pupils may apply to the General Committee, whose decision shall be final.

3.3.    All employees of the School shall automatically be Honorary Members of the ONS during their service at the School and, if they retire at the end of their service at the School, they shall become Life Members of the ONS.  Employees of the School who leave the School prior to their retirement shall be entitled to apply for Life Membership.

3.4.    All Governors of the School shall automatically be Honorary Members of the ONS during their service as Governors, and after their service nominated or co-opted Governors shall become Honorary Life Members.

3.5.    Any other person who, in the opinion of a Member of the ONS, has been at any time actively concerned in the furtherance of the School shall be eligible for Honorary Life Membership of the ONS.

3.6.    The names of proposed Members under clause 3.5 shall be forwarded by proposing Members to the Honorary Secretary, who shall bring such names to the General Committee for consideration.  Decisions of the General Committee on any such proposals shall be final.

3.7.    Any Member who wishes to resign from the ONS may do so at any time by notifying the Honorary Secretary in writing.

3.8.    All Life Members, Honorary members and Honorary Life Members of the ONS shall have the right to enjoy the sports ground and pavilion at Adbolton.

4. GENERAL COMMITTEE AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

4.1.    The General Committee of the ONS shall consist of:

4.1.1. The President

4.1.2.  The Deputy President

4.1.3.  The Immediate Past President

4.1.4.  The Honorary Secretary or Secretaries

4.1.5.  The Honorary Treasurer

4.1.6.  The Headmaster of the School or his nominee

4.1.7.  A representative of the Governors of the School

4.1.8.  A representative of the Development Office of the School

4.1.9.  A representative of the Ground Management Committee of the Old Nottinghamians’ Society Sports & Social Club

4.1.10.  One representative from each of the following clubs:

4.1.10.1. Rugby

4.1.10.2. Golf

4.1.10.3. Shooting

4.1.11. Six Additional Members

4.1.12. Any members co-opted under Rule 4.5 below.

4.2.    Seven members of the General Committee, including no less than two Officers of the Executive Committee, shall represent a quorum.

4.3.    The Officers of the Executive Committee of the ONS shall comprise:

4.3.1.  The President

4.3.2.  The Deputy President

4.3.3.  The Honorary Secretary or Secretaries

4.3.4.  The Honorary Treasurer

4.3.5.  The Headmaster or his nominated School representative.

4.4.    General Committee Members shall hold office as follows:

4.4.1.  The Officers of the Executive Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting for a period of two years and may stand for re-election.

4.4.2.  The Headmaster of the School shall hold office ex officio.

4.4.3.  The Governors’ representative, Development Office representative and club representatives shall hold office until they resign or are replaced by their respective bodies.

4.4.4.  Additional Members shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.  Two of the elected Members shall retire each year in rotation.  Retiring Members shall be eligible for re-election.

4.4.5.  Any General Committee member wishing to resign shall notify his or her intention in writing to the Honorary Secretary.

4.4.6.  If a vacancy arises between Annual General Meetings for an Officer, the General Committee shall have the power to appoint any Member to fill that vacancy, who shall hold office until the next Annual General Meeting.

4.5.    The General Committee shall conduct the business of the ONS, manage the finances, carry out the details of every measure and resolution passed by the ONS, call Extraordinary Meetings of their own motion, incur any reasonable expense in furthering the objectives of the ONS (but save in exceptional circumstances shall not incur major expenses unless authorised to do so by a General Meeting), may co-opt members, and shall have the power to ask Members for financial contributions to support Adbolton, the Quincentenary Fund, the ONs’ War Memorial Trust, the Dame Agnes Mellers Charity and any other good causes consistent with the Objectives of the ONS.

4.6.    The General Committee may delegate the day-to-day conduct of the business of the ONS to the Executive Committee, but the Officers shall report to the General Committee in a timely manner and in any event at meetings held no less frequently than three times per year.

4.7.    The Executive Committee shall conduct the day-to-day business of the ONS where delegated in Rule 4.6 above and shall administer the Quincentenary Fund.

4.8.    The General Committee shall have the power to make Regulations governing the conduct and affairs of the ONS provided the same are not inconsistent with these Rules.

5. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

5.1.    A General Meeting shall be held every year to:

5.1.1.  receive and approve the Treasurer’s accounts and report made up to 30^th June in each year;

5.1.2.  receive and approve a report from the General Committee of the proceedings of the ONS during the past year;

5.1.3   receive and approve a report from the Executive Committee on the Quincentenary Fund;

5.1.4.  elect Officers of the Executive Committee and other members of the General Committee;

5.1.5.  elect an Honorary Independent Examiner for the following year;

5.1.6.  exercise the power of appointing new or additional trustees of the Old Nottinghamians’ 450^th Anniversary Trust if required under the terms of the Trust deed;

5.1.7.  nominate representatives for the Ground Management Committee;

5.1.8. consider and approve as necessary grants for Adbolton, the Quincentenary Fund, the ONs’ War Memorial Trust, the Dame Agnes Mellers Charity and any other good causes consistent with the objectives of the ONS;

5.1.9. receive a report from the Headmaster or his representative on the activities of the School over the preceding year;

5.1.10. receive reports from affiliated bodies;

5.1.11. transact any other Ordinary Business of the ONS;

5.1.12. transact any Extraordinary Business of the ONS.

5.2.    Not more than 15 months shall elapse between Annual General Meetings.

5.3.    Not less than 21 days’ notice and the agenda for the Annual General Meeting shall be given to Members.

5.4.    Any Members wishing to give their views on any items on the agenda, but who are unable to be present at the Meeting, may communicate their views to the President or Honorary Secretary in writing or by email, which may include their vote on any Extraordinary Resolution, and their views shall be heard at the Meeting and their votes included in the count.

5.5.    Any Member wishing to stand as an Officer of the Executive Committee or other elected member of the General Committee must be proposed and seconded by two members of the ONS in writing or by email to the Honorary Secretary no later than 7 days prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting.

5.6.    Ordinary Business shall require the consent of over 50% of the votes of those present and voting.

5.7.    Extraordinary Business shall require the consent of no less than 75% of the votes of those voting (but see Rule 7. below).

5.8.    If applicable, the Chair of the Meeting shall have a casting vote in respect of both Ordinary and Extraordinary Business.

6. EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING

6.1.    The Honorary Secretary shall call an Extraordinary General Meeting at the written request of any twenty members of the ONS.

6.2.    Not less than 21 days’ notice and the agenda for an Extraordinary General Meeting shall be given to Members.

6.3.    Any Members wishing to give their views on any items on the agenda, but who are unable to be present at the Meeting, may communicate their views to the President or Honorary Secretary in writing or by email, which may include their vote on any Extraordinary Resolution, and their views shall be heard at the Meeting and their votes included in the count.

6.4.    Extraordinary Business shall require the consent of no less than 75% of the votes of those voting (but see Rule 7. below).

6.5.    If applicable, the Chair of the Meeting shall have a casting vote.

7. AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION AND RULES

No alteration of this Constitution and any of these Rules shall be made other than by means of Extraordinary Business transacted at either the Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General Meeting and subject to ratification by no less than 75% of the votes of those voting in a referendum of all Members of the ONS.  The referendum papers shall include the Minutes of the relevant Meeting.  Referendums shall require voting by post or by email and the votes shall be verified by the President and Honorary Secretary.