1. General.

1.1  The name of the Club is Phoenix Bridge Club and the object of the Club is to provide facilities for its members for playing competitve Duplicate Bridge in a convivial and courteous atmosphere. Phoenix is an ACOL Club.

1.2  Phoenix Bridge Club is not affiliated to any body or any group.

1.3  The Club's playing venue is currently located within the Severn Hospice premises. These are secure premises and it is a pre-condition of their use, that it is the Club's responsibility to ensure secure locking of all windows and doors before leaving the premises. During play access doors should be locked. Smoking is not permitted.

1.4  On a day-to-day basis the Club is run by a Committee consisting of a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, treasurer and one further Committee member. The Committee reserves the right to co-opt members, if it considers it appropriate to do so.

1.5  The Club's financial and membership year runs from 1st April until 31st March. An Annual General Meeting will be held as soon as possible after the end of the financial year to approve the income and expenditure statement for the previous year and to decide any other business. Any Club member wishing to make a proposal for the AGM should advise the secretary in writing at least fourteen days prior to the AGM.

1.6  New and existing Committee members will be up for election and re-election at the AGM.

1.7  For most matters a majority of those present at the meeting is required for approval, but changes to the Constitution require a majority of the whole membership, who do not all need to be present. Members unable to attend may vote by proxi by writing to the secretary. 

1.8  The Committee has the right to call an Extraordinary General Meeting and must do so, if requested in writing by at least 20% of the membership. At least 14 days' notice of an EGM must be given to the members and the general nature of the business to be discussed shall be given in the notice.  

2. Membership. 

2.1  Members pay an annual subscription and table money approved at the AGM. The Club intends to donate the income from the subscription and 75% of the table money to the Severn Hospice on a regular basis within the annual maximum specified by the AGM, in sofar as reserves allow. The remainder of the table money will be used to fulfill the Club's object.

2.2 New members are welcome and application forms for membership are available from the secretary. Completed application forms with a proposer and a seconder from within the members will be considered by the Committee and in the event of approval the new member may initially be put on a waiting list. Membership numbers will be under the strict control of the Committee and a waiting list may be in operation.

2.3 Visitors are welcome, but should inform a Committee member prior to playing. Table money for visitors will be approved at the AGM. Visitors should sign the visitors' book. 

2.4 Members and visitors should adhere to the Ethics of Bridge and the Etiquette of the Bridge Table.The Committee reserves the right to terminate or not renew any membership provided that the member has been given the opportunity to be heard by the Committee before the decision to terminate/not renew has been taken.       

3. Winding Up. 

3.1 If circumstances prevail, which necessitate the Club to be wound up, the Committee shall submit its winding up proposal to the Club by posting the proposal document on the Club's notice board together with the date for an Extraordinary General meeting, which must be at least 21 days thereafter. Winding up will require the approval of the majority of all the Club's members, whether voting in person or by proxi. 

3.2  After approval all residual monies and materials will be given to the Severn Hospice or, in case the Hospice do not wish to acquire and dispose of the materials, these may be sold off and the proceeds donated to the Hospice. 

4. Playing. 

4.1 Club night is Friday evening. Players should arrive on time and be seated by 18.45 hours.

4.2 The Committee will nominate a Director for the evening, who will be drawn from the players present, provided the person feels competent to do so.

4.3. During the evening a short interval will allow players to consume refreshments, provided free by the Club, although a voluntary contribution to the cost would be appreciated. The proceeds of this activity will be used for the benefit of the Club's members.  

Shrewsbury, October 2014.