1. The name of the Association shall be The New Milton Residents’ Association (NMRA).
2. The objectives of the Association will be to safeguard and further the interests of members and residents in any matter of public concern or topicality, to the best of its ability.
3. The Association will be independent of all political parties and any religious affiliation.
4. All Residents of the area within the New Milton Parish (Ashley North, Ashley South, Ballard, Barton and Becton, Bashley and Milton parish wards) WILL be eligible to become members or Associate Members (living outside the area) when there will be an additional charge to cover postage, etc. to receive a paper copy of FOCUS outside the parish.
5. Management of the Association will be vested in a committee consisting of a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer and up to twelve elected members, together with (ex officio) the Editor of FOCUS, the official magazine of the Association. The Committee may co-opt further members for specific duties.
6. The Officers and remaining Committee members will be elected at the Annual General Meeting. They will remain in office until the next AGM, when they are eligible for re-election.
7. None of the Officers shall be elected to more than one office. The Chair should not be a member of Hampshire County Council, New Forest District Council or New Milton Town Council. However, the Committee will include one member of New Milton Town Council who will liaise between the Committee and NMTC.
8. At its first meeting after the AGM, the Committee will elect a Vice Chair from among its members. The Committee may subsequently fill any position not filled at the AGM or occurring during the year. Such co-opted members will have the right to vote.
9. The Committee will have the power to appoint sub- committees, chaired by an Officer or Committee member on to which other members may be co- opted.
10. Each Committee member will have one vote, except that the Chair will have an additional casting vote.
11. Should a committee member wish to retire, they should notify the Chair in writing. A committee member may be asked to resign if they are absent without the permission of the Chair from all the meetings held within a period of six months and the Committee may resolve that another member can be elected. They may also be asked to resign if they contravene the Association Rules.
12. Any person retiring from the Committee is eligible for reappointment at a later date.
13. The financial year will begin on 1^st April. The subscription and advertising years will also begin on 1^st April, set at such rates as are recommended by the Committee and approved at the last General Meeting.
14. Banking: The Association’s funds will be invested in Current and Deposit Accounts with any financial institution approved by the Committee. All cheques issued must be signed by any two Officers. However, the Treasurer will have sole authority to make payments using electronic banking facilities. Any limits for such electronic payments shall be set by the Committee. The Treasurer will submit to the committee accounts approved by the Association’s appointed Accounts Auditor ^* Examiners. These will be published in FOCUS prior to the AGM in each year. Six months into the financial year, the Committee will take responsibility for undertaking a financial review with the Treasurer.
15. Surplus funds accrued by the Association may be spent mainly on donations to worthy causes within the New Milton Parish (outlined in Item 4). Such donations will normally be made to groups (not individuals) who can demonstrate the need for funding for particular projects or events.
16. The Annual General Meeting will be held no later than 30^th April to (a) receive the Chair’s Report and the Treasurer’s Report and Accounts; (b) elect the Committee (nominations for new committee members must be accompanied by the nominee’s written acceptance, and must be in the hands of the Secretary at least 14 days before the AGM) and notice of this requirement must be published in the January or February editions of FOCUS; (c) appoint the Accounts Auditor ^* Examiners and Hon. Legal Adviser; and (d) consider any other business at the Chair’s discretion.
17. A Special General Meeting may be convened by (a) the Chair or Vice Chair; (b) a majority of the committee; or (c) receipt by the Secretary of a written request signed by at least 30 paid-up members stating the purpose of such meeting. The Secretary will convene such Special General Meeting within 8 weeks of the request and give notice of its purpose in FOCUS.
18. General Meetings will be held throughout the year within the New Milton area, open to all residents (non-members may attend at a nominal charge). At the AGM or SGM a quorum will be 30 members. Committee meetings will be held as appropriate with eight members forming a quorum.
19. Any of the scheduled General Meetings may be designated as a Special General Meeting if a particularly important matter needs to be discussed, approval or voting is required. Advance notice of the Special Meeting’s purpose will be published in FOCUS and on the website.
20. All Association records, whether provided by the Association or created by a Committee member in connection with their work for the Association, and any software provided by the Association, shall only be used for the purposes of the Association and remain the property of the Association at all times. Should the member discontinue their role within the Association, they will return all such records/materials to an appropriate Officer as directed by the Committee.
21. These rules may be amended only by a two-thirds majority vote of any members present at the AGM or at a Special General Meeting. Other than the case of amendments to the Rules, all proposals at an AGM or Special General Meeting may be carried by a simple majority. Written notice of proposed amendments or additions must be submitted to the Secretary in sufficient time for them to be notified to members through FOCUS one month before the meeting is convened.
22. Should circumstances necessitate the winding up of the Association, prior notice will be given to members through FOCUS and discussed at the next available General Meeting (to be designated as a Special General Meeting). Disposal of any funds remaining, after all commitments have been met, shall be decided at that meeting.
23. The Rules of the Association will be placed on the Association's website and members will be reminded in FOCUS to view them before the AGM.

* Change to be proposed for AGM March 2027 at the request of accountants appointed.