CONSTITUTION AND RULES
The club shall be known as the Southbourne Canoe Club and will hereinafter be
referred to as ‘The Club’.
The objects of the Club shall be to promote and encourage the sport and
recreation of canoeing in all its disciplines on a non‑profit making
basis.
1.
Qualifications: Any person who shows an interest in
canoeing shall be eligible for membership. Applicants must be able to swim 50
meters or be prepared to learn unless impaired by a physical disability.
2.
Classes
of Membership: The
following types of membership exist:
a.
Full members: Over the age of
18.
b. Family Members: The spouse and/or children under 18 of a full member. Any children
under the age of
8 will only be allowed to participate under parental/ guardian supervision.
c.
Junior Members: between the
ages of 8 and 18.
3.
Election: Candidates for election to membership
shall make a written application to the Membership Secretary of the Club on the
form provided. The power of election shall rest with the General Committee who
may refuse to elect or reject to membership any applicant without giving a
reason for dong so.
1.
The
rates of subscription shall be determined by the committee and shall be due on
the date of membership and thereafter at yearly intervals.
2.
All
monies collected are to be used exclusively to further the aims and objects of
the club and for no other purpose whatsoever.
1.
Any
member may resign giving clear notice in writing to the Secretary.
2.
Any
member violating any of the rules or regulations of the Club or being adjudged guilty
of unsatisfactory conduct may, by resolution of the General Committee, be
suspended or expelled. Any member so suspended or expelled may appeal to the
General committee not less than 1 year after the date of expulsion.
3.
A
member shall be deemed to have resigned from the Club if, after due notice in writing,
he/she has not paid by 4 weeks after the subscription became due. He/she may,
however, rejoin at any time subject to the payment of the membership fee.
1.
Only
members entitled to vote are eligible to hold office, except that a Junior
Section Chairperson, may be elected by the junior members of the Club, and be
entitled to vote at General Committee Meetings.
2.
Any member
who is under the age of 18 years shall not be eligible for election to the
General Committee of the Club.
1.
The
General Committee shall conduct the affairs of the Club as a whole and shall consist
of a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and other officers as deemed necessary.
Additionally, the General Committee may co‑opt no more than 3 members of
the Club to its number.
2.
The
term of office shall be for one year, and members shall be eligible for re-election.
1.
The
club may organise numerous sections to cover the various disciplines of canoeing.
2.
The
affairs of each section shall be conducted by a representative, working in conjunction
with the committee.
3.
Representatives
will be appointed by the committee. In the event of more than one person
willing to become a representative, the committee will, (in their opinion)
appoint the person most suitable to represent the particular section.
It is the duty of the committee to serve the club to the best of its
ability.
1.
The
Committee is responsible for the general conduct of the Club's business and activities.
2.
The
General Committee shall meet at regular intervals during the year, as required by
the business to be transacted.
3.
Special
meetings of the General Committee shall be called by the Hen Secretary on instructions
from the Chairperson, or not less than 3 committee members.
4.
A
quorum shall consist of not less than 50% of the committee.
5.
In the
case of casual vacancy among the General Committee, the said Committee shall
appoint another eligible person to act until the next AGM.
1.
The
section representative will have a duty to promote, and to help members progress,
in their chosen discipline of canoeing.
2.
Section
representatives will not be a member of the committee, but will be asked to report
on the sections progress to the chairman, and/or committee on a regular basis.
3.
The
principle sections being:
Youth
Disabled
Women
Slalom
Sea
Marathon/Sprint
1.
An
Annual General Meeting shall be held each year. There shall be laid before the meeting
a statement of accounts made up to the last day of the month of March
immediately preceding and approved by the committee.
2.
An
Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called on the instructions of a simple majority
of the Committee, or on a requisition signed by not less than fifty percent of
the members of the Club entitled to vote.
3.
Not
less than 21 days clear notice shall be given, specifying to all members the
time and place of the General Meeting.
4.
Motions
for discussion at Annual General Meetings, not of origin from within the Committee,
shall be lodged with the Hon Secretary at least 1 week preceding the AGM, and
be signed by 2 members entitled to vote.
5.
At any
General Meeting, a resolution put to the vote of the Meeting shall be decided by
a show of hands, of those entitled to vote.
6.
At all
General Meetings the Chairperson will preside or, in his/her absence, a Chairperson
for the meeting will be elected by the voting members present.
7.
At all
General Meetings not less than 10% of the members of the Club shall constitute a
quorum.
8.
Absences
of Quorum: If after half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting, a
quorum is not present, the Meeting, if called at the request of the members,
shall be dissolved in any other case, the Meeting shall be adjourned until a
time and place to be fixed by the General Committee. If a quorum is not present
within half an hour from the time appointed for an Adjourned Meeting, the
members present shall be a quorum.
9.
Accidental
Omission: Accidental Omission to give notice of a meeting to, or the non‑receipt
of notice of, a meeting by any member shall not invalidate the proceedings of a
meeting.
1.
The General
Committee shall manage the affairs of the Club. Financial or legal liability
incurred in the rightful exercise of their office shall not, however, be the
personal liability of the Committee, but shall be the responsibility of the
Club as a whole.
2.
All
members or other persons who attend club tours or meets do so at their own risk.
Neither the Club nor its officers can accept any liability for any loss or
injury of any kind sustained at headquarters or whilst on a Club tour, meet or
other activity.
Only full members and family members over the age of 18 years are entitled
to vote at all meetings.
1.
This
constitution shall not be altered, amended, or rescinded except by a General
Meeting of the Club.
2.
A
resolution to give effect to a change must be passed by at least seventy five
percent of the members present at the General Meeting, and voting on this
behalf.
In no circumstances can any profit be distributed to members, but any
profits earned shall be contributed to a General Fund for furthering the objectives
of the Club.
The Club shall not terminate except by a resolution of a Special General
Meeting convened for the purpose and, in such an event, any surplus assets
shall be handed over to a body or bodies with similar objectives or to a
charity or charities agreed by the meeting which formally terminates the Club.
Any matter not provided for in this constitution, or any question over the
interpretation of it shall be dealt with by the Committee whose decision shall
be final.
The Committee shall be empowered to draw up rules for the safe conduct of
canoeing activities, as laid down in the safety policy.
Each member upon joining shall sign the following declaration:
Name_______________________________________________
Upon acceptance into membership of, the Southbourne Canoe Club, I
understand that canoeing is undertaken at my own risk.
I confirm that I do not suffer from any disability or medical condition
which may render me unfit for strenuous exercise. *
Signed _______________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian (if under 18) _____________________________________
Parent/Guardian (please print name) _______________________________
* Should a medical condition exist, this will not necessarily preclude you
from membership/participation, but it must be declared. Should you be in any doubt,
advice should be sought from your family doctor.