Guild Court and Court Officers and Officials

 

The Court

 

6.1 The Court will consist of a two-thirds majority of Executive Craft Committee members and further Officers and Officials who are co-opted accordingly to run and advise on all aspects of  The Guild.

 

6.2 All members of The Court must wear the appropriate Guild livery at the Court of Assistants' meetings, special Common halls and certain Guild events.

 

6.3 Ample opportunity will exist for every member to take an active part in the life of The Guild.

 

6.4 By participating in the various social events held by The Guild, a member would come to know, and be known, by other members.  Their professional knowledge may be called upon to advise in the Guild's service. By a combination of all these activities, both social and by service, the capability and suitability to eventually serve on The Court will be informally assessed.

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Court of Assistants' Meeting

 

6.5 The Court of Assistants consists of The Executive Craft Committee and all other Guild Members including: The Prime, Upper and Under Wardens, The Clerk and all Masters including The Head Master.  Craft members must always constitute at least a two-thirds majority of the membership of The Court with a remaining third of redemptive members.

 

6.6 Meetings of the full Court are held in March, May/June (Corpus Christi), September (Michaelmas) and December each year.

 

6.7 A Call to The Guild is made by the Court of Assistants every year until 2020 and thereafter every 2 years as necessary to maintain a sufficient total within The Guild. A special court to admit new members is held at Corpus Christi on the same day and immediately prior to Common Hall.

 

Common Hall

 

6.8 A Court and Common Hall is held between once a week and once a month (this can occasionally be in the form of email contact as from time to time, Court may be away from the Lodge). At The Court, officers, officials and assistants discuss the running of the Guild.  Common Hall is held, if necessary, where members wish to approach The Court. Attendance is expected of the Clerk and Master, other officers and officials should arrange between themselves at least a limited attendance.

 

6.9 At the Corpus Christi Common hall, all The Court and any members may attend. Every second year, The Guild shall assemble to elect a Prime Warden and Under Warden. The Prime Warden must be elected from the members of the Court of Assistants and is usually the former Upper Warden. The Wardens may be elected from the members as a whole; these elections will be followed by a dinner for those attending.

 

6.10 There can be as few as three or as many as ten Court Assistants, no more than 5 of whom are permanent officers who are also Liverymen, the remainder hold office for one year and are elected in May/June from the membership by all members. After their year at Court they will revert to ordinary members. Court Assistants can be re-elected, all Assistants are expected to attend all four Court of Assistants' meetings or Special Common Halls held in March, May/June, September and December.

 

6.11 The Guild will have a Travelling Court, holding Court meetings and Common Halls at a rotation of venues.

 

6.12 All Common Halls will be minuted and entered into the Great Book.