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SPRINGFIELD AIR RIFLE CLUB

CONSTITUTION - RATIFIED

29 September 2019

Section

1. Name and Governance

2. Constitution and Rules

3. Club Objectives

4. The Club Committee

5. Membership of the Club

6. Income, Expenditure and Property

7. Meetings

8. Dissolution

1 Name and Governance

1.1 The name of the Club is the Springfield Air Rifle Club (SARC)

1.2 As a membership club, Members exercise control through the Annual and General Meetings and delegate day-to-day management of Club business to a Committee, elected by the members for a period of one year, at the Annual General Meeting which must take place each September.

1.3 Governance of shooting disciplines shall be in accordance with the Club Safety Rules and Competition rules of the relevant National Bodies.

2 The Constitution and Rules

2.1 The Constitution provides a framework for the running of the Club supported by Rules that address day-to-day matters, approved and amended by the members at the Annual General or General Meetings called for that purpose.

2.2 Amendment of the Constitution requires a 75% vote in favour by Members at a properly constituted meeting as defined in Section 7.

2.3 Changes to the Rules can be made by a simple majority of Members at a properly constituted meeting as defined in Section 7.

2.4 Any changes to the Constitution and Rules must be for the benefit of the Club.

2.5 The Constitution and Rules must be displayed on the Club Noticeboard and website.

3 Club Objectives:

3.1 To promote and encourage the safe and lawful use of Air Rifles and Pistols

3.2 To be a non-profit making organisation with excess income being re-invested to the betterment of the club.

3.3 To hold an Annual General meeting each September and General Meetings when necessary.

3.4 To provide at all times “Public Liability Insurance” renewed annually.

3.5 To provide at all times “Contents Insurance” renewed annually.

4 The Club Committee:

4.1 The Club Committee elected at the Annual General Meeting shall comprise of three officers - Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer – and up to eleven committee members all of whom have voting rights.

4.2 The Chairman will not usually vote at all meetings unless there is a tie, in which case they have a casting vote. In the Chairman's absence the Committee will vote in a Chairman for that meeting.

4.3 No person under 18 shall be appointed as a Club Officer.

4.4 Vacancies for Committee members that occur between AGMs may be filled through co-option of a Member to the Committee.

4.5 The Chairman is responsible for ensuring that the Constitution and all Rules are complied with and insurance cover is in place.

4.6 The Secretary is responsible for ensuring that all formal meetings are minuted and members are notified of Annual, General and Committee meetings.

4.7 The Treasurer is to receive all monies collected by the Club and prepare a financial account and asset list for consideration by the Annual General Meeting specified in the Rules and Constitution.

5 Membership of the Club:

5.1 The Club Committee may create any class of membership they deem necessary and may determine what benefits or rights such members may have, and may lay down procedures for the introduction of prospective new members. The exercise of any such powers by the Committee shall be subject to Rules ratification by the membership at the next Annual General Meeting.

5.2 Membership of the Club shall be open to anyone interested in the sport of target shooting on application, regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs, except as a necessary consequence of the requirements of target shooting.

5.3 The Committee shall have responsibility for all disciplinary matters, which shall be administered in accordance with the Club Disciplinary procedures as described in the Rules.

6 Income, Expenditure and Property

6.1 The funds of the Club, including all donations, contributions and bequests, shall be passed to the Treasurer after being entered into the Club Range Book and paid into an account operated by the Committee in the Club's name at a bank or building society. The Club may operate more than one bank account. All cheques drawn on the Club bank account must be signed by two of the Officers. Electronic payments may be made and received by the Treasurer. Bank statements shall be regularly circulated to Committee members.

6.2 The funds belonging to the Club shall be applied only in furthering objectives.

6.3 An asset list is to be maintained with values assigned so that members can be informed at the Annual General Meeting of what Club property is worth.

6.4 The Committee may pay accounts and incur any normal liabilities on behalf of the Club. The Committee are hereby indemnified against any claim in respect of any liability properly and bona-fide incurred on behalf of the Club.

6.5 The Committee shall be empowered to obtain indemnity insurance to cover the liabilities of Club Officers, which by virtue of any rule of law would otherwise attach to the said Officers, in respect of any negligence, default, breach of trust or duty for which they may be found guilty in their club responsibilities

6.6 The Committee is responsible for the safe custody of all Club premises and property.

7 Meetings

7.1 The Club Chairman shall act as chairman at Annual and General Meetings. If the Club Chairman is absent from the meeting attendees shall elect a chairman.

Annual General Meeting

7.2 The Annual General Meeting shall be held in September. The end of the Club's financial reporting year shall be 31 August. Members shall be given a minimum of twenty-one days notice by way of a poster displaying the time and date on the Club notice board and by email or text. At the same time a list showing the Committee positions up for election is to be displayed on the Club notice board and Members invited to make and second nominations. Where no nominations are made for a Committee position, they can be made and seconded from the floor at the AGM. Any resolutions for discussion can be made at this time and they can also be made at the AGM. Where more than one nomination is made for a Committee position, officer or member, a secret ballot must be held and two tellers appointed from the ordinary members to count the vote.

7.3 The order business will be:

i) Apologies for Absence

ii) Approval of minutes of the last Annual General Meeting

iii) Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Last AGM

iv) Chairman’s Report

v) Treasurer’s Report and Receipt of Balance Sheet

vi) Competition Secretary's Report

vii) Election of Officers (Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer) and up to eleven Committee members.

viii) Consideration of any resolutions

ix) Any other business

7.4 Voting Procedures:

i) Any resolution changing the Constitution needs 75% support of those in attendance.

ii) For changes to the Rules and approval of other resolutions a simple majority applies.

iii) Proxy Votes shall not be accepted.

iv) With the exception of the meeting chairman, only fully paid-up members will be entitled to vote.

v) The meeting chairman shall not have a vote, except when there is no majority vote for or against any resolution put to the meeting, in which event they will have a casting vote.

vi) Any call for a vote that is seconded must be voted upon.

General Meetings

7.5 The Committee may convene General meetings on their own initiative and must do so if 25% of the paid-up membership submit a resolution needing discussion by the whole membership. Members shall be given a minimum of fourteen days notice and told of the purpose of the meeting. Notification shall be by poster on the Club notice board and email or text.

7.6 The voting arrangements are the same as shown in Section 7.4.

8 Dissolution

8.1 If the Committee decides that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Club it shall convene a meeting giving Members twenty eight days notice. The notice must be sent by email or post and include a resolution that explains the reasons for the dissolution and a recommendation for the disposal of Club funds and assets.

8.2 If the resolution is approved by 75% of Members present, the Committee is authorised to dissolve the Club. Any assets remaining, after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities, shall be given or transferred to such other institution, charity, club or person as approved in the resolution.