I'm with a small membership charity that has a very old constitution with plans put forward by the committee to update it. I've read that if there are changes made to aims and objectives these need to be sent to Charity Commions prior to them being agreed? Some are very out of date, such as no length of service time for trustees is given 3yrs has been proposed and that's not a problem unless there's a time recruitment isn't as successful as expected or hoped for.

It's been proposed that quorate for AGM/EGM is reduced from a minimum of 10 to 5, which could mean that only trustees will be present (and less work involved arranging the event). Membership is in UK, approx 200, so travel costs can be high for attendees with funding needed for a day event plus volunteers recruited. Also proposed is that trustees have the power to manage the dismissal of trustee/s if warranted, using a section of a proposed Group Agreement by trustees.

There have been unresolved issues that have severely affected committee team working for a while, involving one person and affecting more, that even are careful reading of the constitution and getting legal advice hasn’t helped. It’s known what can’t/mustn’t be done! I will leave it at that now, thanks.

I’m looking for suggestions/queries on the above, and giving more information about it if needed and have tried to avoid giving my views!

Also, regarding trustee meeting minutes which are kept brief on agenda items and actions. Following one of the meeting this year, some trustees asked for very negative comments on poor conduct by some trustees (not named) led to meetings be unproductive and not time to cover full agenda… to be included. 

I don’t think that should be in the minutes and am wary about how it could be perceived or used, if a complaint is made.