[council] RAA Drafting Team

["Philip Sheppard" <philip.sheppard@xxxxxx>]

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
----------------------
 
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>