Constitution, Management, Policies & Proceedures
We Create* Constitution
We Create* Objectives
The objectives of We Create*
- to develop a sustainable Training and Design Management Agency that offers individuals from disadvantaged and socially excluded backgrounds the opportunity to gain qualifications and commercial experience in fashion design
- to develop an online community and training resource in fashion design for We Create* users, volunteers, and staff
- to train We Create* users in all the aspects involved in the design, production, promotion, and retail of fashion-based products and support additional educational and commercial development
- to set up an independent clothing label to gain commercial exposure for We Create* and its users within the fashion design and retail industry
- to gain work experience, placements, and employment opportunities for We Create* users within the fashion design and retail industry
- to advise and gain We Create* users places within further/higher education
- to help We Create* users to design, develop, and set up independent fashion labels/businesses
- to develop a centralised office and training unit for We Create* and its users, volunteers, and staff with commercial equipment and facilities in Birmingham
- to develop a training network nationwide across the United Kingdom by developing partnerships with colleges and universities to deliver We Create* courses within their local community
- to develop volunteering opportunities for university fashion design students to deliver We Create*'s Fashion Design and its Commercial Development course within the local community
- to raise funds and create revenue streams to continue the short-term aims and develop the long-term objectives of We Create*
- to set We Create* up as a Social Enterprise
We Create* Powers
- to raise awareness of We Create*
- to help develop We Create*'s network
- to perform any such lawful duties necessary to achieve We Create*'s aims and objectives
We Create* Membership Membership is open to staff, volunteers, graduates, and supporters of We Create* and individuals invited by the Management Committee that will aid the advancement of the organisation. We Create* Officers and Committee Members The Committee will comprise a Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary, and up to an additional five members. The Management Committee and its members will hold office for one year and may be re-elected or re-appointed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
We Create* Management Committee
- Chair Paul Lee
- Treasurer Richard Leighton
- Secretary Sam Foggan
We Create* Committee Member
- Jim Leighton
Meeting of the Committee
A minimum of two weeks' notice will be given stating the time, date, place, and business of the meeting to all individual We Create* Management Committee and Committee members.
- three We Create* meetings will be held including the AGM each year
- the proceedings of each We Create* meeting will be recorded
- at least three members of the Committee must be present to transact business
- on absence of the Chair the Secretary will conduct the meeting
We Create* Accounts
- all funds will be paid into the We Create* Bank Account held by NatWest in Birmingham
- the three We Create* signatories will be the Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary and cheques must be signed by two of the three signatories and these will not be related
- the Treasurer will keep accounts of the group funds and submit an appropriate statement of accounts to members at the AGM and report on the group finances to the committee when requested
We Create* Annual General Meeting
- an AGM will be held by We Create* in January each year or as soon as possible thereafter
- the We Create* Secretary will give members two weeks' notice of the AGM
- All members are entitled to attend and vote at the meeting
- the Committee will present a report and accounts of the year's activities
We Create* Elections
- Nominations for election to the We Create* Committee should be handed to the Secretary on the day of the AGM. Should nominations exceed vacancies, election shall be by ballot
We Create* Alterations
- Alterations to the Constitution may be made by a resolution agreed by two thirds of the members present at the AGM
We Create* Dissolution
- if the We Create* Committee agree it is necessary to dissolve the group, a meeting will be called and if agreed by two thirds of the members present the group will be closed
- any We Create* assets after payment of all debts and liabilities will be transferred to a voluntary organisation with similar objectives
The We Create* Constitution was adopted on the 31st January 2009
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We Create* Management Committee
Chair Paul Lee Members Jim Leighton
Treasurer Richard Leighton
Secretary Sam Foggan
Roles and Responsibilities of the We Create* Management Committee
All We Create* committee members have the overall responsibility for:
- meeting We Create*'s legal duties
- ensuring We Create* is properly managed
- promoting good practice in all We Create* activities
- helping We Create* achieve its organisational aims and objectives
Responsibilities of the We Create* Management Committee
- provide vision for and leadership of We Create*
- make policy for We Create*, employ paid staff, and directly manage its financial responsibilities
- ensure the financial viability of We Create* and manage its financial responsibilities
- ensure We Create* adheres to all legal responsibilities
- ensure that We Create* membership and users have a voice within the governance of the organisation and that the membership and users are adequately represented at all levels
Responsibilities of the We Create* Chair Paul Lee
- planning and running We Create* meetings and AGM
- supervising We Create* senior staff
- helping the management of We Create*
- spokesperson for We Create*
- signatory on We Create* bank account
Responsibilities of the We Create* Treasurer Richard Leighton
- supervising We Create* legal requirements
- maintaining and updating We Create* registers
- dealing with matters relating to We Create* officers, membership, and users
- We Create* bookkeeping and budgeting
- preparing regular financial reports for the We Create* committee, members, and supporters
- administration of We Create* annual returns and accounts
- We Create* correspondence and publicity
- signatory on We Create* bank account
Responsibilities for We Create* Secretary Sam Foggan
- preparing for We Create* meetings and AGM
- help during We Create* meetings and AGM
- ensure We Create* meetings and AGM are recorded
- signatory on We Create* bank account
*Committee and Members: Paul Lee: graduate in Management and Information Systems University of the West of England, Project Manager New Concept Development - Ladbrokes. Richard Leighton: graduate in Fashion Design Management University of Leeds, part-time MA Fashion student Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (UCE), PG Cert in Social Enterprise student Coventry University, graduate from the School for Social Entrepreneurs - London, Managing Director - We Create*. Sam Foggan: graduate in Managerial and Administrative Studies Aston University, Director - Eco-Merch Ltd. Jim Leighton, graduate University College Falmouth, University of Plymouth, Birmingham Law School, University of Southampton, Nottingham Law School, trainee solicitor - Hill Dickinson.
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We Create* Equal Opportunities Policy
We Create* is committed to equality and to an approach that supports and engages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusive culture, and values diversity. The organisation is committed to a policy and practice that assesses applicants, students, volunteers, and employees only by personal merit, performance, and criteria related to the conditions.
No We Create* applicant, student, volunteer, or employee will be treated less favourably than another on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, race, ethnic or national origin, colour, disability, religion, or age. Within the organisation personal merit, performance, and ability will be the primary consideration.
If any individual connected to We Create* as an applicant, student, volunteer, or employee considers that they are suffering from unequal treatment on any of the above grounds they are free to make an official complaint to the head of the organisation or Management Committee. The complaint will be recorded, assessed, and resolved in accordance to the agreed procedures.
We Create* takes active steps to promote good practice
- We Create* promotes equality of opportunity
- We Create* promotes good relations between individuals of different racial groups, sexes, and disabled and non-disabled
- We Create* recognises the need to eliminate discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, disability and all other grounds set out in the statement in the Equal Opportunities Policy
- We Create* subjects its policies to continuous assessment to help ensure and achieve equality of opportunity for all groups with which the organisation supports and works
- We Create* monitors the recruitment and progress of all applicants, students, volunteers, and employees
- We Create* promotes an inclusive culture, good practice in teaching, learning, and assessment
- We Create* takes positive action to support this policy and its aims
- We Create* publishes this policy widely among applicants, students, volunteers, and employees
We Create* will meet all statutory obligations under relevant legislation and anticipate future legal requirements signalled under European Union Directives.
We Create*'s Equal Opportunity Policy is guided by:
- Equal Pay Act 1970
- Sex Discrimination Act 1975
- Race Relations Act 1976
- Disability Discrimination Act 1995
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Race Relations Act 2000
- EU Equal Treatment Framework Directive 2000
- Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001
- Employment Equality Regulations - Religion and Belief 2003
- Employment Equality Regulations - Sexual Orientation 2003
- Civil Partnership Act 2004
- Gender Recognition Act 2004
- Disability Discrimination Act 2005
- Employment Equality Regulations 2006
- Equality Act 2006
- Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006
and Codes of Practice issued by the Equal Opportunities Commission, Commission for Racial Equality, and Codes of Practice on Disability and Age Diversity.
We Create*'s Equal Opportunities Policy will be amended as appropriate to meet the demands of future legislation.
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We Create* Child and Vulnerable Adult Policy
We Create* aims to adopt the highest possible standards and take all responsible steps in relation to the safety and welfare of the children and vulnerable adults. The organisation encounters children and vulnerable adults through its training scheme and this policy seeks to support these activities and to offer assurance to applicants, students, volunteers, and employees.
We Create* aims to keep these individuals safe from harm. We Create* views children as individuals under the age of 18 years and vulnerable adults as individuals 18 years and over that have one or more of the following conditions:
- a learning or physical disability
- a physical or mental illness
- an addiction to alcohol or drugs
- a physical or mental capacity
Code of Practice
The following code of practice applies to all We Create* volunteers and employees:
- avoid unnecessary physical contact
- do not take a child or vulnerable adult alone in a car journey
- do not take a child or vulnerable adult to the toilet unless another adult is present or aware
- in a situation where you are alone with a child or vulnerable adult make sure others can clearly observe you
- avoid personal relationships with a child or vulnerable adult
- do not make suggestive or inappropriate remarks about a child or vulnerable adult, even in fun, as this could be misinterpreted
- participate in the training available to support you in working with children and vulnerable adults
- if you have any suspicions or concerns regarding possible abuse of a child or vulnerable adult or feel uncomfortable about anything you should raise this with the head of We Create* or Management Committee
- if a child or vulnerable adult accuses a We Create* participant, volunteer, or employee of misconduct, report this immediately to the head of the organisation or Management Committee
- if you are the recipient of any complaint or accusation from a child or vulnerable adult it is important to listen without making or implying judgement to the complaint or accusation in full
- if a child or vulnerable adult makes a complaint or accusation or if there is any other reason for suspecting abuse you should not attempt to investigate it yourself. Report it immediately to the head of We Create* or the Management Committee
- good practice includes valuing and respecting children and vulnerable adults as individuals
- remember that those who abuse children and vulnerable adults can be of any age, gender, ethnic background, or class, and it is important not to allow personal preconceptions about individuals to prevent appropriate action taking place
It is impossible to ensure that a child or vulnerable adult would never come to any harm. Although We Create* is confident that implementing this policy and following the guidelines that all reasonable precautions to prevent harm has been taken while being prepared to deal with an incident should one occur. Criminal Record Bureau Checks are required by all We Create* volunteers and employees who assist with or come in to contact with participants on a regular basis.
We Create*'s Child and Vulnerable Adult Policy is guided by the Protection of Children Act 1999 and Protection of Vulnerable Adults Regulations 2002.
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We Create* Health and Safety Policy
We Create* is committed to ensuring the highest possible standards and takes all responsible steps in relation to the health, safety, and welfare of its applicants, students, volunteers, and employees as far as is reasonably practicable to keep them safe from harm. Health and Safety Policy Objectives
The objectives of We Create*'s Health and Safety Policy:
- to bring the We Create* Health and Safety Policy to the attention of applicants, students, volunteers, employees, and other users of the organisation
- to seek the co-operation of applicants, students, volunteers, employees, and other users to promote health and safety awareness within the organisation
- to ensure that We Create* premises, facilities, and equipment are kept in a safe condition and proper steps are taken to remedy defects
- to ensure that We Create* working practices are safe and to conduct and record risk assessment to reduce potential hazard to an acceptable level
- to ensure that regular health and safety inspections take place in and around We Create*
- to ensure applicants, students, volunteers, employees, and other users using We Create* premises, facilities, and equipment are well informed and where relevant trained and given the supervision necessary for their health and safety
- to comply with all applicable health and safety legislation
- to work with the We Create* Management Committee to achieve these policy objectives
- to review and update the We Create* Health and Safety Policy annually or as and when required
General Responsibilities of students, volunteers, employees, and users of We Create*
All We Create* persons have responsibility:
- to take care of their own health and safety and to not compromise that of others
- to co-operate with We Create* in general and in particular on health and safety matters
- to use correctly any work items provided by We Create* both directly and indirectly in accordance with training or instructions
- not to interfere with or misuse anything provided by We Create* both directly or indirectly for the health, safety, and welfare of others within the organisation
- to ensure their personal safety when entering or exiting We Create* buildings or premises
- to make themselves familiar with the We Create* Health and Safety Policy
- to report any accidents, incidents, or concerns relating to the health and safety of
We Create* applicants, students, volunteers, employees, and other users of the to the head of the organisation or the Management Committee
Although it is impossible to ensure that applicants, students, volunteers, employees, and other users would never come to any harm, We Create* is confident that by implementing this policy and following the guidelines that all reasonable precautions in relation to health, safety, and welfare has been taken to prevent harm while being prepared to deal with an incident should one occur.
We Create* Health and Safety Policy is guided by the Health and Safety Act 1974 All applicants, students, volunteers, employees, and other users of We Create* can easily access and familiarise themselves with the Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities, Child and Vulnerable Adult Policies on the organisation's website www.WeCreate.org.uk.
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Many Thanks and Kind Regards
We Create*