CONSTITUTION of the PRIVATE CONTRACT BRIDGE CLUB, NEWPORT

1.       Name

          The Club shall be known as the Annandale Private Bridge Club.

2.       Objects

1. To provide facilities for playing bridge.
2. To provide a common meeting ground for those who primarily regard bridge as a social function.

3.       Management

1. The business of the Club shall be managed by a Management Committee appointed annually by ballot at the Annual General Meeting and shall hold office for one year only but shall be eligible for re-election.
2. The Office-bearers and Committee shall consist of President, Vice-President, Honorary Secretary and Treasurer, and two other members.
3. In the event of any vacancy occurring during the year in the Committee, the Committee shall have full power and discretion in co-opting to fill the vacancy.
4. Three members of the Committee shall form a quorum.
5. Special committees of two or more members may be appointed from members of the Committee for special purposes.
6. The President or his or her deputy shall be Chairman at all meetings and shall have a casting vote.
7. Powers shall be vested in the Management Committee for disciplinary control of the Club and to deal with any matter which may not be provided for.

4.       Membership

Membership of the Club shall be open to all persons of 18 years of age and over. Applicants wishing to join the Club must be proposed and seconded by established members. Each application shall be considered by the Committee at their next meeting, and should notify acceptance or otherwise as soon as a decision has been reached. The decision of the Committee shall be final. Membership will be regarded as being effected on payment of entrance fee and subscription.

5.       Entrance Money and Annual Subscription

The entrance fee and annual subscription shall be payable by the members as may, from time to time, be determined at the Annual General Meeting of the Club.

6.       Accounts

A Statement of Accounts for the financial year ending 30^th April or such other period as may be fixed by the Management Committee, duly audited, shall be submitted at the first Annual General Meeting held thereafter.

7.       Notice of Meetings

A written notice of all general meetings shall be sent by the Secretary to each Member at least seven days before the date of the meeting.

8.       Meetings

The financial year of the Club shall end on 30^th April and the Annual General Meeting shall be held at the end of the playing season for the purpose of reviewing and discussing the affairs, income and expenditure of the Club of the past year (audited and certified by the Auditor or Auditors appointed by the Club) and for electing office-bearers for the ensuing year.

A special general meeting shall be called when the Committee deem it necessary or on a request being presented to the Secretary, stating the matter to be discussed, and signed by at least 20% of the members. The date of such special meeting to be fixed by the Committee but to be not more than one calendar month after the requisition has been received.

9.       Auditors

An Auditor or Auditors shall be appointed each year at the Annual General Meeting, either from amongst the Members or otherwise.

10.     Alteration of Constitution

Any alteration of the Constitution or Rules and By-Laws may only be made at the Annual General Meeting. Intimation of the terms of any alteration to be considered at the Annual General Meeting must be lodged in writing with the Secretary 14 days prior to the Annual General Meeting, but no such alteration shall take effect unless it is confirmed by two-thirds of those voting at the meeting.