Club Rules

1. NAME OF THE CLUB

The name of the Club shall be: ‘THE MEOLE BRACE BOWLING CLUB’.

2. CLUB PURPOSES

The purpose of the Club are to promote the amateur sports of Crown Green Bowling and Snooker in the area of Meole Brace and community participation in the same.

3. PERMITTED MEANS OF ADVANCING THE PURPOSES

The Committee has the power to:

a) Acquire and provide grounds, equipment, coaching, training and playing facilities, clubhouse, transport, medical and related facilities.

b) Provide coaching, training, medical treatment and related social and other facilities.

c) Take out any insurance for the club, employees, contractors, players, guests and third parties.

d) Raise funds by appeals, subscriptions, loans and charges.

e) Borrow money and give security for the same and open bank accounts.

f) Buy, lease or licence property and sell, let or otherwise dispose of the same.

g) Make grants and loans and give guarantees and provide other benefits.

h) Set aside funds for special purposes or as reserves.

i) Invest funds in any lawful manner.

j) Employ and engage staff and others and provide services.

k) Co-operate with or affiliate to firstly any bodies regulating or organising the Sport and secondly any club.

l) Do all other things reasonably necessary to advance the purposes of the club.

Note: None of the above powers may be used other than to advance the purposes of the Club consistently with the rules of the rules below and general law.

4. MEMBERSHIP

(a) Membership of the Club shall be open to anyone interested in the sport on application regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs. However, limitation of membership according to available facilities allowable on a non-discriminatory basis.

(b) 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 significant obstacle to people participating.

(c) 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.

(d) The club when advised, will introduce any new legislation and laws that may be required to satisfy any issues coming from any authorities. this is to safeguard the running of the Club and for the protection and safety of all members. All members may be asked to fill in various information and consent forms when required. Failure to do so would affect their continued membership. Any new posts required to fill any new positions to meet new legislation will be selected by the club committee after checks are made. All new posts created will be reviewed yearly at the Club AGM.

5. SUBSCRIPTIONS AND ENTRANCE FEES

The annual subscriptions and entrance fees (when applicable) shall be determined by the membership at the AGM anshall be displayed in the Clubhouse. The subscription year shall be from the 1st January to 31st December. Annual subscriptions must be paid by 31st March. A £5 reduction will be made if paid by 31st. January Failure to comply shall deem membership to have lapsed and members are to pay an administration charge to retain their membership. The following persons may be charged reduced subscriptions:

(a) If in receipt of full National Insurance or Disability Pension and have the necessary qualifying years of membership at the full rate.

(b) If residing 20 miles from the Club.

(c) Junior/ graduate members up to the age of 18.

(d) Members aged 18 to 21

e) Members 65 and over.

All paid up members will be issued with a membership card, which must be produced when required by staff or Management Committee.

6. NOMINATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIPS

No person shall be eligible to become a member without prior nomination. Nominations for membership duly signed by a Proposer and Seconder, who must be fully paid up members of the Club (and a member of the Club for at least one year) shall be delivered to the Secretary together with the subscription and entrance fee where applicable. The Secretary shall place a Notice of such nomination ont e Club notice board for seven day prior to the application being considered by the Management Committee. Persons may not be admitted to membership or be admitted as candidates for membership, to any of the privileges of membership without an interval of at least two days between their nomination for membership and their admission; those becoming members without prior nomination or application may not be admitted to the privileges of membership without an interval of at least two days between their nomination for membership and their admission. Any applicable entrance fee shall be forfeit to the Club if the applicant is accepted but does not take up membership. No applicant for membership shall be admitted unless his or her nomination receives a majority approval of the Management Committee. The Proposer of a new member may be requested to appear before the Management Committee to vouch for their nominee.

No person shall be eligible to compete for MBBC at any level unless they are a fully paid up members.

7. AGE QUALIFICATION

No person shall be admitted to ordinary membership of the Club unless they have attained the age of 18 years. Juniors under the age of 14 will be permitted as probationary members and have the same rights as the graduate members but are not permitted to play snooker. Persons between the age of 14 and 17 years may be admitted as junior graduate members. Such members shall have no voting rights, not be entitled to purchase intoxicating liquor or be permitted to invite friends to the Club during their graduate membership. The Management Committee shall determine the maximum number of junior graduate members. No swipe cardsto be issued to Junior Members.

8. ASSOCIATE & HONORARY MEMBERS

The Partners of fully paid up members and the Life Members shall be deemed to be Associate Members. The Management Committee shall have the power to grant Honorary Membership to the partners of deceased members who may wish to continue their association with the Club.

9. TEMPORARY MEMBERSHIP

Such members may be admitted to the Club for a period not exceeding twenty-eight days. A list of such members, together with their period of membership, shall be signed by the Secretary on behalf of the Management Committee and shall be exhibited on the Club notice board at least 48 hours prior to the commencement of their membership and shall continue to be exhibited during their period of membership.

10. LIFE MEMBERS

The Management shall have the power to recommend to the AGM the election of Life Members of the Club. Such Life Members shall only be made in recognition of loyal and meritorious service to the club, and shall not exceed twenty-one in number. To be eligible nominees must be at least 60 years of age and to have been a full member for at least 15 years.

11. OFFICERS

The officers of the Club shall be the President, Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Captain, Vice Captain, Secretary and Treasurer, The officers shall be elected annually to their Office and as such to the Management Committee at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and shall be eligible for re-election. The Secretary and the Treasurer shall be honorary members of the Club during their year of office.

12. GOVERNMENT OF THE CLUB

The Club shall be governed by a Management Committee consisting of 16 members, elected by the membership at the AGM, including the Officers elected to the Committee under rule 2. The Officers and three other elected members shall retire annually but shall be eligible for re-election. A maximum of 2 social members are eligible to join the Management Committee. The Trustees shall be ex officio members of the Committee. Seven members shall form a quorum of the full Committee. Only members who have been fully paid up members of the Club for at least two years shall be eligible to sit on the Management Committee or hold office. The Management Committee shall meet at regular intervals but not less than once a month. The Management Committee shall be empowered to fill vacancies by the person receiving the highest losing votes at the AGM; such person shall retire at the following AGM. Nominations for the Management Committee, including those taking office must be proposed and seconded. Such nominations must be in the hands of the Hon. Secretary 8 days prior to the AGM . Should there be insufficient nominees at that date, further nominations will be accepted at the AGM.

13. TRUSTEES

In the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of any of the Four Trustees of the Club through resignation, death or otherwise, the Management Committee shall appoint a new Trustee to fill the vacancy. The appointment will be reported to the members of the Club at the next AGM and is to be confirmed by all members present. Any Trustee may be removed from office by a resolution passed by a majority of members present, voting at an AGM or an Extraordinary General Meeting.

14. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The following rules apply for the Club’s Annual General Meeting (AGM):

a) All fully paid up members may attend the Club’s AGM in person.

b) There will be a minimum of 21 days notice of an AGM.

c) The Quorum for AGM is 25 members present.

d) The President of the Club will preside.

e) Except as otherwise provided in these rules every resolution shall be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast on a show of hands.

f) Formalities in connection with AGM’s (such as how to put down resolutions) shall be decided by the Committee and publicised to Club members.

g) The annual report of the Management Committee and the Statement of accounts and balance sheet shall be made available for collection from the Club fourteen days prior to the meeting. Country Members will receive them by post.

h) The Club is to hold an AGM once in every calender year, as soon as practical after 30th September and not later than 31st.December.

I) The members will elect a Committee including a Chair, Honorary Treasurer and Honorary Secretary.

j) The Honorary treasurer will produce accounts of the Club for the latest financial year audited as the Committee shall decide.

k) The Chair will present a report on the Club’s activities since the previous AGM

l) The members will appoint a suitable person to audit the accounts.

m) Amendments to the rules shall be made only at the AGM.

n) Notice of the intention to propose any amendments to the rules must be given to the Secretary at least ten days prior to the AGM and a notice of such amendment to be placed on the Notice Board in the Club House at seven days prior to the AGM.

o) Members will discuss and vote on any resolution ( whether about policy or change to the Rules ) and deal with any other business put to the meeting.

p) No business other than stated on the Agenda shall be transacted unless seven clear days notice in writing has been given to the Secretary.

15. EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING

An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) shall be called by the Honorary Secretary if a request to that effect from the Committee or on the written request of not less than six fully paid up members signed by them. Such EGM shall be held on not less than 14 nor more than 21 days notice at a place decided on b the Committee or in default by the Chair.

16. THE COMMITTEE

A) Role

Subject to these rules the Committee shall have the responsibility for the management of the Club,its funds property and affairs.

B) Property etc.

(i) The property and funds of the Club cannot be used for the direct or indirect private benefit of members other than reasonably allowed by the rules and all surplus income or profits are reinvested in the Club.

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

(iii) The Club may also in connection with the sports purposes of the Club:

a) Sell and supply food, drink and related sports clothing and equipment.

b) Employ members (though not for playing) and remunerate them for providing goods and services, on fair terms set by the Committee without the person being present.

c) Pay for reasonable hospitality for visiting teams and guests.

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

(iv) The Committee will have due regard to the law on disability discrimination and child protection

(C) Composition etc

(i) The Committee shall consist of at least 3 and not more than 16 members (including Officers).

(ii) The Committee members may co-opt members (up to the maximum permitted number) to serve until the end of the next AGM.

(iii) Any Committee member may be re-elected or re-co-opted without limit

(iv) A Committee member ceases to be such if he or she ceases to be a member of the Club, resigns by written notice, or is removed by the Committee for good cause after the member concerned has been given the chance of putting his/her case to the Committee with an appeal to the Club members, or is removed by club members at an AGM. The committee shall fairly decide time limits and formalities for these steps.

(D) Committee Meetings

(i) Whenever a Committee member has a personal interest in a matter to be discussed he/she must declare it, withdraw from that part of the meeting(unless asked to stay), not be counted in the quorum for that agenda item and withdraw during the vote on the matter concerned.

(ii) The Committee may decide its own way of operating. unless it otherwise resoles the following rules apply:

a. At least seven members must be present for the meeting to be valid

b. Committee meeting shall be held face to face.

c. The Chair or whoever else those present choose shall chair meetings.

d. Decisions shall be by sinple majority of those voting.

e. A resolution in writing signed by every Committee member shall be valid without a meeting.

f. The Chair of the meeting shall not have a casting vote.

(E) Delegation etc

The Committee may delegate any of their functions to sub-committees but must specify the scope of its activities and powers; the extent to which it can commit the funds of the Club; its duty to report back to the Committee. The Committee may wind up any sub committee at any time or to change its mandate and operating terms.

(F) Disclosure

Annual Club reports and statement of accounts must be available for inspection by any member and any Committee member may inspect all club records.

(G) Bar Committee

A bar committee, consisting of the Elective Members of the Management Committee shall be responsible for the purchase and supply by the Club of intoxicating liquor and will ensure that no such drink is supplied to or for any person under the age of 18 years whilst on club property.

17. WINDING UP OF THE CLUB

a) The members may vote to wind up the Club if not less than three quarters of those present and voting support that a proposal at a properly convened general meeting.

b) The Trustees will then be responsible for the orderly winding up of the Club’s affairs.

c) After setting all liabilities of the Club, the Trustees shall dispose of the net assets remaining to one or more of the following:

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

(ii) to another club with similar sports purposes which is registered CASC and/or

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

18. AMENDMENTS

(a) These Rules may be amended at an AGM by two-thirds of the votes cast but not (if relevant) so as to jeopardise the Club’s status as a Community Amateur Sports Club as first provided for by the Fiance Act 2002 and not in any event to alter its purposes (unless the procedure set out in 9
(b) has been followed) or winding up provisions.

(b)The Club purposes may be changed to include another eligible sport if theCommittee unanimously agree and the members also agreed the change by a 75% majority of votes cast.
19. VISITING SPORTS TEAMS
Members of visiting sports team and their supporters will be treated as members of the club during their visit.

20. INVITATION TO FRIENDS

Adult members shall have the privilege of introducing friends to the Club and will be responsible for their friends’ good conduct. The name and address of the visitors and the signature of the introducing member must be entered into the Visitors Book and a nominated fee paid into the donation box before 10.30 p.m. unless permission for later entry is given by a member of the Management Committee. Visitors shall not be permitted to attend the Club more than 7 days in any one year. Members of visiting Sports or Social Associations shall be admitted to the Club premises, and intoxicating liquor may be sold them them by or on behalf of the Club, for consumption on the premises.

21. HOURS OF OPENING AND CLOSING

The Bowling Greens, Snooker rooms and Club house shall be open to the members as displayed on the notice board.

The supply of intoxicating liquor shall be restricted to the hours laid down by the membership at the AGM and will be strictly within the limits permitted by the Licencing Authorities for Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough. These hours will be displayed in the Club House.

22. BENEVOLENT FUND

The Benevolent Fund shall be administered by a Committee,consisting of the Secretary and the Treasurer and one other member of the Meole Brace Bowling Club who shall be elected annually by the membership at the AGM. Members of the Meole Brace Bowling Club shall be invited to join the Benevolent Fund and are requested to pay an annual donation. The Benevolent Fund Committee shall have the power to raise money for the Benevolent Fund and to make grants by way of financial or other assistance to members of the Club from the Benevolent Fund. The Benevolent Fund Committee shall submit a statement, showing all the receipts and disbursements during the year, to the membership at the AGM. An honorary auditor (who shall be a member of the Meole Brace Bowling Club) shall be appointed by the membership at the AGM, and given authority to audit the Accounts of the Benevolent Fund.

These Rules were amended and passed at the Annual General Meeting on Friday 14th November 2014