Constitution

Details

Last Updated on Monday, 21 November 2011 14:02

Written by e_mcg

Hits: 523

1. NAME

The District shall be called the Ayrshire District of the Scottish Bridge Union (hereinafter called the SBU).  The geographical area of the District shall be as defined in the schedule to the constitution of the SBU.

1. OBJECT

The object of the District shall be to promote and further the playing of the game of bridge within the District.

The Scottish Bridge Union, Ayrshire District, is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its development in doing so it acknowledges and adopts the following definition of sports equity.

Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognizing inequalities and taking steps to address them.  It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to everyone in society.

The district respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/economic status.

The district is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse.

The district members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity.

The district will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to the district disciplinary procedures.

1. MEMBERSHIP

.1 All clubs within the District which are affiliated clubs of the SBU must become affiliated clubs of the

District and pay the fees required.

.2  All members of affiliated clubs of the District are members of the District and are entitled to attend and to vote at all General Meetings of the District.

.3  Bridge is a very social game that brings people together from all kinds of backgrounds.  People of all ages and abilities enjoy the friendly, warm and welcome atmosphere at the bridge centre.  Bridge is a game which stimulates and sustains mental activity well into old age.  Disabled players are especially welcome.  Braille playing cards are provided for the use of the blind.

.4  HONORARY MEMBERSHIP

Honorary membership shall be conferred on those persons who on the recommendation of the District Council have been elected to such membership at an Annual General Meeting of the District.  An honorary member shall have the right to participate in all Ayrshire District competitions without payment of a fee.  Such members may also attend General meetings of the District and may participate in discussion but Honorary Membership does not confer the right to vote.

.5  INDIVIDUAL LIFE PATRONS

On payment of the appropriate fee and with the approval of the District Council any member of an affiliated club of the district may be appointed an Individual Life Patron.  Such appointment gives the right of free entry to all Ayrshire competitions, which right of retained even though the Individual Life Patron may subsequently cease to be a member of an affiliated District club.

1. SUBSCRIPTIONS

Affiliated clubs shall be required to pay an affiliated fee for the club and for each individual registered “home” member.  The amounts of the fees shall be determined at the AGM and are payable on or before the 30^th September following the AGM.  If the fees have not been paid by 31^st October then the club in default shall cease to be a member of the District.

1. RULES

A copy of the constitution shall be given to each club and additional copies shall be available from the District secretary on request.  Clubs are responsible for bringing the constitution to the attention of their members.

1. COUNCIL

.1  COMPOSITION

The Ayrshire District shall be controlled by a Council consisting of:

a)      Office-bearers: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, District Secretary, Treasurer.

b)      Match Secretary (National), Match Secretary (Local) and additional members of Council not exceeding nine in number.

c)      Ex officio member: the immediate past Chairman.

      The offices of District Secretary and Treasurer may be conjoined as also may be conjoined the functions of

      Match Secretary (National) and Match Secretary (Local).

      The Council shall have the power to co-opt up to a further three members either to fill a vacancy which has

      arisen or for special duties.  Such appointment shall lapse at the next AGM.

            .2   TERM OF OFFICE

            All office-bearers and members of Council shall be elected at the AGM for a period of one year.  The

Chairman may be re-elected annually, but shall not serve in that office longer than five consecutive

years.  After the lapse of one year the chairman shall be eligible for re-election.  All other office-bearers

and members are eligible for re-election.

.3   POWERS

The whole affairs of the District shall be in the hands of the Council who shall meet as deemed

necessary but not less than six times a year.

The council shall have the following powers:

a)      to control the finances of the District..

b)      to promote, sponsor and run competitions limited to members of the District and to make rules for these.

c)      to run heats and competitions promoted by the SBU under the appropriate rules and conditions of the SBU.

d)      to appoint sub-committees

e)      to take disciplinary action as is appropriate in controlling the affairs of the District.  This may include the suspension for a fixed period, or the expulsion, of clubs or individuals.

f)        to select the teams for representatives matches wherever District representation is necessary.

g)      to hold and administer the property and assets of the Ayrshire Bridge Centre and to control the affairs of the Centre either directly or through sub-committees.

h)      to resolve disputes including any interpretation of this constitution.

      Both the Chairman and Vice-Chairman are required to sign legal documents on behalf of the District.  No

      action to acquire or dispose of buildings may be made without the approval of a General Meeting.

      7.   DELEGATES TO THE SBU

      The AGM shall select, by vote if necessary, the appropriate number of delegates to the Council of the SBU.    

      The chairman of the District is ex officio a Vice-President of the SBU.

       The Treasurer shall keep proper accounts and books showing the financial affairs and intromissions of the

       District.  The accounts shall be audited annually by an auditor elected at the AGM.  The financial year shall

       end on 31^st March in each year.  The signatures of the Treasurer and one other office-bearer shall be

       required on all documents relating to financial matters in excess of £300.  For matters less than £300 only

       the Treasurer’s signature is required.

.1   ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The AGM shall be held in April not later than fourteen days before the AGM of the SBU.  Motions for inclusion in the agenda should be duly proposed and seconded and forwarded to the District Secretary at least 28 days before the date of the AGM.  Notice of the AGM with relevant papers shall be sent to club

Secretaries not later than 14 days before the meeting.  Clubs shall be responsible for informing their members of the date, time, venue and agenda of the meeting.

.2    SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

A special General Meeting may be called at any time by the Council, or on written requisition signed by at least twenty-five members.  Such requisition must state object for which the meeting is to be called and this shall be the sole business of the meeting.  The Special General Meeting shall be called within twenty-eight days of the receipt of such requisition by the District Secretary.  A copy of the requisition and a notice calling the meeting shall be sent to each member club not less than fourteen days before the date of the meeting.  Clubs shall be responsible for informing their members of the date, time, venue and agenda of the meeting.

.3    VOTING

No proxies shall be allowed except for members of clubs further than 50 miles from the venue of the meeting.  Except as provided in section 13 decisions shall be determined by a simple majority of those voting.  The Chairman at all meetings shall have a second or casting vote.

.4    QUORUM

            At all General Meetings twenty-five persons entitled to attend and vote shall constitute a quorum.  At

Council meetings five members shall constitute a quorum.  Any meeting which fails to achieve a

quorum shall be reconvened in fourteen days when the number present shall constitute a quorum.

.5   CHAIRMAN

At all General and Council meetings the Chairman shall preside.  In his/her absence the Vice-chairman

shall preside and if he/she is also absent then the meeting shall elect its own chairman.

No proposal which has been voted on by Council shall again be brought before the Council for a period of six months unless at the express wish of two thirds of the members voting or an AGM having intervened.

       Clubs are bound to observe this constitution and to adhere to all rules made by Council from time to time

       regarding the management of property, the conduct of competitions and the administration of bridge within

       the District.

       Where clubs choose to run competitions or heats of competitions involving other clubs, the relevant District

       Secretary must be informed.

In the event of the Ayrshire District being wound up, funds remaining after all debts have been paid shall be

transferred to the SBU for the benefit of bridge in Scotland.

No clause or part of this constitution may be altered except by the consent of two thirds of those voting at a General Meeting of the District.