When the south west team had guardianship of the Grapevine in 2000 and 2001, they realised that they, as well as the organisers of the Easter Gathering, were taking risks whilst providing these services for the network. They also found that the network was expecting the Grapevine team to be the source of all information on circle dance. However, the production of the magazine is in itself quite demanding enough.
After much discussion in Grapevine and at the Easter Gathering, the network formed a company limited by guarantee (The Circle Dance Friends Company Limited). All directors’ liabilities are limited but, associated with that privilege, is that the company must comply with company law, or be subject to financial penalties. The directors of the company are called Guardian Angels.
The main legal documents underlying any company are the Memorandum of Association and the Articles of Association (known more colloquially as the Mem and Arts). Being legal documents, they are somewhat dry but they have been formulated as far as possible to build a structure that would be acceptable to the network without the company part taking over.
Four meetings are held each year, one of which is the Annual General Meeting, which is a legal requirement.
Any member of the network may attend the AGM, as they can any meeting, but by law, will not be allowed to vote.
Anyone in the network is welcome to any meeting where they may contribute to the discussions but, by law, only Guardian Angels may vote. Any member of the network is eligible and encouraged to apply to be a Guardian Angel.
Raymond Thompson
March 2004
Amended 2005 | 
