1.  Introduction

1.1 The Club shall be called the Dart Gig Club hereinafter referred to as “the Club”.

1.2 The constitution defines the Rules on which the Club is based and run and applies equally to all members.

1.3 Rules 2 and 5 inclusive are defined as Key Rules.

 

2.  Purpose

2.1 The purposes of the Club are to promote the amateur sport of Cornish Pilot Gig rowing on the River Dart and community participation in the same.

 

3.  Membership

3.1 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.

3.2  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.

3.3  The Club 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.

3.4  Honorary Lifetime Membership may be awarded to an individual who has outstanding service through contributions to the advancement of Dart Gig Club. A committee member may nominate an individual for this award, which will be selected by the Committee. Current members of the Committee are ineligible for this award. Honorary life members are exempt from membership fees, may not vote or hold a position on the committee.

 

4.  Property and Funds

4.1  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.

4.2  The Club may provide sporting and related social facilities, sporting equipment, coaching, courses, insurance cover, medical treatment, away-event expenses, post-event refreshments and other ordinary benefits of Community Amateur Sports Clubs as provided for in the Finance Act 2002.

4.3  The Club may also in connection with the purposes of the Club:

(a)  sell and supply food, drink and related sports clothing and equipment;

(b)  employ members (though not for rowing) and remunerate them for providing goods and services, on fair terms set by the General Committee without the person concerned being present;

(c)   pay for reasonable hospitality for visiting crews and guests;

(d)  indemnify the General Committee and members acting properly in the course of the running of the club against liability incurred in the proper running of the Club (but only to the extent of its assets).

4.4  The General Committee will have due regard to the law on disability discrimination and child protection.

 

5.  Winding Up

5.1  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.

5.2  The General Committee will then be responsible for the orderly winding up of the Club’s affairs.

5.3  After settling all liabilities of the Club, the General Committee shall dispose of the net assets remaining to one or more of the following:

(a) to another Club with similar sports purposes which is a registered charity and/or

(b) to another Club with similar sports purposes which is a registered CASC and/or

(c) to the Club’s governing body for use by them for related community sports.

 

6.  Priority

6.1  Where there is any conflict between any of the Key Rules and any other rule or rules the Key Rule(s) will take priority.  Interpretation of all the Rules must be consistent with the statutory requirements for CASCs (which means Community Amateur Sports Clubs as first provided for by the Finance Act 2002).

 

7.  General Committee

7.1  The General Committee shall comprise: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Club Captain, Ladies’ Captain, Men’s Captain, Safety Adviser(s), Press Officer, Junior Captain, Social Secretary, Bosun and a Standing Committee comprising (at least) four adult members one of whom will be the Membership Secretary.

7.2  (i) The General Committee shall appoint a suitable person as Welfare Officer who may attend committee meetings but will have no voting rights.

(ii) The General Committee may appoint a suitable person to be co-ordinator for development squad who may attend committee meetings but will have no voting rights.

7.3  All members of the General Committee must stand down or stand for re-election at an AGM.

7.4  The General Committee shall meet monthly.  A special meeting may be called at any time by the Chairman or by three members of the General Committee within 24 hours notice being given to other members of the General Committee.

7.5  If the Chairman is absent from any meeting, the members of the General Committee shall choose one of their members to be chairman before any business is transacted.  This would normally be the Vice-Chairman but may be another.

7.6  Every matter, except as required by section 9 (EGM) shall be determined by a majority of votes of the General Committee members present and voting on the question.  If required, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

7.7  There shall be a quorum of four members of the General Committee to validate decisions taken.

7.8  The Secretary or other person appointed by the General Committee shall keep a full record of proceedings at every meeting.  These are to be verified by the Chairman.

7.9  If any member resigns from the General Committee there shall be an election to fill the position.

7.10  Failure to attend three consecutive General Committee meetings without notified reasonable cause expels a member from General Committee.

7.11 The General Committee’s responsibilities are to formulate policy, to develop the Club, to administer the Club, to maintain adequate insurance cover, to organise open meetings as required, to ensure accounts are correctly kept and audited.

 

8.  Annual General Meeting (AGM) and nominations for General Committee

8.1   The AGM will be held annually but within 16 months of the previous AGM; it will receive the Chairman’s report for the year, audited accounts, elect the General Committee for the following year.

8.2 All listed members shall be sent a formal notice of the date fixed for the AGM including nomination forms, approximately 2 weeks in advance of the final date for submission of nominations (approximately 2 weeks before the AGM).

8.3  No nominations will be accepted after this date.  The list of proposed candidates is to go out to members prior to the AGM.

8.4  If at an AGM, after the elections are complete, there remain vacancies on the General Committee the Chairman may take nominations from the floor and hold an immediate vote.  Such nominees must be eligible.

8.5  A quorum for an AGM is 50% of the listed adult members.  If, within half an hour of the time fixed, a quorum is not achieved the meeting shall be adjourned for 14 days.  All listed members to be notified of the new date and time.  At the adjourned meeting the quorum will be 25% of listed adult members.

8.6  Approval of resolutions shall be by simple majority, the Chairman having the casting vote.

8.7  Voting shall be by personal vote in a ballot.  In the case of bona fide reasons, a postal vote can be applied for, in writing to the Secretary, one month before the AGM.

8.8  There shall be one vote per listed adult member.

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9.   Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs)

9.1  The Secretary of the Club, upon receipt of a “Special Resolution”, shall within 14 days give all listed members 21 days notice of the time, date and place fixed for the EGM.

9.2  A “Special Resolution”, to be valid, must be signed by 5 members of the General Committee or 30 listed members.  An explanatory statement must accompany it.

9.3  A quorum shall be as in paragraph 8.5 and voting in accordance with paragraph 8.7.

9.4  If two-thirds of those listed members present request a deferment no vote shall be taken and the meeting adjourned and held within 28 days.  All listed members shall be sent a report of the meeting, together with any further special resolution with 7 days.

 

10.  Selection Committee

10.1  The selection of crews will be agreed by the Men’s Captain, Ladies’ Captain, and the Club Captain in consultation with coxswains and experienced rowers.

10.2  The Men’s and Ladies Captains will be responsible for choosing the respective crews. Selection will be fair and just and without prejudice.

10.3  The Men’s and Ladies Captain shall maintain contact with rowers of all abilities to ensure that selection of racing crews is respective of current performance of individuals. The club Captain shall assist the rowing captains in what ever means is deemed necessary.

 

11.  Finance

11.1  It shall be the responsibility of the Honorary Treasurer to keep a complete and accurate account of the Club’s finances and to ensure that they are audited annually.  The Honorary Treasurer shall submit (either written or verbal) a report of the Club’s financial situation at each committee meeting.  A short financial report will also be given at an open meeting.

11.2  The Honorary Treasurer shall submit a report to all members at the Annual General Meeting summarising the previous year’s accounts and the current financial position of the Club.

 

12.   Safety

12.1   The club shall appoint one or more Safety Advisers who will lead and advise on safety policy, safety plans, and training in safe practice in line with current CPGA guidance on safety codes and standards.

12.2  All officers of the club are responsible for ensuring a positive safety culture and safe practice within the club.

12.3  It is the responsibility of all members to:

• Take reasonable care for the safety of themselves and others

• Make ‘safety interventions’ whenever they see something that is unsafe

• Work with safety advisers to ensure the club complies with CPGA codes and standards

 

13.   Alterations to the Constitution

13.1   The General Committee shall have the power to deal with any cases that are not provided for in these rules in such a manner as they may determine provided it is in keeping with the CPGA.

13.2  This constitution may be altered by a resolution passed by not less than 50% of the members present and voting at an AGM or EGM.  Notice of the resolution setting out the terms of the alteration must be given prior to the AGM or EGM.