CLUB CONSTITUTION [For Adoption under AGM Agenda Item 6]

1. Name

The club will be called Malvern Hills Sword Fencing and will be affiliated to British Fencing and Pentathlon GB.

2. Aims and Objectives

The purpose of the club is to provide facilities for, and to promote participation in, the amateur sport of fencing, which will include

(a) Offer coaching and competitive opportunities

(b) Promote the club within the local community

(c) Provide all its services in a way that is fair to everyone

3. Membership

Membership of the club shall be open to anyone interested in the sport on application regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs. However, limitation of membership according to available facilities is allowable on a non-discriminatory basis.

The club may have different classes of membership and subscription on a non-discriminatory and fair basis. The club will keep subscriptions at levels that will not pose a significant obstacle to people participating.

The club committee may refuse membership, or remove it, only for good cause, such as conduct or character likely to bring the club or sport into disrepute. Appeal against refusal or removal may be made to the members.

4. Administration

The club will be managed through a committee consisting of three officers – Chair, Secretary and Treasurer – plus up to four further members, of which one will act as welfare officer.

Officers will be elected annually at the annual general meeting (AGM). All officers will retire each year but will be eligible for reappointment.

The committee will be convened by the Secretary of the club.

The quorum required for business to be agreed at committee meetings will be three, of which at least two will be officers of the club.

The committee will be responsible for adopting new policy, codes of practice and rules that affect the organisation of the club.

The committee will have powers to appoint sub-committees as necessary and appoint advisers as necessary to fulfil its business.

The committee will be responsible for disciplinary hearings of members who infringe the club rules/regulations/constitution and will be responsible for taking any action of suspension or discipline following such hearings.

5. Finance

All club monies will be banked in an account held in the name of the club.

The club Treasurer will be responsible for the finances of the club.

The financial year of the club will end on 31 December.

A statement of annual accounts will be presented by the treasurer at the AGM.

All surplus income or profits are to be reinvested in the club. No surpluses or assets will be distributed to members or third parties.

6. Annual General Meetings

Notice of the AGM will be given by the club Secretary. Not less than 14 clear days’ notice is to be given to all members. The AGM will receive a report from officers of the committee and a statement of the accounts. Nominations for officers of the committee will be sent to the secretary prior to the AGM.

Elections of officers are to take place at the AGM.

All members have the right to vote at the AGM.

The committee has the right to call extraordinary general meetings (EGMs) outside the AGM. Procedures for EGMs will be the same as for the AGM.

7. Dissolution

A resolution to dissolve the club can only be passed at an AGM or extraordinary general meeting (EGM) through a majority vote of the membership. In the event of dissolution, any assets of the club that remain will not be distributed or otherwise shared between the members of the club but will be transferred to British Fencing, Pentathlon GB, a registered charity or some other club with similar objectives to those of the club for use by them in related community sports.

8. Amendments to the Constitution

The constitution will only be changed through agreement by majority vote at an AGM or EGM.

9. Declaration

Malvern Hills Sword Fencing hereby adopts and accepts this constitution as a current operating guide regulating the actions of members.

Signed: Date:

Name:

Position: Club Chair

Signed: Date:

Name:

Position: Club Secretary