Name

The Club shall be known as the Phoenix Bridge Club (hereinafter called the Club)

Objects

To promote the playing of bridge in a friendly and competitive environment.

To be affiliated to the English Bridge Union and the Nottinghamshire Contract Bridge Association

To compete in local leagues and national events

Membership

The club is to be limited to a maximum number of members to be determined by the Committee.

Two existing members who shall vouch, from their own knowledge, for the suitability of the candidate, shall propose a candidate for admission as a member.

The candidate shall complete an application form giving full name and address and e-mail addresses which form will then be displayed on the Club notice board for at least two weeks.

All candidates should play at four drives whilst paying the visitors' table fee, at the end of which time the Club Committee will consider the application.

The Club Committee may, in its absolute discretion, refuse to accept any candidate for membership.

Resignation and expulsion of members

Any member may resign his/her membership by giving notice in writing to the Secretary.

The Club Committee shall have the power to expel any member who shall offend against the Rules of the Club or whose conduct shall in the opinion of the Committee render him/her unsuitable for membership of the Club.

Before any such member is expelled the Secretary shall give him/her at least seven days written notice of a meeting of the Committee called to consider the expulsion, shall inform him/her of the complaints made against him/her and give him/her the opportunity to attend the meeting and answer the complaints.The member may only be expelled if at least two thirds of the Committee then present vote in favour of his/her expulsion.

Visitors

Visitors will pay a table fee fixed by the Committee and will be allowed to attend the Club on six occasions in any period of twelve months. No person may be introduced as a visitor who is known to have been expelled from any bridge club or whose conduct or presence at the Club shall be considered by the Committee to be prejudicial to the interests of the Club.

A visitors book shall be kept at the Club and visitors required to sign in.

Annual Subscriptions

The Committee shall determine the amount of the annual subscription.The subscription will be due on 1st. May each year and payable by 30th. June. Any member whose subscription is more than three months overdue shall, except in special circumstances agreed and accepted by the Committee, automatically cease to be a member.

The Committee may determine a reduced rate of subscription for those joining in the second half of the year.(from 1st. November)

Table Fees

All members and visitors shall pay a table fee as determined by the Committee.

Rules of Conduct and Play

The rules of conduct and play shall be according to English Bridge Union rules with local variations as shall from time to time be agreed by the whole membership.

Management

The business of the Club shall be conducted by the Committee which shall consist of the Chairman, Vice-chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and four committee members. No member shall serve in any capacity for more than four consecutive years and shall not be available for re-election until one year has elapsed from his/her standing down.

The Committee shall have the power to co-op a member of the Club to the Committee if deemed necessary.

Five members of the Committee shall form a quorum. The Chairman shall have a casting vote.

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Club shall be held no later than 2 months after the end of the financial year to elect a Chairman, Vice-chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and four Committee members. Those members elected shall remain in office until the end of the following AGM. If any member of the Committee for whatever reason ceases to hold office during the year the Committee shall co-opt a substitute to act until the following AGM.

20% of the membership will form a quorum and must be present at the AGM for elections and resolutions to be valid.

The notice convening the AGM should be sent to members at least one month before the AGM.

Proposed and seconded resolutions for the AGM should be displayed on the Club notice board for fourteen days before the AGM.

The business of the AGM shall include:-

a) An annual report from the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer

b) Election of Officers and Committee

c) Amendments to the Constitution and Rules of the Club

d) Resolutions put forward in due form

e) Such other business as the Chairman in consultation with the Secretary shall determine.

Nominations and Elections of Officers and Committee

Nominations shall be in writing, signed by a proposer and seconder and also by the nominee. Nomination Forms shall be displayed on the Club notice board for at least fourteen days before the AGM. Voting shall be by show of hands unless at least five members present demand a ballot. If insufficient nominations are received in advance, nominations may be made at the AGM.

Extraordinary General Meetings

Extraordinary General Meetings may be called by the Committee or at any time on the signed requisition of at least ten members. On receipt of such a signed requisition which shall be addressed to the Secretary and which shall specify its purpose, the Meeting shall be held within twenty-eight days. Voting rules and quorum shall be the same as for an AGM.

Accounts

The accounts of the Club shall be made up annually to 30th. April and shall be displayed on the Club notice board for at least seven days prior to the Annual General Meeting.

Independent Accounts Verifier

Members at each Annual General Meeting shall appoint an Independent Accounts Verifier, for a maximum of four years, who shall not be a member of the Committee. However, if at least half the full membership writes to request a formal audit or if the Committee requires it, then such an audit shall be undertaken and be reported to an EGM held not later than three months after the request/requirement.

Alterations to the Constitution

No alterations shall be made to this constitution except at any General Meeting. In order for a resolution to alter this constitution to have effect at least two thirds of the votes cast on the resolution must be in favour.

Issue June 2023