CLUB CONSTITUTION AND RULES NAME:
The club shall be known as: Leweston Pentathlon Academy hereinafter known as: The Club
OBJECTS: 2.1 The objects of the Club are to promote the sport and individual disciplines of Modern Pentathlon & Triathlon. The Club will comply with the Pentathlon GB policies in force from time to time on Child Protection, Equal Opportunities and Anti-doping.
MEMBERSHIP:
Qualification: Any person who undertakes to act in the best interest of the sport(s) of Modern Pentathlon shall be eligible for membership.
Classes of Membership: Full Members - over the age of 19 (excluding those under 26 still in full time education) Family Members - the spouse and/or children under the age of 19. Junior Members - under the age of 19 (and also those under the age of 26 still in full time education.
Election: 4.1 Candidates for election to membership shall make written application to the Secretary of the Club on the form provided. The right of election shall rest with the Club’s General Committee, which may refuse to elect to membership any applicant without assigning a reason for so doing.
Restriction: A person who has been expelled from, or refused membership of, the Modern Pentathlon Association of Great Britain shall not be eligible for membership.
Renewal: The Club’s General Committee may at its sole discretion decline to accept renewal of membership.
ENTRANCE FEE: 7.1 Each applicant for membership shall, if his/her application be accepted, pay an entrance fee, the amount of which shall be determined by the members in General meeting.
SUBSCRIPTION: 8.1 The rates of subscription shall be determined by the members in General meeting and shall be due on election and, thereafter, on or before 31st March in each year.
CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP: Any member may resign giving one month’s clear notice in writing to the Secretary. Any member violating any of the rules or regulations of the Club or being adjudged guilty of unsatisfactory conduct may, by resolution of the Club’s General Committee, be suspended or expelled. Any member so suspended or expelled may appeal to a Special General Meeting if such an appeal is sponsored by not less than 25% per cent of members who are entitled to vote. A member shall be deemed to have resigned from the Club if, after due notice in writing, he/she has not paid by the annual subscription within a month of it becoming due. He/she may, however, rejoin at any time during that calendar year on payment of all arrears but without payment of any entrance fee.
DISQUALIFICATION FROM HOLDING OFFICE: 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. Any member who is under the age of 19 years, shall not be eligible for election to the General Committee of the Club.
GENERAL COMMITTEE: The General Committee shall conduct the affairs of the Club as a whole and shall consist of a Chairperson, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, and other officers as deemed necessary. Additionally, the General Committee may co-opt no more than 4 members of the Club to its number. Nominations for the position of Chairperson, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and other officers shall be put forward in the form of a motion in accordance with the Rules below.
DUTIES OF COMMITTEE: Chairperson: The Chairperson will preside at all General Meetings of the Club and at all meetings of the General Committee. He or she shall be responsible for guiding the activities of the club in accordance with its rules and general policy as expressed by the majority of its members. Honorary Secretary: The Honorary Secretary will be responsible for the organisation of meetings of the General Committee and of the Club, and the recording of minutes relating to such meetings and all correspondence relating to the general business of the Club. Honorary Treasurer: The Honorary Treasurer will be responsible for the collection of all monies including subscriptions and shall keep such books of account as required by the General Meeting. The Honorary Treasurer shall audit the books of the club annually and shall produce at the AGM balance sheets showing the financial state of each account, accompanied by the Honorary Auditor’s report. Cheques should have two signatures. The Treasurer must make the committee aware of any existing or potential financial or cash flow problems.
GENERAL COMMITTEES: The General Committee is responsible for the general conduct of the Club’s business and activities. The General Committee shall meet at regular intervals during the year, as required by the business to be transacted. Special meetings of the General Committee shall be called by the Honorary Secretary on instructions from the Chairperson, or not less than three committee members. A quorum shall consist of not less than 4 members in the case of the General Committee. In the case of casual vacancy among the General Committee, the said Committee shall appoint another eligible person to act until the next AGM.
GENERAL MEETINGS: An Annual General Meeting shall be held in the Spring of each year. There shall be laid before the meeting a statement of accounts made up to the day of the month of immediately preceding. An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called on the instructions of a simple majority of the General Committee, or on a requisition signed by not less than 25 % of the members of the Club entitled to vote. Not less than 21 days clear notice shall be given, specifying to all members the time and business of the General Meeting. Motions for discussion at Annual General Meetings, not of origin from within the General Committee, shall be lodged with the Honorary Secretary at least 30 days preceding the AGM, and be signed by members entitled to vote. 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, except when more than one nomination has been received for a position on the General Committee, in which case voting will be by secret ballot. 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. At all General Meetings not less than 25 % of the members of the Club shall constitute a quorum.
Absence of Quorum: 15.1 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. If anyone is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for an Adjourned Meeting, the members present shall be a quorum.
Accidental Omission: 16.1 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.
LIABILITY: 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. All members or other persons who attend club events or competitions do so at their own risk, and on the basis they will take positive care for their own safety and the safety of others.
VOTING: 18.1 Only full members, and family members over the age of 19 years, are entitled to vote at meetings.
ALTERATION OF CONSTITUTION: This constitution shall not be altered, amended, or rescinded except by a General Meeting of the Club. A resolution to give effect to a change must be passed by at least 75% of the members present at the General Meeting, and voting on this behalf.
DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS: 21.1 In no circumstances can any profit be distributed to members, but any profits earned shall be contributed to a General Fund for furthering the objects of the Club.
TERMINATION: 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 objects 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 General Committee whose decision shall be final.
