Private Member's Association

Community Assembly of the British Isles 

Private Members' Association 

The Community Assembly of the British Isles (CABI) is a private members’ association with criteria for new members to join, in particular, agreeing to abide by our collective declaration to serve humanity for the highest good of all under Natural Law. 

Private members’ association 

The CABI private members’ association is dedicated to serving the community which for CABI is to grow our membership, create a knowledge flow for the exchange of information, and develop services for the benefit of members and their local Community Assemblies. Membership to CABI is voluntary and there are no membership fees. 

Basic lawful structure 

CABI is an unincorporated association or private members' club with its own internal procedures to ensure these are followed in all our operations. 

The procedures 

These are listed in an internal document for things like appointing office bearers, managing admistration, enlisting members; and establishing rules for the conduct of members. This information is available on request.

The office bearers 

The following office bearers have been appointed until such time as roles are transferred on a rotational basis as CABI grows: 

• The chairperson – Marc Horn
• The secretary – Sue Cartwright 
• The treasurer – John Gilbert 

The administration 

The CABI constitution sets out how CABI is run including: 

• Appointment and rotation of office bearers 
• Annual general meetings and how they are called; 
• How to make changes to the constitution; 
• The requirements for membership; 
• The types of membership; 
• The adoption of code of conduct for members; and 
• Discipline of members. 

The annual general meeting 

An annual general meeting or AGM is a formal meeting held on an annual basis. CABI members will receive reports from the office bearers on performance for the preceding year. This provides an opportunity to debate and make decisions about issues affecting CABI and its members. Decisions are taken on a majority vote basis whereby office bearers are re-appointed or new office bearers are elected usually for a one year term at the annual general meeting. 

Changes to the procedures

Our internal procedures include a process to make any amendments which requires a minimum of 80% approval from participating members for amendments to be made. 

Requirements for membership 

There are no CABI membership requirements and CABI does not discriminate against any applicant on unlawful grounds such as race, religion, gender, age or any other protected characteristic. 

Types of membership 

There are different grades of memberships for individuals, international friends, community assemblies and groups and organisations working for the benefit of their local communities. Members of the Community Health Initiative which is part of the CABI network, are assessed by qualified assessors and verifiers to become members (MCHI) or licentiates (LCHI). 

Code of conduct for members 

Rules governing all aspects of CABI and the relationship between members and the committee are included in the procedures. Rules that might lead to a member being disciplined or (for serious offences) excluded from CABI include unacceptable conduct towards other members and unacceptable conduct towards the public which may bring CABI into disrepute. 

Discipline of members 

This is handled informally to ensure fairness, to respect due process according to Natural Law and to allow for the speedy resolution of complaints. 

Management of donations 

The overall responsibility for the facilitation of a dedicated bank account for donations and other income lies with the treasurer and it is standard practice to require the signature of two official office bearers on any cheque or financial instrument before payments are made to dedicated services and projects for the benefit of CABI and its 

members.  

There is no legal requirement for CABI to file official accounts. However, it is included in the CABI constitution that the treasurer will present the accounts to the members at the Annual General Meeting. 

Premises & Leaseholds 

CABI does not have any legal status and can only hold property through its members. If CABI should enter into substantial contracts such as lease agreements or purchasing property, the office bearers would act as trustees to hold the property. 

Raising funds 

The main source of CABI funding is through the personal contributions of founding office bearers, members and facilitators, together with donations, affiliate commissions and profits from sales as promoted through the CABI website. 

Set projects have been allocated for donations so that members can choose which services and developments they would most like to support before making a contribution. It is envisaged that members will take an active role in helping to spread the word about donations and by arrangement, collect donations on behalf of CABI following the our Declaration of Trust and code of conduct. 

John Gilbert MD (AV), MHA, SAC Dip, FGAV, MBCS, MIET, C.Eng., LCGI 

Treasurer 

Community Assembly of the British Isles 

Office address:

10 Orchard Park

Station Road 

Bugle 

PL26 8NW 

Last updated on 6 October 2022.