Hebburn Boys Football Club Constitution

1.NAME

The name of the organization is Hebburn Boys Football Club (hereinafter called the club)

2. OBJECTS

The objects of the club are:

(a)    To encourage the development of sport and recreational activity particularly football amongst young people in the Hebburn area as a means of developing team spirit and promoting health.

(b)   To provide a supportive environment with a range of activities in order to reduce social isolation and anti-social behaviour and to promote community spirit.

(c)    To work with others to advance the education of club members.

3. POWERS

In furtherance of the objects but not further to or otherwise the committee shall have the power to:

(a)    Raise funds and invite contributions by any legal means other than permanent trading.

(b)   Organise and provide facilities and equipment as necessary and ensure that said equipment is insured and regularly maintained.

(c)    Work and co-operate with other organizations and agencies in the achievement of the objects.

(d)   Do all other such legal things as are necessary to achieve the objectives

4. Membership

(a)    Membership of the Club is open to any resident of Hebburn and the surrounding area under the age 15 and who also complies with the age restriction set out in the rules of the Russell Foster Youth League and the Durham County Football Association and who supports the objects of the club upon payment of a weekly subscription.

(b)   Membership of the committee is open to any individual over the age of 18 years and from the Hebburn area who actively supports the objects of the Club.

(c)    Subscription fees will be determined annually by the committee.

(d)   The club secretary shall keep a record of the membership of the Club. Members should inform the secretary in writing if they wish to terminate their membership.

(e)    The committee has the right for good or sufficient reason to terminate the membership of any individual member or members provided that such a member or members have the right to be heard by the said committee before a final decision is made.

5. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

(a)    The Annual Meeting of the Club shall be held in the month of June each year or at such time (not being more than 15 months after the preceding Annual Meeting) as the committee shall from time to time determine.

(b)   At the General Meeting the business shall include :

i.                     Considerations of the club’s annual accounts

ii.                   Election of committee members for the following year

iii.                  Consideration of a report of the club’s activities during the previous year

iv.                 Discussion of any other relevant matter of which prior notice has been given

(c)    The secretary shall give at least 21 clear days notice in writing to members of the date of the Annual Meeting and the members to be discussed.

(d)   A special meeting of the Club may be held at any time at the request of the committee or at least one third of the membership.

(e)    The quorum at an Annual Meeting shall be one third of the membership present are entitled to vote including one officer.

(f)     Matters shall be decided by a simple majority vote.

All members shall have only one vote but in the case of an equality of votes the chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

6. THE COMMITTEE

(a)     The committee shall be the body responsible for the management of the Club.

(b)    The committee shall consist of not less than 5 nor more than 9 persons elected from the members aged 18 and over

(c)     Members of the committee are elected annually at the Annual General Meeting and will hold office until the end of the following Annual General Meeting.

(d)    Casual vacancies on the committee may be filled by the committee by co-opting another member who will hold office until the end of the next Annual General Meeting.

Co –opted members do not have voting rights

(e)     A member of the committee may resign at any time by sending in a letter of resignation to the secretary or chairman.

(f)      A member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings without good or sufficient reason will be deemed to have resigned by default.

7. COMMITTEE PROCEDURES

(a)     The committee shall meet not less than 5 times a year including the Annual Meeting

(b)    At the first meeting following the Annual General Meeting the committee shall appoint from amongst their number a chairman, secretary and treasurer and such other honorary officers as shall be deemed appropriate.

(c)     All questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a simple majority vote.

(d)    The committee may appoint such a sub-committees as shall be deemed necessary and shall determine their duration, composition. Powers and terms of reference.

No members shall exercise more than one vote but in the case of an equality of votes the chairman shall have as second or casting vote.

(e)     The committee and sub-committee shall keep minutes of all decisions and proceedings and ensure the safe-keeping of all the club’s records.

(f)      The committee may make rules to govern its activities and those of the Club provided they are not inconsistent with the terms of this constitution.

8. NOMINATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE

Any member of the club aged 18 years or over and not otherwise prohibited from serving may stand for election to the committee.

Any member of the club wishing to stand for election should notify the secretary in writing at least 7 clear days before the annual meeting.

Should nominations exceed vacancies election will be by ballot.

9. FINANCE

(a)    All funds raised by or for the Club shall be used solely to further the objects of the Club.

(b)   A bank account shall be opened in the name of the club and all monies raised from whatever source shall be paid into this account.

(c)    The treasurer shall keep a record of all transactions and present regular reports to the committee.

At the Annual General Meeting the treasurer shall present the Annual accounts

(d)   Once at least in every year the accounts shall be independently examined as required by statute.

(e)    No member of the committee may receive payment or other such benefit from the club’s funds other than for reasonable out of pocket expenses properly incurred whilst carrying out the Club’s business.

Appropriate receipts and vouchers must be produced for any expenses claimed.

10. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

The provisions of this constitution may be amended at an Annual Meeting by resolution passed by two thirds majority of the members present and entitled to vote.

Any such resolution must be notified to members at the same time as notification of the meeting.

No resolution shall be passed which shall prevent the club pursuing strictly charitable purposes.

11. DISSOLUTION

(a)    The Club may be dissolved at any time at a special meeting called for the purpose at which at least 21 clear days notice in writing shall have been given to members.

(b)   The resolution must be passed by two thirds majority of members present and entitled to vote.

(c)    In the event of dissolution the committee shall be the body responsible for the orderly winding up the Club’s affairs.

(d)   After the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities the committee shall transfer any remaining funds and assets to such other organization or organizations having objects similar to some or all of the objects of the club