Alness Invergordon Rowing (AIR) Constitution

 

ALNESS INVERGORDON ROWING CLUB CONSTITUTION   

  1. Name  

The name of the organisation shall be Alness Invergordon  Rowing Club hereinafter referred to as the ‘Club’.  Its Operational Base is Invergordon Boating Club, Rosskeen Slipway, Invergordon, IV18 0LD and its contact address is alnessinvergordonrowingclub@gmail.com. 

    1. Objectives  

    The club is established to pursue the following objectives:  

    a) Community Participation in, and promotion of the sport of Coastal Rowing hereinafter referred to as the ‘sport’.

    b) The organisation, management and development of Coastal Rowing for all members of the Club.  

    c) The construction and maintenance of boats and associated ancillary equipment for the use of the club. 

    d) The purchase, rental or borrowing of premises, tools and equipment for the building and maintenance of boats and associated equipment 

    e) The provision of rowing facilities for its members.   

    f) Promotion and maintenance of the highest standards of technical competence and safety in the  sport, upholding the rules of coastal rowing as stipulated by the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association (SCRA) and any successor organisation, hereinafter referred to as the governing body.   

    g) Upholding the rules of the sport.   

    h) Providing equal opportunities for participation by all sections of the community aided by the development of a club code of conduct and relevant policies and procedures.

    (i) Organising, promoting and participating in rowing events, races and displays, whilst collaborating with other local organisations to develop strong networks and build resilient communities.   

    j) Furthering interest in the nautical history of the CromartyFirth and wider area. 

    3. Affiliation

    The Club shall be affiliated to the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association.

    4. Membership

    a) All members are subject to the regulations of the National Governing Body.

    b) Membership of the club is open to all individuals provided they comply with the Club Constitution.

    c) No person shall be refused membership on the grounds of race, colour, creed, religion, gender, sexual preference, impairment or disability.

    d) All applications for membership shall be accompanied by the appropriate annual membership fee, which shall thereafter be payable on demand.

    e) In the event of numbers becoming unmanageable the Committee will reserve the right to suspend new admissions and establish a waiting list until such time as the situation changes.

    f) Each fully paid-up member shall be entitled to attend and vote at General or Annual General Meetings.

    g) Fully paid-up members may be elected and serve as Office Bearers.

    h) All members will have access to a copy of the Constitution, the Code of conduct and other Policy and Procedure documents as they are formulated.

    i) There will be a category of Provisional Membership of the club, Provisional members being entitled to row on two occasions without payment of the appropriate membership fee ,having at any time the option of joining the club by payment of the annual membership fee; such Provisional members having no right to participate in meetings of the club, or to use the club’s boats and equipment , other than under the supervision of the club. All provisional members will be required to complete a membership application to comply with club insurance requirements.

    j) There will be a category of Honorary Membership of the club which may be granted to individuals who are deemed to have made an outstanding contribution to the establishment and development of the club through activities such as fundraising and donations, building and maintenance, support and assistance at events etc. The provision of Honorary Membership will be proposed and approved at a club meeting. Honorary members will be exempt from payment of membership fees but will have full voting rights.

    5. Suspension, Refusal or Termination of Membership

    a) The Club shall be entitled to:

    i) refuse any application for Membership on the grounds that such Membership would be prejudicial to the Objectives as set out in Item 2 of this Constitution.

    ii) for good and sufficient reason refuse renewal of any existing Membership or terminate or suspend any Membership provided that the Member concerned has the right to be heard at a Meeting of the Club before a final decision is made.

    b) The member may apply for reinstatement at the next general meeting.

    c) Any member who fails to pay their fees by the date required shall forfeit their right to representation at general meetings, and shall be suspended from taking part in any event under the control of the club until such fees are paid.

    d) Any member under suspension shall be barred from taking part in any match or event under the control of the club.

    e) The member shall be informed in writing/e-mail of any decision to terminate their membership.

    6. Meetings of the Club : All Club Members welcome at all Club Meetings

    a) Annual General Meeting (AGM)

    The AGM shall be held each year at such time and place as determined by the Office Bearers, at approximately twelve monthly intervals, but no more than fourteen months after the date of the previous AGM. At each AGM the following business shall be conducted:

    i) Receive and confirm the minutes of the previous AGM.

    ii) Presentation of the club’s financial accounts for the year.

    iii) Presentation of club’s projected financial situation for the forthcoming year, and the setting of all fees

    iv) Presentation of Convener's report.

    v) Election of office bearers:-

    Convenor

    Secretary / Minute Secretary

    Treasurer

    Membership Secretary

    Maintenance Officer

    Training & Safety Officer

    Cox Co-ordinator

    vi) In addition, the Club may appoint any Working Groups or Roles it may deem necessary to deal with matters of the Club, until the following AGM. The proceedings of all such groups shall report to General Meetings of the Club, as well as to the AGM

    vii) All nominations of candidates for election shall have the consent of the nominee, be in writing ,be seconded and received by the Secretary not less than 7 days before the AGM

    viii) Candidates shall be elected by paper ballot or a show of hands

    ix) Any uncontested posts may be filled by nomination and election at the AGM

    x) Any other business brought before the meeting which has been submitted in writing to the secretary not less than 7 days prior to the AGM, and any other business deemed relevant by the chairperson.

    xi) Notice for an AGM shall be a minimum of 21 days.

    Xii) A quorum for an AGM shall be 1/4 of the membership or 10 members, whichever is the lesser.

    xiii) Each member (except the Chair of the meeting) shall have one vote, which may be cast by proxy

    xiv) All votes shall be determined by a simple majority. In the event of a tied vote, the Chair of the meeting may exercise a casting vote.

    b) Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)

    An EGM may be called upon the written demand of any of:

    i) 1/3 of the membership.

    ii) The Convenor.

    Notice for an EGM shall be of a minimum of 7 days notice, and stating the business to be discussed.

    c) General Meeting

    A minimum of 7 days notice in writing or by email shall be given to all members, including an agenda of business.

    d) Emergency Meeting

    In the event of an emergency, or incident requiring immediate action, the Office Bearers of the Club can meet, take action and report back to the next meeting

    7. Rules for General and Extraordinary Meetings

    a) The Convener, or in her/his absence a member selected by the meeting, will take the Chair.

    b) All members in attendance shall register with the Minute / Secretary at the start of the meeting.

    c) Each member (except the Chair of the meeting) shall have one vote which may be cast by proxy.

    d) All votes shall be determined by a simple majority. In the event of a tied vote, the Chair of the meeting may exercise a casting vote.

    e) The quorum shall be one quarter of those eligible to vote, or 6 such members, which ever is the lesser.

    f) The Minute Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings and record all proceedings and resolutions

    8. Finance

    a) The income and property of the club, however derived, shall be applied solely towards the objectives of the club as set out in Rule 2, of this constitution. The Treasurer will receive and disburse all monies through the official RBS club bank account.

    b) The club shall have the power to raise money by means of yearly membership fees, regatta fees and as otherwise determined by the Committee at the Annual General Meeting.

    c) Notification of subscriptions due will be issued prior to the start of the club financial year.

    d) Expenditure in excess of £50 should be approved at a meeting of the Club, including Emergency Meetings.

    e) All monies shall be lodged in a bank account in the name of the club.

    f) The Treasurer will keep accurate accounts for the financial year and have them independently verified by a third party identified at the AGM.

    g) The financial year of the club shall run from 1st April to 31st March.

    9. Amendments to the Constitution

    This Constitution may only be amended by a proposal passed by a majority of members present and entitled to vote at an Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting.

    10. The Dissolution Of The Club.

    a) Any resolution to dissolve the club may be passed at any General Meeting provided that:

    i) the terms of the proposed resolution are received by the Secretary at least forty two days before the meeting at which the resolution is to be brought forward, and that

    ii) at least twenty eight days notice of the proposed resolution shall be given in writing by the secretary to all members, and that

    iii) such a resolution shall receive the assent of two thirds of those present and entitled to vote.

    b) Upon dissolution of the club, after all club liabilities have been cleared, all remaining financial and material assets shall be given or transferred to a local club, or to the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association, as determined by the meeting, to be employed for the development of the sport.

    11. Declaration

    It is hereby certified that this document represents a true and most up to date version of the Constitution of Alness Invergordon Rowing Club.

    SIGNATURES

    Convener ………………………………………………………………

    Date ………………………………………………………………

    Secretary ………………………………………………………………

    Date ………………………………………………………………

    Treasurer …..................................................................................

    Date …...............................................................................