RULES

RULE 1

The group is known as a BRANCH.

RULE 2

The BRANCH is known as THE FLORAL FLOOSIES.

RULE 3

Members of The Floral Floosies are known as BUDDIES.

RULE 4

The two leading members of the BRANCH are known as BRANCH MANAGERS.

RULE 5

Branch Manager 1 will be the Treasurer and Chairwoman. 
Branch Manager 2 will be the Website Co-ordinator and Secretary.

RULE 6

Membership fee is £2 a month.  Fees will increase as and when required, but no more than every third year.

RULE 7

The Floral Floosies will meet on the first Saturday of every month.

RULE 8

The meeting on the first Saturday of every month is known as BRANCHING OUT.

RULE 9

Wherever possible, there will be 2 activities or events every month, not including Branching Out.

RULE 10

Each Buddy will organise and/or host at least one event throughout the year.

RULE 11

Green clothes must be worn at all times.  No green clothes, no outing.

RULE 12

A hat or fascinator MUST be worn at all times – these will be removed in theatres and a hair accessory should then be worn.  Hats, fascinators and hair accessories may be any colour and the more flamboyant the better.  Our theme is floral, so floral accessories are encouraged.  Sun hats (straw and beige) are acceptable in the first instance, but more colourful hats would be welcome.  No hat or fascinator, no outing.

RULE 13

Accessories, ie, shoes and handbags, may be any colour.

RULE 14

Where 3 (three) or more Floral Floosies meet, the regalia MUST be worn.

RULE 15

If a Buddy attends an open, public event and takes someone along who is not a member, then that Buddy is not officially attending The Floral Floosies event and therefore they should NOT wear the regalia.

RULE 16

BUDDIES who assist in the running of The Floral Floosies are known as BEST BUDDIES.  These will consist of the following and they will be responsible for carrying out their duties at each Branching Out, where appropriate:

1. THE BIRTHDAY BLOSSOM(S)

The Birthday Blossom(s) will keep records of all Buddies’ birthdays.  At Branching Out they will remind Buddies of upcoming birthdays for the following month.  They will be responsible for the purchase and delivery of gifts for special birthdays (those ending in a 5 or 0), paid for from funds with a maximum limit of £35.  They will ensure cards are purchased and signed for special birthdays.  They will regularly check that Buddies are sending and receiving cards.

2. THE TEA TEAZEL(S)

At Branching Out, The Tea Teazel(s) will draw two names from all the Buddies for those two Buddies to meet some time during the forthcoming month for tea, cakes and getting to know each other better.  The two Buddies chosen will report back at the next Branching Out what they have found out about each other during their chat.

3. THE RAFFLE ROSE(S)

The Raffle Rose will organise a raffle at every Branching Out.  There should be at least 4 (four) prizes and they should be related to our floral theme and colours.  The raffle will cost £1 each and names will be drawn for the winners, thus ensuring that no Buddy wins more than one prize.  The Raffle Rose will keep records of expenditure and income and, as and when appropriate, pass the profit monies to The Treasurer for banking into Branch funds.  At our Christmas event, The Raffle Rose will provide enough prizes for all Buddies to win one each as a Christmas present from each other.  These prizes will be wrapped in appropriate Christmas paper.  This will replace Secret Santa.

4. THE BLOOMER BLOOM(S)

The Bloomer Bloom will exact FUN fines on Buddies.  This could be for removing your hat, speaking when a Branch Manager is speaking, not wearing the correct colours, etc.  There is no exact list and no exact amount for a Bloomer – you will be asked for “loose silver change”.  It should be borne in mind that this is done for FUN, FUN, FUN!  It also helps our funds as all fines, as and when appropriate, will be passed to the Treasurer for banking into Branch funds. 

5. THE SWEEPSTAKE SWEETPEA(S)

At differing times throughout the year, The Sweepstake Sweetpea will run sweepstakes based on, say, The Derby, The Grand National and other sporting or major events.  Any profits from sweepstakes will go into Branch funds.

6. THE WELFARE WALLFLOWER(S)

The Welfare Wallflower is responsible for sending cards, presents and flowers as and when necessary to Buddies who have something to celebrate, have received good or bad news, are poorly, have moved house, etc.  All Buddies are encouraged to keep The Welfare Wallflower informed if they know that another Buddy should be in receipt of such.  The Welfare Wallflower will keep a record of her expenditure and this will be paid for from Branch funds.

7. THE HOLIDAY HOLLY

The Holiday Holly is responsible for organising our annual holiday.  This entails finding choices of venue, bringing those choices to a Branching Out for the Buddies to peruse, collating responses, booking the venue, collecting the Buddies’ money, paying the venue and, if appropriate, organising transport, ie, minibus, arranging pick up points or making sure everyone has a lift. 

8. THE CHRISTMAS CHRYSANTHEMUM(s)

The Christmas Chrysanthemum is responsible for finding a venue and/or activity for the annual Christmas outing.  They will bring their ideas to a Branching Out for the Buddies to peruse.  They will make bookings as appropriate and will collect Buddies’ payments for the event.  They will co-ordinate menu choices and ensure that lifts or a minibus have been arranged.

RULE 17

As long as funds allow it, Christmas events will be subsidised at £10 per person for every Floral Floosie who has been a member (and paid her membership fee) for at least 6 months before the event..

RULE 18

There is an honorarium in place for both The Branch Managers.  After the subsidy above, the balance of the Christmas event for both Branch Managers will be payable between the Buddies.

RULE 19

In line with the government’s recommendations for a greener environment, car sharing should take place whenever possible.
When requesting a contribution to travel costs, drivers may take into account fuel, depreciation and wear and tear of their vehicle.
The law states that a driver must NOT make a profit from car sharing, nor pick up strangers for a fare, such as a taxi.

Therefore there will be a MINIMUM charge of £2 for a lift to/from a local event and THERE IS NO EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE.

Any parking costs will be shared between the Buddies in each car.
Some Buddies may have disabled badges and if you provide such a badge to allow free parking, you should still contribute £2 for your lift.  The provision of your badge merely means that you have saved yourself a portion of the cost of the parking.  If you provide a disabled badge to allow for free crossing of the toll bridge, the contribution for your lift is still £2.  Again, providing your badge has merely saved you your portion of the cost of the toll.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your contribution is made at the start of the journey.
Please do not embarrass drivers by making them ask for your contribution.  Also, please do not embarrass friends by trying to make a deal with them as far as this contribution is concerned.  Outside of Floral Floosies, you may have other arrangements with your friends.  However, when you are attending a Floral Floosie event, you should abide by this rule.

RULE 20

Whenever a Floral Floosie does not abide by the rules, there will a three step disciplinary procedure.

Step 1 – Verbal warning. 
The buddy will be called to a meeting with one or both of the Branch Managers and may bring another buddy to that meeting as a witness.  A note of the meeting will be kept.

Step 2 – Written warning. 
The buddy will receive a written warning from The Branch Managers.

Step 3 – Dismissal. 
If the buddy continues to flout the rules, she will be asked to leave the group.

RULE 21

If the Floral Floosies cease to be, any funds remaining will be divided equally between those buddies still in place at that time.