FRINTON-ON-SEA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB CONSTITUTION June 2015
1. NAME OF THE CLUB
The Club shall be called 'Frinton-on-Sea Duplicate Bridge Club.'
2. AFFILIATION:
The Club will be affiliated to the Suffolk Contract Bridge Association, which is a member of the English Bridge Union.
3. OBJECTS OF THE CLUB:
Shall be the encouragement of and provision for playing duplicate bridge under the rules of the English Bridge Union.
4. INTERPRETATION OF THE RULES AND CONSTITUTION:
The Committee of the Club is the sole authority for the interpretation of the rules and the decision of the Committee thereon shall be final and binding on all members. Every member of the Club shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by these rules and any bye-laws made hereunder.
5. MEMBERSHIP:
Candidates for membership shall be proposed and seconded in writing and the candidate shall be known personally to the proposer and to the seconder. Members shall be elected by the Committee with a two thirds majority vote in favour being necessary to secure election. The Committee shall take into consideration the playing ability of the applicant.
6. LIMITATIONS ON MEMBERSHIP:
Membership of the Club shall be limited by the Committee and determined as facilities allow.
7. GUESTS:
Members may introduce guests providing they have sufficient playing ability and agree to the rules of the Club. Guests may become members of the Club after playing on three occasions and having their written application approved by the Committee. Table money for guests shall be determined by the Committee.
8. FINANCIAL YEAR:
This will commence on 1st April of each year with the Annual General Meeting scheduled for the middle of April.
9. SUBSCRIPTIONS AND TABLE MONEY:
Annual subscriptions will become due on 1st April of each year.
Membership will be deemed to have ceased if the subscription has not been paid by the 1st June.
New Members joining after 1st May shall pay 1/12 of the annual subscription for each month or part month up to 31st March following.
Table Money will be collected on each club evening except for special events determined by the Committee. Subscriptions and Table Money will be determined by the Committee. Any member whose subscription remains unpaid at 1st June shall cease to be a member.
10. PLAYING FACILITIES:
The Club will normally meet on each Monday evening at Read House, Frinton-on-Sea, starting promptly at 18:30 hours. If a member has reason to be late, every effort will be made to allow them to play - but not usually after the end of round 2. Members knowing they will be late should have the right to telephone informing the TD. So that actions can be taken to allow entry.
The Committee will welcome any assistance from members on setting up the room for play and for clearing up after the evening event. The playing area can currently accommodate 13 tables, i.e., 52 players. Should this number be exceeded, the Committee will endeavour to allow a limited additional number to take part but consideration must be given to health and safety regulations. The Club has a no-smoking policy in the playing area.
11. HOST SYSTEM:
The Club will not operate a host system. However, every effort will be made to arrange partnerships using telephone numbers on the official Club Fixture Card.
12. OFFICERS:
The Officers on the Committee shall consist of a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Tournament Director. These will be subject to election at the Annual General Meeting. If any office becomes vacant during the year, the Committee will elect a replacement.
13. ADDITIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
The Committee shall comprise four Officers listed above plus up to four other members. All members of the Committee will be subject to election procedures operated by the Club.
14. MANAGEMENT OF THE CLUB:
The management of the Club will be vested in the full Committee which may include the past Chairman for one year ex-officio. Nominations for Officers and Committee shall be in writing, duly proposed and seconded, and shall be in the possession of the Club Secretary at least seven days before the date of the Annual General Meeting. If necessary there will be a ballot at the Annual General Meeting. The Committee shall have the power to co-opt. Co-opted members may normally hold office until the next Annual General Meeting.
15. COMMITTEE QUORUM:
The full Committee shall meet from time to time as they think necessary. Three members shall form a quorum. The Club membership will be kept informed of any decisions made at such meetings.
16. GENERAL MEETINGS:
The Annual General Meeting shall be held in the middle of April of each year for the following:
a) To receive a report and audited financial statement for the previous year;
b) To elect Officers and Committee Members;
c) To elect an Auditor or inspector of the accounts;
d) To receive from the Chairman and/or Secretary;
e) To consider any resolutions which have been submitted to the Secretary in writing at least four days prior to the date of the Meeting.
A quorum of 15 Club Members is required for any General Meeting of the Club.
Voting shall be by a show of hands except in the election of the Committee where the Chairman shall use his discretion as to the method of ballot.
17. ALTERATION OF THE RULES:
Any rule may be repealed or amended and any new rule inserted provided this is approved at a General Meeting. Notice of any alteration to the rules and any proposed new Rule shall be lodged with the Secretary of the Club in writing at least three weeks before the General Meeting. On behalf of the elected Committee, the Chairman has the duty to accept an amendment to a proposed new rule, Rules may be subject to amendment or new rules introduced during the year but these must be made known to the membership for approval.
18. BEHAVIOUR AND EXPULSION:
The Club shall expect good behaviour and conduct in the interests of welfare of the Club. Any member who fails to comply with this will be subject to expulsion from membership of the Club. The Committee shall have the power to make a final decision after giving due consideration to the circumstances.
If a member behaves badly during the playing session, the appointed tournament director should be empowered to warn the offender and subsequently bring the matter to the full Committee.
19. DISPUTES:
Disputes during the playing session. Members should have the right to appeal through the TD. Every effort should be made to resolve the problem at the end of the playing session with consultation being sought through at least one, but preferably two experienced club members. The member has the right to appeal to the appointed Chief TD of the Suffolk Contract Bridge Association and, if necessary, to the EBU.
20. COMPETITIONS:
Competitions will be as stated on the Annual Fixture Card. Any changes will be agreed at the AGM.
21. TEAMS:
Members representing Frinton DBC in Suffolk county events shall have their entry fees paid by the Club, but not their travelling expenses.
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