We take privacy very seriously and consider that anything said in Seek Solace sessions or on our Facebook page should not be shared elsewhere.
In order to keep the group safe and supportive for everyone, we ask all new members to read our list of rules regarding privacy and discussion of sensitive topics.
You can view a copy of our rules below, along with our group constitution to give you full information about the organisation.
For more information, please read our full privacy policy here.
1. It is essential that persons attending support group meetings – either in
person at a venue or online – are able to feel comfortable and relaxed. No
person must make any comments that may cause offence or embarrassment
to others.
2. A person attending a support group meeting will be invited by the facilitator to
speak about their OCD and their strategies for coping with the illness. The
person must be allowed to speak freely and without being interrupted by
another person.
3. The meetings will be regarded as a designated safe space where
confidentiality is respected. There shall be no discrimination, bullying,
harassment or intimidation.
4. During any period of general discussion at a support meeting individuals will
decide how much information they wish to share. No person shall ask any
other person about any of the following:
(1) Their marital status.
(2) Relationships.
(3) Sexual orientation.
(4) Treatments.
(5) Therapists.
5. There shall be no discussion of politics or religion unless such discussion is
necessary to enable a better understanding of a person’s OCD.
6. The facilitator and clerk of the meeting shall jointly be responsible for
ensuring compliance with this code.
7. Any person may be excluded from a meeting if the facilitator and clerk of the
meeting jointly agree that the person has failed to comply with this code.
The Management Committee, Seek Solace OCD Support Group, York.
1. FULL NAME AND LEGAL STATUS
Seek Solace OCD Support Group. A charitable unincorporated association
subject to the laws of England and Wales.
2. AIMS
(1) To promote and assist in the well-being of persons suffering from
obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
(2) To facilitate support meetings, online or at venues, where members
can talk about their OCD.
(3) To organise social events at venues where members can feel relaxed
and comfortable with other people who have experience of living with
OCD.
(4) The association exists only for charitable purposes and the public
benefit.
3. POWERS
In order to achieve its aims, the association may:
(1) Raise money.
(2) Accept donations.
(3) Open a bank account.
4. MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASSOCIATION
There shall be two classes of membership: full membership and associate
membership.
(1) Any person aged 18 years or over who suffers from OCD may become
a full member of the association.
(2) Full members may participate in any support meetings held online or at
venues and attend social events.
(3) Full membership confers the right to attend the Annual General
Meeting and to vote in elections of the Management Committee.
(4) To become a full member a person must give to any member of the
Management Committee his or her name and at least one of the
following:
(a) Telephone number.
(b) Email address.
(c) Place of abode.
(5) Full Membership may be terminated by the Management Committee
provided that the member concerned shall have the right to be heard
by the Management Committee before a final decision is made. The
member shall be entitled to be accompanied at the meeting by one
other person.
(6) Members of the Seek Solace Facebook group or the Seek Solace
WhatsApp group shall be deemed to be associate members of the
association.
(7) Associate members may participate in any support meetings held
online or at venues and attend social events.
(8) Associate membership does not confer the right to attend the Annual
General Meeting or to vote in elections of the Management Committee.
(9) Associate membership shall cease if a member of the Facebook group
or WhatsApp group chooses to leave the group or is removed by an
admin.
5. MANAGEMENT
(1) The association shall be administered by a Management Committee of
not less than three and not more than five persons. Except as
provided by Section 5(7) of this constitution members of the
Management Committee shall be elected to serve at the Annual
General Meeting.
(2) The officers of the association shall be the Fundraising Coordinator,
the Support Meetings Coordinator, the Treasurer and the Secretary.
(3) Any member of the Management Committee is eligible to serve as an
officer of the association.
(4) Management Committee meetings shall be held on dates decided by
the Management Committee. At least three Management Committee
members must be present for a meeting to take place. One of the
members present shall be chosen to act as chairperson.
(5) Management Committee meetings may take place online or at a
venue. Voting shall be by the verbal statements “for” or “against” at
online meetings or by a show of hands at a venue. If there is a tied
vote then the chairperson shall have a second vote.
(6) An officer or member of the Management Committee may resign at any
time.
(7) The Management Committee shall have the power to appoint an
association member to fill a vacancy in the Management Committee.
The person appointed will be entitled to serve until the next Annual
General Meeting.
(8) The Management Committee shall have the power to remove any
member of the committee, by majority vote, for good and proper
reason.
(9) The Management Committee shall have the power to make rules
relating to the conduct of members at support meetings and social
events.
6. APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
The officers shall be elected by the Management Committee.
(1) The duties of the Fundraising Coordinator shall be:
(a) To seek donations to support the aims of the association.
(b) To keep a record of any monies received.
(2) The duties of the Support Meetings Coordinator shall be:
(a) To organise support meetings online and at venues.
(b) To ensure that any venues are suitable for the purposes of the
meetings.
(3) The duties of the Treasurer shall be:
(a) To ensure that all monies received by the association are
applied only to the charitable purposes of the association.
(b) To keep proper accounts that show all monies received and paid
out by the association.
(4) The duties of the Secretary shall be:
(a) To keep a membership list
(b) To prepare the agenda for the meetings of the Management
Committee.
7. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
(1) Annual General Meetings shall be held not more than 15 months after
the holding of the previous Annual General Meeting.
(2) All members shall be given at least 14 days’ notice of the AGM and
shall be entitled to attend and vote.
(3) The business of the AGM shall include:
(4) Receiving a report from the Treasurer on the finances of the
association.
(5) Electing a new Management Committee.
(6) Considering any other matter as may be decided.
(7) At least three association members must be present for the Annual
General Meeting to take place.
8. ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND DISSOLUTION
Any changes to this constitution or dissolution must be agreed by at least
three members of the Management Committee. In the event of dissolution
any funds shall be given to an association that holds similar aims.
9. ADOPTION OF CONSTITUTION
This constitution shall be adopted when the Secretary confirms that the
Management Committee has approved the amendments to the constitution
dated 12th January, 2022.
I hereby confirm that notice as required by Section 9(1) of this constitution has been given and that the constitution is formally adopted.
Stephen Bowles
Secretary.
Date: 14th June, 2023.