Constitution

The aim of Anonymous Morris is to dance Border Morris and to promote it among younger people. We aim for a high standard of dance and costume. We are a non-profit making organisation. We are open to dancers of all religions, genders and sexual orientations.

Dancers are encouraged to learn an instrument so that they can play when not dancing.

Musicians, even those who will not be performing with the side, are encouraged to learn one or two dances to aid their playing.

All members of Poole Mummers are given free membership of Anonymous Morris.

Age Limits

We welcome dancers and musicians of all ages.

New musicians and dancers must be 18–30. Existing side members are an exception to the age limit.

If a dancer or musician outside this age range wishes to join the side, the Squire will make an instant decision. If the Squire’s decision is ‘no’, on request, there can be a review undertaken by the full side.

The age limits will be reviewed with every AGM, but will not affect existing members of the side.

Dancing Out

The Foreman will decide which dancers have reached a sufficient standard to dance any specific dance in public.

The Band Leader decides which musicians are good enough to play for public performances.

The dance out season starts in May/June. The end of the practice season may overlap with the start of the dance out season. The end of the practice season in any given year will be determined by Foreman and Bagman after discussion with the side.

Subs and Accounts

The rate of subs will be set by the bagman, and will depend on the state of the accounts. Everyone, dancers and musicians, pays the same amount. The Squire and Bagman may agree an exemption if there are special circumstances.

All new members get the first week free.

The bagman should:

Make accounts available to any member upon request.
Confirm any purchase over £40 with the side.
See if any item can be found cheaper via the side.

Charities

When the side has money to spare, members will decide on a charity to donate to. The charity may change from year to year.

Kit

Kit currently consists of:

Black top hat
Black pirate-style shirt
Black trousers or shorts
Black footwear
Tatter jacket with purple, black and white being the dominant colours.

Musicians wear the same kit as dancers.

The nature of the current costume will be determined at the AGM.

The Squire is responsible for determining whether a member’s kit is up to the required standard for dancing out.

Kit inspection for the entire side will be held in early April.

Kit paid for by the side remains the property of the side when a member leaves, but the side may vote to allow the member to keep the kit. The member will also have the option of buying their kit from the bag.

Kit paid for by a member (eg. A bought hat) remains the property of the member if they leave the side.

Tatter jackets made by the side with fabric and shirt supplied by the side remain the property of the side and should be returned if a dancer/band member leave.

Members will have the option of buying their jacket, but the side would prefer they be retained for new dancers.

If the jacket has been made with materials partly supplied by the member, the side may ask the member to donate the jacket, and will be willing to recompense the member for materials/labour if requested.

If the jacket has been made with materials wholly supplied by the member then it belongs to that member. The side may ask the member to donate the jacket, and will be willing to recompense the member for materials/labour if requested.

If the member has been awarded any kind of badge by the side, then the member always gets to keep it free of charge.

Equipment bought by the side, such as sticks and drums, remains the property of the side and should be returned when members leave.

If the side disbands, the members will vote on how to dispose of assets, with a focus on donating items to other sides.

AGM

The AGM will be in mid-November, at least one week before the Open Morris AGM.

All committee posts are elected every year.

Nominations should ideally be given to the Squire before the AGM, but may also be made at the AGM. Members should check whether a person is happy to stand before nominating them.

The Squire acts as chair and holds the casting vote.

Posts to be elected at the AGM are:

Squire: The squire will be chair of any meetings, represent the side in public, and is the person in authority when the side is dancing out.
Deputy Squire: Represents the side when the Squire is unavailable.
Foreman: The person teaching the dances and recording details of which dancers have learned which dances to the required standard.
Bagman: Collects subs and pays the hall hire. The person to talk to if you want to book the side to perform in public at an event. Also, the person who finds pubs/folk festivals/castles/etc. to dance at. Keeps a record of which dancers will able to attend which dance-out and is responsible for cancelling events, and telling the members of the side, if there are not going to be enough dancers. Outgoing bagman should assist new bagman until new bagman is confident.
Assistant Bagman: If the bagman wishes, someone to help collect subs and handle that side of the role.
Dance Out Organiser: Works out a list of dances for each event and who will be dancing which dance. Will need to check the foreman’s list of who knows which dance and the bagman’s list of who is going to be available.
Web Monkey: Responsible for keeping the web site up to date. Potentially responsible for Facebook as well.
Band Leader: Responsible for organising band rehearsals and ensuring that the band are playing at the correct speed for the dancers. Also responsible for ensuring that everyone has copies of the music and knows the pattern of As and Bs for each dance. It would be helpful for the band leader (or an assistant) to be able to produce ABC files and create midis and PDFs from them for the web site.
Ragman: The person who looks after the fabric, inspects kit to make sure it falls into the rules set by the side, and helps out those who are unable to make their own kit. This person may benefit from owning a sewing machine, but it is not required.
Publicity and Recruitment Officer: The person who gets coverage into newspapers, puts up posters, organises leaflets, etc.
Fundraiser: The person entrusted with finding grant and sponsorship money from charities, councils, businesses, etc.

It’s possible for a person to be elected to more than one role.

Non-elected post:

Tea Person: The person who makes the tea if we decide to have a tea break during practice sessions. Usually whoever volunteers on a given day. All are encouraged to do this at some point, for the sake of fairness.

EGM

If a matter arises that requires an Emergency General Meeting (EGM), then this should be discussed with the Squire, who will determine if a meeting should be called. Two weeks notice is required for an EGM to allow time for all members to be notified and to be made aware of the issues to be discussed. If the issue is time critical and two weeks is too long, then the Squire will make a decision on the issue and report to the members on the action he has taken.

A vote of confidence in the Squire is always a valid reason for an EGM.

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