For the past 40 years, BUCFP has been at the frontline providing food and essential services for those in need in Brighton and Hove. This past year, the impact of Covid-19 has further highlighted what we offer to our community is more important than ever.
The Covid-19 restrictions we have seen over the past year have impacted on how we operate and run our services, however, we have still achieved some fantastic outcomes thanks to our dedicated team of staff and volunteers.
Why you would like to be a member?
Maybe you’ve used our services before and would like to have a say in how our centre is run, you have an interest in the work we do, and share our values, or maybe there’s another reason?
How to become a member
If you would like to become a member of Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project (BUCFP). Please complete our membership form by following this link:
https://forms.gle/6gjgsWMBN4deb7nY8
If you are having any problems completing this form and would prefer an emailed/postal copy please contact Alex on volunteercoordinator@bucfp.org or 01273 601 211
What does it mean to be a member?
By being a member you agree to the Objects of our charity which are “to relieve poverty, distress and hardship amongst unemployed, unwaged and low waged people and their families living or staying in the Brighton area regardless of race, sex, age, ability or sexual orientation.”
As a member, ahead of a future AGM, you may put yourself forward to stand for election to a member of the Board of Trustees.
If you become a member of the Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project you commit to, paying up to a £1.00 towards the costs of dissolution and liabilities incurred by the Charity if the charity were to close and be dissolved while you are a member or within 12 months after being a member.
As a member you are entitled to vote at our - Annual General Meeting (AGM) – voting is open until 12th March 2021 (see below for more info)
What is a charity member?
In most charities, members are the foundation of the structure: the charity must have one or more members in order to exist. However, the nature of this membership varies.
The role of members in UK charities falls into the following three broad categories:
members are the same people as the directors/trustees
members are a wider group relied on for revenue or volunteering
members are a group who set up the charity and retain some control
At BUCFP membership is normally renewed at our annual general meeting.
Volunteers (including Trustees) are automatically members and do not need to complete a membership form.
Service users and representatives from affiliated organisations are invited to become members.
Staff of BUCFP can be members of the charity but are unable to vote due to conflict of interest.
What role do charity members play?
The details of a member’s rights vary depending on the legal structure of the charity and the charity’s membership rules but in general members have the following powers:
remove and replace directors/trustees
amend constitutional documents
approve transactions between company and directors/trustees
control any remaining assets when the charity is wound up
It is the trustees who have control over the charity’s governance so the membership power with the most impact is the election of charity trustees.
Practically, these rights often boil down to an invitation to attend, and vote at, the charity’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
By empowering a wide range of people around our cause, the membership model helps to enables the charity grow stronger, impact society and have sustainable funding.
Rules - joining and leaving
The core provisions for appointment of members and their relationship with trustees is be contained in the charity’s constitutional document (e.g. the Articles of Association for charitable companies). Available on request.
As set out in our Articles of Association, membership of Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project expires at our AGM. In order to be able to cast any votes at our AGM your membership must be renewed at this date.
This year, if you are already a member, your membership will automatically be renewed if you cast a vote in our AGM.
If you are not yet a member, applications to become a member will be made available by an electronic link . New members who have applied via this channel will then be sent instructions on how to vote at our AGM.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
As a result of Covid-19 we have had to conclude that holding an in-person at the Centre AGM is not possible due to the restrictions in place. The AGM to be held this year will be via post (and email and online voting where available to our members).
The official date of our AGM will be 12 March 2021, however, as we are holding this via post and online this AGM is now open for voting until 23:59 12th March 2021.
This AGM includes members voting on electing our new Board of Trustees and recommended changes to our Articles of Association. As our AGM is now open, members are able to cast their votes and details on how to do so will be sent after we have received your membership application form
