To provide facilities for playing Duplicate Bridge in a pleasant, friendly, and relaxed atmosphere and in accordance with the rules of the game as laid down by the EBU.

To employ the funds of The Club in such a manner as may be deemed to be in the best interests of the game with regard to the fact that the Club is non-profit making. 

The name of the Club shall be Gateway Bridge Club.

To provide facilities for playing Duplicate Bridge in a pleasant, friendly and relaxed atmosphere and in accordance with the rules of the game as laid down by the EBU.

To employ the funds of the Club in such a manner as may be deemed in the best interests of the game with regard to the fact that the Club is non-profit making.

Membership shall be restricted to such numbers that the Club Committee shall decide, regard being given to the best interest of the Club and the playing facilities available.

New members must be formally proposed and seconded by two existing members, both of whom shall sign the Membership Application Form, before it is submitted to the Committee for approval.

The applications for membership shall be displayed on the Club notice-board for two regular meeting of the Club (normally 28 days) prior to approval. The annual subscription shall be paid by the new member at their first visit to the Club. All members shall be bound by the Constitution and Rules of the Club.

Any person may play at the Club as a member’s guest up to three times in any one year. However, in the event that imposition of this rule adversely affects a member’s opportunity to enjoy the due benefits of membership, the Committee shall, upon request, afford sympathetic consideration to the individual case for relaxation of the limit. With prior permission of the Committee, visiting partnerships may play up to three times in a year.

Amount of all subscriptions and fees shall be decided at the AGM. Annual subscriptions are to be paid by 1st November.

The Club Committee shall consist of the Hon. Chairman, Hon Vice Chairman, Hon. Secretary, Hon Treasurer and Committee Members. Officers and committee members shall be elected at the AGM. Elections shall be by ballot, if necessary. Four members of the Committee shall form a quorum. The Committee shall appoint the Club’s Hon. Tournament Director/s (one of whom shall serve on the Committee for the ensuring year, if not already a Committee Member).

One third of the Committee shall resign, in rotation of seniority of service, at each AGM. They shall serve for no more than three years, and may only be eligible to stand for re-election in the event of there being no nomination for the post/s vacated.

The routine business of the Club shall be vested in the Committee as elected at the AGM. The Committee shall exercise the functions given to it by the Constitution. The responsibilities of this Committee shall be:-

1. To enter into contracts and arrangements for the occupation of premises and the purchase of equipment for the benefit of the Club

2. To administer the affairs of the Club in accordance with the Constitution

3. To determine the manner in which Bridge meetings of the Club are conducted

4. To appoint a member or members who shall be responsible fo rteh supervision of meetings in the absence of the Hon Tournament Director/s

5. To ensure, through the Director, that play is in accordance with the laws appropriate to the game of Bridge in progress

6. To formulate any Rules for the running of competitions

7. To co-opt additional members to serve on the Committee as necessary

8. To formulate any Rules for the running of the Club. Such Rules will be implemented with immediate effect and subsequently will be confirmed or otherwise at the following AGM.

9. To appoint a sub-Committee for any purpose deemed beneficial to the Club and define its terms of reference.

All General Meetings shall have twenty-eight days notice. The Annual General Meeting of the Club shall be held in the month of October to receive a report of the affairs of the Club and an abstract of the accounts, to elect Club Officers and Committee Members and to transact Club business. Any member may bring forward a motion at the AGM provided that written notice is given to the Hon. Secretary 14 clear days before the meeting. Nominations for candidates to serve as Club Officials or Committee Members must be in writing to the Hon. Secretary 14 days before the AGM. These nominations must be duly proposed and seconded by two Club members and the candidate/s must indicate willingness to serve. Election of Officers and Committee Members shall be by ballot paper if more than one name is submitted for any vacancy.

A Special Meeting of the Club may be called by the Committee:-

1) At any time, if they think it expedient, without any requisition

2) On written requisition, signed by at least six Club Members

Notice of twenty eight days for such Special Meetings shall be displayed prominently in the Club and such notice shall specify the object of the Meeting.

No resolution of a General Meeting shall be valid unless approved by a majority of the members present and voting. Proxy votes are not permitted. Voting shall be by a show of hands, or by written ballot paper if the Chairman so directs.

No alterations to the Constitution shall be made, except at an AGM, by a resolution carried by at least two thirds of the members present and voting.

The Constitution and Rules of Gateway Bridge Club shall be printed and made available to all members. No member shall be absolved from the effect of this Constitution and Rules by any allegation of not having received them.

Unless otherwise stated by the donor, all trophies and cups will be returned to the Hon. Secretary 14 days prior to the following year’s presentation.

Any member of the Club who:-

1) Commits a breach of the Rules or Constitution of the Club or

2) Behaves in a way which is inconsistent with the objectives or well being of the Club may be expelled from the Club and the following procedure shall apply:-

a. In the first instance, the Club Committee, by a majority of the full Committee, shall decide whether there is a case to answer. If they decide, then they shall refer the matter to a Disciplinary Committee, which shall comprise three members of the Club Committee, plus four independent Club members who may also be members of the Committee.

b. The first duty of the Disciplinary Committee shall be to elect a Chairman from one of its members.

c. Before a member is expelled, at least seven days notice, in writing, shall be given to that member stating the reasons for the proposal to expel the member, together with the date and time of the Disciplinary Committee at which time the complaint will be considered.

d. Such member may be represented or accompanied by a friend and shall have full opportunity of offering an explanation at the Meeting. The resolution to expel a member must be formally proposed and seconded by at least two thirds of the Disciplinary Committee.

e. The Disciplinary Committee will publish to the Club members their findings and the minority may publis alternative views if they wish.

In the event of the Club being dissolved, the Committee will liquidate the assets of the Club and distribute the proceeds to such organisations and registered charities that would benefit the local community as agreed by members at a Dissolution Meeting.