MAV UK
Mothers Against Violence (MAV)
Since August 1999 Mothers Against Violence (MAV) have supported the inner-city communities of Greater Manchester. MAV was birthed at a time when gun violence was at its worst in the inner-city community of Manchester. Three young black males were murdered in the space of eight days in one community. The mothers of that community took a stand and came out fighting not with guns but with words of Hope. It is with this same hope that Mothers Against Violence now serves the community providing mentoring support, educational awareness of gun and knife crime, counselling, workshops, and outreach work which includes campaigning for positive change in our community.
Since the late 1980’s Manchester has been affected by gun crime and since 1999 over 47 people have been murdered.
It was in 1999 MAV was formed, this was as a direct result of the community being affected by four-gun shootings in one week, which resulted in three deaths.
A meeting was held and mothers from across the South Manchester area met to discuss how we as a community could stop these senseless killings and help make positive change in children and young people. This was a very significant time, and the community was moved, mothers continued to meet and as a result MAV was born.
MAV has worked tirelessly and fiercely to raise awareness and bring together communities and agencies to address this issue.
June 2001 saw a community response in these which hundreds of residents marched throughout the city in protest to the death accruing from gun crime, which incurred local and national interest. MAV was invited to attend a closed meeting with Tony Blair to highlight our concerns and discuss ways of moving forward. In 2004 MAV were awarded a voluntary service award by the queen at St James’s Palace London
Sadly, other cities began to experience the debilitating effects of gun crime. MAV was contacted by other support group to share our experiences to address the impact of gun crime on families. MAV have developed some strong alliances and work closely with other mothers who have lost the children as a direct result of gun crime. MAV now has
regional links with London and Leeds. By forming such strong alliances our voices and views are now being heard around the country. MAV now have volunteers that are fathers, brothers, sisters, family and friends of those gun and knife crime victims.
Our commitment and determination to see change within our community has been the motivation that has allowed MAV to work tirelessly with limited resources to engage with young people within our community.
CONSTITUTION OF MOTHERS AGAINST VIOLENCE
1. NAME
The name of the charity shall be MOTHERS AGAINST VIOLENCE (hereinafter called MAV)
2. OBJECTS
The objects of MAV shall be:
To relieve poverty, disaffection, disengagement, and distress within our communities, particularly among young people.
To work towards the eradication of violence in our communities and to relieve victims of the effects of violence and substance misuse within the community, through education, counselling, advice, information, support, partnership working, campaigning and other means.
3. POWERS
In furtherance of the said objectives but not further or otherwise MAV shall have the following powers:
To raise funds and apply for, invite, obtain, collect, and receive contributions from any other person or persons whatsoever by way of subscription, donation, grant, legacy and otherwise; if MAV shall not undertake permanent trading activities in raising funds for the said objectives.
To employ on such terms and conditions of employment as MAV shall determine any paid or voluntary worker or workers to assist in the attainment of the said objectives and make all necessary provision for the payment of pensions and superannuation for staff.
To buy, take on lease or in exchange and property necessary for the achievement of the objects and to maintain and equip it for use.
To co-operate with other charities, voluntary bodies and statutory authorities operating in the furtherance of the objects or similar charitable purposes and to exchange information and advice with them.
To appoint and constitute such advisory committee as the Executive Committee may think fit
To do all such other lawful things as shall further the attainment of the said objectives or any of them.
4. MEMBERSHIP
Membership of MAV shall be open to any person over the age of 16 years interested in the furthering of the objects.
Application for membership shall be approved by the Executive Committee who shall keep a register of names and addresses of the members.
Every member shall have one vote
The Executive Committee may by a unanimous vote and for good reason terminate the membership of any individual: Provided that the individual concerned shall have the right to be heard by the Executive Committee, accompanied by a friend before a final decision is made.
5. HONORARY OFFICERS
At the Annual General Meeting hereinafter mentioned MAV shall elect a Chairperson, a Secretary, and a Treasurer (hereinafter called the “Honorary Officers”) being persons who are members of MAV.
The Honorary Officers shall hold office until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting after their election but shall be eligible for re-election. On the expiration of such period one year must elapse before any former Honorary Officer shall be eligible.
6. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Save as otherwise herein provided, the policy and general management of the affairs of MAV shall be directed by the Executive Committee.
The Committee shall consist of the Honorary Officers and six other members of MAV elected by the Annual General Meeting.
In addition to the Honorary Officers and the members so elected, the Executive Committee may co-opt up to three further members who shall hold office until the next AGM.
The members of the Executive Committee shall hold office until the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting next after their election or co-option as the case maybe but shall be eligible for re-election or re co-option.
The Committee shall meet not less than three times per year.
Three members of the Committee (or one Third of the Committee members for the time being – whichever is the greater) shall constitute a quorum.
Minutes of each meeting shall be kept by the Committee and the Secretary shall enter therein after a record of all proceedings and resolutions of the Committee.
7. GENERAL MEETING
An Annual General Meeting of MAV shall be held not more than 15 months after the holding of the preceding Annual General Meeting and in such place as the Executive Committee shall determine. At such Annual General Meeting business shall include:
The receipt of the Annual Report and the Accounts for the preceding year from the Executive Committee
The appointment of the auditor
The election of the Honorary Officers and six Executive Committee Members the transaction of such other matters as may from time to time be necessary. Notification of an Annual General Meeting shall be given in writing by the Secretary to all members not less than 28 days prior to the meeting.
The Committee may at any time call a Special General Meeting of MAV the Secretary shall, within 21 days of receiving a written request to call a Special General Meeting, signed by not less than a quarter of the members for the time being of MAV and giving reasons for the request, call a Special General Meeting of MAV.
Notification of a Special General Meeting shall be given in writing by the Secretary to all members not less than 10 days prior to the meeting.
The quorum for a General Meeting shall be one third of the membership at the time the meeting is called or 15 people, whichever is lower. Save as otherwise herein provided, all questions arising at the General Meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of those present and voting. A member of MAV shall be entitled to appoint a proxy, who shall be a member of MAV, to attend any General Meeting that they are unable to attend to exercise the vote of the member in whose stead they are attending in addition to their own vote. Provided that no such entitlement shall apply in respect of clauses 9 and 10 hereof. Save as foresaid, no person shall exercise more than one vote but in the case of an equality of votes the Chair shall have a second or casting vote.
8. FINANCE
The Treasurer shall keep proper accounts of MAV and shall prepare accounts for the last financial year for the submission to the members at the Annual General Meeting and the words “Financial Year” shall mean the period 1st April to 31st March inclusive.
The accounts shall be audited at least once a year by the auditor or auditors appointed by the Annual General Meeting.
The funds of MAV shall be applied in furtherance of its objects and no payment shall be made to any member except reasonable and proper out of pocket expenses or for services rendered. In the case of payment for services to an Honorary Officer or Executive Committee member, these should be ones which they provide in addition to carrying out normal Trustee duties.
A bank account shall be opened in the name of Mothers Against Violence. The Committee shall authorise in writing the Secretary, the Treasurer and the two members of the Committee (not being co-opted members) to sign cheques on behalf of MAV. All cheques must be signed by not less than two of the four authorised signatories, as at least one of whom shall be a Committee member.
9. ALTERATION TO THE CONSTITUTION
No alteration or addition to this constitution shall be made except at the General Meeting of MAV called for such purpose. Alteration or additions to the constitution shall receive the assent of not less than two thirds of the members present and voting at the General Meeting.
10. DISSOLUTION
MAV may be dissolved by a resolution passed by two thirds majority of those present and voting at the Special General Meeting convened for the purpose of which 21 days’ notice shall be given. Property remaining after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of MAV but shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institutions having objects like some or all of MAV’s.