The WCGS as a charity
We haven’t always been a charity, in fact as recently as 2008 we were just another classical guitar society but on stepping back and looking at the things we were doing and the things we were trying to do, it was obvious that we were a charitable organisation.
We have always believed in the guitar as a bona-fide serious instrument (even if we don’t always take it that seriously ourselves) and we consider it an instrument worth protecting.
Other classical music societies throw the doors open to a variety of acts; in the meantime, we maintain our advocacy of this rich and cultured instrument, its music, its traditions and its performers... old and new.
The first step towards becoming a charity was to draw up the governing document - our constitution - and our whole mission is described in just two paragraphs:
2. The Objects
The Objects of the Society shall be:
(1) to advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of Classical Guitar in all its aspects, including through the presentation of public concerts and recitals and educational workshops and by such other ways, as the Society through its Executive Committee shall determine from time to time;
(2) to further such charitable purpose or purposes as the Executive Committee in their absolute discretion shall think fit.
Through the New Artist’s Scheme, through public recitals, through workshops and collaboration with other charities in the field, the advancement of the instrument, its music and its players are a vital concern and we work tirelessly to bring the unique joys of our tradition to the wider public.
For any collective wishing to make the transition to charity status we are more than happy to advise on the process and to help in an any way we can. For smaller groups in particular, it is worth noting your organisation does not need to have an income of more than £5K per annum as required by the Charity Commission in order to be recognised as a charitable endeavour.
As of 2009 the WCGS is also registered with the Self Assessment Donate Scheme in which tax payers can choose to donate all or part of their tax return to the charity of their choice using a form available from HMRC called an SA100 Charity. You can access this form the HMRC website here.
Our unique charity code is: DAU28PG.
Contributors
The WCGS would like to express its gratitude to all it's contributors.
UK Cheapest, our webhost, whose support has been invaluable.
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The Classical Guitar Centre Ltd. (Birmingham) and the proprietor, Brian Whitehouse for championing the cause of live music.
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If you wish to find out more or help us in our mission to bring the Classical Guitar into the light of mainstream culture, please contact the Secretary.
For anyone who is interested, a copy of our constitution can be downloaded from here.
