TAW VALE BRIDGE CLUB
CONSTITUTION (REVISED AUGUST 1997)
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CLUB TITLE
The Club shall be known as the TAW VALE BRIDGE CLUB.
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CLUB ASSOCIATION
2.1 The Club will be affiliated to:
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The English Bridge Union (E.B.U.)
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The Devon County Contract Bridge Association (D.C.C.B.A.) and will operate within the Bye-Laws of those organisations.
2.2 The Regulations of those bodies shall apply where relevant to the procedures and conduct of all Committees, action and play of Members on every occasion.
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CLUB OBJECTIVES
3.1 The principal object of the Club is to promote the playing of Contract Bridge and to encourage players of Rubber Bridge to enjoy the stimulus of Duplicate Bridge.
3.2 It is also the intention to provide facilities for younger people with some experience of Rubber Bridge to explore the continuation of the game into the realms of Duplicate Bridge.
3.3 To provide regular occasions of play in a friendly atmosphere whilst demonstrating all the courtesies and good manners at the playing table towards partner and opponents alike.
3.4 To organise competitive events suitable for all levels and standards of the membership.
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CLUB MEETINGS – ORDINARY
Ordinary Meetings for the playing of Duplicate Bridge shall be held not less than once a week other than where circumstances do not permit.
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CLUB MEETINGS – ANNUAL
5.1 An Annual General Meeting shall be held in July at a date to be decided by the Committee and notified to Members not less than 4 (four) weeks prior to the selected date.
5.2 The business for the Meeting shall be set out in an Agenda and shall be posted on the Club notice board not less than 4(four) weeks prior to that date.
5.3 A quorum for the Meeting shall be not less than 16 (sixteen) fully paid Members in attendance.
5.4 Voting by proxy shall be permitted for fully paid Members on any or every matter as indicated in the Agenda.
5.5 The business may include, the election of an Honorary President for a period not exceeding 3 (three) years. A President will be permitted to stand for and be re-elected for a further period of 3(three) years but may not serve for a longer period than 6(six) consecutive years.
5.6 Any matter calling for an acceptance by a secret ballot or visual endorsement shall be deemed to have been favourable if the number of votes cast attain a simple majority of those voting.
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CLUB MEETINGS - SPECIAL
6.1 A Special General Meeting may be called by the giving of a Notice of not less than 4(four) weeks prior to the date stipulated.
The Notice may be served by either:
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The incumbent Committee or
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Any declaration signed by 8(eight) fully paid Members.
6.2 A quorum for the Meeting shall be not less than 16 (sixteen) fully paid Members in attendance.
6.3 Voting by proxy shall be permitted for fully paid Members on any or every matter as set out in the Notice.
6.4 Whosoever requests a Special General Meeting shall set out the matter(s) of the Resolution(s) for consideration by the Members and this must be posted on the Club notice boards at the same time as the giving of the Notice.
No amendments will be permitted by the Members calling for the Meeting after the Notice has been given. Should the Members seek to vary, alter or amend the Resolution(s) as posted the original Resolution(s) must be withdrawn and the procedure re-commenced giving due Notice accordingly.
6.5 Any matter calling for an acceptance by a secret ballot or visual endorsement shall be deemed to have been favourable if the number of votes cast exceed two thirds of those voting including proxy votes if appropriate.
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CLUB MEETINGS – COMMITTEE
7.1 At each Annual General Meeting the Club shall elect Officers and a Committee comprising.
Officers - Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer
Ordinary Members – Maximum of three.
7.2 The Committee shall have power to co-opt a Member to fill any vacancy for the remainder of the period that the Committee is required to fulfil.
7.3 All Members of a Committee shall be entitled to stand for re-election at each subsequent Annual General Meeting having been properly nominated.
7.4 Nominations for any position in Committee must be proposed and seconded in advance of the Annual General Meeting.
7.5 Where there are more nominations than positions to be filled there shall be a secret ballot including votes by proxy.
Successful candidates will be those achieving the highest number of individual votes for the required number of vacancies.
7.6 Following upon election the Committee shall be responsible for meeting as thought necessary and required to carry out its obligations. No fewer than 4 (four) persons shall constitute a quorum to conduct its business.
7.7 Committee Members shall rank as Ordinary Members in terms of behaviour and discipline.
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CLUB GOVERNANCE – DUTIES OF COMMITTEE
8.1 The Chairman or a Vice-Chairman elected for the time being by the Committee shall preside at all Committee Meetings with the benefit of a casting vote.
8.2 The Treasurer shall maintain a record of the funds of the Club. Funds other than an adequate working balance in a current or cheque account shall be held in a deposit account at a bank or building society. Access to any account shall be upon the signature of the Treasurer and any one other member of the Committee.
8.3 The Secretary shall properly record all Club Meetings and the results of any secret ballot after the accepted result by the Scrutineers. The Minutes shall be subsequently approved and signed by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman as a true record of the proceedings at the following Committee Meeting.
8.4 The outgoing Committee shall prepare an annual programme and diary of Club events for the succeeding year for approval of the membership at the Annual General Meeting. The programme shall include the dates and times of play.
In addition the Committee shall decide upon and recommend to the Members the annual subscription rate for the forthcoming year together with table costs.
8.5 Following upon any complaint as a result of information properly received from whatever source the Committee shall be empowered, if appropriate, to immediately suspend the Member temporarily for not more than one month. Should the Member in question be a current Member of the Committee he/she shall not be permitted to cast a vote on the proposed suspension. The suspended Member is debarred from all Club Committee activities for the due period. The Committee is required to investigate the complaint without delay and to report its decision to the Membership.
8.6 The Committee shall be expected to deal with any complaints of irregularity or matters of Club discipline. This may be communicated orally or the Committee may require the matter to be in writing setting out the facts and details as may be necessary in order to adjudicate fairly. The matter and the outcome shall be posted on the Club notice board.
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CLUB MEMBERSHIP
9.1 Applications for membership shall be submitted on the approved form proposed and seconded by fully paid Members of the Club of 1 (one) years membership and preferably having personal knowledge of the applicant.
9.2 The application form shall be displayed on the Club notice board for a period of not less than 4(four) weeks to allow the applicant to meet the requirements of 9.3 below.
9.3 During that period the applicant will be expected to attend and play at the Club on not less than four unrestricted occasions (open Club pairs) in order that as many Members as possible can be introduced at the table.
9.4 Any ordinary Member who wishes to raise any objection to an applicant on whatsoever grounds shall communicate the objection to the Committee in writing for its subsequent consideration.
9.5 Following the introductory period the Committee shall take account of any representations before accepting or rejecting the applicant as it considers best for the Club. The Committee is not bound to give any reason for its decision.
9.6 An applicant who is accepted shall pay the due subscription.
9.7 Any applicant who is rejected may not re-apply for membership until twelve clear months have elapsed.
9.8 In order to allow every member an opportunity to support an application for membership a member may not propose or second any application for membership more than twice in any twelve month consecutive period.
9.9 The objects of the Club have been set out previously under Item 3 and express a desire to assist young and inexperienced Bridge players to progress in their play and gain expertise.
In this respect it is anticipated that at the table, our experienced Members would, upon request, assist in the development of such member’s skills with constructive response.
9.10 The Club should also encourage a balance of expertise by accepting new Members having a substantial level of experience and rating. Such expertise and ability should not be a bar to membership.
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CLUB GENERALLY
10.1 The Club may be wound-up on the recommendation of the Committee by the calling of a Special General Meeting for that purpose as set out under Item 6 previously. In the event of the approval so to do all Committee shall dispose of all assets and the surplus funds shall be returned to the full paid-up Members equally at the time of the decision being taken.
10.2 Any proposed change in the Constitution shall be a matter to be laid before the Committee in detail and in writing and to be placed upon the Agenda for the subsequent Annual General Meeting.
(Signed by Michael Grimshire)
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Chairman
TAW VALE BRIDGE CLUB
Date 11th August 1997
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