West Dorset ICD (Implantable Cardiovertor Defibrillator) Support Group.
Note that the above description is shortened to West Dorset ICD Support Group or WDICDSG within the following documents relating to Data Protection and Group Constitution.
Constitution for West Dorset ICD Support Group. WDICDSG

1.     Title: The group shall be called:-   West Dorset ICD (Implantable Cardiovertor Defibrillator) Support Group.
2.       Aims and Objectives of the West Dorset ICD Support Group
The group has been established to provide support and information to patients and their families/friends, in the
West Dorset area, who have had an Implantable Cardiovertor Defibrillator (ICD) fitted. It is a non-profit organisation.

The aim of the group is to support its members by:
Providing an opportunity to meet people who may have shared a common or difficult experience in their lives.
Offering emotional support to people with ICDs and their partners, relatives and carers
Providing information
Providing a forum for discussion and friendship
Complementing the service already offered by health care professionals
Arranging social events
Arranging group meetings with informative speakers/presentations

The income from funds raised by the group will be used to support and maintain further meetings and events,
and to support individuals, projects and resources that have been agreed by the committee.
3.       Ground rules
The members of the West Dorset ICD Support Group will agree to:
Treat each other with respect to create a forum of honest communication
Ensure everyone has the opportunity to share their point of view with the consideration of others
Be aware that the meetings are not a forum for discussing individual medical problems
Maintain confidentiality
The committee members are responsible for ensuring that these ground rules are followed.
Powers:
To further its aims and objectives the West Dorset ICD Support Group committee will:
Hire a venue suitable for the meetings to occur
Obtain, collect and receive monies and funds by means of contributions, donations, subscriptions
and any other lawful method towards the group?s activities and for the good of support group members
Not undertake any form of permanent trading in the raising of funds
Give payment to guest speakers at the group when required
Procure equipment, projects and resources for use within the confines of the group
4.           Membership
Membership of the group shall be open to individuals who have an ICD and the friends, family and
carers of these individuals. Individuals who have non-defibrillator pacemakers will also be accepted
as associate members. Membership is achieved by an eligible individual requesting that their contact
details be added to the database held by the Secretary.
Every member will have the right to vote on motions at support group meetings including the AGM.
Every member should have the opportunity to vote for an individual to represent him/her on the committee.
The committee may terminate the membership of an individual.
The individual has the right to appeal to the committee if they wish and can have someone accompany
them to this meeting.
Members should notify a member of the committee if they do not wish to remain a member of the
West Dorset ICD Support Group.
They will then be removed from the circulation list. Any personal data held by the committee
(especially that held by the secretary) in respect of their membership will be deleted/securely disposed of.
5.           Officers
The group shall be governed by the committee with the purpose of organising and overseeing the
running of the support group meetings and events and maintaining an overview of and agreement
for expenditures made from the group?s funds.
An Annual General Meeting (AGM) will allow members of the West Dorset ICD Support Group to
elect from the membership a committee who shall hold post from the conclusion of that meeting.
Officers, including a Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary will be appointed at the AGM from the committee
membership. More than one role may be held by an officer.
The minimum number of members or officers needed at an AGM of West Dorset ICD Support Group
and at a committee meeting shall be one third of members (or such other number as the group may from
time to time determine) to make votes/decisions valid.
The committee will include the Arrhythmia Nurse Specialists.
The committee may appoint further members as deemed necessary.
All members of the committee will be above the age of 18 years.
Elections
The AGM will be held each year at such time and place as the committee determine.
This may occur following a West Dorset ICD Support Group meeting.
Elections will occur by a show of hands at the AGM. Once elected (or confirmed in office for existing
committee members) committee members will hold office until the next AGM.
Committee members should be notified at previous meetings of nominations for committee membership.
The details of those standing for office will be circulated prior to the AGM to all members of
West Dorset ICD Support Group.

The proceedings of the committee shall not be invalidated by a vacancy or if an appointment is not made
at the AGM meeting.
An extraordinary meeting may be called at any time providing all members of the committee are informed
21 days in advance.
A member of the committee shall cease to hold office if he/she:-
Becomes incapable by reason of mental disorder, illness or injury of managing his/her own affairs.
Is absent from the meetings for a period of six months without an explanation.
Notifies the committee that they wish to resign before their period of office is completed.

8.       Committee
No members of the committee shall supply or be interested in supplying goods or services to the West Dorset ICD Support Group
except by way of a free gift or on a basis that shows no profits or gain directly or indirectly to members concerned.

The majority of votes of the committee present will determine every matter. In the case of equal votes the chairperson
of the meeting will have the casting/second vote.

The committee shall keep minutes of the meeting which will be distributed to members following the meeting.
The committee may make or alter the rule for the conduct of their business, the summoning and conduct of meetings
and the custody of documents. No rule can be made which is inconsistent with the aims of the group or standards of
good governance.

9.       Accounts and Finance
The group shall maintain a bank account in the name of West Dorset ICD Support Group. The funds of the
group including all donations, contributions and bequests shall be paid into the account and operated by the committee.
All expenditure must be agreed by the committee. The Treasurer will be a signatory to the account, as will one of the
Arrhythmia Nurse Specialists.

There will be a record of accounts maintained by the treasurer. Accounts shall be prepared annually, audited by an
independent authority where practicable, and presented to members at the annual general meeting.
Any member who wishes to scrutinise the accounts may do so by notifying a member of the committee of their wishes.

If a committee member is seen to be irresponsible with the funds raised by the group this will be considered a breach
in the terms of agreement and this member shall be held personally accountable.

10.     Meetings of the Group
The meetings of the West Dorset ICD Support Group will be held on a quarterly basis unless otherwise decided
by the members. Dates and subjects of each meeting will be notified to members in advance.

All members of the West Dorset ICD Support Group shall be informed of the date and time of the AGM meeting.
All members of the group will be given a copy of this constitution on joining the group.

11.     Alterations to the Constitution
It is the role of the committee to consider potential constitution changes which, will be brought to the AGM for agreement.

Any alteration to the constitution of the group must receive the agreement of not less than two thirds of those in attendance at the AGM.

12.     Dissolution
If the Committee decides that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the West Dorset ICD Support Group it shall
call a meeting for all members of the group for which no less than 21 days notice should be given.
If the proposal is confirmed by two thirds of all those present and the voting committee the committee
shall have the power to release the assets held. Any assets will be transferred to such charitable institutions
as determined by the members.

The Arrhythmia Nurse Specialist will maintain a copy of the statement of accounts and transfer of assets for
future reference.


This constitution was approved 11th January 2024 at the WDICDSG AGM