(Approved by Committee on 10 May 2009) 

1.   NAME

  The club shall be called the Woburn Sands Bridge Club

2.   OBJECT

2.1   The object of the Club shall be to provide facilities for its members for playing Duplicate and other forms of Bridge in a friendly and supportive manner.

2.2    The Club shall be non profit-making with all income devoted to the provision of facilities for the playing of bridge (including the provision of small prizes).

3.   HEADQUARTERS

The Club shall not have any permanent headquarters; playing venues shall be arranged by the Committee provided they are in the Woburn Sands area.

4.   MEMBERSHIP

4.1  Membership shall be open to all bridge players and anyone wishing to learn bridge.

4.2  No individual shall be prohibited from Membership on the grounds of age, gender, ethnic origin or disability.

4.3  Any person wishing to become a Member of the Club shall apply to the Membership Secretary in such form as may be prescribed from time to time by the Committee.

4.4  The Committee’s decision on all Membership Applications shall be final.

4.5  In considering applications for membership the Committee shall have regard to the playing facilities available and may from time to time decide that the Club will be closed to new members for such period as it may decide.

4.6  A Member shall cease to be a Member of the Club immediately if expelled from the Club under the provisions of Clause 13.

4.7  A member whose annual subscription has not been paid within three months of the due date shall cease to be a Member of the Club.

5.   OFFICERS

5.1  The Officers of the Club shall be as follows:

Chairman

       Vice Chairman

       Treasurer

       Director of Bridge

       Deputy Director of Bridge

       Membership Secretary

       Secretary

5.2  Each of the Officers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Club. A member may combine the position of two Officers subject to the approval of the Members at the Annual General Meeting.

5.3  In the event of a vacancy arising during the year in the office of any Officer the Committee shall choose one of their number to fill such vacancy until the ensuing Annual General Meeting.

6.   COMMITTEE

6.1  The Committee of the Club shall consist of the Officers of the Club together with two other Members of the Club who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting to serve for the following year.

6.2  The Committee may from time to time co-opt further Members of the Club to serve on the Committee until the next Annual General Meeting provided that the total size of the Committee does not exceed ten.

6.3  A quorum at meetings of the Committee shall be three members of the Committee including at least one of the Officers.

6.4  The Committee may from time to time appoint sub-committees to undertake on its behalf such aspects of the administration of the Club as it thinks fit. The Committee shall determine the terms of reference and powers of the sub-committee as it thinks fit.

6.5  The Committee shall regulate its own proceedings in any way that the Committee may from time to time determine.

6.6  The Committee shall make a Report, including a Financial Statement, to the Annual General Meeting of the Club covering the affairs of the Club since the last Annual General Meeting.

7.   MANAGEMENT

7.1   The affairs of the Club shall be managed by the Committee.

7.2  The Committee may from time to time formulate and publish such rules as it thinks expedient for the efficient and harmonious running of the Club.

7.3  Any major policy issues, including subscriptions, should require approval by the Members at a General Meeting of the Membership.

8.   GENERAL MEETINGS

8.1  An Annual General Meeting shall be held in each year no later than two months after the end of the financial year.

8.2  Other General Meetings may be called at any time at the discretion of the Committee or if a request for such a meeting is submitted by at least five Members of the Club, such a request to be submitted in writing to the Secretary.

8.3  The Chairman, if present, shall Chair all General Meetings. In the absence of the Chairman the Meeting shall be chaired by the Vice Chairman; in his/her absence any Officer may chair the Meeting.

8.4  Notice of all General Meetings shall be sent to all Members at least 14 days before the date of the Meeting.

8.5  A quorum of any General Meeting shall be ten Members.

8.6  Any Member may submit to the Secretary details of any matter they wish to be discussed at a General Meeting provided they do so at least 48 hours before the date of the Meeting.

8.7  Voting at General Meetings shall be by show of hands; in the event of parity of voting the Chairman of the Meeting shall have a second or casting vote.

9.  NOMINATIONS

9.1  Nominations for the posts of Officers or Committee Members shall be in writing and supported by a proposer and seconder both of whom shall be Members.

9.2  Nominations must be submitted to the Secretary at least 7 days   before the date of the Annual General Meeting.

10.  SUBSCRIPTIONS AND FEES

10.1  Each Member of the Club shall pay an annual subscription, the level
       of which will be determined at the Annual General Meeting on
       recommendation of the Committee. The annual membership fee shall
       be paid within three months of the Annual General Meeting .

10.2 Each Member, and any guest, shall pay table money on each occasion
       when they play at the Club, the level of which shall be agreed
       annually at the Annual General Meeting on recommendation of the
       Committee.

10.3 The Committee may determine variations on the level of table money
        and refreshments during the year subject to giving prior written
        notification to the Members; if more than five Members object
        than a General Meeting shall be held to discuss the Committee’s
        proposal.

10.4 The Committee may determine from time to time any fees to be
        charged for use of the equipment of the Club.

11.   ACCOUNTS

11.1  The Committee shall arrange for Annual Accounts to be prepared and presented for approval to the Annual General Meeting.

11.2  The Club’s financial year shall end on 31 August each year.

12.   GUESTS AND VISITORS

12.1  Guests and visitors may play at the Club at any time but shall be required to play the appropriate table money.

12.2  In the event of playing facilities being inadequate to accommodate all those who wish to play priority shall be given to Members.

12.3  The Committee may place a limit on the number of occasions on which a non-member may play without being required to apply for membership.

13       CONDUCT

13.1  The Conduct of Play shall be determined by the Committee and shall be enforced by the Director of Bridge or, in his absence by the Deputy Director of Bridge.

13.2  Any decision by the Director or Deputy Director of Bridge shall be final on the day. A player wishing to question the decision may appeal to the Committee for a review of the decision. The subsequent decision by the Committee shall be final.

13.3  The Committee shall have the power to suspend or expel a Member if it is deemed that the conduct of that Member is detrimental to the running of the Club or the enjoyment of others.

 14       ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION

14.1  Any alterations to this Constitution require the approval of two thirds of the Members attending a General Meeting of the Club called in accordance with the provisions of Clause 8.

 15       WINDING UP

Any proposal to wind up the Club requires a two thirds majority of the Members voting at a General
Meeting.  Any assets remaining after the payment of all debts shall be distributed to similar clubs in the local area.