Guidelines
YOUR RIGHTS AS A PHOTOGRAPHER
There has been a lot of press coverage recently of incidents involving people taking pictures in public places being challenged by the police. Whilst this has been in part due to a misunderstanding of the law (on the part of the police in particular), we thought it would be helpful to summarise what your rights are and offer some advice if you should find yourself in this situation.
Police stop and search rights under the Terroism Act:
. Every person has a right to photograph in a public place
. It is not against the law to photograph a police officer undertaking normal duties
. The police do have a duty to investigate incidents that may give rise to suspicion
. If approached by a police officer remain calm and polite
. You are not required to give any personal details unless driving a car or are arrested
. Officers have no power to delete images
. PCSO’s may not search without a police officer present
. You must be provided with a copy of the Stop and Search slip which will include the officer’s identity
We all need to be vigilant against terrorism and support the police where possible as well as protect our rights to photograph in a public place.
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THE CONSTITUTION
1. The NAME OF THE SOCIETY shall be the Winchester Photographic Society.
2. The AIMS AND OBJECTIVES of the Society are the promotion, encouragement and enjoyment
of all branches of photography through meetings, lectures, workshops and other activities
aiding Member advancement, and to hold an Annual Exhibition.
3. The Society shall be AFFILIATED TO the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB) and be a
member of the Southern Photographic Federation (SF).
4. MEMBERSHIP is open to all those who are 16 years of age and over. For those under the age of
18, membership applications must be countersigned by a parent or guardian.
5. VISITORS are encouraged to attend meetings but attendance is limited to a maximum of four
meetings per Society year.
6. THE COMMITTEE shall comprise three Officers and other Committee Members. The Officers
shall comprise the President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer. The Committee may co-opt
additional Members onto the Committee for specific tasks.
7. ROLE DESCRIPTIONS shall be maintained for all committee roles except for Ordinary
Committee Members, who shall represent the Members in general.
8. OFFICERS and other Committee Members (except for Ordinary Members) shall be appointed
for 3 years after which they may re-apply for any position. The President is normally first
elected as Vice-president, serves a year as President, and then a year as Past President.
Ordinary members are appointed for one year after which they may re-apply for any position.
9. The MANAGEMENT OF THE SOCIETY shall be the responsibility of the Committee which shall
have delegated powers to deal with and decide upon all matters not covered by the
Constitution and may establish Sub Committees as it deems necessary.
10. ASSETS AND FUNDS held by the Society shall be managed by the Treasurer on behalf of the
Society. The Treasurer shall ensure the safe keeping of all funds, track the location of all assets
and prepare Annual Accounts with a financial year end of 31 March. The Committee shall
appoint an Independent Financial Examiner who shall review the accounts.
11. An ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) shall normally be held each May with papers
circulated no less than two weeks beforehand. Officers and, as necessary, other Committee
Members shall present reports. The Treasurer shall submit the Annual Accounts and propose
the Membership and Visitor fees. Business will include the Election of Officers and Committee
Members.
12. Additional AGM AGENDA ITEMS AND MOTIONS should be proposed, seconded and submitted
to the Secretary no less than three weeks before the meeting.
13. A SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING (SGM) may be scheduled by the Committee or u