Is it possible to lock rules in a constitution or mem and arts? and if not, why not?

Question

We wish our organisation to stay the organisation which we set up.

Answer 1

You can do whatever you like with your Constitution as long as it does not break the law. These are some considerations that you should have.

DISCRIMINATION
If your changed Constitution made it less possible for certain people (e.g. women or minority ethnic communities), then it could be challenged as discriminatory in court, even if that was not the intention behind the change.

LACK OF DEMOCRACY - FUNDING
If there are procedural changes that are deemed undemocratic, then funders may be wary of giving grants [most grant applications require a copy of the Constitution to be provided].

LACK OF DEMOCRACY - AFFILIATIONS
If your changes are viewed unfavourably, then you may find yourself in conflict with any bodies to which you are affiiated, including parent organisations and the Charity Commission.

HOSTILE TAKEOVERS
If you are afraid of new members joining, with the intention of moving the organisation in an unorthodox direction, then there are some controls that you can introduce. These include waiting times before individuals get the power to vote; new members signing a document agreeing to abide by the Consitution; stipulated numbers / percentages of votes required for changes to the Constitution etc.

Personally, I would have thought that you would want to be open, and maybe only ringfence that one object clause which defines the overriding purpose of the organisation. If you are into secrecy then join the United Grand Lodge of England (Freemasons) or the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes.

Answer 2

I suspect the only way you could do it would be to require taht any changes to the constitution or M & A require a unanimous decision of the governing body.