WINDERMERE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB

CONSTITUTION

Name.
The club shall be known as ‘Windermere Duplicate Bridge Club’. Hereinafter known as the Club.

Objectives
a) To organise the playing of duplicate bridge in the Windermere area.
b) To promote the interests of duplicate bridge in the Windermere area.
c) To be affiliated to the English Bridge Union.
d) To manage the funds of the Club on a non-profit making basis.

Membership
a) Using the application form currently in force, prospective new members must be proposed and seconded by two club members before being considered for acceptance as a member, and are required to play at the Club on a minimum of 3 occasions before being so proposed and seconded. The completed application form shall be displayed on the club Notice Board for a period of three (3) weeks before being considered by the Committee.
b) The Committee may, at its discretion, refuse the application of a prospective member.
c) The Committee may, at its discretion, ask a member to resign, if that member adversely affects the playing of Bridge in the Club.

4. Visitors
Visitors are welcome to play on Club evenings and (except in members-only events) in Club competitions subject to payment of the Visitor fee currently in force. The Committee, at its sole discretion, will consider inviting regular visitors to apply for membership.

5. Committee
a) The Committee of the club shall be elected annually at the AGM.  The Committee shall consist of 1; Chairman, 2; Tournament Director, 3; Hon. Secretary, 4; Treasurer, 5; Web master, and at least one other member, with a maximum of four other members.  Nominations for the Committee can be tendered to the Hon. Secretary at or before the AGM.  Election will be by secret ballot if more than one contender for a position.  The Committee shall have the power to co-opt any member on the Committee if deemed necessary.
b) The Committee shall decide on any matters not covered by the Constitution.

6. Subscription
 The annual subscription will include the affiliation fee payable to the Westmorland County Duplicate Bridge Association where applicable.  The rate shall be set annually at the AGM together with the table charge.  Subscriptions are due on or before the 1st March annually, and should be paid by 1st April annually.

7. Accounts
 Shall be made up to the 31st day of December for presentation to the AGM.
 The Club accounts shall be subject to an annual audit. The Auditor shall be appointed by the AGM.

8. Annual General Meeting
 Shall be held with 14 days notice to the members during the month of February each year.  A Special General Meeting may be called by the Committee at any time, or by a written request signed by 5 members, to the Hon, Secretary, whereupon the Hon. Secretary will call the meeting within 28 days.

9. Conduct of Meetings
 All full members of the Club may attend and vote at the AGM.  A quorum will be 10 members.
 Committee Meetings will be called by the Hon. Secretary from time to time and a quorum will be 4 or more members, one of whom shall be either the Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer.

10. Team Selection
 The Committee may invite members to represent the Club in Pairs and Team competitions.

11. Amendments to, and interpretation of the Constitution
 a) Proposals to amend the Constitution must be duly proposed and seconded and received by the Hon. Secretary at least 21 days before the date of the AGM. The Secretary shall send details of such proposals to all members together with the Notice convening the AGM no later than 14 days before the date of the AGM.
 b) Changes to the Constitution require the approval of two thirds of the members present voting for the motion. Absentee votes are not permitted and the Chairman does not have a vote (except a casting vote in a proposed Amendment to a proposal which, initially, only requires a simple majority to be carried forward as a substantive motion).
 c) Decisions concerning the interpretation of the Constitution will be made by the Committee and will be binding, unless altered by a simple majority vote at an AGM, or at a SGM called to consider such matters. The Chairman has a casting vote.

FEBRUARY 2015 version issued after AGM 27th 2015