The Constitution of Northern Brickworks – A Recognized LEGO User Group
This Constitution is a set of written rules for the running and management of Northern Brickworks. They specify how it will be run and how the Members will work together to achieve its stated intentions.
Section 1: Name
The name of this club shall be the ‘Northern Brickworks’ and it is a Recognised LEGO User Group (RLUG) which may be abbreviated to “NB-LUG”, as needed. This organisation is recognised by its Members and
Committee as being an Unincorporated Club. The Club has a website at the URL of https://nblug.org.uk/ .
There is also a Facebook page for ‘Northern -Brickworks ’.
Section 2: Objects and Intentions
The object of NB -LUG is to facilitate, support and encourage adult fans of LEGO to build and display their own LEGO creations.
The goals of NB -LUG are identified by its intentions and these are to:
• focus on the displaying of LEGO creations across (but not exclusively) the North of England
• have informal gatherings and meetings of its Members, such as ‘housefests ’ or parties
• encourage Members to discuss and share ideas about LEGO creations that they intend to make, are making, have created or plan to display
• guide, advise and support its members to build their ‘my own creations’ (mocs) for display, either individually or collaboratively
• be a focal point for the organising and arranging of displays of LEGO creations made by its Members
• gather, collaborate with and assist Members in setting up, running and managing display events
• encourage and value Members who wish to support and assist in displays and exhibits in a variety of roles (though they may not themselves have a LEGO creation of their o wn on display)
• publicise the activity of its Members, their LEGO creations and planned events / displays
• encourage Members to discuss and share their experiences of events or displays that they have organised or attended
• liaise and coordinate with other LU G’s, organisations and communities as to the activities of NB – LUG
• receive as Members any adult (aged over 18) anywhere across the world, though most likely to be in the North of England (recognising that ‘North of England’ is subjective and open to interp retation)
• utilise the Members subscription (and other funding) to enable it to follow its intentions
• arrange for Public Liability Insurance (PLI) Cover to be established for when Members are displaying and exhibiting their creations
• identify key Members (t he ‘Committee’) who will be proactive in administering and running the club
• hold a meeting at least once a year (Annual General Meeting) to discuss and clarify the running of NB-LUG; to review its constitution, its intentions, direction and future plans
• appoint an Ambassador to represent NB -LUG in the LUG Ambassador program
Section 3: Powers
The club is non -profit making but aims to raise funds to support and enable its activities. Funds will be generated through subscriptions and activities at meetings an d events (e.g. entrance fee, raffle, auctions).
The club will arrange for Public Liability Insurance Cover to be established for when Members are displaying and exhibiting their creations. All members will be required to ensure that no act or omission on their part (in person or in relation to their LEGO creations) shall endanger the health and well -being of themselves or any others.
2 The club will endeavour to reward Members with discounted or free LEGO whenever possible.
The club will liaise and coordinate with other LUGs, organisations and communities as to the activities of NB-LUG
Section 4: Membership
Membership records shall be processed and maintained by the Treasurer. Membership lasts for one calendar year from the date of completed application (as recorded by the Treasurer).
Individuals will become eligible for Membership on fulfilment of all of the following conditions:
•attain the age 18, and
•complete a submission for membership, and
•provide written acknowledgement that they will endeavour to fulfil the intentions of Northern Brickworks and always represent the best interests of the club. This includes stating that they will avoid any action that would bring the club into disrepute
Retention of Membership:
Any Member of NB-LUG retains their eligibility for membership as follows:
•prompt payment to renew subscription, and
•compliance with the requirements set out within this constitution, and
•acting in a way so to maintain the respect and regard from other Members of the club, and
•contributing (for example, in person or through interaction and communication with the membership) towards the club’s activities and events
Loss of eligibility must be corrected within 40 days or may be grounds for involuntary termination of membership.
Members may voluntarily terminate their membership at any time by writing to the Treasurer.
Any Member who does not comply with the above requirements of ‘Retention of Membership’ shall be held to as ineligible for continued membership and may be involuntarily terminated. The Chair shall make such recommendations to the Committee and a vote taken for or against termination. A simple majority will terminate the Member. The Treasurer shall notify the Member of the Committee’s decision, in writing .
Section 5: Subscriptions
A set annual fee for membership shall be set annually by a majority vote of the Committee and communicated to members. From time to time the Committee may raise, lower, or suspend the membership fee, or levy special fees on the membership to support specific projects. Levies of special fees must be for a definite purpose and for a definite amount and must be put forth as a proposition before the membership. An electronic vote must take place to gain a simple majority approval to proceed with this levy.
Section 6: Communication
Email will be the predominate means for Committee members to communicate with the Membership. Use of email to communicate is an approved form of communicating ‘in writing’, as has been highlighted in this document.
Members are responsible for ensuring that the email address they provide remains valid and is capable of receiving and transmitting messages in a timely manner. Each member has to own a distinct / personal email address; Northern Brickworks do not permit members to share the same email address.
More action on Communication (e.g. use of the ‘social media’) with the membership will be undertaken by the Communication Secretary.
6.1 Complaints
In the event of a member submitting a complaint about another member or the RLUG itself, the complaint will in the first instance be sent to the Chair. If the complaint is about the Chair it will be sent to the Vice-Chair and Ambassador.
For each complaint, the complaint receiver will pass the complaint onto a nominated investigator co -opted by the committee for the duration of the complaint to handle the particular matter. This person will be selected for their impartiality and related skills and allow the Chair (or other committee members) to remain impartial in the process. The investigator will gather all relevant information and draft a response to the committee for recommendation. The receiver of the complaint will then be sent the recommendations and any actions carried out.
In the event the complainant is not happy with the outcome, they can request an appeal. In this instance, the Chair or Vice Chair (if complaint is in regards to that position,) will directly review the gathered evidence, and make a decision. This decision is final. It will be noted that the appeal can result tin one of two actions – no change to the recommendations, or amendments to the recommendations.
Any complaint that is not directly sent to the Chair (or Vice -Chair/Ambassador if the Chair is the subject) will not be reviewed.
Section 7: Elected Officers
The officer s of NB -LUG shall be a Chair, Vice -Chair, Treasurer, Ambassador and Communications Secretary who will form the ‘Committee’. They are responsible for administering and running the club; its social networks, maintaining the constitution and its intentions and communicating with and involving
Members in NB activities and business. All members in good standing are entitled to put themselves forward for election to the Committee, with the exception of those who hold committee posts at another Lego User Group.
A term of office for any Committee member shall be two years. There shall be no restriction on the number of consecutive or total terms of office that a Member may hold. There shall be no restriction on the number of posts that a Member may hold; as long as that Member is individually elected to each post.
When the tenure of a post on the Committee is due to end an election will take place in order to fill this post. The Communication Secretary shall notify the membership of such anticipated vacancies at least 40 days before the next AGM. Ten days in advance of the AGM, nominations should be submitted in writing to the Communication Secretary. A nomination shall consist of a name of the Individual Member, the office being nominated for, and the affirma tion of at least two Members (the Nominator and the Second).
Where a position on the Committee becomes vacant in -between AGM’s an election shall be held electronically, as the Chair (or Vice -Chair) shall direct. Each Committee member shall hold office until his or her successor has been duly elected or until his or her resignation or removal in the manner as stated above under ‘Retention of Membership’.
Where a position on the Committee remains unfilled the Chair shall be responsible for assuming and/or delegating the duties of that post as he/she deems appropriate.
The elections for each Committee member’s role shall be held in the following order: Chair, Vice -Chair, Treasurer and finally Communications Secretary.
If there is only one nominee for any offic e, that nominee shall be deemed elected by acclamation. Otherwise, a ballot shall be conducted and the Chair shall determine details of the balloting process (e.g. ‘show of hands’ or paper and the nature of counting process) and announce the results.
Reason s for the removal of a member from the Committee are the same as those specified above under ‘Retention of Membership’. However, the act of their termination of role (or even membership) requires an electronic vote by the membership and the Chair (or vice -Chair if it is the Chair who is asked to resign) initiates this.
Section 8: Non -Elected Officers
The Committee may co -opt Members onto the Committee in order to fulfil its purpose (for example, the LUG Ambassador is elected by the committee). These Members, (apart from the Ambassador) do not have a vote in decisions taken by the Committee and the length of their tenure is decided by the Committee.
Section 9: Voting
Voting can be either:
• ‘physical’, i.e. in person at a meeting
• ‘proxy’, i.e. submitting to the Communication Secretary written indication of the Member’s choice/option in advance of a vote in a meeting
• ‘electronic’ i.e. submitting to the Communication Secretary written indication (i.e. via email) of the Member’s choice/option before the deadline for voting is reached All those who are Members at the time a vote is to be held are eligible to vote. For any vote taken to be valid, a simple majority (i.e. above 50%) is required to indicate the chosen outcome. If a physical vote is held at a meeting, the Member must be present to vote. Where proxy voting is permitted in advance of a meeting the Communication Secretary will specify the procedure and deadline.
Section 10: Duties of Committee Members
The Chair shall:
• preside at club meeti ngs and shall lead, guide and direct the club in the fulfilment of its intentions
• direct and remind members to act in accordance with the club’s PBI requirements when at displays or exhibitions of their LEGO creations
• be the representative of NB -LUG on any occasion when a person is required to act in that capacity (other than the commitments of the LUG Ambassador)
The Vice -Chair shall:
• act in the capacity of the Chair when the Chair is unable to fulfil his or her duties, or when the Chair has requested that the Vice -Chair to do so
• be responsible for maintaining an inventory of Club assets and it’s whereabouts
The Treasurer shall:
• manage all financial transactions and maintain a correct record of expenditure of the club, including funds available whilst ensuring that the majority of club funds are kept in a recognized financial institution
• report financial activity and status at the AGM
• make promptly available financial records to the Members, upon any request
• verify that club funds are expended as the Co mmittee directs, in support of one or more of the purposes of the club
• be responsible for accepting, processing and maintaining records of Membership
• be responsible for notifying the Members of meetings and any voting procedures that may take place
The Communication Secretary shall:
• Maintain the club website and other social media sites. This should include publishing news and events updates, adding articles, similar content and pictures, promoting articles and pictures from members and monitoring activity levels
• be responsible for ensuring a newsletter is distributed to the members on a regular basis
• deputise for the Treasurer when the Treasurer is unable to fulfil his or her duties, or when the Chair has requested that the Communication Secretary to do so
• The duty of taking of notes (the minutes) of meetings, including the AGM (or to a nominated individual if the Communications secretary is unavailable), and shall make these available to Members within 2 weeks of the meeting if possible.
Section 11: Annual General Meeting
The club shall have at least one physical meeting each calendar year (an AGM), at a place and time to be determined by the Committee. The place and time shall be published in a manner determined by the
Committee no less than 2 weeks pri or to the meeting. As a guide, the meeting place selection process should take into consideration the travel times of the various Members expected to attend.
Non-members (whether prospective Members or just those curious, or those who have business with the club) are welcome at meetings. At the discretion of the Chair non -members may be asked to temporarily vacate the meeting while Club business is conducted.
Section 12: Amendments to the Constitution
Amendments shall be put before the membership at the next due AGM for approval. Any recommendation for changes to this Constitution must be sent in writing to the Communication Secretary for review and discussion by the Committee at least 40 days before the next AGM. The Committee should notify the members hip of a proposed amendment/change to the Constitution at least 30 days before the next AGM.
Section 13: Dissolution
The Club may be dissolved by a resolution put to the Members. The resolution shall outline the reasons and date for termination and the ch arity to which the remaining assets, if any, shall be directed. Such a resolution shall be presented by the Committee to the Members and shall require an electronic vote in order to proceed.
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Northern Brickworks ~ a Recognised LEGO User Group vs 7 [11/02/2026 ]