[council] RAA Drafting Team

[Philip Sheppard]

And while on Charters - we may be suffering from the US and UK being  "two nations divided
by a common language" syndrome.
 
Charter means to my OED "a grant of rights by the sovereign or other body".
Another on-line definition follows.
Philip
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Charter
noun

	a franchise or written grant of specified rights made by a government or ruler to a
person, corporation, etc. 
	a document setting forth the aims and principles of a united group, as of nations 
	the constitution of a city, setting forth its governmental organization and powers 
	
OR
	a document by which a society authorizes the organization of a local chapter or
lodge 
	a special privilege or exemption 
	an instrument, esp. a deed

Etymology: ME chartre < OFr < L chartula, dim. of charta: see card
<http://www.yourdictionary.com/card>