Governance

A volunteer group, with clear responsibilities.

Sustainable Woodstock is an unincorporated community organisation. Our constitution explains how members, officers, the steering group and working groups make decisions and look after the group's money and responsibilities.

Sustainable Woodstock members and community partners at the first woodland planting in 2010
Community action relies on informal energy and formal accountability working together.

How Sustainable Woodstock is organised

The group is run by volunteers. Four officers — Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Communications Secretary — are elected at the Annual General Meeting. They work with a wider steering group that includes representatives from the active working groups.

Working groups focus on particular areas of activity and can change as priorities change. Current work includes woodland and orchard management, biodiversity, renewable energy and energy conservation, active travel and road safety, pedestrian and cycle routes, plastic reduction, schools and climate-related lobbying.

Current officers

ChairEd King
Vice-ChairColin Carritt
TreasurerGraham Brown
CommunicationsHilary Brown

Core documents

Meetings and decisions

The steering group meets at least three times a year. Decisions are normally reached by consensus, with majority voting available where needed. Four steering-group members form a quorum.

An AGM is held each year after the previous year's accounts are available. It reviews the accounts and the group's work, elects officers and considers the constitution and other formal documents. The constitution also provides a process for Special General Meetings and for members to propose motions.

Money and accountability

The Treasurer maintains the group's financial records and prepares annual accounts. Funds are held in Sustainable Woodstock's name; payments require authorisation by at least two designated officers, and spending must support the organisation's aims.

Sustainable Woodstock is part of the Community Action Groups Oxfordshire network and provides accounts and community-impact information as required.

Risk and insurance

Activities such as woodland working parties and public events are risk-assessed. The constitution sets out the arrangements for passing risk assessments to the relevant body and arranging appropriate public-liability cover.