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Wellingborough
Bowling Club Constitution, Rules
and By-Laws First
Published May 1972 Last
Amended February 26th 2009 1.
Constitution 1.1
Name
1.2
Affiliation. The Club
will be affiliated to Bowls England, Regional, and County Associations relevant
to the sport of bowls 1.3
Objectives 1.3.1 To
promote participation of the whole community in the sport of bowls. 1.3.2
To provide all necessary facilities for and incidental to the playing of the
sport of bowls under the rules and regulations of Bowls England and the English
Indoor Bowling Associations and to provide premises and club house for that
purpose, and for social activities in accordance with the club’s licence. 1.3.3 To promote sport equity, ensuring everyone has the right to enjoy
the sport of bowls in an environment free from threat of intimidation,
harassment and abuse. 2.
Rules 2.1.
Membership. Membership
of the Club shall be open to all persons irrespective of ethnicity, nationality,
sexual orientation, religion or beliefs; or of age, sex or disability except as
a necessary consequence of the requirements of bowls as a particular sport. The Club
shall consist of: 2.1.1
Full Members. (Voting members) A
full member is a member over the age of 17, who has paid the full outdoor and
indoor fees for the previous and current season or is a Life Member, Honorary
Member, or Patron. Full members are eligible to stand for the Management
Committee and vote at General Meetings. Members
who have paid their outdoor fees for the 2008 season, and therefore have voting
rights at this time, but do not pay the indoor fee for 2008/09, shall be
considered to be Full Members for as long as they remain outdoor members. The
Secretary will maintain a list of these members. 2.1.2
Outdoor Members An outdoor member is a member over the age of 17 on May 1st,
who has paid the full outdoor fee for the previous or current season. Outdoor
members are not eligible for election to the Management Committee, nor vote at
General Meetings. 2.1.3
Indoor Playing Members An indoor member is a member over the age of 17 on October
1st, who has paid the full indoor fees for the previous or current season.
Indoor members are not eligible for election to the Management Committee, nor
vote at General Meetings. 2.1.4
Junior Members. Junior members are members (outdoor or indoor) who have not
attained the age of 18 on the May 1st (for outdoor) or Oct 1st
(for indoor) of the current year.
Junior members are allowed to enter club and county competitions, and
take part in club matches, but are not permitted to introduce guests, stand for
membership of the Management Committee, nor take part in voting of any kind. 2.1.5
Social Members. Social members are non-playing members who have paid a
nominal membership fee in order to use the social facilities of the Club. Social
members are not eligible for election to the Management Committee, nor vote at
General Meetings. 2.2.
Application for Membership. 2.2.1 A new member shall be required to complete an
application form for Club record purposes, including full name, address and date
of birth, and shall be eligible to be a member of the Club on payment of the
applicable entry fee. New members will be provided with a Club handbook, containing
a copy of the rules and bylaws, the facilities, and procedures of the Club. New
members shall be subject to a probationary period of 6 months, and are entitled
to the privileges of membership and shall be bound by the Club Rules 2.2.2 Rule 2.1 does not preclude a member of the public
attending the Club at any time and arranging for a course of coaching with one
of the Club’s Qualified Coaches. At the termination of the course they would
be furnished with an application form and invited to join the Club. Whilst
undergoing the coaching course they would be considered a guest of the Club and
Rule 2.6 below would apply. 2.2.3
Refusal of membership.
The Club may only refuse membership for good and sufficient
cause, such as conduct or character likely to bring the club or the sport into
disrepute. Appeal against such decision will be dealt with by the appeals
procedure identified in 2.8.2 below. 2.3.
Subscriptions Subscriptions
shall be determined annually by the Management Committee. Subscription levels
will be solely based on the financial position and budgetary requirements of the
Club, and will not be used as a means of discrimination. The
Management Committee may waive the annual subscription of any member who is
rendering, or has in the past rendered, any special service to the Club. Subscriptions
shall be payable by the 1st May (1st Oct for indoor) in
every year. A member who has not paid by 1st May (1st Oct
for indoor) shall be in default, and shall not be entitled to the privileges of
membership and shall be liable to expulsion. 2.4.
Fees The
Management Committee shall determine the amount to be paid as green fees and
competition fees and shall be empowered to amend as circumstances demand. All
competition fees payable in advance. 2.5.
Definitions 2.5.1
Life Members and Honorary Members. Life Membership and Honorary Membership may be awarded by the
Management Committee, for any full member who has in the opinion of the
Management Committee rendered exceptional service to the Club over a long period
of time (normally a minimum of 25 years). . A Life Member shall not be called upon for any further
subscriptions other than levies, while an Honorary Member shall not be called
upon for any further outdoor subscriptions other than levies, but apart from
that, neither shall be entitled to any special or additional privileges. 2.5.2
Patron Any full member may elect to become a Patron. A Patron is any
full member who, at any time after payment of their first annual subscription,
compounds by one payment all future subscriptions to the Club during their
lifetime. The compound fee shall be determined by the Management Committee and
the member so compounding shall not be called upon for any further subscriptions
other than levies but apart from that shall not be entitled to any special or
additional privileges. 2.6.
Guests 2.6.1 Subject to any by-laws made on that behalf, a
member (other than a junior member) shall be entitled to introduce guests to the
Club, provided that no person whose application for membership has been
unsuccessful or who has been expelled from the Club shall be introduced as a
guest. 2.6.2 No guest in the said club premises shall be
authorised to purchase any intoxicating liquor. 2.6.3 A member introducing a guest is responsible for the
conduct of the guest and ensuring the visitors book is completed. 2.6.4a)
Any member of a visiting team shall be considered a guest introduced by the home
team Captain. Recording
the players’ names on the score cards will be considered as an entry in the
visitors’ book. Spectators need to sign in the normal way. 2.6.4b)
Any member of a visiting team may be admitted to temporary membership for a
period of one day provided his or her name has been supplied to the Secretary of
the Club twenty four hours before the day for which temporary membership is
gained. 2.7.
Resignation of Members Any member may resign their membership by giving to the
Secretary notice in writing to that effect. Every such notice shall, unless
otherwise expressed, take effect as from the 30th April next
following the receipt thereof. Any person shall upon ceasing to be a member of
the Club forfeit all right and claim upon the Club and its property and funds
save as regards debts due from the Club to such person. 2.8.
Complaints 2.8.1 All complaints must be made in writing to the
Secretary who has the delegated power to resolve the issue if possible (subject
to 2.8.2 below). Should the Secretary consider the nature and seriousness of the
complaint requires the Committee’s attention, the Chair will be informed and
the matter submitted to the Management Committee. 2.8.2
Expulsion of Members In the event of a complaint regarding the behaviour of
members, it shall be the duty of the Management Committee to investigate. If the
Management Committee be of the opinion that the interests of the Club so require
they shall be empowered to expel a member or take such disciplinary action that
they deem necessary. Expulsion shall only be for good and sufficient cause, such
as conduct or character likely to bring the Club or sport into disrepute. Any member so affected shall have the right of appeal. An
appeal will be heard by an Appeal Panel of the two Presidents, and 3 full
members who are not members of the Management Committee. Decisions of the appeal
panel will be by majority vote. A member may refer the decision of the Appeal Panel to an
Extraordinary General Meeting under Rule 2.9.2 below. 2.9.
General Meetings 2.9.1 Annual General Meeting The Annual
General Meeting (AGM) of the members shall be held in February every calendar
year. The following business shall be transacted:- i) To receive and if approved, to adopt the annual report and
an audited statement of account to the end of the last preceding financial year. ii) To elect the officers and other members of the Management
Committee. iii) To appoint an auditor or joint auditors. iv) To alter the rules of the Club in accordance with Rule
2.15 below v.) To deal with any special matter which the Management
Committee desires to bring before the members and to receive suggestions from
the members for consideration by the Management Committee. 2.9.2
Extraordinary General Meetings An
extraordinary general meeting of the Club may be called at any time by the
Management Committee, and shall be so called at any time within two weeks of
receipt by the Secretary of a requisition in writing signed by at least 12 full
members. No business shall be transacted at such meeting other than that
specified in the notice convening the same. 2.9.3
Notice of Meeting A notice
convening any general meeting shall, with a copy of the annual report and
audited statement of accounts (in the case of the AGM),
be sent to every full member not less than seven days before the meeting
and shall specify the business of the meeting. 2.9.4
Quorum. The quorum
at any general meeting shall be twenty five. 2.9.5
Chairing of meetings The chair
shall be taken by the Chair of the Management Committee, or in their absence the
Vice Chair. 2.10.
Management Committee and Officers 2.10.1 Membership and quorum The
Management Committee shall consist of nine members and shall elect their own
chairperson. Five shall form a quorum. Presidents shall be ex officio non voting
members of the Management Committee during their term of office. 2.10.2 Casual vacancy. Any
casual vacancy occurring amongst the Management Committee should be filled by
the Management Committee co-opting from amongst the full members. All persons
thus co-opted shall retire at the next AGM and shall be eligible for election. 2.10.3 Retiring members. No
member shall remain on the Management Committee for more than three years
without seeking re-election. Thus, one third of the Management Committee shall
retire at each AGM. A retiring member of the Management Committee shall be
eligible for re-election. Members willing to stand as candidates for election
shall be proposed and seconded on a form to be posted on the notice board at
least 21 days before the AGM. Nominations will close 7 days before the AGM to
allow time for the Secretary to prepare ballot papers if necessary. If the total
nominations are three or less then those nominated shall be declared duly
elected and the Management Committee shall have power to fill any vacancies. If
the total nominations exceed three, the Secretary shall prepare voting papers to
be distributed at the meeting. The elected member shall serve on the Management
Committee for a period of 3 years. The three names with the most votes shall be
declared duly elected and in the event of a tie the decision shall be by a
second ballot. Where,
for whatever reason, there are more than three Management Committee vacancies at
the AGM, the number of persons elected will be such that the Management
Committee is returned to nine members. In order to maintain the one third
retiring balance, it may be necessary to elect members for shorter terms than 3
years. This will be achieved by the ballot process described above, with the
three members receiving the most votes elected for 3 years and the remaining
place(s) filled for the shorter term(s), on the basis of the number of votes
received. 2.10.4
Election of Officers. The
following officers of the Club shall be proposed, seconded and elected at the
AGM. Men
attending the meeting will vote for the men’s officers and ladies will vote
for ladies officers. Men’s President
and Vice President Ladies President
and Vice President Men’s Saturday
Captain and Vice Captain Men’s Thursday
Captain and Vice Captain Ladies Captain
and Vice Captain 2.10.5
Other Officers The
Management Committee shall appoint the Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer,
Competition Secretaries, Fixture Secretaries, Council Delegates, and League
Co-ordinators, at the first meeting following the AGM. 2.10.6 Sub-Committees 2.11
Permitted Hours The supply
of intoxicating liquor in the Club premises shall be permitted on such days and
during such hours as the Management Committee shall from time to time decide in
strict conformity with the Club Certificate or where a Special Certificate has
been granted. 2.12.
Trustees There
shall be not more than four trustees of the Club who shall be appointed by the
Management Committee from amongst the eligible members and the property of the
Club (other than such which shall be under the control of the Treasurer) shall
be vested in them to be dealt with by them as the Management Committee shall
from time to time direct. The trustees shall be indemnified against risk or
expense out of club property. The trustees shall hold office until death or
resignation or until removed from office by a resolution of the Management
Committee which may, for any reason which may seem sufficient to a majority of
them present and voting at any meeting, remove any trustee or trustees from the
office of Trustee. Where by
reason of any such death, resignation or removal it shall appear necessary to
the Management Committee that a new trustee or trustees be appointed or if the
Management Committee shall deem it expedient to appoint an additional trustee or
additional trustees, the Management Committee shall by resolution nominate the
member or members to be appointed. Trustees of the Club shall be entitled to
attend (but not vote at) any Management Committee meeting. 2.13.
Finance 2.13.1
Financial year The
financial year shall end on the 31st December in each year. 2.13.2
Income The income
and such properties of the Club and all money received by or on behalf of the
Club shall be applied solely towards the furtherance, promotion and execution of
the objectives of the Club. 2.13.3
Profit No member
shall, except for professional services rendered at the request of the
Management Committee, on any pretence or in any manner receive any profit,
salary or emoluments from the funds or transactions of the Club. 2.13.4
Intoxicating liquor No
intoxicating liquor shall be supplied to members or to any other persons on the
Club premises otherwise than by or on behalf of the Club, except where a
separate licence is held or a Special Certificate granted No person
shall at any time be entitled to receive at the expense of the Club or any
member thereof any commission, percentage, bonus or pecuniary benefit of any
kind, whether direct or indirect from the purchasing or supply of intoxicating
liquor by or on behalf of the Club, except such benefit which a person receives
indirectly as a member from any general gain accruing to the Club as a whole.
2.13.5
Loan capital If so
decided by the Management Committee the Club may borrow money and raise secured
or unsecured loans by way of permanent or temporary loan capital with all the
powers on behalf of a private individual. 2.14.
Conduct of Members 2.14.1
Betting and gaming No betting
shall be allowed in the Club. No lottery shall be promoted by any member on
behalf of or in any way connected with the Club or with any entertainment held
by or in connection with the Club without the previous authority of the
Management Committee. Gaming shall be permitted in the Club, so, however, as not
to contravene any of the provisions of any act for the time being in force. 2.15
Alteration of Rules These
rules may only be revoked, added to, or altered by a majority comprising of 2/3
of the full members present at a general meeting, the notice of which shall have
contained particulars of a proposed revocation, addition or alteration. The
Secretary shall within 28 days after the meeting give the notices required by
the licensing laws. 2.16
Interpretation of Rules The
Management Committee shall be the sole authority for the interpretation of these
rules and the by-laws from time to time made there under; and the decision of
the Management Committee upon any question of interpretation or upon any matter
affecting the Club and not provided for by these rules or the by-laws shall be
final and binding on the members. 2.17
By-Laws The
Management Committee are empowered to make, repeal and amend such by- laws as
they may from time to time consider necessary for the well being of the Club and
such by-laws, repeals and amendments (not being inconsistent with these rules)
shall have effect unless otherwise determined by a general meeting. 2.18
Dissolution In the
event of the dissolution of the Club, any assets (owned by the Club,) remaining
after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities shall not be paid to or
distributed among the members of the Club, but shall be given or transferred to
one or more of the following approved or charitable bodies. ·
A register
charitable organisation(s) ·
Another Club
which is a registered CASC ·
The sports
national governing body for use by them for related community sports. 3.
By-Laws. By-laws exist for the
safety and enjoyment of members and visitors using the Clubs facilities, and the
general well-being of the Club. 3.1
The bowling green and club premises shall be open on such days and during
such times as the Management Committee may from time to time decide. 3.2
The Management Committee shall have power in its discretion to cancel or
restrict play on the bowling green and to reserve the bowling green and the Club
premises for matches, competitions or other special occasions. 3.3
Green fees may be charged as the Management Committee shall from time to
time decide. 3.4 Intoxicating liquor may be consumed only in such parts
of the Club’s premises authorised for that purpose by the Management
Committee. 3.5 Members shall observe such directions as the Management
Committee shall from time to time give in relation to car parking. 3.6 Members are requested not to take dogs onto the
Club’s premises. When taken, they shall be kept under strict control on a lead
at all times With the exception of Guide Dogs, under no circumstances must dogs
be taken into the pavilion nor allowed on the greens. 3.7 A member (other than a Social Member) may invite a
guest to bowl on the Club’s greens. The same member shall not invite the same
guest to bowl more than 4 times in any one season (excluding visits for
authorised matches and competitions) without the sanction of the Management
Committee. The member introducing the guest shall be responsible for all green
fees and other expense incurred by or on behalf of such guest, and will ensure
the visitors’ book is completed. 3.8
No person shall be allowed on the bowling green without smooth rubber-soled
shoes. 3.9
The Club assumes no responsibility whatsoever for the loss of or damage to
members and visitors equipment or property left in the pavilion, changing rooms,
or on the greens. A notice to this effect shall be posted. 3.10
Members are expected to protect club property at all times. 3.11
No member shall without the authority of the Secretary display or cause to be
displayed on club premises any notice, poster or advertisement. 3.12
Mobile telephones can be distracting to other players and therefore,
mobile telephones will not be used on or in the vicinity of the indoor or
outdoor greens whilst taking part in a game, unless
an urgent call is expected and the approval of the Umpire, Captain or Opponent
has been obtained. 3.13
In no circumstances shall a servant of the Club be reprimanded directly by a
member. 3.14
The Club will produce and publish a Child Protection Policy.
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