Horsham Green Spaces Forum Constitution - March 2022

1. Name

The name of the group shall be Horsham Green Spaces (“the Group”).

A volunteer group bringing together individuals, groups and organisations across Horsham Town with an interest in enjoying, enhancing and protecting greenspaces.

2. Geographical Area

The focus areas of the Group will be those within and in close proximity to Horsham Town.

3. Our Mission, Who We Are / What We Do, Aims & Objectives

3.1 Mission Statement:

To promote and protect accessible and sustainable green spaces for all Horsham residents, to secure:

  • Nature recovery

  • The wellbeing and recreation of our communities

  • A green legacy for future generations.

3.2 Who We Are / What We Do:

  • A forum for advice; sharing experience, experts, contacts, and communications.

  • Leading or supporting campaigns in line with our mission statement, with no political affiliations.

  • Leading and participating in projects.

3.3 Aims & Objectives

  • Aim for local access to a quality green space ie. within 10 mins walk of a resident’s home

  • Develop Horsham’s nature recovery network, focusing on green and blue corridors

  • Act as a resource for, and a critical friend to, HDC and SWT

  • Bring together green space groups to share expertise and resources

  • Promote, educate and campaign for the value of green spaces

  • Promote use of greenspace for wellbeing and recreation alongside wildlife

  • Participate and/or organise necessary appropriate/research/public surveys/citizen science surveys

  • Projects e.g. for nature recovery

  • Promote and develop inclusive community involvement across all our activities, for everyone

4. Participation & Voting

We propose two levels of participation in the Group: Membership and Association.

  • Membership: Provides a single voting right and is for green space organisations who share most or all of the aims of the Group. This is likely to be suitable for local community groups, charities, Community Interest Companies (CICs) and “Friends of” organisations.

  • Association: Does not provide a voting right and is for individuals who wish to participate in meetings, events and projects and for organisations whose remit extends beyond “green space” eg. Neighbourhood Councils, single individuals not affiliated with a green space organisation.

Membership details will be kept by the Group Co-ordinator and updated annually in accordance with GDPR legislation.

Membership is by request to the Group.

The group reserves the right to approve or reject a request for membership or to terminate membership if it is felt members are not aligned with the Group aims.

Any member may leave the Group by notifying the Group Co-ordinator.

5. Governance

To further the Aims & Objectives the Group will:

  • Accept to membership, community groups, charities, Community Interest Companies (CICs) and “Friends’” groups within Horsham, who share most or all of the aims of

    Horsham Green Spaces.

  • Encourage individuals to become affiliated with a “Friends of” organisation.

  • Endeavour to link small groups with each other to work closer together.

  • Work with organisations with similar aims or purposes and share information and advice with them.

  • Encourage volunteers to assist with promoting the group.

  • Organise and hold regular meetings of the group.

  • Initiate green projects and provide guidance and resources as appropriate.

  • Publicise and promote the work of Horsham Green Spaces and its members using various means inc. social media, local press, and a website (if / when resources allow).

  • Participate in appropriate research / public surveys.

  • Collect and share relevant information.

  • Organise volunteer workshops, training and events as appropriate.

  • Remove any organisations or members whose actions are not compatible with the Group’s Aims & Objectives.

6. Equal Opportunities

Horsham Green Spaces is committed to being accessible and inclusive for all and to treat members fairly and equally regardless of age, disability, gender re-assignment, income, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation as set out in the Equality Act 2010.

7. Group set up

While the Group is acting as a non-incorporated volunteer group the group will rely on the Group Co-ordinator to disseminate information, set up meetings, circulate agendas and meetings notes.

There will be no Committee and no bank account unless / until Members decide to adopt a different legal structure for the Group.

8. Meetings

The Group will aim to meet at least four times a year.

Meetings may be held via Zoom or in person.

Group members will be requested to volunteer to act as Chair at quarterly meetings, on a rotation basis. If no volunteer comes forward the Group Co-ordinator will nominate a Chair.

Group and Associate members will be encouraged to provide items for the agenda in advance of the meeting.

It is hoped all decisions can be reached by consensus. A vote will be held only if a consensus cannot be reached.

Meeting notes will be taken and will be available to any interested party.