SMC Constitution

Southport Magic Circle shall consist of both Professional and Semi Professional Magicians and Clowns over the age of 18 years.

The aim of Southport Magic Circle is that all members can learn and practice the art of Prestidigitation and Legerdemain and magic in general, and promote magic to the general public via shows and workshops.

Membership runs from the 31st of January till the 31st of January the following year, for which a membership fee is paid. The cost of this fee will be determined at the A.G.M.

Southport Magic Circle does have a committee, which comprises of a Chairman, a Treasurer and a Secretary, who have to be nominated and elected each year at the A.G.M.

For each meeting attended a small fee is charged. This fee is added to the club's Funds.

The A.G.M. will be held on the first meeting in February each year, to elect the posts of Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary. The winner of the “Magician of the Year” Award is presented after an open discussion, plus any other matters to be submitted in writing to the Secretary 2 weeks before the A.G.M. is held.

Assistants to Acts may attend meetings also. They will not have to pay a membership fee, but they must pay the small fee for each meeting attended. Assistants who are not members will have no voting privileges.

Each member is deemed to be an Ambassador for Southport Magic Circle. If any member is found to be bringing the name of Southport Magic Circle into disrepute through inappropriate behaviour or inappropriate material, they will be given a chance to state their case in front of members present at the next meeting. Any course of action would be made by members present, providing there is enough to form a quorum (i.e. 5). Depending on the circumstances and nature of the incident, an appeal will not be accepted.

New prospective members would be allowed to attend four of the meetings. The first meeting is used to introduce themselves to the Circle and to have a look at the Circle to determine if Southport Magic Circle is the magic group they would like to be a member of. Likewise, the Circle will use the visitors meetings also to determine if they are a suitable candidate for the Circle. The following three meetings can be any of the visitors choosing. They would be expected to show an interest and even take part in the meetings. At the end of the fourth meeting they would not be permitted to attend any more meetings until they state that they are ready to perform a ten minute audition, performing magic. Following their audition, the nominee must leave the room while their performance is voted on. On their return to the room, the nominee will be given the verdict. The small fee would not have to be paid by the visitor until membership is granted by the Southport Magic Circle.

Should a change of Rules be needed between A.G.M. and A.G.M. then an Extraordinary General Meeting (E.G.M) would be called for.

In the event the Circle had to disband, an E.G.M. would be called. Any goods left would go to a similar organisation, and any remaining funds would be transferred to a charity that serves the local community.

Updated: June 2010