BRIGHTLINGSEA RUGBY CLUB
CONSTITUTION
The Club shall be called Brightlingsea Rugby Club
The playing colours shall be predominantly scarlet and black with the committee able to decide the precise design.
The Club shall exist to further the sport of Rugby Union in the Brightlingsea area and shall be affiliated to and comply with the laws of the Rugby Union and Suffolk RFU
The Club shall be managed by a management committee (the committee) elected by the membership at an Annual General Meeting (AGM)
MEMBERSHIP
The membership of the Club shall consist of :
- a) Full playing members entitled to all privileges
b) Temporary (playing) members
c) Young members, ie. anyone in full-time education under the age of 21 at the committee's discretion
d) Non playing members
e) Honorary members elected by the committee
Membership of the Club shall be open to anyone interested in the sport on application regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs. However, limitation of membership according to available facilities is allowable on a non discriminatory basis.
The Club may have different classes of membership and subscription on a non discriminatory and fair basis. The Club will keep subscriptions at levels that will not pose a significant obstacle to people participating.
The Club Committee may refuse membership, or remove it, only for good cause such as conduct or character likely to bring the Club or sport into disrepute. Appeal against refusal or removal may be made to the members.
The Committee will have due regard to the law on disability discrimination and child protection, and will implement and comply with guidelines issued by the appropriate governing bodies.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
These shall be set by the committee and shall be due by 31 October annually
GENERAL MATTERS
The Club shall hold an AGM as soon as possible after the playing season and not later than the end of July. An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be called by any six fully paid up members of the Club
The purpose of the AGM is to :
- a) Elect officers of the Club and the committee for the next year
b) Consider the accounts for the previous year
c) Any other business at the discretion of the Chair
The time, date and place of the AGM will be decided by the committee, who shall make all reasonable effort to inform the membership at least 14 days beforehand
A quorum shall be 25% of the membership
NOMINATIONS FOR OFFICERS
Proposed and seconded nominations should be received by the Hon. Secretary before the meeting. Nominations from the floor may be accepted at the discretion of the Chair.
CLUB OFFICERS
President
Chair
Club Captain (Chairman of Selection)
Hon Secretary
Hon Treasurer
Chair of standing Sub committees
Fixture Secretary
Second Team Captain
Membership Secretary
And one other
The committee shall consist of the above officers plus two other members elected at the AGM
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
Amendments to the rules may only be made at a General Meeting
Notification of such changes must be received by the Hon Secretary two weeks before the General Meeting and should be notified to all members together with the General Meeting details
Alterations to the rules may not be made without approval of the majority of the members present at a General Meeting
The committee shall have the power to :
- a) Appoint any sub-committees as are deemed necessary
b) Co-opt onto the committee replacements for elected members who may resign or leave
c) Co-opt any member onto the committee to assist the committee. Such members shall not have voting rights on committee decisions
The quorum for committee meetings shall be four voting members
VICE PRESIDENTS
The committee shall have the power to appoint vice presidents
CLUB FINANCES
An audited account for the financial year preceding the AGM shall be presented at the AGM for the approval of membership. Auditors should be elected at the AGM or where this is not possible, by the committee
All cheques drawn on the Club account should bear two signatures from Hon Treasurer, Chair, Hon Secretary
Financial year shall end 1st May
The property and funds of the Club cannot be used for the direct or indirect private benefit of members other than as reasonably allowed by the Rules and all surplus income or profits are reinvested in the club.
The Club may provide sporting and related social facilities, sporting equipment, coaching, courses, insurance cover, medical treatment, away-match expenses, post match refreshments and other ordinary benefits of Community Amateur Sports Clubs as provided for in the Finance Act 2002.
The Club may also in connection with the sports purposes of the Club:
(a) sell and supply food, drink and related sports clothing and equipment;
(b) employ members (though not for playing) and remunerate them for providing goods and services, on fair terms set by the Committee without the person concerned being present;
(c) pay for reasonable hospitality for visiting teams and guests;
(d) indemnify the Committee and members acting properly in the course of the running of the Club against any liability incurred in the proper running of the Club (but only to the extent of its assets).
No claim in respect of liability by the Club for any damage to persons or property (including alleged loss or theft) whether by members or a guest and in respect of the Club premises or premises being used by the Club shall be entertained, and neither shall any member of the committee or sub committees be responsible for damage, theft or loss whether resulting from negligence of servants or otherwise
Any matter arising other than at an AGM shall be dealt with by the committee whose decision shall be binding
Winding Up the Club
The members may vote to wind up the Club if not less than three quarters of those present and voting support that proposal at a properly convened general meeting.
The Committee will then be responsible for the orderly winding up of the Club's affairs.
After settling all liabilities of the Club, the Committee shall dispose of the net assets remaining to one or more of the following:
- i) to another Club with similar sports purposes which is a registered charity and/or
- ii) to another Club with similar sports purposes which is a registered CASC and/or
iii) to the Club's governing body for use by them for related community sports.
